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✱ CHAPTER 12 : ARCANE
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A subtle vibration flows through the atmosphere. Everyone tries to hold onto something, the commotion lasts for a few seconds. The scientists are confused, but after the incident, they all confirm one thing.
The soldiers come in to eat, and one of the scientists whispers something to one of them. The female scientist continues,
"Members, we would like to inform you about the situation happening outside." Another scientist adds, "We conclude, after multiple analyses, that there was an outbreak on Floor X1."
One of the workers, worried about the information, says,
"Do we even have clearance for this information? Like, Floor X1 is something we shouldn't talk about, right?"
The scientist replies, "It doesn't matter. Once we leave the premises after this Protocol, it becomes dismissible and we'll be quarantined right after."
Another female scientist continues, "The subject responsible for the Protocol is classified as an Arcane-Level Threat. And the safest place we can be during the incident is right here."
The soldiers then add, "For this reason, we have to be careful and stay put until the situation escalates. There were suspicions of an imposter among us, but luckily, we checked all your IDs before the incident and locked out the imposter's credentials."
The other soldier continues, "So, we're staying here for a while. There is accommodation, and we'll be assigning places. If there are any problems, please let us know."
Then the scientist continues, "This is tough, I get it. It might take days and if they activate SD, we'll be notified. We'll engage if that happens. Until then, let's cooperate and survive the next session. For now, humanity's best hope lies in cooperation."
"What if the Self-Destruct sequence gets activated?" a worker asks. "Well, it hasn't happened since 1970... it's better to stay on the optimistic side."
That's how the conversation ended. Some people began eating, while others were lost in their thoughts.
The next songs continue. The woman sits to eat her steaming hot chili ramen, blowing gently to cool down the steam. A hotdog packet slides beside the ramen cup. She says, "Trying to break my diet, Tim?"
The winner sits beside her. "I know it's your favorite."
They look at each other as she sees the egg-fried rice properly cooked and his excitement, ready to feast. She ignores his comment and says out of confusion… "How did you get…"
He replies, "Well, the benefits of making friends. Zoey doesn't like eggs. Funny how she looks so buffed up, it's remarkable."
"Oh, now you're into workers. Ah, everything makes sense now." She slurps the ramen. "Oh, I didn't know you were interested in watching me win."
"Shut it." she says calmly. She continues, taking the hotdog and peeling the wrapper.
Tim shows signs of happiness as she goes on… "Thank you. Well, any chances on us getting out of these concrete walls?"
They start eating and chatting about the situation. "Well, it's been 12 hours already. Chances are slim, but after the briefing... my take? It's better to hold for a day, max."
The ambiance feels lively as people continue talking about their next plan. She says… "So another 12 hours. Great! I'll join your gaming club later."
"Oh, my pleasure! But after sleep, right?" His eyes narrow as she looks confused.
"What do you mean…" she yawns as she says that, instantly understanding his statement. Tim says, "After sleep, you're welcome to our game club."
She replies, "Yeah yeah, whatever! Have you ever played Durak?"
They continue their conversation. Across from them, on two benches, a group of three workers are chatting. A black-haired woman in a worker's outfit, in her mid-twenties, athletic, strong physique, with emerald eyes, looks curiously at Glasses. She asked him...
"Hey Ryan! Why are you close with that red-haired scientist?" Ryan, busy eating a chicken burrito, says, "Oh, Tim? Well, I just met him today playing Solitaire. That guy's good with his hands."
"Hmm, okay. Can I play Solitaire with you guys later?" she says with a smile. "Ahh... lemme think..." He thinks while taking a big bite. "Well…" still eating "Nuh...h."
"What??" she said as he finished chewing, "Well, you'll get competitive all of a sudden…" He gives that annoying look as he sees her getting a bit pissed, still eating.
"Ah really? Me? Nah, I'm not like that... You really don't want to let me play because you might lose."
"Nah, you'll start bragging after losing, too big for your ego." He keeps eating. "Just let her in already." Red Cap says. "Yeah! Thank you, Mike!"
"Ahh, come on Mike, you always take her side. Like literally" "The more the merrier," Mike says, busy eating his red sauce pasta.
As others are busy eating, soldiers take their food. One of the army members taps his ID card while accessing the meal box. It beeps...
Access Denied. ID card is invalid or deactivated.
He looks at his card, pissed. As his camera stays a few feet behind him looks at him suspiciously and walks towards him. His expression changes as soon as he taps him.
"Well, there must be a malfunction, here take my instead, I am feeling a bit off with my stomach so here, take it." He feels uncomfortable replies… "No, No it's fine…"
"That's an order! Spike." He said, "Ah... Yes Sir. Thank you, Sergeant Johnson."
"At ease, soldier. It's better to fuel yourself. Anything can happen in situations like this. Our main priority is the safety of these civilians."
"I get it that this isn't something you expect for your first shift. So better be safe, take care of yourself."
He says this and leaves, as Spike feels calm and finds a place to eat and rest.
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Good morning. "Today, we will be briefing Operation Nightmare, now revised to Operation Confinement—and the actions that must be taken in response to the situation."
The Syveron Main Headquarters, located in ****, convened a Board Meeting to receive an urgent update on Protocol Confinement.
Elegant statues of former Board Members, Creators, and Directors lined the soundproof room, occupied solely by the current Board Members. In total, there were eleven members, excluding Cassandra, who remained trapped in the horror of the SGI outbreak and three Apex Echelon Members. All members wore a golden Syveron pin.
At the center, a large glass table held ten seated members. The Director of Intelligence approached the white slides descending from the ceiling. As the lights dimmed and the projector started, she began pointing toward the images of the SGI infrastructure.
"This is the briefing of the ongoing Mission Confinement, supervised under Project Axolotl Scouter. It includes Agent Eagle, Agent Neuron, Agent Vortex, and Agent Morph. The 2nd Board Member is currently caught in the conflict and is under Agent Shade's protection." (The slide shown)
Operation Confinement: [Project Axolotl]
Supervised by:
Scouter
Agent Eagle - Heighten visual, auditory senses and intelligence
Deployed Operatives:
Agent Neuron - Can spread infectious spores to subjects; once infected, the user will gain control over the subject
Agent Vortex - Can absorb any object's features into his physical body and utilize them as his own, gaining the object's perks
Agent Morph - Can manipulate and biomodify his body
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"Syveron Geothermal Institute (SGI) & Covert Research Complex, located on Devon Island, experienced an outbreak of an Arcane-Level Threat entity tied to a confidential operation known as Project Axolotl – Subject Nakamoto." (The slide changes, revealing Floor-X1.)
SGI Confidential Medicus Sector
Level E: Executive Confidential (Floors S-X)
FLOOR MAP
Facility Type: Underground Secret Biomedical Research Lab
Primary Research Fields: Genetic, Biomechanical, and Radiation Experimentation
Tracking System: Alphabetic Floor Designation (A-Z) with Numbered Sectors
[A - C] [D - G] [H - L] [M - R] [S - X]
X1 – The Abyss Chamber (Unmapped, highly secretive area with no known records)
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"There was the containment facility where the subject was kept under heavy doses of anesthetics to suppress his abilities."
"The entity can manipulate dimensions by secreting a liquid known as VXD-4 from his spores, submerging nearby space. The subject can produce up to 110 million gallons of water per second. VXD-4 is an oxygenated perfluorocarbon liquid, enabling infected vigilantes to breathe underwater, allowing the subject to manipulate them at will. Several abnormal monsters were discovered after the incident—creatures we never expected he could create."
"After thorough analysis, we've confirmed that a group of individuals planned this outbreak. Investigations, conducted in collaboration with the Director of Legal Affairs & Internal Compliance and supported by data retrieved by Rescue Operatives led by the Scouter, confirmed this."
"We have identified two Commanders of the facility who have betrayed us and may have received aid from certain terrorist factions. Their current whereabouts remain unknown."
"At present, the Rescue Squad is working to retrieve the Black Box and rescue the civilians, especially the Director of Global Strategy, who is our primary objective."
"Any questions regarding the operation?" asked the Chief Engineer & Head of Weapons Development in a deep voice.
"What actions have been taken against the imposters?"
"Well, regarding the subject, still unknown. The Energon Commander was killed in combat by Agent Neuron while retrieving the Source Key. The Medicus Commander is still at large and has been deemed hostile; surveillance detected him killing his teammate in Vault I19D after the incident."
"The Director has granted all access to ensure the success of this operation."
Everyone turned to the Director and bowed respectfully in recognition of his decisive actions.
Adorned in royal white robes like the other Apex members, the Director remained silent. Nearby stood an elegant woman with ruby eyes and golden-blonde hair. She lifted her shroud and spoke with a soothing, fragile, yet alluring treble:
"We hope our actions have been justifiable and in immediate response to the situation. We pursue the welfare of our civilization and will continue to do our best to preserve it."
Then the CEO continued, his voice persistent and commanding. He wore a white mask with no facial features.
"In order to achieve our goals, we must be the first to undertake unorthodox measures to understand the next stage of human evolution. What matters is the end goal, preventing catastrophic failures like this from happening again. That concludes today's meeting."
"Follow up on the stocks, the necessary advancements to launch the new pharmaceutical equipment. One more thing, the Director has briefed me about a new protocol. We'll keep you updated once it is finalized. Thank you."
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Chapter Ends. | Review • Like • Follow