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✱ CHAPTER 4 : SHADE
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"Well, since we have time, come on, why don't you tell me anything?" Cassandra pressed.
"It's not something I should talk about. Even if you're a Board Member, it's still classified," Suki replied, irritated by her persistence.
"I have higher clearance than you. I thought you'd have some kind of superhuman ability or something, but you're just a useless guard."
"Unfortunately, I didn't ask for this ability. If it was given to me." Suki closed her locker and walked toward the exit. "I'm going to check the premises for survivors."
"You're really just going to leave me here like this? You really want to get fired this bad!" Cassandra snapped.
"Maybe you should focus on using your clearance to figure out what's going on instead of threatening to fire the only person keeping you alive."
Cassandra shot her a menacing glare, but Suki ignored her and slipped out of the Admin Room, moving deeper into the sector to search for intel and a way to communicate with the outside.
Navigating through the huge ventilation sectors, Suki reached a wide-open terrace with a breathtaking yet eerie view. The underground facility stretched endlessly, its artificial sky casting an illusion of the surface world. But above and below, sections of the roofing were covered with translucent glass filled with the ominous blue liquid, evidence that the entire lower facility had been submerged.
She moved toward the left side of the terrace, stepping onto the bridge that connected the upper floors to the geothermal facility above. The Administration Sector stood at the junction between the two, the only link between the classified underground site and the SGI Facility, which provided geothermal energy to the outside world.
As Suki remained outside, Cassandra used her login credentials to access the computer and navigate Suki's information.
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| LOGIN
Username: BM-ENS-005
Password: ******************
Access Granted, Welcome Cassandra Specter!
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She hovered over the case files and discovered that Suki was a highly confidential operative, her real face itself remained unknown.
A notification appeared on the screen. Upon opening it, she found Suki's Information file. The ID system was built with complex microprocessors and fingerprint recognition, making it impossible for anyone else to use. Any attempt to bypass it would destroy the card. It was designed for highly secure authentication while maintaining privacy. The system even recorded the fingerprint access pattern, ensuring maximum security.
Meanwhile, Suki encountered a few facility members confused by the warning. Reaching the surface level, she noticed many employees were skeptical, assuming it was just a drill. Some had already evacuated, but others remained, monitoring the power plant's functionality. Since everything appeared operational, they dismissed the warning as something meant only for confidential personnel. While the higher-ups had left, several workers stayed behind.
Suki approached them, urging them to evacuate immediately. Just then, a supervisor arrived, seeking answers about the communication blackout and AI malfunction.
"Hey, I'm David Smith, Lead Experimental Ethics Supervisor (LEES)." She smirks, "Of all people, you stayed? That's ironic." He was confused. "Sorry, what do you mean?"
She replied. "Nevermind. I'm SHADE, a special operative under Board Member protection." He nods saying, "Oh, a higher-up. How may I assist you?"
"Weren't you informed about the evacuation?" He was clueless, "Evacuation? Our communications were disabled hours ago. Only radios were working, Still no one is aware about it."
She sighs at him, "For your information, Protocol Eclipse has been initiated." Shocked, he replied, "Oh God... that's bad..." She continued, "Leave the facility immediately. Inform as many people as possible."
He was worried, "I'll try, but without network access, it's a mess to contact everyone here." Everyone was walking irrespective of the situation. She asked him, "Why are people still working despite the comms blackout?"
"We're on a tight schedule, Ma'am. Forced to work, no matter what. You higher-ups have no idea what kind of s**t show happens here." he said.
She said, "Whatever. You need to get out of here now. I'll barricade the bridge once the rescue operatives arrive. They're already on their way."
He scoffs, "Operatives, huh? Just like last time. Let's hope it stays contained." Her eyes narrowed Suki said, "You've faced before?"
He was scared remembering it, "Yeah. It was the worst time of my life. Back then, I was just a subordinate. I can't even talk about it despite losing my job."
She said, "I understand." He paused, "Well it doesn't matter anyways." She continued, "So get out of here before you regret it."
He gets his document, "Okay. It's already late, so most will evacuate soon. I don't like the night shift after what happened then. I'll inform them to cancel it."
She asked, "Wait, before you go, hand me a radio." He nodded saying, "Sure. Thank you for your service, and good luck."
Suki took the radio and quickly reviewed the map before heading back to the admin room to check on Cassandra. However, when she arrived, Cassandra was gone.
She searched the room but found nothing except a search history related to herself. Cassandra's disappearance made no sense, there was nowhere she could have gone, as all the surrounding sectors were already submerged. Now, the operatives were back to square one, missing the VIP and still lacking critical intel on the situation.
As Suki stood there, the air conditioning vent hummed softly, the cold breeze thickening the air with a sense of mystery.
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Welcome to the Syveron Geothermal Institute. Outside, the aircraft finally arrived at SGI. "It's f**king cold out here," Orion muttered, rubbing his arms.
"You gotta be prepared, pal," Brooks said while scanning the helipad area. "Something feels off...," Levi added, a hint of confusion in his voice.
They watched as crowds of people left in their vehicles and Syveron transport ships. Some were frustrated by the sudden disaster warning, while others were relieved to leave before the facility went into full lockdown.
The institute was located on remote Devon Island, making it difficult to evacuate. Most members had to leave at the end of their shift, but classified personnel stayed in the Syveron Apartments, provided as part of their service and security clearance.
"So, how many people might be stuck inside?" Brooks asked. "More than a thousand, it started during rush hour, after all," Levi replied. He glanced around, uneasy. "We need to get this operation done ASAP."
"Guys, put your masks on. Right now," Orion ordered, sensing something was wrong. The facility's interior was sleek and minimalistic, with white and blue walls, a wide hall, a receptionist desk in the center, and reinforced glass panels insulating the building from the harsh climate. As they stepped inside, a strange sensation washed over them, an eerie discomfort that faded only after they put on their masks.
"Is the air contaminated?" Levi asked, scanning the hallway. "Man, this is not good. That means no one's aware of it." "How did you even notice that weird smell? It felt fine to me," Brooks asked Orion, confused.
"My senses are superior to yours, perks of being better than you," Orion smirked. "And these gas masks don't do s**t." He dropped the mask, hooking it to his belt.
"Lucky for you, immune to everything," Levi muttered. "Bruh." Just then, a faint chattering sound echoed through the hallway. They immediately tensed, weapons ready. Moving cautiously, they rounded the corner, only to find nothing. A faint static noise buzzed from the office hallway as Brooks picked up his radio.
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"Hello? Mic check. Is anyone there? Hello?"
"Hello, This is Brooks, Rescue Operative. Are you safe?"
"Brooks, Brooks Carter!?"
"Who is this, wait a minute, Suki!?"
"Yeah, good to hear a familiar voice. It's me, Suki! But first, Verify yourselves."
"Can't do as the communication is compromised," Levi muttered.
"Oh hey Levi, still... say the word."
"Oh God not again, Love is war," Levi replied, embarrassed.
"But ego is strong, well have to make sure it's you guys. So glad you are here" Suki answered, completing their verification phrase.
Levi sighed in relief. "Thank God you're safe! We're in the..." He glanced at his surroundings. "Office Sector-3."
"The VIP is missing, and the Biomedical Facility is completely submerged in a strange, lava-like liquid with abnormal effects on anything it touches."
"First, we need to get the VIP to safety. Do you have a gas mask nearby? The ventilation is contaminated."
"What?..."
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The radio crackled with interference.
Suddenly, the connection cut off.
"Battery's dead. Great." Suki sighed, shoving the radio aside.
As she turned to leave, a knocking sound echoed through the hallway. She froze, took out her gun. The sound was faint at first, then grew louder, urgent, desperate. It came from a sealed door nearby. Suki cautiously approached, her pulse quickening. The knocking intensified. It was relentless, frantic. The kind of knock that could belong to a dying person begging for rescue or something far worse. A predator playing with its prey. Suki froze, eyes fixated on the door as the eerie pounding echoed through the silence.
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Chapter Ends. | Review • Like • Follow