Book 4: Chapter 176: Entering the Dark

Book 4: Chapter 176: Entering the Dark

USD: A few minutes after a discussion about Power Armor Aesthetics

Location: Meltisar, Groundside, 62km north of M-Prime, Rogue NAI Base

Distant echoes of small arms fire echoed from the fortress, each rapidly punctuated by a replying explosion. By the time Elis and Thea reached a ruined entry point on the compounds exterior, the conflict had mostly subsided. Theas drones had swiftly taught the defenders that opening fire led to a rapid and lethal response.

Billowing smoke trailed into the sky from the destroyed cutter while damage to the compound was extensive. Broken glass and debris crunched under their footsteps on approach.

Elis cautiously took her first step up a ramp made of rubble and entered what used to be the second floor of the building. The long, narrow room featured high ceilings, occupying the entire space between the outer and inner walls. Two rows of simple beds lined both sides, each accompanied by a single foot chest.

The destruction was evident throughout; damaged furniture lay amongst scattered belongings. Elis wondered if this room had been used as a barracks or some sort of makeshift dormitory for workers or hostages.

Weird shit, Elis muttered into her comms as she scanned her sensors for any threats but found none.

Thea followed closely behind and tapped Elis shoulder before pointing into the unlit darkness. All hostiles above ground level have been neutralized. Drones have an entry point to an underground bunker entrance on lockdown. Unfortunately, I dont think there are any wounded.

You were shooting unarmored people with railguns. Did you expect any? Elis retorted sarcastically.

They shot us down, Thea replied defensively.

I hope there arent any journalists nearby, said Elis. I dont think NAI slaughters all foes is a headline Tia was aiming for.

Thea bristled defensively yet again. They were shooting at us.

Elis didnt respond, choosing instead to lead the way through the long room in the direction Thea had indicated. Her suits targeting reticle moved around her HUD, following her gaze while automated systems continuously scanned their surroundings for movement or sounds. Smoldering embers littered their path as they ventured deeper into the building, where smoke hung heavily in the air, a testament to the extensive damage.

Elis suit switched to enhanced visual mode, which utilized multiple methods to present her with a rendered picture of their environment. Light filtered in from above through punctures created by railgun rounds. Scattered corpses lay alongside dismembered limbs and viscera that stained the walls.

Unfazed by it all, Elis followed a mini map on her HUD that highlighted their path towards the bunker entrance. Suddenly, an angry beep alerted her to danger nearby; she flipped out her combat shotgun and aimed it at an armoire.

The occupant inside realized theyd been discovered and burst outa woman wielding a pulse rifle. Elis nearly pulled the trigger of her shotgun on her but hesitated as her suit highlighted the weapon in yellowit wasnt powerful enough to penetrate her armor and the safety was still engaged.

Elis eyes quickly scanned her features. She appeared to be in her late twenties or early thirties, with disheveled hair and wild green eyes that seemed desperate and afraid. Her face was streaked with dirt and sweat, and her clothes were tattereda mixture of civilian attire and torn tactical rigging.

Her lean frame trembled as she brandished the pulse rifle; determination mingled with fear in her expression. It was clear that she lacked proper training or experience with a weapon.

Elis couldnt help but feel a pang of sympathy as she started to turn toward Thea. But before she could speak, a swarm of blue nanites surged forward and engulfed the woman. She swatted at herself frantically, screaming as she fell to the floor.

Her screams were suddenly silenced, leaving Elis filled with a pained fear that Thea had executed her without warning. Relief washed over her when she saw that wasnt true: Fuck! Give me some warning next time, she hissed at Thea, her hand shaking from the adrenaline.

Just wanted to neutralize her before you blew her awaythere might be some intel, Thea remarked nonchalantly, raising an eyebrow in.

I thought you were disintegrating her, Elis admitted, tension still present in her voice.

Thats not nice; I do have some morals, you knowand she was basically unarmed, Thea quipped back defensively, crossing her arms over her chest.Follow current novels on novelb((in).(com)

Youre one not wearing any protection, Elis pointed out with a hint of concern in her tone.

Im always wearing protection, Thea snarked in response with a sly grin.

Approaching the unconscious woman, Thea melted her pulse rifle into goop and absorbed the resulting nanite pool for some unknown purpose. Placing a hand on the now disarmed captives chest, she assessed: Shes not an alpha or NAI. No cybernetics. So, theyre either psychologically brainwashed or something else.

The eyes gave me a jump, Elis admitted with unease.

Contacts or bio-engineered. Yours are Imperium red, you know, Thea observed casually.

Had a funny ancestor.

Its easy to forget youre a fossil and predate the Imperium, said Thea teasingly.

Nonlethal? Elis asked.

Yes, incapacitated like the first one. Thea replied.

We could have just brought something to pump the entire place with knock-out gas. Elis complained.

They might have had masks, and I seriously doubt anyone has anything like your ridiculous antique suit. Thea said.

Its brand new. Elis shot back.

Thea laughed and led the way into the next room. Drones were buzzing over the knocked out combatants, they were all women as well, and Elis frowned. It was more than coincidence now. The drones turned away and found air shaft grates to knock loose and then plunged inside.

Sending our mapping team below. Thea informed her.

Elis eyed the freight elevator at the end of the room warily, but they both headed to the other facility that had been of interest.

Thea slipped a hand over control; it beeped red but the door opened anyway.

As they stepped inside, cool blue atmospheric lights greeted them, revealing hundreds of fluid-filled tubes in rows two or three dozen deep stretching into the back of warehouse-sized space. Elis stomach dropped at sight and her suit chimed a warning as the temperature rapidly plummeted to a level that could have troubled anyone unprepared for the chill. Her suit leapt to action and initiated de-icing procedures in response.

I was hoping wed avoid mad science experiments, Elis said flatly, her eyes scanning the eerie sight before them.

Looks like cloning tech; all the ladies we met might have been grown, Thea mused, tilting her head as she studied the tubes.

But why? Surely there are better options, Elis questioned skeptically.

Ive no fucking clue. Maybe its a religious law that he couldnt escape, Thea suggested with a shrug.

A religious law to clone women to use as soldiers? Elis asked incredulously, raising an eyebrow at the notion.

Thea looked at Elis and frowned. Youd be surprised what random bullshit youll be forced to do at some higher ranked NAIs whim. Its one of the reasons I agreed to help your sister.

Elis nodded in understanding as Thea placed a palm on the electronic console. She peered into dark tubes and could barely make out their contentssome held nearly fully grown adult bodiesthrough her enhanced suit vision. She suppressed a shiver running down her spine.

A few moments later, her map began flashing and rapidly zoomed out, filling in new space with dozens of rooms across eight different floors. Got a full map of facility and dumped databanks to orbit. We can move on; looks like he might have an escape route, Thea informed Elis.

Elis frowned as she studied the map, noting the bottom floors giant cavernous area. A tunnel jutted out farther than the map went, drawing her attention.

Mining tunnels? Elis asked Thea quizzically.

Maybe. But hes deleted the map of them, and they might go further than our net in orbit. Hell, they could even reach the nearest settlement for all we know. We need to get after him now, Thea insisted urgently.

As they stepped forward, Elis glanced at the map in search of a stairwell. However, Thea moved toward the freight elevator instead. What are you doing? Elis questioned with apprehension.

Thea stopped and looked back at her friend. The elevator goes straight to the bottom floor. Its the fastest way down.

I dont like elevators, Elis admitted reluctantly.

Thea stared at her incredulously before retorting: The stairwell is all the way back at the entrance and itll take two or three times longer to use it! There are eight levels!

Elis took a deep breath and stepped past Thea to stare at the elevator doors. The other woman smirked: Great to see youre reasonab

Interrupting her mid-sentence, Elis raised her energy shotgun and blasted one corner of the elevator door before quickly shooting another round into an opposite corner. Two more shots followed suit; sending the metal box tumbling downward with a thunderous screech.

What in hell are you doing? Thea hissed indignantly at her.

You wanted the fastest way down? Now we have it. Elis replied resolutely as she peered down the dark shaft below. The shrieking of metal still echoed up at them, and small embers and sparks floated downward lazily.

Do you have some sort of phobia or something? Thea asked hotly; annoyance evident on her face.

Yeah. Sure. Elevators are evil, Elis explained sarcastically.