Mercer and Douklan had sealed the doors behind them, cutting off the hallway where they had fought the creatures—Ryan Carters, or whatever they had become.
The rest of them moved into the lounge, a space once meant for the crew’s leisure, now silent and littered with signs of damage. Hank sat at a table, flipping through the files while Corbin and Maya powered up a few more tablets. Erin stood by, rifle in hand, keeping watch.
With Hank's help, a progress bar flickered across Corbin screen as he bypassed the tablet’s security. When the files opened, his face hardened.
PERSONAL LOG: DR. LIN ZHAO
Samuel, I don’t like the shortcuts we’re taking. The human trials should have been double-blinded, controlled, and contained. Instead, we’re cutting corners. The last batch of subjects showed neurological anomalies. One of them—Subject 12—exhibited increased cognitive function and what can only be described as mild telekinetic abilities. I refuse to move forward unless we analyze the long-term effects.
Maya exhaled sharply.
"Looks like they were messing with combat drugs. Testing on live subjects."
ENCRYPTED MESSAGE – NAVIGATOR EMIL ROURKE
TO: UNKNOWN RECIPIENT
I’ve sent the latest batch of reports. The research is on the verge of something major. If the company really wants to delay things, we need to act fast. I’ve set up the ‘distraction’ in the auxiliary lab. It’ll look like an accident. Transfer the remaining credits to my Verdura account, and we’re done.
BEGIN AUTOMATED LOG
02:46:32 – Auxiliary Laboratory: Restricted access confirmed. No personnel detected inside.
02:46:45 – Unidentified power surge detected in secondary workstations. Cause unknown.
02:47:10 – Sudden increase in atmospheric pressure detected within laboratory. Possible source: unauthorized chemical reaction.
02:47:21 – Explosive event detected. Shockwave exceeds expected parameters for accidental detonation.
02:47:23 – Lab containment breached. Chemical storage compromised.
02:47:30 – Biohazard protocols triggered. Automated bulkheads initiate lockdown.
02:47:35 – Power fluctuations in environmental controls. Life support stabilizers compensating.
02:47:42 – First fatality detected: Crewman Patel (Maintenance). Heart rate ceased abruptly.
02:48:12 – Multiple fatalities detected. 81% of crew unresponsive.Probable cause: Sudden asphyxiation and systemic failure.Remaining personnel exhibiting irregular neural activity.
02:48:45 – Security override attempt detected. Manual override by Navigator Emil Rourke unsuccessful.
02:49:30 – Security breach: Internal monitoring systems disrupted. Data corruption detected in logs. Data protection disabled.
02:49:32 - [CORRUPTED DATA]
02:50:00 – Last recorded log entry before central server and AI's primary systems failure: "Subject Twelve exhibiting movement despite recorded expiration at 02:47. Neural scans abnormal. Tissue composition… changing. Warning: unknown biological and spatial anomalies detected. Cloned genetic material stored in Library / Cryo-Storage C was exposed. Status of subjects unknown."
02:50:05 – [DATA STREAM INTERRUPTED]
Distress signal from an unidentified crew member: "They're not dying. My God… they’re—"
TRANSMISSION LOST
END OF LOG
Maya rubbed her temples. "
So we’re dealing with psychic clones with god-knows-what kind of body modifications. Wonderful."
A
distant metallic clang echoed from the bulkheads they had sealed. A sound of something shifting. Moving.
"
We need to keep moving," Erin said, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Hank flipped through the last files as they packed up. A final item caught his attention:
a map that was not deleted by the central server data purge!
OOC:
Highlights (in yellow):
- The auxiliary lab where the explosion occurred.
- A medical facility
- An unexpected library/training area that is marked as the destination of cloning equipment
The blue arrow shows you the best way towards the next section.
Hank motioned for Maya, Corbin and Erin to stay close as he took the lead out of the lounge. Soon enough they were all reunited again with Douklan and Mercer.
