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✱ CHAPTER 2 : ECLIPSE
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Welcome to Syveron Research Facility
"Where Science Becomes Salvation." We pioneer groundbreaking biomedical advancements from cutting-edge pharmaceuticals to state-of-the-art medical technology. Our mission: to engineer a healthier, brighter, and more prosperous future for all.
The Syveron Research Facility, California, operates as a classified site. It houses secret experiments, restricted research, and, most notably, violation containment for agents like Levi.
The facility is pristine. White walls, lined with subtle blue accents, give it a sterile yet futuristic feel. Every inch is under high surveillance, equipped with state-of-the-art medical technology.
Levi wakes in a confined, square room. The walls are the same sterile white with blue detailing. A metal table and two chairs sit in the center. His wrists are cuffed. An intercom and a heavy steel door stand before him. (Beep.) The door slides open.
An American man enters, wearing a black trench coat. He looks tired and aged, his face wrinkled. In his hand, he carries a thick case file about an inch thick, most likely a recent report on what happened in the dark alley.
He sits across from Levi. Without a word, he pulls out his phone. "Verify yourself." Levi said, "I am NEURON, Axolotl Classified Operative. Subject ID AXL-924-Ω-G4-101." (Beep.) "Identity confirmed."
The man exhales heavily. "Let's get this over with. You know why you're here." "Yes, sir. But before that..." Levi gives a skeptical gaze, "What is your clearance, to interrogate me?"
"Scouter will be arriving soon. Until then..." (gestures for him to sit) "According to the report, you killed a civilian charged with sexual assault and murder. Am I right?"
"Yes." He said, "Wait... but how did you know he was a murderer beforehand..." (Beep.) The door opens again.
A middle-aged Russian man enters, dressed in a sharp black formal outfit. His firm physique is the result of years of relentless training. His cold gaze, precise movements, and aura of ruthless professionalism command both respect and an underlying sense of danger.
The interrogator stands, exchanges a few hushed words with him, then steps out. The second man sits opposite Levi.
"So, what do you think you are? Some kind of f**king Dexter?" he said as Levi replied, "Saving civilians comes first. No matter what."
"Oh, so we have a f**king savior here? Let me tell you something she knows. And now she's gonna be killed. Everything you did? It was all in vain." "She doesn't." Levi said, pissed.
The man said, "The rules are clear. If anyone outside the classified personnel learns about the existence of abnormal abilities..." He emphasises "termination is mandatory."
Levi argued, "You can't kill someone who doesn't know s**t!" The man smirks. "That's exactly what you did, Sergeant."
Levi realised something as the man continued. "Rules don't chain us; they're the compass that guides us. I don't know who the f**k said it, but it kind of makes sense. See, if we don't follow rules, we tend to destroy ourselves. What makes us human is rules. Following them is what keeps us sane. You've been sentenced to a week of imprisonment."
"Just take me to jail already, Scouter." (In Russian) "Piece of s**t! ... This d**n generation has zero patience."
The Scouter takes Levi to jail. He is blindfolded as the guards are assigned their orders regarding his imprisonment.
The containment facility is secured with titanium walls, motion sensors, and high-level surveillance. Any prisoner attempting to escape will be terminated immediately.
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The metallic scent in the air is too familiar. The cold silver walls of the confined cell contain only the bare essentials: a bed, a toilet, and a Rules & Regulations book outlining the protocols enforced by Syveron Industries.
This is how justice works. No matter what we do, good always seems to collapse into darkness. Revolutionaries are silenced for their ideologies, while people are rewarded for conforming.
Validation and war are nothing but power struggles, assertions of will. If someone powerful wills it, it happens without resistance. Yet, somehow, the world finds balance. And if that balance shifts, we are the ones who bring it back. As he continued his past.
We entered the office where we saw the target sitting in his chair. The General said, "Something's off."
As he gets to turn his chair he's dead. "Who killed him?", I said as we got com saying. ""It's …" As we heard Charlie say, it was too late. James opened the door and shot me with a grenade launcher.
The General blocked it, but the impact pushed me, breaking through the glass wall and falling into stagnant coolant water. I was dead…
Or somehow I was accepted to a confidential experiment and it went well, except just a few headaches as side-effects. I met two people who had gone through similar tragedies and got a second life, a few more later on. A chance to save the world, but at what cost? I own Syveron a huge debt I can never pay, even after they pay me for what I do.
The same industry I am thankful for was the reason I might have died. The reason they saved me, maybe because I saw the military containers with Syveron marks. Of course, it is the lead manufacture of weapons but nuclear power is banned by the government.
This reminds me of what responsibility I hold as a lead operative of the squad and the secrets they are hiding from us, the very people assigned to rescue the flawed system in the first place. As I end my monologue…
The Scouter releases him. He looks rushed, as if something serious has happened. Levi follows him, trying to understand the situation.
Levi said smiling, "Well, must be desperate to release me, this soon?" Scouter sigh replied, "It is.. We got into a code red situation back at SGI."
"Syveron Geothermal Institute, the research facility where Hadeon was created, right?" He was suspicious, "That was supposed to be classified!"
Levi said, "Well... let's pretend this conversation never happened." Scouter unbothered, "Better that way."
They arrive at the control room, where operatives are working urgently. The Scouter moves toward a large screen and begins explaining the operation. "While I go over the mission details, the rest of the team is preparing for deployment." "Roger!"
"One of our Board Members, Cassandra Specter, was assigned to inspect the Syveron Geothermal Institute. But things went downhill when a highly classified subject escaped containment and wreaked havoc inside the facility.
We received a status report confirming that this is a high-level threat, as Protocol Eclipse was initiated when the subject escaped and sabotaged the facility."
One of the workers speaks. All of the operatives have formal outfits with the Corporation pin on them. "Sir, the system is offline, and the AI is not responding to any commands."
"As expected due to this protocol. We're still unaware of the full situation, and our only intel comes from Suki's last communication before she went offline." Levi said, "Hope Suki is safe." Scouter said, "Show us the comms, Salome."
The footage shows a close-up of Suki exudes an alluring yet formidable appearance. Her cold, captivating eyes hold an enigmatic charm, reflecting both intelligence and lethal precision. Her wavy bob, jet-black accented by striking purple streaks, frames her face elegantly, the soft waves adding depth to her sharp features as she reports the incident.
The room has a black rock matte texture with a thin gold rim running along the lower middle. Frustrated yet maintaining her composure, she delivers critical information about the facility, her unwavering gaze hinting at the gravity of the situation.
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20-12-20XX | 12:13 PM | SHADE | SGI, Insight Room
"This is SHADE, ID-AXL-357-Ω-G4-102. Protocol Eclipse has been initiated. The VIP is secured, but there is abnormal activity in the facility.
(There was a possible earthquake, shaking footage.) After an explosion in one of the sectors, the facility is experiencing dimensional shifts.
The cause is unknown, but we are trying to regain surveillance access. The lockdown sequence has been activated.
I need backup ASAP." (Static noise, ended with gunshots...) The footage ends.
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"As usual, Salome AI will assist you throughout the journey. Meet the other agents in the training sector, train your abilities, and get ready for departure at 21:00." Everyone determined in unison, "Yes, sir."
The facility had a subtle retro-futuristic design, with air purifiers and plants placed around the building's corners. Translucent water pipes ran across the structure, keeping the temperature cool and maintaining a freshwater supply. A small pixel-font display showed the location's status report.
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20-12-20XX | 17:45
Temp: 18°C | Status: Normal
Location: Floor 700, Site - Control
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Ceiling lights with automatic sensors illuminated the corridor as Levi walked through. Some sections had smooth rectangular glass windows overlooking workers handling supply transportation, lifting cargo boxes, and operating machinery.
As he turned left, a wide hallway led to a sealed door labeled Training Site (Restricted Access). A description of the room's purpose was displayed beneath the sign. Levi used his ID to gain access.
The first section was divided into two prep rooms for equipping training weapons and armor. Inside one of the rooms, he suited up in his special black military suit, securing a belt containing blood tubes and magazines.
He carried a custom Beretta 92FS as his sidearm and a Beretta 1301 Tactical Mod 2 as his main weapon, equipped with a custom ammo system. Once ready, he proceeded to the next room, the training zone.
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Chapter Ends. | Review • Like • Follow