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✱ CHAPTER 3 : NIGHTMARE
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Once ready, he proceeded to the next room—the training zone.
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Welcome to the Training Zone.
Select your preferred floor. > Code - HX
Verification of your ID. > AXL-924-Ω-G4-101
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The multi-directional elevator coasts downward, then to the left. As the shutter doors open, Levi sees Brooks—his shredded tall physique a testament to years of endurance and relentless discipline.
Brooks's dark brown skin gleamed under the dim lights, every muscle in his broad shoulders and arms sculpted through hardship. Dressed in a simple black tank top, Brooks radiated strength and warmth, a warrior's build, a protector's presence.
Happy to see Levi, he greeted him with his resonant, unusually deep voice. "Yo, Levi! Man, long time no see, pal. How're you doing?"
Levi replied, "Yeah, all good, Brooks. What about you?" "Fine, to be honest. Well, pass me the staff real quick?" Brook asked. "Oh yeah, just a sec." He said and picked up the metallic bo staff, its rough surface scarred by countless battles.
He briefly struggles with its weight before tossing it to Brooks, then sets his main weapon back in the rack. "Here you go. That's as heavy as I remember." Brook chuckled, "She sure fits my size, if you know what I mean."
"Phff! Sure does. Well, it's been a while since I came here." Levi walks around as Brook replies, "Yeah, wish we had more vacation time..." He said, "Hopefully. By the way, how's your family?"
"All good man. I miss them already." Brook replied as he rotated his staff. "I see, let's finish this up and get another vacation." Levi said.
Brook smirks, "Oh, I've already preplanned everything. Well, wanna spar like old times? We've got time before roll call." Levi hesitated a bit and said, "Sure of course, just go easy on me." "Of course, son! But if I do that, I can't assure your safety on the battlefield."
Levi entered the open training room, replacing his training gears, took his stance in front of Brooks, and the automated timer started.
Levi pulled out his gun, firing precise shots. Brooks evaded each shot effortlessly, countering with a quick jab of his staff. Levi sidestepped and delivered a low kick to Brooks's calf. Brooks absorbed the impact head-on and swept the staff toward Levi.
Levi repositioned, but Brooks didn't let up, rushing forward and swinging his staff again. Levi dodges with agile footwork. Brooks attempts a full side sweep, but Levi blocks with his arms and fires more shots. Brooks caught the gun in mid-air, his hands shifting in texture to match the gun's metal.
Levi smirks. "So this is how it is? Neo jug-eoss-eo!" ("You're dead" in Korean.)
He hurled the gun at Brooks's face. Brooks flinched, and Levi lunged, aiming a punch. Brooks blocked with his staff, but Levi slipped through, landing an elbow strike. Brooks felt a subtle, unsettling shift, a hallmark of Levi's ability.
As they continue fighting, Brooks notices his movements slowing. Levi's skills were counterbalancing Brooks's durability, throwing off his defense.
Watching from the sidelines, Orion, a 5′10″ operative, observed with keen interest. His lean, combat-refined frame remained relaxed but ever ready. Stark white hair contrasted his chiseled features, and cold, steel-gray eyes tracked every movement between Levi and Brooks, analyzing footwork, timing, and intent.
"Mate's really improved compared to last time, must've trained during vacation. Such a showoff, innit fragile yet challenging a literal tank. The moment anyone touches him, they lose. Brooks's loss of movement after encountering Levi's skill is remarkable. It makes him nearly invincible in melee. A worthy opponent indeed."
The fight ended with both men bowing in mutual respect, adrenaline still humming. Brook said, "That was sick, kid. That's what my son says these days." He replied, "Thank you, man. Feels good, but I should've warmed up a bit. My body feels sore."
"Get used to it. It's going to be much worse, especially when you're constantly draining blood, especially when you're getting dizzy." Brook said as he replied. "Well, desperate times call for desperate measures."
(Intercom activates.) "Operation Nightmare has been initiated. Assigned agents are requested for roll call." Hearing the announcement, members rush to the elevator.
They quickly equip themselves and proceed toward the Airspace Sector. As the massive sealed doors open, a vast hangar comes into view, housing enormous airships, helicopters, and fighter jets on standby. Multiple operatives are seen preparing the airships, loading essential equipment, and finalizing mission logistics.
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| MISSION REPORT
Operation: Nightmare
Priority Level: Critical
Location: Syveron Geothermal Institute (SGI)
Status: Lockdown (Protocol Eclipse Active)
Deployed Operatives:
NEURON – Tactical Lead, Cyber-Warfare Specialist
VORTEX – Combat Specialist, Breach & Secure
MORPH – Infiltration & Recon Expert
| OBJECTIVES
Primary:
Extract High-Value Target (HVT) – Board Member Cassandra SpecterRescue Survivors – Locate and secure remaining SGI employeesNeutralize Threats – Engage only if necessary
Secondary:
Recover Data – Secure SGI's Memory Bank and classified researchInvestigate Incident – Identify the cause of the containment breachAssess Environment – Report on structural integrity and anomalies
| MISSION SUPPORT
Evacuation & Backup: On standby, deployed as needed
Comms: Secure channels only
Engagement Rules: Stealth preferred. Lethal force if necessary
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Warning: Protocol Eclipse has been activated. Evacuate the premises immediately before lockdown. Leave the facility to avoid exposure to any abnormal phenomena and inform nearby personnel.
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"How long until the Conference Hall is locked down?!"
"Approximately 30 minutes, considering the rate at which this strange blue jelly is filling the hall. We need to get out of here quickly."
Suki and Cassandra raced to escape as an unstable liquid overflowed, rapidly spreading across the facility. Anything it touches changes color. The liquid is opaque, light blue, and thick, almost gelatinous in nature.
Observations indicate that entire sectors and floors were now completely submerged, rendering all AI surveillance in those areas offline. Most employees have evacuated, many who were engulfed by the liquid remain trapped.
Operative Suki, with Cassandra under her safeguard, did her best to guide the remaining scientists and workers toward the exits. Panic and confusion led several personnel in the wrong direction, sending them straight into flooded sectors.
With each passing moment, the liquid spread further from the breached containment pods.
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"Strangely, the highly viscous liquid alters the metabolism of affected subjects, yet they remain alive." one of the blonde female scientists said. A group of four scientists, trapped inside a secured vault on Floor 19, exchange hushed conversations.
The underground sector has been compromised, and their only refuge is the sterile, lifeless vault. Gray walls, metal benches, and computer terminals are now simply waiting. Supplies stocked for months sit untouched, as today was supposed to be a restocking day.
Yet, as they sit in silence, a troubling thought lingers. Were they fortunate to be inside the vault, or had they unknowingly walked into their own confinement, sealing off any chance of escape?
"Any way to contact the outside?" She said as the male scientists, "All signals are down. This substance is interfering, even the radios aren't working."
Another female scientist replied, "How is that possible?" "It's an anomaly. A liquid with no known origin, behaving unlike anything we've seen before."
As scientists frantically search for a solution, a broadcast suddenly appears on their screens.
| EMERGENCY BROADCAST
Evacuate the facility immediately. Protocol Eclipse is now in effect. If you are unable to escape, remain calm. Operatives are on their way for rescue.
Stay alert and avoid unusual creatures. Proceed to the designated safe zone and await rescue teams.
Your safety is our priority. Stay alert and avoid danger.
"Finally, the operatives are on their way!" the blonde scientists said. "You really think they'll save us? We're just mere scientists stuck in this blue lava." Another female scientist became paranoid. "I think we have no choice but to wait." the blonde scientist said. Another agitated said, "And then what? Pray to God?"
"Better than sitting here whining about how hopeless and dead we already are!" Amid their arguments, male scientist, Daniel, used his ID to open the safety locker and retrieve a gun. He briefly before tucking it inside her coat.
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On Floor 7, Sector Administration, Suki and Cassandra reached the surveillance room. They scanned the monitors, static covered the screens of sectors submerged in the blue liquid. The few active screens displayed unaffected areas where people were desperately trying to escape, only to find the doors sealed due to malfunctions. Some, in their panic, ended up trapped in flooded sectors.
The moment anyone came into contact with the liquid, they fell unconscious and were slowly pulled under. The jelly-like substance seemed to absorb anything it touched, gradually consuming entire sections of the facility.
"Strange. Have you ever seen anything like this?" Cassandra asked. "No, this is new to me," Suki replied, glancing at the Emergency Broadcast screen.
"Well, backup is on the way." Cassandra said, "Thank God. Now we have to wait so... How about we talk about Project Axolotl."
Suki's expression darkened. Ignoring Cassandra, she searched the room for useful supplies. Spotting a Safety ID locker, she opened it and found ammunition to reload her handgun.
Cassandra, meanwhile, examined the sector's status. Their vault remained secure, but every other floor was completely sealed. The monitor displayed the AI SALOME rebooting.
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