Rabite
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Post by Rabite on Jan 18, 2016 3:04:11 GMT -6
James had placed on his mask along with everyone else the first moment he notice the spores or dust, the air in here is bad enough, there's no need to breathe in an extra gram or two of mysterious powder. Once in the first thing he saw was another one of those pillars, he worried that this new room is big enough for the beast to attack, but it looks like it is still much too big to be contained. Giving out a hand signal for the rest of the team to keep quiet, before explaining a bit about his worries in whispers.
"There's too much dust or whatever these are in here, if we start a spark we run the risk of blazing it up. Be careful and watch out for electronics, disable them with quiet mechanical means if possible."
The camera that they hear and spot is one, normally he would just have the cords cut and be on their way, but with the powder it might be dangerous. Instead, he had Shikoto head over to unscrew some of the camera's parts so it won't be able to move and turn. As for the door, he nods to McKie to get some guys to carry that out. If only they had some other resources to block the doors from closing, then they could have left it in case they need to block off some enemies, but there's nothing he could do now.
He had the team move along the walls in case any of those small creatures would fall on them, and to limit the directions they have to keep watch for. When they arrive at another panel, again it's Shikoto's job to crack it open, at least he's quite useful this time around. Once inside the armory James and the crew begin to work to search for useful items, the gate is certain not going to stop them from grabbing what it's protection. He gets either Skylia or Shikoto to crack it open, if it doesn't work then try to find the key somewhere in this section. He also took a look at the vent, these aren't dust, dust aren't this thick and... alive. Watching it to try and determine if it is a plant or living creature, and pondering if he should bring some samples back for some crazy scientists to offer him. In the end he decided against it, if it's an animal then it might scream or something when they cut into it, kind of risky.
The team regroups a few moments later, so that they could report about their findings. Something useful enough to blast down that thing outside would be really useful now, or something that could be used on large numbers. A Rocket Launcher or a Minigun, something like that, if not then at least something that could hit multiple targets was what he hoped for.
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Post by Pitman on Jan 18, 2016 3:07:39 GMT -6
Shikoto promptly put his mask on right before the final enter and his googles were slid right back on his face. What came before him he was not shocked then soon comments, "Great... I don't got allergies but this makes me feel like I do."
He had his light still on until he saw something move away which he soon almost stop to say, "Uhh I think we are going to need a bigger gun."
Shikoto and the others who were assigned near him he would soon looked up and saw the security camera start to move which he promptly moved toward it getting help with a few others with a boost. Once up he began to unscrew the camera to not allow it to turn about but leave it on. As they arrived at the armory he saw it then noticed the gate and knew what his next was job. When he came up to the panel he soon felt it then took it off noticing the wiring.
"Oh this is fancy, but won't stop me.", Shikoto commented as he got to work to rewire the door.
He would continue as he test it out and hopefully the Gate would unlock as he worked the best he could with his googles on. His as well put a head light on his forehead to help him see as he continue to cut and rewire the device. He hoped it would succeed but fate might be cruel if he messed up.
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Richter
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Post by Richter on Jan 18, 2016 6:23:05 GMT -6
Disabling the camera goes off without a hitch, though even without being able to swivel it can still record. Similarly, Shikoto is able to open the door to the armory to allow Skippy to follow suit with the cells. The ex-pickpocket produces a set of fine-toothed tools from a pouch on her hip and makes quick work of popping the locks open. The cages open without a sound, gliding on hinges that for once are free of rust and resistance.
Inside is quite a number of interesting things.
Perhaps the most immediately useful would be a box of shields, about 5 of them. They're compact belt-sized models that indicate they're of an older age. There are more, but they're broken beyond repair. A quick glance over by the mechanic would reveal that they're currently equipped with batteries. They look a little corroded, but in his professional opinion they had ought to hold up for the short term.
They also find ten vests of some kind of silk-like fabric that have numerous pockets all over the front, back, and sides. Picking them up would reveal them to be heavier than they look. Once again Shikoto would come in handy here, as he could identify them as old era body armor. Similar to modern jack-of-plate, they had sheets of metal woven in between two layers of a synthetic fiber that was useful for stopping bullets and arrows both. The pockets were useful for holding ceramics or more metal, pending what kind of protection the wearer wanted. Not particularly useful for the moment, but they'd boost the survivability of the crew later on. Neither the fiber nor the metal backing could be easily reproduced these days, so it was a good find.
Most of the weaponry was gone, probably taken first to fight off whatever had killed the men out front in their sleep. No time for armoring up in a hurry. Stray bullets and a handful of pistols, nothing to write home about, are what's dug up. The men greedily palm and pocket all of it to sort out later, or use should it come down to it.
They're about to turn around and go when something big leaning against the corner catches James's eye. He mistook it for a pipe at first, but the grip at the back, tubes wrapping around the frame, and cylinder about halfway down its length convince him that it's something else. In fact, he knows exactly where he saw something like this before.
The chef had two of them. It's a flamethrower. Giving it a tap, the fuel tank sloshes appreciably. How many uses it had, he couldn't be sure. Popping open the locker right next to it gives him two more canisters to play around with. It was no minigun but it might just be even better. It was very heavy, but nothing your average man couldn't handle. That discounted Skippy or Tiny from using it, however.
Finally before pulling back out the captain sneaks a peak at the vent, which another 'limb' of this monsters is apparently living in. While it looks like flesh the epidermis is rigid and waxy, like a plant's. James is no biologist but it looks to him like it merges both plant and animal characteristics. He's sure that it isn't natural, no guild apprenticeship is needed to figure that out. It's probably also extremely resilient if his hunch turns out to be true. Probably combining the best aspects of both.
While they regroup Tiny returns with news. One of the men on his team had taken a heavy duty miner's pick along to use as a melee weapon, having acquired it from the laborer's storehouse outside. Since the door itself was too heavy to really destroy, short of using explosives, Tiny had that guy punch a hole into the canisters holding its hydraulic fluid and drain it out. Fairly clever. He predicts that should stop it from closing, or at least make it go a lot slower.
For now they're still in the clear and can decide their next move. Rattling begins to emanate from inside the walls around them while they plan, like something is banging against the far side. But rather than the frantic hammering of something trying to get out, it happening at a perfect tempo. About one clang every 10 seconds. Another attempt to unnerve, or something more?
At any rate, now that they're closer they can see that the personal elevators appear to be operational if they want to risk using them. The stairs also appear to be clear, or so a cursory glance makes it seem.
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Rabite
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Hey, look over here.
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Post by Rabite on Jan 18, 2016 21:21:21 GMT -6
"Excellent job Skylia, Shikoto. Now lets see what's behind it..."
And they moved like locusts, taking everything of use and value. If they could carry it and it's not bolted to the ground, they'd take it, sometimes even if it is bolted to the ground. The vests and shields are a great find, while the shields could be temporary given to the front line soldiers, the vest would have to wait until this operation is over to avoid the risk of being attacked. However the members that are not wearing armor could temporary use these vests, providing them extra protection for the rest of this operation. They move the goods out to the open so the supporting teams outside could retrieve them, a bit disappointed that they couldn't find anything good enough to take down that monster outside. However, the other large object in the room brought a grin on James' face.
"....Oh this would be fun to use... I remember seeing the chef use them in action, turns them nice and crispy."
Taking the fire spitting weapon for himself so that he could make use of it at the front. The total weight of his equipment are burdening him down, but they're not traveling quickly, so he would still be able to use it well. Against a robot or something it might be useless, but they're dealing with mutant animals here, fire would be extremely effect against them assuming they still have the minds of one. The fire could also be used to burn down eggs and webs if necessary, would save them much time than trying to break them one by one.
The Pick is not a bad weapon, but James wonders how effect would it be if used in combat, either way it'll be a handy tool to have in here.
"Our next stop is the computer room on this floor, we'll find that before going up. Don't leave anything behind and lets move."
They would have to keep going, judging from that sound it might be a large number of enemies coming towards them. Whose going to believe it if you tell them it was just their imaginations? However before they actually appear there is nothing they could do about it, so James decides to lead his team to the next destination. The computer lab might be able to provide them with more information, perhaps some traits and weaknesses of these mutant animals might help too.
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Post by Pitman on Jan 18, 2016 23:21:28 GMT -6
Shikoto nodded as he looked around and noticed the vests which were old era body armor which he soon mentions. He doesn't grab one at all since he was both a slave and other guys probably could use it more then him. Though looking from a distance he could tell it would be able to do a better job then his just heavy clothing. He simply began to check his Magnum, noticing a scratch from before with those wargs, then reloaded his speed loaders with more bullets expecting to use it. Once he was done he got up soon ready to go then heard a noise for a second.
'Huh.. was that my imagination?', Shikoto mentally thought but soon shrugs.
He would continue to follow the group as they would make way towards the computer lab, Shikoto had his Magnum drawn like the usual saying in the middle of the group his head light still on as his mask and googles continued shine with the light. Whatever that would come next he was ready to fight just in case.
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Richter
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Post by Richter on Jan 19, 2016 2:39:05 GMT -6
The computer lab isn't much bigger than the armory, all told. This one clearly had a bigger budget than the one outside, because the machines are both more numerous and advanced looking. Even though they're only thin clients, the monitors are expensive looking plasma displays that feed a dozen cords into the floor, each one winding down out of sight to link back up with the main server and other essentials. Or it would be better to say they used to be expensive looking, now most were scrap; either smashed or covered with gunk. Two were still operable. Going over to them, Shikoto would see that they were already logged into a technicians account. That was good. It meant that they'd have a higher level of access. Going through a few pages, he'd find his way into the same directory as before. This time personal files were open, if he chose to browse through them. He'd better have some cover fire if he did though, because now was when the enemy chose to make its move. The ground in the central chamber rose and fell at once, the metal plates twisting and threatening to buckle entirely as some kind of mammoth hulk moved in the crawlspaces below, where the wiring and pipework must be laid. It starts as one big tremor, a wave of groaning metal, at the side of the room near the furthest corner. By the time it reaches the area around the freight elevator in the middle of the room it splits into two, one half going for the outside door while the other came at them nearby the computer lab. What must have been twenty tendrils of waxy flesh burst out of the floor and began to weave themselves in front of the iris gate like a web, the intent there was clear. If they were expecting the same at their end, they were wrong. About 30ft from the edge of their detachment, panels in the floor would explode upwards and out would pour living waves of some kind of horrid looking insects. They appeared to be another stage of evolution in the same strain as the fliers; they shared the eel-like body and lamprey teeth, but lacked the wings and stinger. Instead acid dribbled from their maws, hissing as it hit the ground, and 6 spindly legs allow them to skitter over the ground. Their carapaces looked thicker as well. More durable, less flexible. They had the group encircled on three sides, more and more pouring up out of loose sections of the floor all around them, until the only clear flank was behind them. Towards the inside of the computer room. To further break up their formation the vines did attack them, but it was the ones from the ceiling that did it. They swung down and attempted to throttle anyone they caught, grabbing by the neck and hoisting them up. A handful of those came for James especially, as if noting that he had an extremely dangerous weapon. So they tried to off balance him before he could use it. There was a loud shriek of static as intercoms in the walls, formerly quiet and easy to miss amongst the other features of the long-neglected chamber, buzzed into life. White noise crackled over the speakers, but intermixed with the junk-audio seemed to be some kind of voice? It was impossible to decipher what was being said. For now pulling back into the computer lounge might look to be the safest choice, but if it would remain that way, or if it was part of the trap, would have to be weighed against one another.
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Rabite
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Hey, look over here.
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Post by Rabite on Jan 19, 2016 3:17:01 GMT -6
They couldn't have chosen a worse time to strike, the computer room lacks much locations they could defend from, and they have to watch out in case they damage any of the computers if they want more information. The vines were also another problem, they're not sharp so at most they would do is disrupt their actions, but that could be deadly in battle. As some vines come at James, he reach out his arm to stop them from grabbing his neck, and while they are around his arms he would let his new flamethrower do its job.
"Like the chef said... TED FIRE! GAGAGAGA!!"
After dealing with the vines he immediately had his team fall back into the computer room, but he leaves the front line right outside the door, with the rest of his team providing support from inside the computer room. Whatever the trap is, it won't be getting everyone at once, and they would still be able to have a coordinate movement without risking exposure to all of the attacking creatures. It would also help reduce the angle in which the vines could hit from, and the ones that do reach over would become a target by James' flamethrower.
"We have molotovs, use them to burn their last piece of DNA down to ashes!! Hit the ones in the front! Let their corpses slow down their allies! Center, rear! Support fire! Front, keep your heads low! Don't let those vines grab you by the neck! They don't seem to have the strength for a direct attack, so just don't let them get around you!"
After a quick swing to spread a wave of flames in a fan shape in front of him in an attempt to weaken nearby enemies, he tries to focus his attacks on the vines on the roof. If he can burn them down they might fall on the coming bugs, causing more problems to them without a direct attack. To try and preserve the unknown amount of fuel in his tank, James would occasionally stop and throw several molotov and frag grenades instead, which should hit fairly well considering enemies are everywhere. He also attempts to use his flamethrower in a way so the fire would stay on the surface rather than just ending after killing a single bug, it might not be as effect but it'll be able to last longer and hit more targets. They also got the anti-tank grenades from the armory, so he had a few of the crew with a good throwing arm to chuck it into the tunnels where the bugs are pouring out from, hoping to slow or even stop them from rushing out.
Good thing these things don't seem to have ranged attacks, which means it would limit the direction that they could attack from, and how many enemies can engage the Cosmic Terror unit at the same time. In other words, if they can defend themselves for the first wave, they would be able to hold them back until they run out of ammo or suffer casualties that might reduce their firepower output. While James and the others are holding the enemies back, Shikoto better check out that computer as fast as he can, even if it could possibly be a trap. Come on now, a computer powered and logged in for god knows how many years this place was abandoned? Can't possible be safe.
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Post by Pitman on Jan 19, 2016 21:19:44 GMT -6
When the attack occurred Shikoto noticed the terminal over in the lab were advance looking. As now they were under attack he noticed no way to go out without any cover fire. He quickly turns to yell, "Cover fire please!!"
He quickly rushed to the nearest terminal in hopes something was on there to help. He began to move into the directory, noticing the personal logs were open this time which meant the classified part was now open to him due to a technician's log in credentials were logged in. Whatever started this he hopes to find out and possibly a way to stop this as well. The others of the group might be good fighters but with Shikoto's own brain he may have a higher chance of understanding things.
"Come on... come on... what the hell happened here.", Shikoto soon clicked on the personal logs the first he would see that he could view.
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Richter
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Post by Richter on Jan 19, 2016 22:13:45 GMT -6
Shikoto didn't have time to read through everything in detail, with the situation as it was, so he had to skim. Primary things he went for were reports from the various project heads.
The first one he finds is from Doctor Godder, who he'd recall being in charge of Project Eos. 'Eos' is apparently both the name of the project and what it was working on, a starship if the mechanic is reading this right. Apparently, they were building one from scratch in this base specifically to function with the output of the B.I.E.S. project. The hope was that it would eventually become the new industrial standard for warships in the Kalron Dominion. Which he would also recognize as the government that once held sway over the entire sector centuries ago. Nominally they were under the thumb of the Terran Authority, headed from Earth, but that's where reliable history starts to get fuzzy. Hell, no one was even really sure where Earth was except in vague terms of 'much more coreward than here'. But those facts don't matter right now. What did matter is that this was apparently a military project headed up by the people that once ruled this entire part of space.
Probably why they had so much funding to throw at crazy ideas like this.
Apparently the Eos project was only half way completed by the time the logs stop, but the prototype was believed to be functional even if not finished. Maybe it was still here? If so the only place for it would be on the level above, or so Shikoto would assume. The others weren't big enough.
Next was Project Neo. This one made him especially sick. It was a research project revolving around mutagenic compounds, to various ends. In particular it was being ran alongside Project Unity to help produce more useful specimens. They also supplied some 'subjects' to the B.I.E.S. team. In either case their goals seemed to focus more on improvement of mental faculties than physical ones, though they did dabble in that as well. There are a few references to the F33 incident in here as well. Apparently an accident in the mutagen labs created a handful of subjects with wildly improved physical prowess that ran rampant in the research level and caused several more containment breaches before security could put them down. After that Project Neo was moved to the 'Omega Chemical Research Facility' somewhere else on the planet, with supplies of the mutagen only being sent to Epsilon here on a strictly as-needed basis. This incident also had Project Unity shut down, though not before it produced 5 viable subjects.
The final report is from Bradley Eigen, who talks about his work in project B.I.E.S. The man's writing gets more rambling and paranoid as it goes on, and it becomes clear that this is more than just a job for him. He constantly makes references to how this will revolutionize not just computer technology, but humanity itself. Apparently a key facet of this project was something called a 'brain burner', which could write computer data onto a brain the same way a CD burner puts data on a disc. Eigen found out on accident that this could also be done in reverse, writing a man's mind onto a computer. The subject was ordered dropped by his superiors in the Dominion, which angered him greatly. Another pet project of his was toying with the idea of combining the B.I.E.S. project with Unity, to produced an even more powerful supercomputer that wasn't slowed down by conventional methods of physical data transfer.
It was also denied, for many reasons.
Apparently Dr. Eigen was mortally wounded in the F33 incident and volunteered to have his own brain used in the Project he worked in. But if that was the case...
More words started to flood his screen now, without him even touching the keys.
YOU CAN'T STOP ME. THEY COULDN'T STOP ME. THEY DENIED MY GENIUS. THEY DENIED MY DESTINY. THEY'RE NOTHING. YOU'RE NOTHING. ANTS BEFORE A GOD. YOU'RE WEAK YOU'RE FLESHYOU'REWEAKYOU'REFLESHYOU'REWEAKYOU'REFLESH.
I AM PURE ENERGY.
A loud electrical hum began to emanate from the computer, starting low, but getting so loud it made Shikoto's jaw vibrate. The screen blew out and showered him with glass fragments, but the electrical hum just keep growing as more and more power was pushed into the room. From there, the floor would begin to rattle as that banging grew even louder and closer, until it felt like it was right under them.
Uh oh.
Suddenly the floor would begin to spark and crackle as electricity was pushed into it from a source they could not determine, but it was clearly the doing of the big mutant. Everyone whom had taken shelter inside would suffer a painful, but nonlethal, electrocution. Not from lack of trying though, just that the surface area was too great to allow the current to concentrate up to lethal levels. Every electronic plugged into the room, whether active or not, would also explode and shower the poor fools inside with more shrapnel. Lights, computers, everything became a tiny bomb.
Maybe it burned itself out, but after two painful minutes the jolts ended.
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Meanwhile outside, James had erected an excellent defense. While the creatures didn't seem to fear fire nor death, the charred corpses of those that came before slowed down the living waves, and the burning fuel did an excellent job of trimming their numbers. Bombs of fragmentation and incendiary nature further helped to keep them at bay. But they kept driving on in the light of the fire, which illuminated the room brightly for the first time since they got in here. They could see more of those vines everywhere, practically forming a second wall over the original, though they didn't seem mobile and 'alive' in the same way the ones that were on the ceiling were. Small blessings.
The vines overhead sprayed corrosive acid on the captain and his crew when they were hacked or burned, and there was a hellish shriek of pain as the flamer set the ceiling alight in an attempt to clear the tendrils. People screamed all around him as the nasty, green liquid got on men and burned them. fortunately most had outer layers to peel off to prevent the worst of it, but it was an unpleasant experience all the same. The same substance dribbled onto the bugs as well, but they seemed completely unaffected by it. That might be worth noting for later.
Bullets and bolts fell like waves of their own to meet those of the mutant insects, cutting them down where the fire did not. It seemed like they would win the day, particularly when a well placed AT charge rolled into the main tunnel they were pouring out of. The explosion in there caused the floor in that area to sag down half a foot, apparently blowing out something important...but it stopped the main flow of the insects. Effectively cutting their numbers by half.
From behind him James would hear the electricity in the lab, but was far enough away that he only got hit hard enough to feel unpleasant. Everyone else in his immediate vicinity was similarly safe, though likely feeling queasy. It was a very good thing he didn't have everyone rush in there for safety.
With their tunnels cut off, the offensive was basically halted. Of the insects left, about 40 more continued to charge in a gibbering frenzy. The rest scurried for vents and smaller holes to evade destruction, mimicking the tactics the mutants outside had done. Conserving their forces for later, perhaps?
The maddened voices from the speakers turned to maniacal cackling, and the volume raised several decibels as it did. The biological mass on the ceiling continued to burn as the fight wound down, and it looked like it would keep going for some time. At least now seeing wouldn't be as big of an issue, but it did mean that drops of acid and dead flesh would be a constant nuisance on this level. Maybe it was time to go to another one?
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Rabite
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Hey, look over here.
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Post by Rabite on Jan 20, 2016 0:06:10 GMT -6
James was trying fairly hard to avoid the acid without reducing his ability to maintain his position, however when he noticed that the bugs aren't affected, he quickly grab a corpse off the floor and use it like a shield to keep the acid from hitting him. He uses the same creature to wipe off any excess acid that managed to hit his armor, rather than other material that might get burnt through.
He originally thought of advancing to kill more of those bugs as they retreat, but some stayed behind to continue the attack, and there's still the problem of the vines around the room. So instead, he had the rest of the team finish off the bugs, while he try to burn down the vines from a safe distance. After that's done, everyone is to regroup back at the door way where they defended from the assault.
"Status check, did we lose anyone? Hows the injuries and ammo count?"
First thing he wanted to know was how heavy of a hit did they take. He believed that he pulled off a fairly well defense, but nevertheless you can't expect to come out of a battle in mint condition. They would also have used up some ammunition, which might reduce their combat ability in the long run, so he needed to figure out these two first.
"And joke boy, what are you doing in there? I said search for information, not start a firework!"
He went back to the computer room to figure out what happened with Shikoto, earlier he felt that bit of electricity, but in battle he didn't give it much mind when it doesn't seem to hurt him. He also turned towards the speakers and yell at it.
"You! Shut up! I don't care about your history, and I don't care about your destiny either! If you still call yourself a scientist then cut it out with the god act, science itself is there to prove otherwise about the existence of god. If you want to believe in god then stop your work on science and go become a monk or something! If you really are as powerful as you claim then you won't be trapped underground for hundreds of years, inside a bashed up 2-star motel filled with bugs and weed!! Even the gods of different religion had the courtesy to appear to people and explain themselves, you just keep on sending you pets towards us like some lonely old man living in the haunted house of a tiny local town!! And you attacked us before we even entered your vault, what kind of scumbag does something like that?!"
Looks like James was either really bored or really angry at having to fight that army of bugs, of course walking through a snowy mountain, followed by having the lift a hundred pounds doesn't make it any more fun to explore this place. After clearing out the vines so they could have a more safe retreat route and getting everything figured out using the information from Shikoto, James leads the team towards second floor, taking the stairs. Now that they know for sure whoever behind this have the ability to control the base, they definitely can't take the elevator, who knows it would trap everyone in side and have them killed somehow.
He also had the crew pick up one or a piece of those bugs, they seem to make fair defense material, and could be used to protect themselves from acid. He made a note to himself to return and clear up the remains, so he could upgrade everyone's armor after they get out of here.
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Post by Pitman on Jan 20, 2016 0:14:47 GMT -6
As Shikoto continued to skim the more he saw it the more it looked like trouble was brewing. When he read about a new prototype ship created by the Kalron Dominion that made him pause. If this was true the ship itself would be considered a high end potentially more high end then any current ships that is being used. Not only it would be priceless it meant to be an engineering marvel that could be interesting to work with. 'A ship more advanced then what many are using now. That means, our ticket out of here!!', Shikoto thought.
Of course after he was done he will tell the boss about the ship once he finished on this computer. As he continued to read he soon felt sick to his stomach and the more he read meant only one thing. 'Whoever had the bright idea of this... that Omega Chemical Research Facility. If it still exists could it mean... wait if animals across the planet are mutated then. God no... they didn't... but it explains so much of what is going on this world!! If true, what in the world were they thinking? Was it to take over everywhere or maybe fight back to whatever the Terran Authority were!', Shikoto mentality ran in his own mind as he processed everything.
Hearing more of the next part about putting computer into people and doing it reserve, made Shikoto realize it. 'Wait... if that is so..", Shikoto soon stated as he continued to skim. When he finally read this part he hit him with a chuck of bricks.
"Wait... no... then that means...", Shikoto soon states outloud then hears the computer talk.
Hearing the Doctor first hand made him wonder he was crazy but he knew he was crazy. No one screams about their destiny or how their superior unless they have a complex.
"AH FUCK!!", Shikoto shouts as the monitor exploded in front of them luckily, due to his mask protected his face but the shrapnel still hit other parts of his body so regardless he was cut up but not too badly.
Soon the pain hit him as the electricity hit him hard, Shikoto has no choice but to scream as it continued to hit him. He could feel some of him felt like he was being cooked. The pain, the burns, everything he almost blacked out but then he remembered. He felt worse before, he felt far worse pain from the previous boss then this. So he endured, endured so much as the pain continue to hit him until he finally finished. He coughed, he knew if electricity hit you the worst damage was the heart. So he took off his mask and breath harshly. He then took off his gloves to hear his own heart beat from his hand which he heard he was lucky. With pure luck his heart was still beating correctly, which he soon got up and dragged himself out of the computer lab back with the others.
"Damn Damn damn!!", Shikoto soon shouted as he got back to the others.
"Boss, we got serious serious trouble!!", Shikoto then stated as he fell on to his ass.
Breathing and calming himself down he soon adds, "This place, the entire place is under the control of some mad Doctor who experimented with himself and now apart of the entire facility!!", Shikoto then stated as in bad news.
When he noticed the acid falling all around with Shikoto then saying, "You got to be fucking kidding me, Don't tell me this is his stomach. I am not a fucking snack!!!"
Getting up Shikoto follows as they went Shikoto soon begins talking to James, "What we dealing with here, its not good at all. I think it might be a good idea to blow the place up."
Of course suggesting such a thing would have issues but Shikoto had a plan, a plan that could feasibly work.
"If we blow the place up we can do it if we rig the reactor in this place. I know sounds crazy but this Doctor we dealing with, is the classic case of God Complex, if he is allowed out not only town near here is fucked. But potentially the entire sector here. If that continues eventually all of us might have to deal with it later. Before you go hey Jokey boy, if we do so how the fuck we get out of here? In the plans I was reading, looks like they were developing a new Ship prototype that was set to become a new standard for all future ships of the Kalron Dominion. Ironically it never occurred but imagine the scientist had a massive budget probably put all kinds of new advance systems into that prototype. Not only it would be considered priceless but it would be one of the most advance ships in all sectors, I think. If we can get that ship, and rig the reactor to blow we not only stop this madness but also get a ship better then what we have in the process. Good idea no?", Shikoto soon suggested, a plan of action and a way to beat this 'thing' before it can do anything.
"Of course if the guy is energy, then if we rig the place to blow good chance that energy will disperse killing the mad doctor in the process.", Shikoto then added to make it more convincing.
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Richter
Veteran Member
Posts: 1,870
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Post by Richter on Jan 20, 2016 2:03:58 GMT -6
A quick headcount after the last of the bugs were fried showed that nobody had died, but a couple of the crew had passed out and would have to be drug until they got their asses back in order. The shocking floor plan must have been improvised, because if he had set it up ahead of time it surely would have killed everyone.
They all regroup briefly to bandage their wounds, reload guns, count ammo, and for James to hear Shikoto's plan. News of a new ship caught the attention of the crew, that could really sound like their big break. But they left the choice of what to do up to the captain, of course. Thanks to the flamer they still have a good chunk of ammo left, but all of that cost Gransela one of the tanks. Down to one and one spare. For now the plan meant rolling out to level two.
The stairs were fairly clear of anything weird luckily, so they managed to get down them and onto the next floor without any trouble. The antechamber closely mirrored the one above; the big circular central room, and then with others branching off out of it. There was a hell of a lot more mutant growth here, though. It was practically woven like a quilt over every surface, you'd have to hack through it to see the walls at all. It looked equally thick on the ceiling, and if someone looked up they could see heavy gauge wires interwoven into it. It was obviously done purposefully, and it was probably those that it used to give them that recharge up above.
A smart man might come to the conclusion that the further down they go, the more heavy the concentrations of biomass get. So this beast is probably centered on level 3 or 4.
Shikoto can relay to them that this is the warehouse level, with 4 of them holding the facility's supplies. For now the area seems clear of hostiles, so they move about breaking into them in sequence.
Warehouse A seems to be full of mechanical components in particular. Loose metal panels, tools, pipes, you name it. The smashed carcasses of some kind of drone are also littered about the floor. Evidently they were destroyed long ago. Crates and shelves compose most of the room's notable features, and while it looks like someone had ransacked the place, there was plenty of equipment left. While not especially valuable to sell, taking this out of here later could be very useful for their own maintenance. Military-issue flashlights, lanterns, and coolants were other examples of what could be found in here, and these examples would sell for much higher; or be useful for their own purposes, again.
Warehouse B was similar. This one seems to be where all of the rations and water were stored. Only this one was absolutely destroyed, hundreds of claws had broken into and strewn the contents of the boxes everywhere. Some of the damage looks pretty recent, even though the food is so old that even the preserved stuff has surely gone bad by now.
Warehouse C, now this is where the paydirt is. Not only was it mostly intact, but it also housed more electronic components of all kinds. Batteries, circuit boards, etc. Wiring, too. Good wiring, the insulated and shielded copper kind, not the dangerous and cheap aluminum kind that some people used. An excellent find. A couple boxes hold radios of various sizes and a handful of computers that had never been open or used, and were mostly undamaged. While digging around one of the men finds a locked trunk, and when Skippy picks it open, they find inside a chest-sized briefcase of dark grey metal. Almost the entire thing is covered with warning signs. 'RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, DO NOT OPEN IN UNSECURED ENVIRONMENT. PROPERTY OF THE KALRON DOMINION MILITARY, IF FOUND RETURN TO NEAREST BASE AT ONCE. POSSESSING THIS CASE OR FAILURE TO REPORT ITS WHEREABOUTS ARE CRIMINAL OFFENSES UNDER THE LAW THAT WILL BE PERSECUTED TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE JUSTICE SYSTEM', and such things. Almost as an afterthought, written beneath all of that was simply 'ECONOMY-GRADE TRITIUM FOR USE IN T-SERIES NUCLEAR DEVICES ONLY'. Hoho, looks like Shikoto could trade this to the Guild, fuel for fuel.
Warehouse D is partially caved in by more of the mutant matter, growing through the walls, floor, and ceiling. It looks like a fight had taken place in here. More broken weaponry and other equipment is once again scattered around what parts of the floor could be accessed. Anyone ballsy enough to risk going in there, which several people volunteer to do, will produce another decent haul of loot. For one, they find medical supplies in there. Fresh medkits, sterilizing agents, several universal antidotes, and more. They drag out more grenades to replace those used, and using his small size to get where everyone else can't, Tiny weasels his way deeper into the storage room and pulls out a crate full of odd tube-like weaponry. James would identify these as recoilless rifles, some serious firepower. They're the single shot kind, but there were 8 of them in there. It'd be risky to use them inside like this, but they might just be what the doctor ordered to handle their little problem. The brand, he had no idea on, but they were definitely good stuff if they came from the Old Era.
Finally, one man drags out a funny looking piece of clothing that kind of reminds them of a void suit in an overturned locker - but heavier. It also looks more militarized. It was thickened at the chest and joints, with pockets at the breast and at the waist. Unlike most space suits it also had a hood, with a mask in a pouch just below the face that could be taken out and fastened to the rest if desired. The most strange parts are the unusual black circles made out of some clammy material. These are located on the palm, heel, the fingers and toes, the elbows and knees, and each side of the hip. They feel almost springy.
Shikoto would recognize it as a gambeson, or that's what they called it these days. Back when it was originally invented they probably had another name for it. Typically these were worn under power armor. But even without it, they made excellent armor on their own, providing decent protection to the entire body when you had the mask on. They were also void sealed, and much more comfortable to wear than the rubber stuff people typically used these days. It was clearly old world.
All in all there had to be a few thousand clusters were of loot in here, if they could find a way to get it out of here. There were a few hand carts and forklifts that could be used to do that, the latter might need Shikoto to tune them up though. They're caked in dust and spores, which are also much thicker in the air down here. Getting it back up to the top would probably require the use of the elevators, which meant it probably wasn't safe to do it at the moment if James's suspicion was correct. Unfortunately the freight elevator being destroyed meant that would be an even longer job.
Comparatively, selling it all ought to be easy since the slave actually managed to find a guilder in town, but they'd have to work on the logistics of it. They might also be able to get those rifles reproduced if they save any.
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Rabite
Veteran Member
Emperor of H
Hey, look over here.
Posts: 1,887
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Post by Rabite on Jan 20, 2016 2:54:02 GMT -6
James was not a man to back down from challenges, the combat they had so far in this base shows that they have the ability to take on these enemies, and the loot they received so far are more than enough to pay for the efforts they spent coming down. Their journey down to the second floor showed plenty of rewards, and everything that could be of use for this operation are taken. Anything they can't use right around, are stored into several crates so that they could have an easier time in transporting back to the surface.
The food was definitely not edible, it looks more mushy than mud, and that the bugs got to it before them. Even the water looks spoiled and unsuitable for any purpose maybe except for pouring on Shikoto to wake him up from his dreams.
"The reactor is down on the 3rd floor, and the ship is up on the top, so the opposite end. If you think that voice is just going to let you grab the ship and kill its power source just like that, I might have to reconsider your intelligence level."
The radioactive material is just what they need to refill that battery and for trading with the mutant. The electronic parts inside would have a decent market too, and fetch them plenty of funds once it gets taken back. But it was the last room that brings them the good stuffs on this floor, weapons and armor, and things that they could use right away. The medicine can be used to treat any injuries, while the extra grenade can help them take on more waves of those bugs. But the best thing in this room would be the crate of Recoilless Rifles that McKie dug up, definitely would increase their firepower by a large margin, even if they are only for one time usage. The clothing is also a nice addition, but it's not like they can suddenly strip down and put it on. As for the method of transportation, Shikoto are instructed to get those forklifts fixed, or else it'll be several floors worth of stairs that they'll have to climb with those extra weights.
"Alright, five of you from the center squad, grab one of these launchers. Don't use them unless I order it, we might need it for something big later. Lets move out, next floor's definitely not going to be as simple as this..."
Their next destination, the 3rd floor. If the floor plans are correct, that floor should be the place where they can find out about all the happenings and researches in this place, and could possibly be sold for another set of income. But judging from the things growing on the walls, the source of all of these problems could be on floor 3, or at least they have kept a significant force on the 3rd floor. He's expecting a tough battle, but what kind of pirate, adventurer, or warrior would simply back down because it's tough? He had the team plant explosives everywhere, more so since they managed to restock on their way down, so if bad comes to worse he could still carry out a retreat.
But they're going to have to do more than send an army of bugs to deal with him and his team, if he can't take on a wave of bugs or a giant monster, eventually he'll be defeated by someone that could do so. He's not going to back down, he'll return victorious, until the day he reaches the top of the pyramid. This base will merely be a step stone to glory, and he is determined to conquer it just like he had done so against the other enemies of the past.
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Post by Pitman on Jan 20, 2016 3:18:08 GMT -6
When they arrived at the next floor they soon noticed the change of scenery.
"Ahh its the Depository of Paraphernalia and Banderilla.", Shikoto soon stated as they arrived at the warehouse.
When they began to look around Shikoto noted everything from the supplies, to many other useful items. When he turned to notice someone bring a large case and Skippy began to lock pick it. Shikoto went up and noticed when opened the various warning signs he completely recognized.
"Skippy wait wait wait DO NOT OPEN THAT or you will get radiated!", Shikoto panicked as he stopped her from killing herself.
He quickly went next to her to stop her hands from doing more as when she stopped he soon comments, "Whew, so you know in the future those warning signs are nuclear fuel for power armor batteries."
When he went to it he soon picked it up and says, "Well at least now we can recharge the battery. Who would've thought that Kalron Dominion made Tritium fuel for a T Series battery would be here."
Of course that was purely luck and he now could have his promise kept with Kaleyn from before. When they continued to look one of the men soon brought out a strange like cloth and was at lost what it was. When Shikoto saw he he soon went to the man and grabbed it to make sure he wasn't seeing things.
"Seriously? A Gambenson perfectly preserved in a place like this?! Holy Fuck and its the exact size too!", Shikoto soon stated as he observed everything about it.
Shikoto then turned to James as they prepared to go to next floor then says, "Of course its not easy, but haven't you noticed it?"
Shikoto waited for James to reply but didn't as they went down to the next floor when arriving he gave out his orders, which Shikoto noticed the surroundings.
"Think about it, the further we go downward the worse it gets. What you think would be at the bottom of this place? What if we don't have enough fire power to even kill this crazy doctor?", Shikoto soon stated waiting for a reply then says, "Well he could feasibly lock us in but what if we could get the reactor going without him just blowing us with him? Fighting the whole way is not the only choice, if we can get the ship, our wounded can be put in the ship and if we can disconnect the doctor from the reactor and maybe even the doors. Wouldn't it be safer and easier to the survival of everyone here?"
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Richter
Veteran Member
Posts: 1,870
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Post by Richter on Jan 20, 2016 3:39:32 GMT -6
Exactly as what predicted, the third floor was even worse. Now masses of flesh weren't just on the walls, but they were strung like spiderwebs between the floor and ceiling as well. In fact, some of those insects they saw above were crawling along them like the aforementioned arachnids - though for now they weren't hostile. Going through here was like going through a jungle. In some places the mutant organism bored straight through the walls of rock, and James could identify the tendril that he found earlier in the worker's barracks amongst them. Indeed, the limbs punched through the metal and reinforced concrete with ease, or so it seemed. Likely it took a long time to do all of that, but this creature had all the time in the world to do it while stuck down here. Also of note is that the further down they went, the more durable the tentacles looked. While fleshy up on level 1, now they looked crusty and had a kind of exoskeleton that made them look much more resilient to hacking and slashing. That may be useful to keep in mind for later.
They heard a raspy kind of sound from below the floor, almost like breathing. Speaking of the floor it was in absolutely terrible condition, pitted and lopsided in some places, totally gone in others. They had to watch their step. If anyone was brave enough to shine a light down, they'd see nothing in the huge mass of spores that was starting to get extremely difficult to see through. It looked like they were even worse down below, and each 'breath' kicked up more into the air from that lower level.
It didn't stop them from looking around, but what they'd find would be of little use. The actual research labs were on level 4, this is just where the scientists who worked within them slept. More sleeping quarters and such, there were three of them. Rifling around in here would produce loot of the more standard variety; rings, necklaces, and similar. Lots of paper money too, but it was sadly utterly worthless. Those who could read were also able to identify offices for an on-site medical doctor and psychologist both. The latter produced little of value, just books. Digging through the others would provide them with more medical supplies, and also of interest, heavy grade refrigerants. Those might be good on their ship. Drugs were also somewhat plentiful, painkillers and stimulants which McKie was able to partially identify. There was a small hydroponic installation way at the back of the medical facility that looked to have once grew medicinal plants, but all of it was shattered and replaced with the same stuff growing everywhere else now.
Up to James if they'd keep or sell what he found here. Just don't let the doctor know if he chooses to palm it off.
The men with a basic idea of first aid stopped here and took advantage of it to get their wounds sealed up. It'd take Dr. Rafflesia to make sure they were actually tip-top, but it'd do for the time being. Since there were some biological storage containers in here, they also threw in the bug carcasses they and James had been hauling for later use. They looked like big coolers made out of some kind of reinforced plastic, supposedly they sealed up airtight to keep bacteria in or out. But the men's primary motivation for doing this was that it was easier to carry those coolers in a firefight than a bag full of acid-dribbling hellbeetles.
The final room on this level was the hardest to miss, a massive hexagonal door of reinforced steel clearly labeled 'REACTOR. AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY'. It was completely grown over, a mat of living fibers enclosing about 90% of it. Red lights around the door glared at them, occasionally blinking as the flow of power to them stuttered. A yellow light at the side looked almost out of place amongst all of the crimson, another keypad that likely would have to be hacked or rewired to allow access. Whatever their plan was, it'd probably require getting into that room. Whether or not that'd be a walk in the park, that was the question to be asking.
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