Chapter 7

Shadow-Kept Secrets

Uncertainty having full reign, Rend and Vex had crept down the staircase. They found themselves in a poorly-lit corridor made of cement. It was dank and nearly void of technology, a rare and somehow unnerving sight. Looking forward, Rend noticed the hall jut to the right. That meant if anything unknown was sitting beyond that corner, they wouldn't know about it until they were in its sight.

But of course, unhindered, Vex began to slide forward, taking care not to make much noise with his feet. Rend wanted to reach out and force him back, but he knew how much good that would do him, so he followed a safe distance behind. He was sort of embarrassed at his lack of bravery in comparison to the vet, but he technically he couldn't be at fault for not having the experience that came with the turf.

Vex swung out and surveyed the next segment of the hall; Rend hoped desperately that the next second wouldn't find bullets piercing the air. But Vex signaled Rend forward, and the two continued down the currently silent passage. Speech was a luxury they could not afford, for if anything else was down there, they didn't want it getting premature wind of their presence.

The passageway seemed to wind on forever, as if it was consciously trying to build up anxiety. Both of them were on edge. Ominous tunnels like these didn't just simply exist. It wasn't a matter of if something was down there, but a matter of what and where.

Rounding another corner, Rend suddenly found Vex's hand forcing him to a halt. Anxious anticipation alone nearly thrust Rend against the cold wall behind him. But taking a moment to look, he noticed quickly what Vex saw. Down the hall as the light began to increase was a light blue mechanic door. Vex once again pressed forward. Whatever they were down there for was probably behind that door; if only they had an inkling as to what to expect. They could be walking into a premature death… or worse. Given the wild circumstances of the past twenty-four hours, nearly everything felt left to the imagination.

Though the door itself was unlikely to rear up and attack them, they approached cautiously. Coming up upon it, Vex took notice of a small keypad to his right.

He eyed it for a few seconds, then the door, and finally began to tinker with his bioframe, almost casually. "Someone's keeping secrets."

Rend found piercing the fragile silence with such unnecessary words to be irritating. "Ya' think?"

Vex covered the keypad with his right hand while watching the information display on his left gauntlet. After about fifteen seconds, Vex's fngers began to shoot across the keypad.

"Access Code Verified. Clearance granted."

Rend's annoyance quickly turned to surprise. "Wow. Nice work."

However, Vex's left hand raised to silence him, although Vex made one more statement anyway. "I know."

Rend took a ready stance, prepared to fire at anything that looked even remotely dangerous. Vex was already in position, and slowly he reached down to press the fateful button that would open the door. It seemed to Rend like Vex's finger was nearly frozen in time as it moved down toward the keypad.

But then time took the wind out of Rend as the doors hastily flew open. Trying to fight off the startling wake-up, he flung his pistol into the air.

To his reprieve, nothing stood to shoot them down. Inside, Rend felt a rush of relief, though he didn't let on to it, because it would only serve to catch him more flak from Vex. Regardless, he was elated to have the tension sliced, even if only for a few moments.

Stepping forward without hesitation, Vex scanned the room from left to right, checking for any hidden threats. He thoroughly checked to make certain of the situation, and finally he spoke to his apprehensive ally. "We're clear… for now."

Rend slipped into the room, letting the doors behind him shut as abruptly as they had opened. The room seemed to glow blue, though the lights on the ceiling were nothing of the sort. Computer monitors brimming with data and counters littered sporadically with tools made the bizarre scene. And then at the far side of the room, canisters lined the top of a storage unit, their contents unknown.

"It's… a laboratory."

Vex confirmed his suspicion. "It gets more interesting…" He stopped momentarily, nodding confidently. "It's a biometal lab. Take a look."

Vex lead him over to the canisters, and up close the canister insides became more identifiable. Various metallic objects of diverse color, shape, and size filled the experimental containers, suspended by a cyan-colored scientific liquid. Rend easily noticed the resemblance between what sat in front of him and what had been in the museum. "What are they doing with them?"

"Can't say for sure." Vex lifted one up to note its type and usefulness. Apparently he was still interested in stocking up on firepower.

"Furthermore, why on earth is it here?"

"For whom and for what purposes, I don't know. But think about it. It's location is stunningly genius." Vex turned his head. "Every time the museum gets a new biometal, whoever runs this place could easily smuggle it down here if it's of any use and replace it with a phony. That, and it's a secret lab, so people would want one where you least expect it."

Vex put the container back in its place. "Still…" Rend noted Vex was trying to hide the hint of uncertainty in his voice. "This just keeps getting stranger. I'd also wager to guess this place might have some clues as to what's going on up top."

Rend nodded. "Then let's check the computers."

"Yeah. That's smart."

For once Vex gave him a compliment, however minimal. But Rend wasn't even remotely concerned with that, and joined the veteran over by one of the monitors. "Where do we start?"

"Hopefully we can find something detailing the Z-Virus. Not only would it be an incredibly useful boon, but it would potentially confirm this place as being connected to it."

Vex began to fool with every conceivable item on the monitor screen. Rend was relatively impressed that someone like him seemed to know his technology inside and out, and it made Rend feel sort of inept. The veteran seemed more talented in just about everything. After a few minutes, Vex snapped his fingers.

"Bulls-eye."

On the screen, Vex clicked open a file entitled "Z-Virus: Final Version." Vex smiled, for it was exactly what he had wanted to find. With anticipating eyes, Rend watched as a wall of text flooded the screen:

"Z-Virus: Synopsis Report 73

"Final configuration of the virus is complete. Although the testing and experimental phase has dragged on for months, the final version of the virus is complete. All bugs that have been identified have been resolved. The virus, according to our observations, should work to perfection.

"In its final state, the virus should merge with the bloodstream of its human target and eventually seize control of the main CPU of the host's bioframe. Once it does this, it can render the host into a state of semi-unconscious autonomy, and put them in standby for further instructions from our command modules.

"The mass production of the virus is our only obstacle. The virus particle is incredibly fragile until it is completed. Although the virus can safely replicate itself, it can only do that after merging with blood cells of relatively healthy humans. We have, for the time, managed to complete a set large enough to infect a moderate city, but this did not come without spending painstaking days and weeks assembling the original virus components. Fortunately, we were able to secure a relatively large work force that we were able to dispose of following completion of that phase.

"Now all that is left to do is distribute the virus to its first subjects. Once this is done, we will observe the initial effects and plan for the next phase. Though we have extensively insured the virus as foolproof, the extent of its power is still questionable. Patience will be necessary as we properly assess the situation and plan towards moving past this phase.

"As for right now, we will continue on schedule. We are pleased with our current situation and success. For details on the distribution method, check file H367."

Rend couldn't bring himself to read anymore. He was sweating in grave horror. He wasn't so much fearful as was in a state of total shock.

"It… it takes over its host?"

Vex said nothing. His face, however, portrayed the same seriousness. Rend gripped his head, almost feeling like he might vomit. "Vex, it puts people under mind-control… it just takes them completely over! This is insane!"

Vex lowered his head. He then said something Rend didn't want to hear. "I think we may be in a little over our heads…"

"Vex, what're we going to do? It's not like we have any idea on how to make this thing stop. And we can't just go up there and start blowing our people's brains out! But we're practically sitting ducks! Isn't there something we can do? Stop it from spreading? Firewalls or… something, and—"

"Hey!" Rend received a brute hit to the back of the head. "Will you get a grip? Look." Vex pointed back up at the screen. "This file… it has some related files." He pointed to the side of the screen where another list had formed. "And that… take a look at that."

Rend had not taken notice of it before, but there appeared to be a side note that he had not noticed before, pertaining to the statement of bugs. It was titled "Mysterious Glitch". Vex couldn't open it fast enough for Rend's tastes. Selecting it, the file opened alongside the other and Rend's eyes tore into it as if it was a novel:

"We have, indeed, for the most part cleaned up most bugs. However, there is one inexplicable exception that we cannot get around. Although unbelievably rare, there has been an instance where the virus assimilates into the blood but its primary programming goes dormant. It still carries on normal functions, but without its primary coding taking effect, it only serves to give the host a strength boost. We are absolutely at a loss for a comprehensible explanation.

"There is one hypothesis, however, that has become accepted among our ranks. It is believed that because of certain genetic traits, that certain humans may—"

He didn't finish, because something new had reached his ear. Rend flung around at the presence of a new sound. Right across the room, an unnoticed door had opened, and in walked a new figure.