POV: Y/N Stark,
Objects of Power can cause, or be results of, AWEs - Altered World Events, intrusions upon the perceived reality." (speaking to assistant) "A side note: remember to cover their connection to the Astral Plane as well." (to camera) "Now, the Service Weapon is, of course, a prime example of an O.o.P., a very powerful one. Ingrained in the Bureau's DNA, a key component in our Prime Candidate program. Come out of that Russian roulette a winner, and you... you're it. Lose, and you're, well, fired. Thank you. I'm Doctor Darling, Head of Research, Federal Bureau of Control
~ Dr. Darling
Shortly after the video ends, a new one starts playing. A still image pops up. Its backdrop is a beige-ish color with the logo of the Federal Bureau of Control half transparent. In large capital letters is the title: "Multimedia: Log 2 - Foundation".
In a smaller font size, the subtitle: "Recorded by: Dr. Theodore Ash. Confidential Government recording. Unauthorized distribution, reproduction, or exhibition is in violation of Federal Regulations."
A couple of seconds later an audio recording starts playing,
"It's been five days since we first entered the building. Traversing the interior is dangerous due to the shifting, but we did manage to find a lower cavern that seems structurally predictable- which is a scientific way of saying its walls won't crush us in our sleep.
Northmoor even made a discovery. A pistol, placed on a stone pedestal in front of that strange ebony pillar. Seems like something out of a storybook, except the heroes usually find swords, not handguns. But it is the perfect lure for someone like him.
Hours after finding this weapon, Northmoor cornered me to spout some nonsense about how the "Board" made him the Director. He ranted about the title being meaningless before now, calling Father and all the other previous directors shams, frauds, and worse. I think this place is worse for Northmoor than it is for me.
The strangest thing? There was no pedestal in front of that pillar a day ago. This building has swallowed a dozen of my men, and now it's handing out presents? Is it playing some sort of game? If it is, we're most certainly losing. Hell, we don't even know the rules."
"I think I read something about something or someone called Northmoor earlier, hold on for a second." Wanda steps over towards the table and shuffles around some papers, "Here it is. It is a report that examines the parautility , or at least I think that's how you pronounce it, and how it is connected to the objects of power." I love how her Sokovian accent shines through when she tries to pronounce the word. She hands me the paper and I start reading,
EXAMINATION OF PARANATURAL TOPICS
OBJECTS OF POWER AND THEIR PARAUTILITY
SUMMARY:
Objects of Power are unique in their capacity to grant certain individuals paranatural abilities. We call these individuals "parautilitarians".
The potency of these abilities depends on the parautilitarian. Using the [REDACTED] Object of Power as an example, some parautilitarians can achieve a throw distance of [REDACTED] while others are only capable of as little as [REDACTED] (see Dr. Darling presentation 11.15 for more information).
What exactly determines an individual's paranatural competence is unknown, but it is largely believed that some [REDACTED] exists within the body and that, like all muscles, it can be exercised. To continue my analysis, I have officially requested access to the Northmoor records, considering he is one of the most accomplished parautilitarians the Bureau has ever seen. Dr. Darling is still considering this request.
Refer to file 8-54-1982 for full report.
"Is this Dr. Darling presentation 11.15 around here somewhere as well? It might explain something about these abilities." I ask Wanda, who then goes through the papers once again, looking for the corresponding file. "I think it is one of those videos we saw on the projector. Check if it's there."
Making my way over to the projector, I notice this one is different from the one in the control room. It's a modern one instead of the old-school, rundown, version we saw earlier.
The device is connected to the computer terminals that cover the left wall. Since it has power, I think it's safe to assume that these terminals have as well. I press some random buttons on the computer, and lucky for me only seconds after a startup screen pops up and several lights start burning on the control panel beside it. The containment sector must have some kind of backup generator to make sure the cells don't lose electricity in case of an emergency.
Suddenly Wanda speaks, "Lucky break for us, can you get in the files?" Huh, did I say that out loud earlier? "Huh, what did you say Wands?"
"Oh sorry dorogoy, I didn't mean to… I- It's getting harder to focus, I'm sorry." I turn around to look at her. "Don't worry baby, It's fine. It hasn't happened in a while though, are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm not sure. My mind is getting messy with all this information we're getting and I'm trying to wrap my head around it, but we're missing a piece of information that connects all of this."
"Alright, please let me know if something is hurting you, alright?"
I look back at the terminal and notice that the startup screen has been replaced by an overview of files. Scrolling through them, I notice a folder named, 'Dr. Darling: Multimedia files." I click on it and it is filled with video files. I scroll down and see one named, '11.15: Floppy Disk'.
"Found the presentation I think," I click on the file and a video starts playing. The same man as earlier, who I presume is Dr. Darling, walks into the screen again. With a floppy disk in his hands, he sits down behind a cluttered desk.
"Just look at it. Eight inches wide, and capable of storing a whopping eighty kilobytes. Ha! Stolen by our friends at the CIA, the disk held the launch codes to Soviet nukes." The man flips the floppy disk between his hands playfully. You have to admit these are entertaining to watch. This man projects a certain- Energy , I guess.
"This is not THE disk, of course, but one exactly like it - a perfect fusion of concepts vibrating in the Cold War-era collective unconscious. A receptacle. It is a receptacle - for dangerous energies to hone in on. And they did. We don't have the details, but when things started flying around the disk, it was transferred to us. It's an Object of Power. O.o.P. Oops. Oh, and it can launch things telekinetically through the air. To date, we've launched, maybe... three dozen pencils. And once, we even launched a cup."
The video stops playing and I turn back to the computer. Scrolling through the files, I can't seem to find anything else that immediately piques my interest. Several folders are filled with Interviews, Records, some more multimedia, etc.
Something keeps bothering me though. Why isn't this more- Secure ? If this is a database of all the files, why can we just enter it without any passcode or a keycard? The rest of the bunker is filled with safety measures to prevent anyone unauthorized from getting in.
I pick up the file that Wanda handed me earlier, that I had discarded somewhere next to the computer, and walk back to her.
"Let me get this information back in order. There are certain people that can be granted these paranormal abilities, by these so-called objects of power. If they can be granted these powers, they are called parautilitarians." I throw down the paper on top of the pile of files and continue, "However if you are not a parautilitarians, you can die when binding to these objects."
I wonder what it means to be bound to one of these objects. Is it permanent or do you have to touch it while using the abilities? How does this differ from for example Wanda's abilities, which we don't fully understand either? She is not a warlock like Magnus, her abilities work- different in a way. She doesn't have Downworlder blood either, so far it's been really confusing.
Wanda stands next to me and continues with my earlier statement, "I think so, and these parautilitarian's are then placed into some kind of program to see if they are a suitable successor to The Director. I believe the program was called- let me see." She grabs a folder from the pile, "Yes, here's the file. The program is called the Prime Candidate Program. "
She hands me the folder, "I think the only person who could have picked up that gun has to be one of these candidates. They are probably trained for it as well, so we have to watch out."
"Yeah, that makes sense." I focus on the file Wanda handed me,
Prime Candidate Program
CANDIDATE 6 - TRANSCRIPT
Transcript of conversation (subject: P6) for review by Dr. Darling
- CONFIDENTIAL -
NOTE: Subject was alone during this outburst.
DF (17:52:16) — You again. I thought I told you to leave me alone.
DF (17:52:22) — Why are you showing me this? I can't do anything. Can't you see where I am? Why don't you help me get the fuck out of here? You always show me things I can't do anything about.
DF (17:52:36) — Stop showing me her! I don't care anymore! And I don't care about you! You both left me here to rot!
DF (17:52:46) — Fuck off, you bitch! I will dig out my own brains if it means getting rid of you! I don't want you here! Get the fucking message!
After reading the file, I hand it back to Wanda and start to think. This organization takes people who can get abilities from these objects of power only to train them, preparing them to become the next director. Is it voluntary? This transcript would indicate not, right?
"Can we download the files from this computer?" Wanda asks me, while I'm still in thought. "I'm not fully sure actually. The terminal looks like it's way too old to have a simple USB connector, and I'm not equipped right now for some do-it-yourself-ing."
I turn to the terminals, looking for anything to plug my rubber ducky into.
It was a while ago when I designed my "Rubber Ducky". It may sound strange, but it is a USB with, well yeah, a rubber duck on it and with the help of RIVA's software it can practically break it into anything. It was actually inspired by my dad's work, but after he was killed, practically all his progress was destroyed as well. So, I made a restart and since I was too lazy to go to the store or design my own USB, I used one closest to me, and that was one with a Rubber Ducky. Of course, many design iterations have passed since then, but it kinda stuck to me, I like it.
"Nope, it would be a no-go on getting the files. It looks like it is connected to an internal network, so if we find a more modern computer, it should have the same files and then we can get them."
"Like the laptop we found in the hall with the pyramid?" I completely forgot about the laptop. It was locked though.
"Yeah, we could go back there, but I don't think it is the best plan of action right now. Those floaties might still be mad at us. Plus it needed a password to enter I believe, although RIVA can get through that."
"We can just steal the laptop, right? Your flask is also still there, when the group arrives we could go back with the entire team." I had already forgotten about my flask. I should go back for it, I doubt Magnus has a new magically enchanted flask laying around his apartment.
The laptop was connected to these antennas, though to what end? It could have been to connect it to some kind of network around here, or it has to send information out.
"I think the moment we disconnect it from those antennas it will no longer be connected to the network. Can't really risk it. Talking about the team, they are taking excruciatingly long to get here. They should have been here by now you would think."
"Yeah, you're right. Maybe something happened..." I notice Wanda's demeanor changes from her focussed to worried state.
"I doubt it, we would have heard it right? It's not like gunshots, thunder, and explosions are muffled enough in this bunker that much for us not to hear anything ." I try to reassure her.
"Maybe they snuck up on the team? They wouldn't have been expecting anything or anyone."
"Yeah, you're right. Let's go to the P6 CELL then after that, we can go find the security wing. They might have cameras around the place. Although I haven't noticed any yet.
I shut down the computer again, as well as the projector. I grab some of the papers that are on the table that have some important information and put them in the pocket of my jacket. If we can't get the files digitally, at least we will have something to look into.
Wanda waits for me at the entrance of the observation room while I look around once more to make sure we didn't miss anything. When done, I walk over to her, "The elevator was taped off, so we will have to find another way to the 5th floor. There was a window cleaner platform next to the bridge, we can use that as an in-between area between floors so you can lift us up."
Wanda nods and follows me onto the bridge. "You ready?" I give her a thumbs up. I feel my feet leave the group and I start levitating onto the platform. It is a bit shaky at first, but the cable holds just fine. I grab the side of the platform and make room for Wanda to get on it as well. Out of breath she lands next to me and readies herself for lifting me up to the actual 5th floor.
"Hey, hey give yourself a minute. Are you okay? You seem pretty out of breath." She's breathing heavily, and a thin layer of sweat covers her forehead.
"Yeah, I think I'm fine, just tired and warm." She leans onto my side a little too much for my liking. It's not warm here at all, I would say it's near freezing even. "Alright, please sit down for a moment."
Why is she so weak right now? This isn't just tiredness, something else is influencing her. I go to feel her forehead, but she stops me by holding my wrist. "It's okay. Really. I just need a breather."
Suddenly, a loud screeching sound emanates from the intercom, before it steadies into white noise. A deep, male, voice starts speaking, "Mark Gibson, male, age 28. Returned from the Astral Plane approximately- 13 minutes ago. This was his 21st dive. Patient is experiencing migraine-like pain, intense pressure behind the eyes, and partial blindness."
The alarm has completely stopped. In the background of the audio, I hear someone whimpering.
"He has no recollection of his time in the Astral Plane and appears severely disoriented. Preliminary examination revealed no immediate cause, so we will be sending patient for x-rays and-"
A loud crack booms through the hall. The sound followed by a weird sharp, chaotic even, crackling noise, "What the fuck is that thing!? God, it burst right out of him! Code black! Get Marshall!"
The intercom system gives another loud screech, leaving only a static noise behind.
"What the fuck was that? Is that live?" Wanda grabs my hand and stands up, "We have to get to solid ground. I'm not staying on top of this thing."
Without giving me a heads up or any time to adjust, she launches me up to the 5th floor. I lose my balance and crash down on the floor.
Wanda lands next to me only seconds after. She lands on her feet but immediately sinks through her legs and collapses on the ground. I try to get up, but my body doesn't react to my commands. "Wands!"
I notice her slowly moving. Carefully she pushes up with her elbows and looks over at me. Her eyes are a scarlet red color. She's using her magic for something.
The intercom white noise stops and a woman starts speaking, "Squad Captain Lopez, reporting on expedition 17-B. At the Formation now. Visually, no distinction from the previous visit. The link detectors are still standing. One arch has a light flashing, so we're going to go give the area a once over. Then we'll head back. Lopez out."
Alright, that's not bad, right? Still is this live, or are these recordings playing? If they are recordings, why are they playing in the first place? If it's live. Well then… What the fuck is happening.
A loud click sound erupts from the speakers, "They're all de-dead…" In the background, I hear chanting slowly startup, "Through a mirror, inverted is made right."
It's not in my mind, no this is just the inter-com, right? "These... things killed them all," the woman's voice continues, "Leave your insides by the door."
"There are so many. If you're listening... get out." Wanda stands up and walks over to me. Her eyes are still red. "Y/N, are you still there? I'm sorry-" "Push the fingers through the surface into the wet."
The woman's voice increases in intensity, "No! Stay the fuck away-" The sound of two gunshots erupts from the speaker, before turning into radio feedback.