Chapter 28: The Way Out
Bravo Team
Taylor, Dan, and the rest of Bravo Team were still searching almost every corner of the warehouse. Alyssa and Stephanie suddenly called out.
"Hey guys! We found something!"
"What is it?" asked Mike, as they went over to the first floor office that the girls had found.
"It looks like some sort of report. Open the folder and find out."
Stephanie did what Dan asked.
ATTN:
The construction is nearly complete. Mr. Winchester wants us to cease all work for the time being. Apparently, the TV show "Australian Challenge" is filming an episode around the mines. Gen-Tech will be providing equipment for the filming. The episode will be finished in about a week. Once the cast and crew are gone, construction on Gen-Tech Labs will resume.
Also, they have decided to add a secret entrance, as well as a hidden emergency exit. I don't understand why, I mean it's only a research lab. That makes me wonder why they're building it on the sly anyway. But it's not up to me to question them. After all, they're signing the paychecks.
J.T. Irvine,
Foreman
May 10, 2025
"That sounds intriguing," Mike started, "But there's another one here."
ATTN:
Well, after almost a year of work, construction is complete. I still can't believe we started this assignment last July. Apparently, they're supposed to start moving the equipment in, and start updating research within the next two weeks. What's the rush anyway? The boss lady, Lillian Holt, came with her partner, Perry Hall, a couple of days ago, to see what we'd done. I decided to ask what they were researching, but they wouldn't say. I don't understand the secrecy, but again, it's none of my business. Oh yeah, due to our extraordinary efforts, we're all recieving a bonus, as well as extra vacation time. That's gonna be great. I haven't spent much time with my family since we started. Unfortunately, they need us to wait until November to use it, just in case they need extra work done. But that's okay, cause my wife and I have always wanted to take the kids to New York for Christmas and New Year's, and I can't wait. Anyway, congratulations on a job well done!
J.T. Irvine,
Foreman
June 14, 2025
"Well," said Dan, "It looks like they set the construction crew up."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, Chrissy, I'd bet you any amount of money, that the construction crew and their families were on that plane we found yesterday. In any case, good work. Keep looking for more clues. Who knows, we might be able to connect all these freaks of nature to Gen-Tech after all."
The Mines
The Alpha Team were still in denial over the events of the last ten minutes, and Liz took on the hard task of telling Rick about Joe.
Rick and Joe had been good friends for many years, and the news of Joe's death was overwhelming. However, Rick knew they had to leave, and that there would be time to grieve later, when this nightmare was over. Right now, he and the remaining members needed to escape before they all died in this unnatural hell.
"Alright, we need to move. Joe sure as hell wouldn't want us to die down here. Unfortunately, it looks like the only way out is over there." Rick pointed toward the dim light emanating from under the water.
"I'm going to swim down and see if it actually leads out, and if there are any air pockets to stop and take a breath. Hopefully it won't be that far."
With that said, Rick dove in and swam to the other side, took three deep breaths and proceeded to dive under the water.
The Lab
Perry was unsettled. The holding tank on the lower level was ruptured, and most of the water had spilled out. The tank was home to his favorite creation, Poseidon. It was part nile crocodile, and part tiger shark, but it was more powerful, and much larger than both. Little did he know, that Alpha Team had just destroyed it, but at the cost of one of their own. He wondered if Winchester had arrived yet, and if he would hear from Lillian anytime soon. Unfortunately, most of the communications equipment had been severely damaged in the earthquake.
After a few moments of self-indulging wondering, Perry decided to head back up to the upper level of the two level lab. He stopped by the freezer and saw that the remaining sample of "Lazarus" , or "the Resurrection Virus" was still intact. Having done so, he headed back up to the main control room.
Bravo Team
The team continued to search for a long time, but the only thing they found up to this point were the two foreman files, and surprisingly some ammo. They were curious about why ammo would be stashed in a construction warehouse, but they didn't dwell on the matter. Instead, they were actually grateful, because they were all getting low.
"Hey Dan, I found something else!" shouted Taylor, who for the first time, had separated from the Bravo Team captain.
Dan and the others went over to her, and she showed them a small piece of paper, probably dropped by accident. On it was a series of numbers, seemingly in sequence, like a lottery ticket or a lock combination. The numbers were: 14, 22, 32, 18.
"Maybe they're coordinates?" suggested Chrissy.
When they looked in her direction, they noticed she was looking down at a pressure plate, and on it was the number 32, painted in white letters.
It looked big enough to hold one of the many crates, so they all headed up to the crane control room.
Alpha Team
It seemed like an eternity, but after about ten minutes, Rick resurfaced. The others looked relieved, and he swam over to tell them what he'd found. He told them that the light came through a shaft that was about seventy-five feet long, with several airpockets. At the end of the shaft was an opening to the outside, but there was also another tunnel, that seemed more man-made than natural, and on the ground of that tunnel he'd found the tracks made by that beast they had just encountered, and the tracks led into the water.
"That must've been where it came from then." suggested Hunter, over-stating the obvious.
"Well, we need to move. Before I came to this spot, I noticed the water-level rising. I don't know how long it'll take, but this place is going to end up underwater soon enough."
They all nodded in response to Rick's statement and prepared for the swim. Only then did Rick notice Britney, huddled in a corner, pale with fear.
"Hey, this isn't you. Where's the fun-loving, brave Britney we all love?"
"I'm sorry Rick, but I don't think I can do this. Couldn't we find another way? I mean, what if that thing isn't dead? Or what if we can't hold our breaths long enough?" Britney was definitely freaked about this.
"Brit, you're not making alot of sense. I mean, if that thing was still alive, I wouldn't be here right now. And I mentioned the airpockets, so it's not like we have to swim the distance on one breath."
"Rick, what if there are more of those things?"
"Brit, something that size would be very territorial. I don't think it would have any buddies hanging around, and no, there's no other way out."
"It's just that I...I'm afraid, because...I ca...I...,"
"She can't swim." Rick looked at Tiffanie, obviously taken aback. Of course she could swim, she was a trained S.T.A.R.S member. But then he thought about it. Swimming wasn't a requirement for communications, and she was an excellent shot. Still, he was puzzled.
Tiff continued to speak, and she told them that Brit had nearly drowned when she was ten, at summer camp, and that Brit had been terrified of drowning since then. Rick and Liz listened, and realized that only Tiff and Hunter knew about it.
"Alright, this is what we're gonna do. Hunter, you're a strong swimmer, so you and Liz go through first, and since Liz worked as lifeguard a couple years ago, she'll be able to come back and help if we run into problems. Tiff, you were also a lifeguard, so you take up the rear, to help out if Brit and I get separated. Brit, I know you're scared, but you need to get on my back. Wrap your arms around my chest, so you don't choke me out, and I'll have my arms and legs free enough to swim through with you. If you need to come up for air at any time, squeeze tighter, and I'll get us to the nearest air-pocket. We'll be out of here in no time, I promise."
As they entered the water, Liz thought to herself, "I've got a very bad feeling about this."
A/N
Well, another chapter finished! Thanks to all who have read and/ or reviewed my story. Please continue to do so, because reviews always serve as good inspiration to us fic-writers.