"So, no leads on Symbiote Number 3 yet Agent Kimblee." Straxus questioned while working on some paperwork for his company as Kimblee was giving his field report on a tv monitor within the CEO's Office.
Solf J nodded in disappointment at this before he continued on, "We believe the Symbiote managed to escape when paramedics took the injured astronaut to the hospital. This Symbiote seems to be far more intelligent than the others we managed to contain so far." Straxus looked up towards Kimblee as he thought over what their next move should be.
"It will be more difficult for us to track down as well… Considering these beings can exchange hosts as they please as long as they are compatible with themselves…" The CEO thought aloud. Yet this gave him an idea for tracking. From what his research team has learned from these creatures is that a host needs to have similar traits to the symbiote to have a successful bonding. This was similar to an organ transplant and it was vital for the process or the Symbiote will reject its host which results in the death of the Host. "Analyze the people who have evidence of Symbiosis and find out what the similarities are with their biological makeup." Straxus ordered as he sat up, "The Symbiote can't just choose anyone to bond with. Once we find the pattern, we can narrow down potential hosts within its reach next time it shows up." He explained as Kimblee nodded in response and ended the call.
Shortly after this, a knock was heard on the door of Straxus' office as he went to open the door. "Ah, Doctor Skirth. What brings you to my premises?" The Elderly man asked while allowing the young scientist inside. He could tell that something was troubling the woman as he closed the door behind them for privacy.
Dora was frustrated with the recent experiments that had taken place with the symbiotes within the labs. "Why have you already started human trials!? We may have found out what was needed for these creatures to who and what they needed to be bonded with to survive in our environment! That doesn't justify the unethical decision you had made!" The Scientist declared in an outburst of rage. Yet, her rage was cut silent as Straxus looked at her with a chilling stare.
With a smile, Straxus walked over to Dora who was a bit terrified by the man now. "I understand your concerns, but like I mentioned earlier in the testing facility. With any form of Progress, we must be willing to take certain risks to advance. Nothing is achieved without experimentation and risk, Miss Skirth. We are discussing the future of our world and we cannot allow this opportunity for progress to simply pass us by." He told the scientist as she flinched by the hand placed on her shoulder. "So, hold your nerves and concerns back. After all, if you want a prosperous future for yourself and your children. It will be best if you do so." He stated with a cold and threatening tone. He then headed over to his desk to resume his work before announcing. "Now, if this is all you want to bring to my attention. Then will I recommend that you leave and feel free to take the rest of the day off if you like." Straxus told Dora as she nodded as she exited the office with a fright.
Meanwhile, in the lobby of White Star's Building, a small group of kids accompanied by two adults with a logo sponsoring a summer camp group were "enjoying" their tour throughout the Corporation and seeing the amazing advancements that they have created. The most notable kids were none other than Marcus, Luz, and Azula. Marcus seemed to be dressed in what looked like a black hoodie with a casual attire of a teenager of his age. Though both Luz and Azula were somewhat nervous to be here, yet they played it off. One of the men with the group was a reporter like Marcus' Uncle was named Maes Hughes as his daughter Gracia was enjoying herself, unlike the others. Maes looked at the group of three teens as he noticed that they weren't happy to be here.
He brought them all here since it was his daughter's birthday and he wanted to make her happy. Though, he should have considered their opinion then jump the gun with Gracia's request. With a small sigh he walked over to the three. "Hey, sorry that I kind of too eagerly brought us all here for my daughter's birthday without your consideration." He began while Mister Hughes showed them how embarrassed he was, "But why don't three roam around on your own. Just don't go too far from the group. Ok?" He offered as they three were quite happy with this request.
'This will definitely be a good chance to see what this company's plans are.' Azula stated within her thought with a mischievous grin on her face. "We promise Mister Hughes we won't get into trouble too." Luz told the Reporter as he laughed.
"Good to hear, kids. Have fun, but be back by two-thirty. We need to leave by then, ok?" He told them with a serious tone. They nodded as they took off to explore.
"So, what do you think I can sabotage without getting notice, gals?" Marcus asked with a sly grin.
Luz sighed as she glared at the teen, deciding to be the responsible one among the three. "You really think they won't notice if you did that?" She questioned with a scowl.
Azula laughed a bit as she shared the grin. "It wouldn't hurt to try, right?" She announced as Marcus gave her a high-five as Luz sighed with exhaustion as they heard a nearby door burst open as a woman with glasses and a skirt rushed out of a room they noticed during their tour. The Tour Guide explained that the area was where the company's more important research projects were being done. Yet before the door could shut behind the woman, Azula used her telekinesis to allow the door to remain open. "Why don't we head in there then?" She suggested with a smirk as Marcus was eager to mess something up. Luz thought it over, but ultimately agreed to the idea.
Her and Azula needed to get an idea of what White Star was so keen on learning about Yokais like Azula as well as why they were observing her own actions. Both of them have noticed within their own town that covert surveillance was being done on them and their families. Sakamoto and Roshi have been able to point them out despite how skilled they were. Taking this chance, they headed inside the Laboratory before anyone could notice.
Inside, however, the scene was a bit horrifying as the three kids saw people encased inside of glass cells. Some seemed to be torn apart from the inside out, others were asleep yet moaned in pain by something, and their computers with documents on each subject with their vitals on display. "What the hell is this place…" Luz questioned in disgust as she tried to cover her nose from the scent of the bodies. Though, she began to sense something from each person alive. The feeling was chaotic, like two forms of life swarming inside yet ripping each other apart. Yet some of the humans that possessed this feeling were faint or strong which was dependent on their condition.
Marcus was the first to record what he saw before he turned to Azula and Luz. "Hey, see if you can get copies of their research. My uncle was destroyed by these guys and this may help get his life back." He requested as the two nodded to this. They all knew that they stumbled on something that shouldn't yet it was best to make the most of this before they were all caught. "It's a stroke of luck that no one is here at the moment…" He declared as the teen walked by each cell, recording what he could.
Azula went to one of the computers as Luz handed her a flash drive to download what they could. "Guess the last researcher was the lady who walked out." The Goth Girl announced as she saw the employee clock in and out times, "Seems like this project is on hold to estimate something that they call 'Symbiosis'." Azula announced as she began downloading whatever she could.
"But why not have guards by to prevent some teenagers from entering a place like this?" Luz questioned aloud.
Marcus scoffed at this as he looked at Luz. "That's because the Company has top-of-the-line security. I don't think they would have expected something like this to happen." He explained as Azula perked up.
"The lady probably got careless too. The door wasn't shut when we entered." She told them with a smile. "Doubt any alarms are gonna be triggered too." Azula declared, which put the others at ease. Though Azula came across a lot of documents about White Star's more valuable records and experiments. She saw information discussing things like Yokai Biology and Powers, Testing for Their Sanguine Star Element, and some kind of teleportation device they were developing.
However, Luz looked around the lab before she noticed one lady that Luz thought she saw with Brock and Marcus at one point. "Hey Marcus? Isn't that the lady who held the paper for your uncle?" She questioned as Marcus walked over to check it out. Azula looked over, not noticing the cyber security alert that came onto the computer screen.
Marcus was shocked as he rushed over to the cell as he saw Macy inside the cell. "Macy!? Why are you here?" He questioned with widened eyes. Yet, when the homeless lady heard his voice. Something took over her body as she broke through the glass and tackled Marcus like a feral animal as he tried to fight her off. Though, something color black made its way into Marcus before Luz had unexpectedly thrown the woman off with incredible strength. All Three knew that they needed to get out of here as Azula let out her Yokai powers to get them out of the lab and out of the building quickly she could to meet up with their camp group before the Security Crew entered the room.
Though when they arrived, no one was present inside of the room to their surprise. "God… Straxus is gonna have our heads for this…" One of them announced in dread by their lack of seriousness and ethics for their own job.