"WHAT!!!" Bridges stood up from his seat. However, he was not the only one that was surprised.
In the room also included Sqautterbloat, the secretary to the base commander, and lastly Sasha. Aside from Sasha who was already in the loop, this was very foreign news to the rest.
"Don't worry. It is just for a quick visit and I will be back." Helen stated.
Bridges could instantly feel the slight rise of a headache coming up. He sat down and massaged his temple. This was exactly the thing he was afraid of. Adria had just arrived and a vampire attack had happened within the base, and now a request from a Belmont to enter the hole. As far as he was concerned, the goddess of bad luck was using these two to hunt his life.
Bridges sighed deeply, he took a deep breath to calm down his nerves, "okay lady Helen. Would you mind telling me why you want to go to the Hole? After all, if it is a vampire you want to see, I am sure there are some stuffed ones in the Royal Museum for Natural Arts."
"True! However, I am not here for sightseeing. I am here on very important business. Brigadier General Bridges have you heard of Project Green Earth?" She signaled to Sasha, and Sasha brought out a small box, which she placed on the table. Helen pushed a button on the box and a holographic projection appeared before their eyes. It was a very big sophisticated machine that led into the clouds.
"This is a device called The Eden. It was created by myself and the rest of my team. Although, it is still a bit from being finished, we are not really far off from the final product." Helen motioned with her hand and the image spun around for them to see all sides of it.
"In mythology, Eden is the land man was driven from. It was the first, and dare I say the ultimate paradise. We are determined to see that prosperity once again on the surface of the earth." Helen stated in a firm tone.
Bridges observed the machination before his eyes, "And what those this have to do with the Hole? Are you also trying to build a garden for the vampires?"
Helen smiled a bit, "very funny General. But that is not my purpose, " She motioned with her fingers and the device in the holographic projection opened up into little parts, and then a particular component was zoomed out, "This is what I came here for. It is a special kind of reactant engine. Every component that makes this little thing a miracle is literally a miracle. Very rare earth metals, coupled to completion in a very complicated and systematically difficult manner. What's more, It is imbued with a type of soul energy that we can't seem to find anywhere."
"let me guess, this device you need just so happens to be in the Hole!?" Bridges asked.
"Yes! yes it does." She firmly replied.
Bridges sighed again, "Lady Helen, forgive me for asking, but with the wealth and influence of your family, would such a mere trinket not be easy to acquire elsewhere, rather than the certified most dangerous place on earth?"
"I wish it was that easy too. However, we have searched high and low. Even the company that made it does not have an accurate blueprint of its make and the person that made it, is already long gone from this world. Our only option is to go into the Hole and get it by ourselves."
Bridges massaged his temple some more, and then looked at her, "I'm most sorry Lady Helen, but I cannot allow a noble into the Hole. That is just suicide. Even My men have it difficult there, and they are trained soldiers. Only last week, we even lost two incredible Darklings at the Hole. I'm sorry but I can't allow this. I just can't."
Helen frowned a bit, "Brigadier General Bridges! I don't think you are aware of what the implication of this device can do for the human race. Think turning deserts into rainforests, stopping floods, and even accurately predicting disasters before they happen." She leaned forward and stared attentively at him, "This could change the cause of many lives. Food would be in abundance, wars would stop and the struggle for basic sustenance could potentially become a thing of the past."
The room became silent and all eyes were on Bridges. His decision was the kicking factor here.
Bridges looked back at her, the smile on his face had long disappeared, now replaced with the stern look of a Soldier fitting his position as a General In the Military, "You can't enter the Hole and that is final!" he spoke firmly.
Helen leaned back into the sofa, and then surprisingly, she smiled, "I had a feeling you would disagree General, and so I made a few calls before coming here." Helen motioned to Sasha, and Sasha brought out a file with a red stamp on it and a label titled: CONFIDENTIAL.
Helen handed the file to Bridges, "Before you rush to make your conclusions, I think you should read this order that came directly from the office of the Secretary General of the UC."
Bridges raised a brow. However, he still took the file from her, he opened it and read its contents. As he did, his frown got deeper. He sighed, "I only have one thing to say. You might very well get to regret this decision."
Helen smiled charmingly back at him, "I'm sure I won't."
"I think that will be all for now." Bridges looked to his left, "Sergeant! please lead lady Helen and Colonel Sasha to the quarters we have prepared for them."
"Yes sir!" The secretary replied.
Helen stood up from her seat and headed out of the well spacious office.
"Lady Helen!" Squatterbloat's voice stopped her and she turned to him.
"Pardon me asking, but this device you need to finish Eden, where in the Hole is it located?"
"Yes! thank you for reminding me. It is at the Avalon state building. The birthplace of Soul energy..."