"I know we've not been up to an entirely good start, but, you can trust us. We're anomalies just like you and we actually came all the way out here searching for you," Jiele confessed.
Surprise etched across Nero's face as he stared at Enzo and Jiele, his mind going blank with thoughts.
"I'm sorry I attacked you," Jiele apologized to Nero, "I didn't know about any of what you were going through."
"You might not have known, but you're one of the few people in the world to possess the kind of power you have. You're a hyper-anomaly, I think Martha knew that too," Jiele affirmed.
Nero hesitated for a moment before opening up to the thought of what Jiele had said.
"I don't get it," Nero contemplated, thoughts now racing through his mind.
"You, among a few other anomalies, possess the ability to create and manipulate energy in its natural form. I can't explain in detail to you now, but I promise in time it'll all become clear. If you come with us, you'll come to understand your powers and your capabilities. Let us help you," Jiele offered.
Nero recognized the genuine sincerity in her eyes and understood that his path had intersected with hers for a reason.
It was time to embrace his powers, not as a weapon for destruction, but as a force, a part of him.
"This is a touching moment, really sweet and all, but now we're here, we have a bigger case on our hands. It's no joke that Martha was really deep in something she shouldn't have been. We need to find out what it was and also what she discovered that prompted her death," Enzo said, his mind racing with the possibilities. "There must be something in this house that can lead us to the truth."
Jiele's earlier observation about the peculiar wall resurfaced in her mind. "There's something strange about this part of the room," she said, pointing towards the wall. "Let's search around this corner; this must be a hidden compartment. Try to find a lock or switch."
With renewed determination, they began to investigate the room more thoroughly.
They found a loose panel in the wall, which slid open to reveal a secret lock.
"I got this," Enzo affirmed as he brought out a device from his pack and slotted it into the hole on the lock panel. The device immediately chimed to life, beeping rigorously as it ran some processes.
In a matter of seconds, the beeping stopped. A loud hiss could be heard, as a section of the wall slid open to reveal a passage leading down below the building, going into a room.
The three of them now moved on, proceeding down the flight of stairs into the room below.
They came face-to-face with a large room, housing a lab and a research facility.
Enzo immediately rushed straight to the console ahead, plugging in another device he brought from his pack into a slot beside the screen before interacting with the keyboard.
The interface unlocked, giving him access to all the data on the system. He had discovered a collection of Martha's notes, research data, and encrypted files. It was a treasure trove of information and records that could highlight all the dark deeds carried out by District Inc and the Syndicate.
The lab was filled with an eerie silence as Enzo, Jiele, and Nero pored over Martha's research data. The soft glow of the computer screens illuminated Enzo's face as he scanned through all the files. Each new discovery deepened the mystery surrounding Martha and District Inc.'s involvement with anomalies.
"This is unbelievable," Jiele muttered from behind, her eyes scanning through the documents she held in her hands. "Martha was on the verge of finding a cure for the anomalies. She was really close."
"Look at this," Enzo said, his voice tinged with astonishment. "These are records of human experimentation on these anomalies. They've been using people as lab rats."
A mix of anger and sorrow became evident on Nero's face. "Why did they have to do all of this? This is wicked."
The revelations were overwhelming, and the weight of responsibility bore down on them. They now held the key to exposing District Inc. and the Syndicate's secrets, but it also meant they would become even bigger targets.
"We need to be careful," Enzo cautioned. "This information is dangerous. We can't let it fall into the wrong hands."
Jiele nodded in agreement. "Agreed. We should make copies of these files and send them to trusted allies. That way, even if something happens to us, the truth will still come to light."
Nero glanced at them, a newfound determination in his eyes. "I'm in this with you. I won't let Martha's sacrifice be in vain," he affirmed.
Together, they took copies of the research data, ensuring its safe dissemination. As they did, Jiele noticed a sealed locker in the corner of the lab.
"Hey, what's in there?" Jiele asked, pointing at the locker.
Nero walked over and examined it. "It's locked," he said as he gripped and turned the handle.
"I'll take care of it," Enzo said with a confident grin. He reached into his pack and pulled out the small device he had used previously to unlock the door.
He slid the tiny screen on the surface of the locker to reveal a section within composed of tiny wires and port holes. He plugged in the device on the terminal provided.
"What is that thing anyway?" Nero asked, tinged with curiosity.
"Oh, this? It's an all-purpose decryptor. I created this one myself. It has the ability to bypass any firewall or security system in a matter of seconds, trying out all the possible combinations, including alphanumerics, regardless of the system settings. It all depends on the type of security system present," Enzo explained.
"Whoa! That's amazing," Nero exclaimed in amazement.
"Yeah, pretty cool, I know," Enzo bragged. After a few seconds of the device tinkering, the lock clicked open.