"Are you sure this is the right place?" Kai questioned Zeff, wondering if he had gotten to the wrong location.
["It should be. Based on the blueprints you saw in the control room, there must be an entrance to Area 6 somewhere around here,"] Zeff answered. Although he could understand why Kai would be perplexed, even Zeff was having second thoughts about the integrity of his memory.
After leaving Daksha behind, Kai navigated through corridors that seemed to stretch endlessly in every direction, going downstairs at every turn. In a labyrinth of dimly lit passageways beneath the earth's surface, the air was thick with the scent of dampness and secrecy.
Kai possessed an uncanny memory, having memorized the blueprints of the base, and Zeff guided him through the complex network of tunnels each time Kai took the wrong turn. With only a flickering flashlight to pierce the darkness, they relied on their collective knowledge and intuition to navigate.
Kai knew where he was going, so the journey was short, and the bait he had placed must have been playing its role, as there were far fewer personnel guarding the corridors than before.
As he reached a dead-end corridor, frustration built. However, Kai's mind remained calm. It seemed Zeff directed him to a seemingly ordinary section of the rough stone wall.
And now, the situation had become precarious. If he was in the wrong place, then it was over. By now, everyone must have realized his bait, and worse, they could have killed her (which, in Zeff's terms, would be a good thing), making Kai even more worried.
They were now in the deepest part of MB-35, and turning back empty-handed was the last thing on his mind. There was no time or energy left for him to search for another blueprint. Kai wouldn't be surprised if there was a lieutenant in charge of the control room.
"You didn't lead me wrong, right?"
Zeff would have usually retorted to a remark like that, but he let it go this time.
["You're not kidding anyone here, sh*tface,"] he said, indifferent, as he continued, ["We have a shared memory, and you know I didn't lead you wrong."]
The way he put it might have rubbed Kai the wrong way, but he wasn't wrong. They indeed have a shared memory (and mind), but their memory stretched back seven years, and anything before that was a blank, like a dark screen.
Kai decided to go inside the door that said 'storeroom' on its plate, assuming he would find nothing special. But what awaited on the other side left him surprised.
A stark contrast to the rest of MB-35 became evident. The facility's interior was sleek, modern, and heavily fortified.
["See, the real Area Six was camouflaged,"] Zeff commented.
The walls were made of reinforced concrete and steel, designed to withstand various threats, including physical and electronic breaches.
"It's like I've entered a vault inside the Swiss bank," Kai said, marveling at the structure. The soft overhead lighting gave the facility a sterile, synthetic feeling.
Area 6 was a highly classified and clandestine facility within the underground military base 35 (MB-35). Its existence and purpose were known only to the highest-ranking personnel: the captains, the two lieutenants, and the head commander. Before the Apocalypse, Area 6 was designed for covert operations, research, and specialized training by the United States.
It was mainly divided into three parts: the department of R&D, the training facility for elite personnel, and the command center.
The advanced research laboratories were where scientists and engineers worked on cutting-edge technologies, from advanced weaponry to experimental gadgets.
Of course, the whole place was more fortified than the White House.
Biometric scanners, such as retina and fingerprint recognition, were strategically placed at key points within the facility to ensure only authorized personnel gained access.
But not for Kai.
When Kai walked toward a vault-like door, the real entrance to Area 6, the retina scan showed green when he placed his right eye, and the same thing happened with his fingerprint; it verified him, allowing him access inside (the reason why this happened would be explained in later chapters).
'Well, that went smoothly,' Kai thought. To him, it was expected. And so did everything that was about to go down.
The only threat to his life began after that: how was he going to escape afte doing what he came here to do?
For that, he would leave the seat to Zeff. Even if he was unsuccessful, he wouldn't go down without a fight.
***
[Area 6: The Training Facility]
The training areas are versatile, with sections designed to simulate urban environments, jungles, deserts, and more. Realistic props and training scenarios are set up for the elite operatives' training.
The sound of live fire and simulated combat can often be heard echoing within these spaces.
Robert Gill, one of the elite trainees, was testing his new weapon, the Viper X-1, still a prototype, provided to him by R&D. He was inside simulation chamber 3, which recreated the blasted wastelands of Los Angeles.
Atop the half-destroyed skyscraper, he was sniping the reptilian monsters below; they were Drakaroth's offspring, also known as QuakeBeasts. They had dragon-like scales and appearances, and they were gigantic creatures that caused earthquakes with each step. They were low-ranked, so they had no wings yet, making them easy targets for sniping despite the odds.
The bullets penetrated each of their skulls with perfect precision; the sniper rifle exceeded his expectations. Robert was expected to provide feedback after using the Viper X-1.
Emptying out his ammo, Robert put an end to the simulation, his black T-shirt moist due to sweat. He had an athletic build, showcasing his discipline in military training.
"I should return this," Robert thought, closing his eyes before looking at the camera placed in the corner of the room. He didn't like being treated as a lab rat, but the only reason he agreed to join the army was so he could get stronger.
Exiting the chamber, Robert headed upstairs, leading to R&D.
But on his way, he noticed something unusual; the atmosphere was different, he noted, slowing his walk. The air somehow felt heavier.
"Is Commander Leo visiting today?" he thought.
Area 6 hadn't been informed about Protocol Code Zero; most of the personnel inside were still in training, and those wearing lab coats were unless in battle. So the higher-ups left them in the dark about the situation above.
But the change in the air was evident.
It was familiar to Robert; really strong people exuded an aura around them, affecting their surroundings. It wasn't the first time Robert experienced this. It also happened on the day of the apocalypse. There was also a human who emitted that aura: the commander.
Commander D'roben was the strongest man he had met in his life, and he thought it was, again, one of his usual visits.
But the next moment, a voice crept up behind him, like a ghost, seemingly appearing out of nowhere. "Hey, there!"
Out of instinct, Robert pointed the barrel of the Viper X-1 toward the man behind him.
"Woah, Dude!" the man fell backward. "Don't shoot! It's me!"
Robert's eyes widened. "Chris?"
"Yeah, it's me! Why did you do that?" Chris questioned, angered at his friend.
That was weird; Robert thought for sure he was someone else. He never made a mistake like that.
"Sorry…" He extended a hand to help Chris get up.
"So where are you going?" Chris asked, his tone curious.
Robert showed him the Viper X-1 on his back. "I'm just returning this to R&D; it still needs a lot of improvements."
Chris placed his arm over his shoulder and said, "Let me tag along," in a cheerful voice.
He was like that sometimes; Robert supposed Chris acted chirpy when he was in a good mood.
"I guess it's okay." Robert took the lead.
Behind him, Chris maintained his smile. Of course, it was actually Kai who was disguised as Chris, still smiling.
===
Note: If you find any mistakes in the chapter, please comment them below so I can fix them as soon as possible.