Carrying the envelope with the report, I made my way back to Luthor's office, my mind still buzzing with thoughts of the exosuit.
As I approached Luthor's office, I passed Ms. Grant again. She gave me a curt nod as I walked by, her attention fixed on her computer screen. I knocked on the door. When no answer came, I walked in. Seeing that Luthor wasn't in his office I decided to put the envelope on his desk. Right before I laid it down a report caught my eye.
Report 148.
Subject's repeated escapes from the containment pod have become increasingly concerning. During simulation 41, an influx in his emotional state was detected. Preliminary analysis suggests the trigger may be linked to a recurrent memory fragment, possibly related to a past trauma. Immediate recommendation is to reconfigure simulation parameters to exclude any stimuli that may be associated with this memory.
Report Compiled by:
Dr. Mark Desmond,
Head Researcher, Project Kr.
Cadmus Labs.
Report 150.
Efforts to reconfigure simulation 28 were met with limited success. The subject continues to show heightened emotional responses, particularly anger. A deeper neural scan indicates the presence of an unidentified neural anomaly that could be amplifying his emotional states. A containment pod upgrade is now deemed critical. Design specifications for a reinforced containment pod are being drafted.
Report Compiled by:
Dr. Mark Desmond,
Head Researcher, Project Kr.
Cadmus Labs.
Report 151.
The new containment pod, Model XR-7, has been constructed and installed. It boasts a triple-layer titanium-alloy shell with integrated neural dampeners to stabilize the subject's emotional flux. Initial tests show a 75% decrease in containment breaches. Further monitoring is required to confirm long-term efficacy.
Report Compiled by:
Dr. Mark Desmond,
Head Researcher, Project Kr.
Cadmus Labs.
Report 152.
Despite the initial success of Model XR-7, the subject has managed to escape once more. This breach occurred during a newly designed simulation (simulation 42), indicating that the pod's upgrades alone are insufficient. Notably, the subject's neural activity showed unprecedented synchronization patterns, suggesting an advanced form of cognitive processing we have yet to fully understand. Urgent investigation into the subject's neural anomaly is recommended.
Report Compiled by:
Dr. Mark Desmond,
Head Researcher, Project Kr.
Cadmus Labs.
(Quest: Investigate the experiments going on in Cadmus Labs)
Difficultly: Medium
Reward: 20 (PP), ???, ???
Failure: ???
[Accept] - [Decline]
I felt a chill run down my spine as I read through them. A subject with uncontrollable emotional responses, repeated containment breaches, and an unexplained neural anomaly—this was not just any experiment. It was something potentially dangerous, something that Luthor was deeply involved in.
The quest prompt floating in front of my eyes was both a warning and a tantalizing opportunity. I took a deep breath, weighing my options. This was risky, no doubt about it. But the potential rewards, both in terms of Power Points and the unknown bonuses, were too significant to ignore.
My resolve hardened. I couldn't stand by if they were experimenting on people. I selected [Accept].
[Quest Excepted]
The screen disappeared, and I quickly placed the envelope on Luthor's desk, making sure everything was as I found it. I slipped out of the office, my mind now focused on my next steps. To investigate Cadmus Labs, I would need to be careful and strategic. This wasn't a place where I could just walk in and start asking questions. I needed a plan.
First, I decided to gather as much information as possible from within LexCorp before making my move. I headed to the research archives, a section of the building that held detailed records of ongoing projects. Access was restricted, but with my intern credentials and a bit of ingenuity, I was confident I could find what I needed.
As I walked through the corridors, I activated my "Scan" ability intermittently, gathering data on the people and objects around me. Most were mundane, everyday things—coffee cups, security guards with basic abilities, office equipment—but occasionally, I stumbled upon something interesting. I noted down anything that might be useful later.
Arriving at the archives, I flashed my ID at the security checkpoint. The guard, a burly man with a bored expression, barely glanced at it before waving me through. Inside, the archives were a maze of shelves and filing cabinets, each meticulously organized.
I approached one of the computer terminals and quickly hacked into the system, It was easy to bypass the security protocols. I searched for any information related to Cadmus Labs and Project Kr. After a few tense minutes, I hit the jackpot.
The files I found were extensive and detailed, documenting various experiments and projects conducted by Cadmus Labs. Project Kr was one of the most classified and sensitive. The subject, referred to only as "Project Kr," or "The Weapon" had been a classified experiment with the intention of cloning Superman. The product of this project was Project Kr, whom Cadmus intended to replace Superman if he ever died or "turned from the Light".
The reports painted a grim picture. Project Kr was extremely powerful, with abilities that defied easy categorization. His emotional volatility and repeated escape attempts suggested a deep-seated resistance to captivity. The neural anomaly mentioned in the reports seemed to amplify his powers in unpredictable ways. It said that he was located on sub level 52.
I downloaded the relevant files to a secure drive and made a mental note to review them in detail later. For now, I needed to prepare for the next phase of my investigation: infiltrating Cadmus Labs.
I left the archives and headed back to my apartment, my mind racing with plans and contingencies. I would need to be stealthy and resourceful. The labs were heavily guarded, and any misstep could result in severe consequences.
Once home, I reviewed the files thoroughly, looking for any weaknesses or points of entry.
Cadmus Labs facility was explicitly designed for secrecy; to the public eye, it was a two-story building, but an express elevator led to 52 sub-levels. Getting inside would require a combination of guile, technological prowess, and perhaps a bit of luck.
Next, I reviewed the floor plans and security protocols, formulating a plan. I would enter through a maintenance shaft located near the rear of the facility, avoiding the main entrances and checkpoints. From there, I could navigate through the air ducts to reach the elevator area. After filling out all the details of my plan I went to bed.
| Washington, D.C.
|July 4, 10:00 EDT
The next morning, I made my way to Cadmus Labs, dressed inconspicuously in dark clothes and a cap pulled low over my eyes. I carried a small backpack with the essential tools: a tablet with hacking software, a set of lock-picking tools, and a few gadgets I had managed to piece together during my time at LexCorp. Apparently there had been a huge fire at Cadmus which made for a great distraction.
As I approached the building, I kept to the shadows, avoiding the security cameras' line of sight and the fire trucks . The maintenance shaft was exactly where the floor plans had indicated, partially hidden by a cluster of bushes. A quick [scan] revealed no immediate alarms or sensors. I glanced around to make sure no one was watching before prying open the cover and slipping inside.
The narrow shaft was a tight fit, but I managed to crawl through, my heart pounding in my chest. After a few minutes of maneuvering through the maze-like ducts, I reached the main ventilation system. From here, I had a clear path to the elevator area. The ducts were surprisingly spacious, allowing me to move more freely.
Peering through a vent, I saw the elevator the doors had been pried open revealing the elevator shaft. I did a quick [Scan] to make sure nobody was inside. I pushed open the vent and hoped down. Looking further into the shaft I could see a rope going down. The that someone had broken in before me was both confusing and disappointing. I leaned forward and yanked on the rope to make sure it was stable. After a couple more jerks I was satisfied and hoisted myself up. I descended slowly, keeping a firm grip on the rope. The shaft seemed to go on forever, each level marked by numbers as I passed. The rope ended at level 26. The elevator doors on this floor had also been pried open.
I looked down the drop was a long way down. I sighed as I started to swing my body to get momentum until jumping off into level 26. I landed softly, rolling to absorb the impact. The dimly lit corridor stretched out in both directions, eerily silent except for the distant hum of machinery. I paused to catch my breath and recalibrate my bearings. Whoever had come before me was skilled but left a trail to follow. I pulled up my phone, looking at the maps I had of the facility. There should be another elevator not too far from here.
Hearing distant sounds of alarms I sighed. The damn idiots had done got themselves caught. They were just making it harder for me. I made my way through the dimly lit corridor, every step cautious and measured. The eerie silence was occasionally broken by the faint hum of machinery and distant echoes of footsteps—possibly the other intruders or perhaps security personnel. Following the map on my phone, I navigated through a labyrinth of corridors and maintenance tunnels.
Finally, I reached the secondary elevator. Its sleek, metallic doors were a stark contrast to the worn and utilitarian surroundings. This elevator, unlike the one from before, seemed undisturbed. I quickly scanned the control panel with my tablet, bypassing the security measures with relative ease. The elevator descended smoothly, taking me deeper into the facility. As I neared the 52nd sub-level, I steeled myself for whatever awaited me.