//------------------------------// // Chapter #15 // Story: Operation Imortuus // by Pika53 //------------------------------// Equestria - Arkley Mansion/Research Center; hidden lab, 1:15 am, 10th July 20xx, Night, Weather: Cloudy As the team exited the lift, Selena noted that the room they'd entered was unlike any other part of the estate they'd seen thus far. It lacked the fetid charm of the mansion or the dripping gloom of the underground tunnels. In fact, it was as if they'd all stepped out of a gothic horror story and into a military complex. The room they'd entered was a large, steel-reinforced concrete structure with metal ducts and overhead pipes lining the upper walls. The walls themselves were painted in a muddy industrial gray; the title “XD-R B1” stenciled across the concrete in black letters several feet high. She was also very much aware that the change was quite jarring to some members of the team as they all took in their new surroundings. Any sense they had held of where they were in relation to the rest of the estate had just been removed. Low murmurs among the group merely reinforced her assessment of the situation as Selena quickly accessed the area's wireless network and downloaded a map of the area. On the opposite side of the room from where they stood was a large metal door and to their left was a ladder leading to the lower levels. A quick scan indicated that the door was firmly locked and wouldn't open for any reason beyond a severe emergency. Although she could hack it, the attempt would take considerable time and processing power and would ultimately be a waste considering there was nothing more than another bland hallway leading to yet another surface elevator beyond the door anyway. Silently, the team approached the ladder and descended into a much smaller room as bland and industrial as the first; another small, steel-reinforced door set into the opposite wall with inset florescent lights on the ceiling. “What have we got?” Jaden asked as they got settled near the door. “It would appear that we have reached the primary lab.” Selena replied, as she brought up the new map. “The facility is divided into four sections related to specific divisions and research.” “What exactly were they studying here?” Brutalight inquired. “It would appear to be bio-weapons research.” Selena answered. “Although the facility itself is more advanced than anything local, the virus they were studying is incredible... and extremely potent.” she continued in response to the unsolicited question. “Go on.” Jaden said. “The virus is protean, meaning it can easily change states, such as from a liquid to gas, depending upon its environment.” Selena answered; replacing the map with a diagram of a viral DNA molecule. “As you all already know, it also has the ability to infect and mutate a diverse number of different species.” “And?” Tess asked. “It was originally released as an airborne pathogen but now can only be transferred by direct contact with a carrier.” Selena replied. A chorus of contemptuous snorts and groans indicated that the rest of the team understood what she was referring to. “It should also be noted that a single bite or scratch from these creatures is significant for infection.” she cautioned. “Curiously, the virus has no effect upon non-living toy bodies.” “I know who I'm staying behind than.” Zander murmured. “Don't even think about it!” Rarifruit hissed, eliciting snickers. “Is there anything else?” Jaden asked. “It appears that all doors leading to critical areas are unlocked and sub-level three contains a self-destruct device capable of sanitizing this facility.” Selena replied, as she brought up the map once more. “How big a blast are we talking about?” Jaden asked. “Roughly the equivalent of several city blocks. Certainly more than enough to destroy the facility, the virus, and all traces of them.” Cameron let out a low whistle as the team exchanged glances. “Additionally, triggering the device will likely release the lock upon the door on sub-level one.” she continued. “Let's do it!” Jaden said. He then began to issue individual assignments. “Alright, stay alert as our dear Captain Vickers is down here somewhere... and he ain't gonna be real happy to see us.” A chorus of affirmations indicated that the rest of the team understood what needed to be done as Jaden continued speaking. “Zan, lead on.” Nodding, the green pegasus quickly pushed open the door and stepped out onto a cement walkway that led to a flight of descending stairs with Cameron right behind him as Fiora brought up the rear of the formation. A metal rail circled the path and at the top of the stairs lay a crumpled zombie, so emaciated and shriveled that it appeared to be mummified. It seemed the effects of the viral spill had been harsher here in the labs... less messy but no less disquieting. As the rest of the team silently moved on, Zander, Jaden, and Fiora, with Edi in tow, warily took up positions around the door leading to what was identified as the “Visual Data Room” before entering. The room itself was another still gray room with a long meeting table in the center; a slide projector set up in front of a portable screen at its far end. A nonfunctional intercom system sat on a small stand against the right wall. As the small group began searching the room, Selena quietly busied herself with the multi-tasking requirements of collating all the camera footage recorded during the mission into a single coherent narrative while simultaneously keeping an 'eye' on the team's progress and safety in addition to cataloging any new relevant material that was collected along the way. She was very much aware of how the team valued a personal copy of any camera footage montages for privately reliving events in addition to the copy she would also send to Celestia regarding how the operation unfolded. While the rest of the group began reviewing what was on the slide projector, which curiously matched much of the information that had been in the file folder Jaden had received, Selena took the opportunity for personal reflections. While it was true in the most literal sense that her primary function was to impartially observe and report how the team, and more specifically Jaden and Tess, reacted to changing situations, Selena found that she actually enjoyed looking after the rest of the group. Although a certain degree of insight into 'how organic lifeforms thought' was passed on during her creation, Selena found the study of biological thought processes to be quite fascinating. Deep down, she suspected Celestia had something to do with that interest also; but didn't mind. Although it was no secret that human and pony thought processes were quite different, the degree to which they differed was quite intriguing. Her young charges, Jaden and Tess, were proving to be quite an entertaining challenge in that area; an irony considering the little alicorn was physically a construct like herself. After all, the mare's thought processes were entirely biological. Selena could only speculate that the reason for that was due to Tess's exposure to living ponies’ shortly after first activation and throughout subsequent interactions all the way up to the point where she discovered the robotics lab while trapped in the Enrichment Center where she'd first met Jaden. Curiously, despite the unexpected discovery of her origins, the little alicorn still behaved like any other living pony would. In fact, the way she and Jaden often interacted with one another tended to lead many to the assumption that the pair were soul-mates; even if they didn't see it themselves. Often, their varying reactions to the teasing they received from certain members within the squad merely reinforced this idea. After all, physical intimacy wasn't actually necessary for those who shared close bonds. Selena was also reasonably certain that Celestia was aware of that particular development as well; and just as likely entertained by the whole affair. Selena mentally rolled her eyes at the thought. Despite the fact they shared many of the same traits, although not quite the same appearance, she often found herself questioning whatever ran through her progenitor's ageless mind. Unfortunately, due to imposed limitations, she could only display emotions when her physical form was manifested. Additionally, the vast majority of her combat capabilities was tied into her physical form as well. Of course, there usually wasn't much need for the use of such refined skills. Over the course of events that had unfolded throughout the operation thus far, Selena found herself intrigued by how those darling little mini-ponies had been utilized. Although she had originally cautioned against bringing the dolls to life with magic, Selena had to admit that Jaden had done a decent job of winning them over. Some of the cunning little creatures were also quite capable in combat it seemed. She suspected that most weren't aware what would happen when the spell expired; a shame really considering they'd all developed quite unique personalities. Perhaps the mini-pony with the most unusual personality was Edi. Of all the mini-ponies present, that one was by far the friendliest of the group and had displayed the most peculiar abilities. Curiously, the little unicorn was also the only one to develop differently than the others. In fact, it was as if the little creature was actually a living pony trapped within a non-living toy body. After the spell ceased, it would still function without restraint. Selena could only speculate that little Edi had somehow inherited some of her creator's attributes. It was certainly going to be interesting to see how things progressed from this point forward. *************** Equestria - Arkley Mansion/Research Center; hidden lab - Visual Data Room, 1:25 am, 10th July 20xx, Night, Weather: Cloudy Standing within what was referred to as the Visual Data Room, Jaden tried to make sense of what he'd just seen. The slide show he and the others had just viewed had verified much of the data that had been given to them earlier and confirmed the type of research that had been conducted at the facility. It had also raised many unanswered questions. One of the things he hadn't expected to see on the projector was the image of a large torpedo shaped fish with a protruding dorsal fin and jaws filled with rows of razor sharp teeth. Jaden had easily recognized the creature but didn't think those things actually existed in Equestria. Fiora also recognized the creature and Jaden suspected she'd had an encounter with the beast during the time she and Shadow had been separated from the rest of the group. He certainly didn't blame her for being unnerved by the photo. While Edi had appeared curious about the situation Zander had been unusually silent on the matter. He hadn't cracked a single joke since they'd left the underground tunnels. Deep down, Jaden knew that destroying the facility was the best course of action but many unanswered questions remained. Chief among them were “Who had created the facility to begin with?”, “What was the motive behind the facility's construction and the creation of the beasts roaming its halls?” and “What role did the two mares they'd recently encountered have prior to the events of the evening along with what their interest in this whole operation was?”. Despite the knowledge that those questions would likely remain unanswered, he was determined to finish the job and make sure the public remained safe. After all, too many lives had been lost already not to mention the atmosphere of the place just felt wrong. Sensing the time was right to see how the others were faring, Jaden quickly began calling each team over the radio and requesting an update on their status. He became concerned when he couldn't receive a response from Tess's team over the radio. After several long minutes of silence, Jaden could see the concern on Fiora, Zander, and Edi's faces as he placed a bulletin over all comms. “All units. All units. Proceed to the elevator leading to the lab on Level Four. We've got a situation.” Over a chorus of affirmations, the group quickly exited the room without a word and made their way toward the rendezvous point.