"Sub-Level Five doesn't exist." That's the official statement of the Stairway company.
Washing out from the Night Guard program is usually a death sentence to any similar career. When Astral Sentinel was asked if he was interested in a security job, the Thestral obviously jumped at the chance.
There was just one oddity about the job. Well, there were quite a few, but mainly just one.
He just never, ever could acknowledge the existence of Sub-Level Five.
When a complete lock-down traps the Thestral inside the odd facility, he has to break that one rule. As the security systems begin to eradicate all life inside the building, Astral has to venture down to the elevators that officially don't exist, to a floor nopony alive will speak of.
He soon finds out that some things are best left buried beneath rock and stone.
*Warning. Hitchhikers may be escaped convicts.
"This story is simultaneously horrifying and adorable." -Witchery
Takes place far after Season 9. Although, it could take place at any time...(or in the Radverse, as some people call it.) This thing took on a mind of its own.
Seriously.
Read on if you want to join Astral for the ride.
I hope you brought your crowbar.
In later chapters, loose spoilers for Timeless, Sunspots, and Cure for a Toxin
Warnings for creepy atmosphere, gore, violence, and brief mentions of sexual content/assault (nothing explicit, only implied.)
Despite this being a horror story with unpleasant elements, it's not grimdark or a depressing tale. Lots more ups and downs, but overall it's a positive read of good vs evil, love and fluff; those are the types stories I write, after all. I just want to let everyone know what they're getting into, and don't want any readers blindsided due to some of the content.
(Not a romance involving a 'herd')
Sounds like they're just very good at hiding very illegal activities. Wonder how many odd disappearances have occurred recently.
nope. nope. nope. all the nopes.
Forget the crowbar, i'm sticking a bayonet on my shotgun.
Interesting start, you certainly have my attention.
10958987
What disappearances?
It certainly seems they have their rear ends covered....
Yeah, probably a good choice; you're gonna need a 10-gauge for this one. I'm glad you're enjoying it!
Interesting
10959582
Glad you think so!
So no camping?
10960024
Doesn't look like it....
10958987
Welcome to the [REDACTED] . Don't worry, the security department only has the second highest death rate.
This heavily reminds me of either Black Mesa or a SCPF site. Is the story perhaps based on one of those universes?
10960328
Not directly, but I'm definitely a fan of SCP/Half life. I'm aiming for the general 'vibe' that both those games/lore gives. The original idea was from a brief game called 'Security Booth' I saw on a lets play, and there's a similar storyish thing I worked on in the same vein many years ago.
Things....just ran wild after the original idea.
10960422
Well, this certainly is interesting. I will watch your career with great interest. And a shotgun. But mainly interest.
10960508
I'd definitely recommend the shotgun....
think a KS-23 is enough shotgun?
or maybe i can borrow a demolition loadout from Aliens Fireteam Elite.
quite a gripping story so far. looking forward to the next chapter
10963385
I'm glad you're enjoying it! This is definitely a different genre I'm trying, so I'm definitely on the hunt for feedback.
...at this point I'd recommend a belt-fed anything.
Well I'm sold a very solid start and I'm looking forward to more definently liked and followed
10964131
Company wouldn't happen to be named Umbrella Corp. by any chance?
Excellent taste in ammunition choice Astral! 20mm HE sure packs a punch, but will it be enough dakka?
Princess Twilight's going to be extremely displeased when she finds out what's been going on.
Now taking bets on fate of those responsible: Statue, Tartarus, Vaporized, or something Creative?
No umbrella's here...
There can never be enough Dakka.
I think 'displeased' is an understatement. Fear the angry book-horse.
I think I'm sensing a theme with the chapters. If I'm guessing right, we have another 45 to go.
10967508
I was actually toying around to have it be 1 chapter per level. Buuuuut things took a few twists and turns. That isn't to say there won't be 45 chapters though!.
Or more.
Suprised he wasn't hired as a class D with that kind of record.
10974391
typo.
you idiots made the things self-replicating?!
this is why you listen to that one guy who tells you that making extremely durable, uncontrollable, self-replicating monsters is a very bad idea.
There's a reason the Evil Overlord List recommends at least one 5-year old on your planning team.
Looks like someone else is sick of what's been going on down here.
Dangit! Thank you for the catch; I have no idea how that typo got through. I run these chapters through a spell/grammar checker prior
A bad idea indeed.
That's definitely a way of putting it. No time for pleasantries!
Gotta say this is really interesting so far. And if I know you as an author they gonna get together before the end of this.
I am enjoying the while SCP/Alien vibe goin on cant wait for more.
~Reggie
Glad you're enjoying it! Those are definitely the vibes I'm going for.
....
........*Looks at story tags*
I MEAN...
10982994
TBH
I missed the tag with all the other red tags up there.
Also rip D-Class bois
~Reggie
10983205
It's like 'dark adventure, horror...OH fluffy romance...
RIP indeed.
A'ight nothing gonna break my stride, ain't nothing gonna hold me down. Ah huh ah huh I gotta keep on moving.
10983205
The D-Class get what they deserve.
Man, I hope Twilight sends in some sort of rescue squad to retrieve any survivors before detonating the warheads.
10995703
10974391
How didn’t I make the SCP connection before now?
Really liking this so far. Keep it up!
11002098
Huzzah! No plans on stopping!
Noice
11014274
Bloody hell this is a ride my dude
~Reggie
11016467
I hope you brought your crowbar. The ride doesn't stop!
Why has nobody thought to detonate the omega class warheads yet?
11017901
This story deserves more than what it gets.
I'll be honest, I'm not really into OC's being a main lead that much, due to various reasons, but your description pulled my attention, and now I'm hooked. The chemistry between the characters, and even with the current situation, it all feels so natural. Nothing feels forced.
All Astral and Sassi are missing is a crowbar!
Can't wait to see more of this mate. Keep it up.
11026299
Why thank you!!
I completely understand the aversion to OC's; I'm very wary of them myself when reading, because there's so many instances of them not being executed correctly. I've tried my hardest to make these characters living and breathing individuals, and also want any feedback to further help do that!
I'm quite tickled that you say it isn't forced; that was a worry of mine, when you put characters stuck together, things can seem contrived. That is what I definitely want to avoid and have things flow naturally.
I ain't stopping! I'm so glad you're enjoying the ride!
saLvaged supplies
I have no idea what could be done to them otherwise
11041219
Oh my gosh. Thank you! That's a fantastic typo though. FEAR THE SAVAGE SUPPLIES!
Is that a Project Horizons reference?
11041278
Not intentionally
11041222
That could the name for Adam Savage's public cave XD
11041280
But it looks like they ending up in same capacity (P21 wasn't good with stress either)
11041341
You're not wrong!
Interesting