Sunday, 25 June: As
the Icelandic prisoners escape along the ‘via-ferrata’ inside the abyss
chamber, there to greet them on the other side is Cliff, “Have you seen my
fellow team members?” Thus, directed across the ‘iron bridge’ and inside the
research facility where he finds them talking to a bank of brains [room 13].
A Londoner’s accent (Calum MacDonald) telling how the serpents created this
facility millennia ago but lost control and abandoned it.
[room 12] The group in
agreement to turn the one pump back on to pump the silvery petrification fluid
that will keep ‘the sleeper’ dormant. And that’s when Paulo hears the female
serpent voice [in Nacaal] thru the manhole above, “Why have the pumps stopped?
Send a team to investigate.” Paulo translating; they take up ambush positions.
Long minutes till they realize the serpents must be coming from a different
path. They rush into the pump room just in time to hear the feral grunts of
Yeti slaves (with pain collars) being driven forward by large serpent
overseers. More serpents follow.
Cliff takes steady aim, [Hard] and shoots the collars off
the Yeti slaves. Their howls from a final shock…pause as they realize their
freedom…turning to face their tormentors. And that’s when Mikael’s thrown stick
of dynamite [fail] falls short. Intended to arch over the Yeti for the
enforcers behind. Instead, ricocheting off the ceiling and falling at the feet
of the Yeti, “BOOM!” Potential allies dead and the surprise lost.
The ambush plan collapsing. Jen hiding [extreme] in a
corner while Paulo throws his own stick [extreme] that explodes beside the
overseers who stagger. Isaac aiming as a “whoosh”ing sound announces Cliff’s
jetpack jump closer to the serpent where he unloads his pistols. The larger
serpents fall dead. Mikael and Isaac able to get off shots before the ten
remaining serpents close. Four flame-pistols leveled at Isaac who fights back.
His own 'Flesh Ward' spell protecting him from most damage. Two flame-pistols
leveled at Paulo who also fights back. Knocked back when one pistol [00]
explodes! That serpent attacker covered in the flaming gel is burnt to death.
Four more serpents are confused when they see one of
their own in the ranks of the humans. Porter still in his ‘human environmental
suit’ has pulled the human hood over his head as disguise. They turn on Cliff
and Mikael; 2 each. Close quarter combat. Isaac dodging away from his 4
attackers, Paulo chanting before throwing a dagger that begins to burrow into
his lone serpent foe. Who realizes the dagger threat and scrambles trying to
dig it out…unsuccessfully. Porter free to level his shotgun at Isaac’s foes.
Another explosion as another flame-pistol detonates [00]. Bullets flying
everywhere with Cliff emptying his guns and reaching for more in his armpit
holsters. Soon all serpent dead.
Jen finally coming out of hiding, “But the Yeti deserved
to live.” Mikael shrugging his shoulders, “Sorry? Nyet.” And that’s when an
alarm begins to blare. “We gotta hurry.” Cliff able to repair the silver-pump
while Paulo rushes to the Geothermal-Core room [room 11] to see if the
self-destruct timer is counting down. No. Back to the others, “The serpent
leader must have sounded the alarm.” Back to the brain room to verify their
self-destruct override still operational. They climb the southern stairs
entering a huge control room. Two serpent operators quickly dispatched.
[room 14] Before them: 3 huge
screens. One screen filled by what can only be a camera monitor of ‘the
sleeper’ under the volcano. Another screen displays a map of the world. Dots
identifying all the active volcanos of the world…erupting simultaneously. “Is
that currently happening or just a potential? And does anyone recognize that landmark
just east of South America?” Mikael making note of the island coordinates.
And that’s when the 3rd screen comes alive with the face of a veiled woman speaking Nacaal, “What’s going on there?! Why is the alarm sounding?”
And that’s when the 3rd screen comes alive with the face of a veiled woman speaking Nacaal, “What’s going on there?! Why is the alarm sounding?”
And that’s when Porter steps before the screen still in
his ‘human suit’. She asks, “Who are you?” Paulo hiding behind Porter does his
speaking, “I’m number 12, Ssseee-sar. We have the situation under control.” She
barking, “Then get the pump online. We can use all the fluid you can extract.”
Her probing questions has Paulo unplug the speaker. And that’s when Cliff steps
forward, pretends to shot Porter, who fakes falling to the floor out of view. Paulo
re-plugging the speaker as Cliff says, “One more operation off line.”
She gloating, “Ahh, Caduceus. How is my father? How much
do you really know? Have you been to the 3rd basement? Seen
his…creations? Haven’t you realized his plans to enslave mankind. They must be
stopped. Fools, followers of that lesser Yig. I, Rose, have been put in-charge
of the true worshipers of Tsathoggua. I will find Mu where we will rule the
world. We will even let you humans have a spot at the table.”
Jen now speaking up, “As servants or platters of food?
You are ALL evil and ALL must be stopped. You, your father, and all those
hideous serpents.” Cliff already tired of the mad plots, pulls out a pistol and
blasts the screen into silence. “Let’s activate the self-destruct and get the
hell out of here.” Meanwhile, unbeknownst to all, Mikael had slipped out and
scouted ahead, “Bridge over lava flow next hallway. I suggest we go back to
pump room and scout that way. Find everything before blowing this place up.”
[room 15] Back to the
pump-room then south and west to a room with a thick quartz door with a hand
imprint for the handle. Pause to find a severed serpent hand; the door opens.
Inside: an armory full of flame-pistols and fuel cylinders. As the others take
a few each, Paulo warns, “Didn’t you see how unstable they are?! Two exploded
just in that last fight!” They continue north finding mundane rooms: bed, bath,
and beyond. Jen peeking into the first seeing sleeping serpents, “I swear if
you wake them…” Cliff tosses in 2 sticks of dynamite, “A little night-cap for
them.” As for the last room, the cafeteria: crates of rodents and rabbits. A
human suit crawling on the floor. Still human enough to plead, “Help me.” Cliff
pulls out his gun…”BLAM!” Jen left crying.
“Let blow the brain room so we can set the
self-destruct.” Isaac now compassionate, “Let’s at least save the Londoner.”
But as Isaac disconnects the cords and touches Calum’s cylinder, no one
recognizes his mental fight. [Calum trying to take over Isaac’s body…a brain
transfer via telepathic touch. As far as Isaac knows, he just fought off a
severe headache.] And that’s when an alarm sounds, “5 minutes till
self-destruct.”
Mikael and Paulo already running towards the landing bay [room
9] while the others argue their escape. Out the main entrance [room 16]
they found? Across the via-ferrata to the Voormis lair to warn them? And that’s
when the back wall of the brain chamber collapses under the weight of a magna
flow. Rocks begin to rain down from the ceiling, “Run for the bay!” They dip,
duck, and dodge their way to the landing bay as Isaac quickly briefs Cliff how
to fly a sphere, “No control stick. It’s all mental.”
Mikael and Paulo the first to arrive and already
disconnecting the fuel line and climbing into one. The others arrive in time to
see the liftoff… [Mikael POW failure] the sphere slamming into the volcano
shaft wall before bouncing up and out. Paulo knocked unconscious by the jolting
liftoff. Isaac taking note before he begins his own liftoff [POW- extreme]: a
smooth vertical liftoff. Jen carrying the brain cylinder climbs in with Porter.
Their liftoff wobbly but without collisions as they too rise about the volcano.
Mere seconds before it erupts!
Walkie-talkie communication, “Where to? New York? How
about we hide-out near Grover Mills, New Jersey? Follow me.” Long minutes till
the 3 spheres settle into a formation flying west at 300 knots. Hours into the
flight, just off the east coast when suddenly, Porter’s sphere dips out of
formation, “What the Hell?!” Beside him, in agonizing pain, Jen screaming and
contorting. Her skin rippling and enlarging.
Her new bulk compressing Porter against the inside of the sphere. Porter mentally fighting to maintain flight. Long minutes till the others pull along side the errant sphere that looks like a bubble of skin. No discernable features. Porter barely able to speak, “Hurry and land.”
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Her new bulk compressing Porter against the inside of the sphere. Porter mentally fighting to maintain flight. Long minutes till the others pull along side the errant sphere that looks like a bubble of skin. No discernable features. Porter barely able to speak, “Hurry and land.”
The spheres opening. All gather to watch Porter’s sphere
almost explode open. Before them, a Neanderthal Jen climbs out first. Porter
finally able to gasp a full breath before he too climbs out, “What the hell?
The needle injection from that Breeding Vat room! It must have been a growth
serum. Come now Jen, you don’t look that bad. Definitely taller and will need
new cloths. Do they make women’s clothing in that size? Now, now. Just don’t
drag your arms like that. Makes you look apish.”
Sunday, 2 July:
Almost a week hiding out to heal. All thoughts of calling a doctor, “How do we
explain Jen’s condition? That’ll take a LOT of money to forget.” A week for
Paulo to teach his bedside caregivers (Porter and Jen beside him) a new spell
(Wrack). A week for Isaac to ‘pick’ Calum’s brain about the Iceland facility, “I
was captured in London months ago. Them already in operation. A research of
growth serum so they could combat gate keepers somewhere. Large monstrosities
they talked about.” Meanwhile Mikael’s attempt to find comfort in his bible –
failure. So, he found time to practice throwing. Maybe next time he CAN toss
the stick over the innocent.
Wednesday, 5 July:
More days for Cliff and Isaac to scout out a new hideout. Jen crying…a lot! Porter
researching archaeology. Paulo healed enough to slip into New York and his
apartment. A new woman occupant, “Tish? Is that you?” Tyranissh replying, “You
humans and your silly laws. Had to change because of the police; they dislike
deaths. How was your Iceland trip? How are the boys; any changes? Yet? Come
now, the ‘Yellow Death’ is incurable for humans. Thus, the serum I gave
them…did they get injured? Wounds accelerate blood flow thus accelerating their
change into snakes. Some call it the ‘Curse of Yig’.”
As Paulo is about to leave, he can’t help but notice all
the newspapers open to art exhibit announcements. And Tish adds, “Your friend
Filemone stopped by. Says your godfather wants to see you. You never said you
had living relatives.”
Thursday, 6 July:
Paulo rejoins the group, “Good news; bad news. Met with Filemone who says the godfather
Giovanni has a job for us. Mikael, that means a paycheck. Meeting is tomorrow
night. Unfortunately, Tish’s news wasn’t so…Isaac, I’ve noticed the scales
forming on your arms. Remember that cure they gave you and Mikael for the
‘Yellow Death’? Well, Tish says it’s incurable for humans. That’s why she gave
you a serum that will change you into snake-people.”
Friday, 7 July:
Same restaurant but this time allowed to keep their weapons. Giovanni himself
opening the door, “Jen?! You’ve changed. You are so …charming. I like tall
beautiful women. You know, I was very displeased losing all those men at the
warehouse. But then my men reported seeing the large bugs you warned us about.
So maybe…what can you tell me about Caduceus’ operations?” A still unbelievable
story about serpents trying to control the world. And that’s when Mikael pulls
out his flashlight per his suspicions of the young Martino Bresciano who hasn’t
blinked this whole time. Serpent shadow! “Does this help convince you?”
Martino hissing, “All you had to do was take out
Caduceus.” Isaac springs up to tackle Martino. In the grapple, Isaac can hear
another set of vocal cords chanting. Prompting him to pull his gun and blow
Martino’s skull away. The other mobsters already on their feet, weapons drawn,
now gasping in shock at the sight of Martino transforming into a serpent form
before melting into the carpet. “Holy shit, Mary mother of God. My plan even
more urgent. Tonight you will help my men slip into the Caduceus building to
plant bombs. You will be richly rewarded.”
On the drive there Jen lamenting, “But what about the
innocent? All those Tier 1 and 2 secretaries and workers who think theirs a
humanitarian cause?” Paulo suggesting, “Good idea. Pull fire alarm to get them
out while causing distraction.” Mikael planning, “I setup across street on roof
to shot and kill escaping serpents.” Jen offering, “I’ll stand at the doorway
to shine a light on each one escaping.” Thus, Cliff/Porter/Isaac/Paulo enter
the building and find a cleaning crew already at work. A wink to these mafia
men in disguise, “Someone follow us to the basement to setup a charge down
there. But first, let me pull the fire alarm.” Alarm blaring, water sprinkling,
mad exodus of civilians.
Per Jen’s prior discovery, they find the secret elevator
that allows them to descend to the 3rd basement floor. The doors
swish open letting in a foul stench. Lights flashing on/off making a strobing
effect. Do their eyes betray them? Cages of mice-size ponies. But there on
tables are dissected humans in all forms of dismemberment. Two mobsters pee
their pants before running back to the elevator pressing every button in panic.
As they step further into the laboratory, they first hear
moaning and misery, before seeing tall cannisters filled with fluids. Inside:
clones of each of them! “Oh my God. That’s why they drew our blood when we were
indoctrinated into Tier 1.” Paulo ordering the mobster, “Put the bomb right
here, in front of my double.”
Meanwhile, outside, Jen keeps the light steady to cast
shadows of those exiting. Humans so far. Mikael rooftop and ready. Him the
first to spot Deluca coming from around the building to then charge Jen. The
rifle shot causing Deluca to flinch as he clubs Jen knocking her out. Mikael
chambering another round and firing but Deluca already grabbing another human
as shield [Luck spend to avoid death]. Deluca now carrying Jen into the
building using her body as shield. Mikael down and out his building to follow.
Reaching the Caduceus building almost void of people. No signs of Deluca. Then
the sound of a closing door down the corridor. He follows…
Meanwhile, the foursome inside (Cliff/Porter/Isaac/Paulo)
continue exploring. A long white-tiled hallway almost 300 yards long. Steady
lights in the distance; vague forms sit in front of screens while typing on
keyboards. Squinting, they recognize Meadham and his bodyguard Canning. Cliff
grabs another bomb briefcase as they all charge down the hall trying to be
stealthy.
Meanwhile, Mikael enters a room finding Deluca with a gun
to Jen’s head with her propped in a chair still unconscious, “I liked her
before. But now, hideous!” Mikael with his rifle raised and aiming when he
hears [Hard] footsteps behind him. He pulls the trigger blasting Deluca’s face
onto the backwall as he then turns to face…Canning. Who lashes out [extreme]
with his long tongue. Mikael blacking out.
Meanwhile, the foursome reach the computer room doorway
that swishes open. Meadham and Canning shimmer as they turn towards the door;
their bodies flickering. Holograms! “All too easy.”
And that’s when the building erupts in a huge explosion. Micro-seconds for Mikael to realize his curse activated with full-on chest scales. Isaac’s protective spell ward saving him from the damage that would have caused his curse activation. But Cliff too now displaying a chest full of scales (cursed in Oklahoma by defying the will of Yig and killing the preacher). Then total blackout for all.
And that’s when the building erupts in a huge explosion. Micro-seconds for Mikael to realize his curse activated with full-on chest scales. Isaac’s protective spell ward saving him from the damage that would have caused his curse activation. But Cliff too now displaying a chest full of scales (cursed in Oklahoma by defying the will of Yig and killing the preacher). Then total blackout for all.
They slowly awake to jungle sounds. IV needles stuck in
their arms as they lay on cots inside a tent. “Where are we?!”
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