Dark Energy by carlsojos

Chapter 17

Stepping into the bright desert sun was a mixed blessing, both a relief of reaching safety, and a pain on my eyes as they had begun to dilate from the poison taking hold. Dora was preparing to go inside. Have you found-

Etirn interrupts, with seriousness on his face, Evacuate the facility immediately! I need an Antidote.

Dora cocks her head at Etirn as she pulls a small vial from a crate. The next shift was preparing to go after those machines. You three were the only ones left inside. What happened to the girl?

The shit hit the fan inside. I need armed guards on this entrance immediately. Anything comes out? Kill it. Is there any other way into the ruins?

I take the vial and drink the contents as Dora turns to the camp. JUNIOR, MORRIS, WATCH THE TUNNEL! She turns back to Etirn. There might be. This is just the first hole big enough to fit through. I dug a few other pilot holes to estimate the size of the ruins, but there shouldn't be anything big enough for you to fit through. After a second, Should I ask what happened in there?

Etirn shakes his head. I'll tell you about it over dinner. Akkosua, only one drink, got it? I'm not made of money. Marika, once a doctor checks those cuts, do as you will. I'm gonna hijack the radio, see if someone back home can figure out that code thingy we got.

We all went our separate ways, and after a few minutes, the local doctor said the leather of my jacket took the brunt of the blows, so most of the poison ejected on my back instead of into the cuts. Counting myself lucky, I bartered for a simple sewing kit and some leather scraps to mend my clothes with.

Since I didn't feel like sitting around for dinner, I decide to look around camp. Everyone still seemed busy despite nobody going into the tunnel, but when I made my way to the cafeteria tent, I spotted Akkosua sitting by herself, clearly trying to make her one drink last. I decided to sit down with her. Are you okay?

Ugh... she put down her bottle and looked at me. Probing for things to say, I remember her reaction to Etirn earlier.

You know, I think Etirn was just wound up from the adrenaline...

She closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. Yeah, yeah. The great biochemical that makes you fight like a demon or run like hell. Fuck. I don't like the direction the conversation is going.

What would've happened if we didn't come along?

Akkosua manages a weak smile. Yeah, I do think I owe you guys a 'thank you.' But for now, I'd appreciate a little time to myself. She puts her forehead on the mouth of her bottle and starts mumbling. Something about a bottle and a lobotomy, I think. I decided to try talking with Etirn, so I make my way to the tent with a sign labeled Talking Box.

...don't know what it is, either. Just guess, damn it! Etirn was talking with someone over the radio.

Etirn?

Etirn looks up at me, then turns back to the radio. Oh, hang on, I got a visitor. Stand by.

Roger, standing by. Etirn turns back to me.

What's on your mind, Marika?

I was just thinking, when Akkosua was trapped, you seemed to turn into a completely different person.

He shrugged. You changed too, when Wynell and I found your weakness. I didn't have anything I could say in my defense. Etirn continued, Under stress, everybody reacts differently. The way I work, I hold nothing sacred in an emergency. You either do everything in your power to save the ship, or you get on the life raft. I've always felt this way, and I've never walked away from another living person, even if it meant getting my ass kicked. I expect whoever I work with to show the same devotion to protect life.

Before I could talk, the radio comes to life again. Zema dig? About that code, I've got the head of the Biology department here. He agrees with Sophmore Ashley's hypothesis.

Cool. She's actually in here right now. Etirn flips a switch on the microphone and motions to me. Go ahead and say hi.

I step up to the mic. Hello?

Good to hear from you! The principal's been so worried, I managed to make him bet his office next month over whether you would find anything significant today.

Well, it was mostly Etirn, but I remembered your lectures on your genetic hypothesis, and realized that four letters corresponded to your four acids.

The professor stepped away from the microphone and said something, then someone else yelled, You fucker! I could hear some argument in the background.

Etirn starts laughing. Those kids hate my antics, yet they are just as childish, the damn hypocrites. The squabbling stops, and I hear someone pick up the microphone.

...Anyway, I think we need to find out what that data translates to.

I come up with an idea. Can you input the information into those machines in the Gauntlet?

No, we could potentially lose the monsters they currently produce. Without them, we would lose a critical part of the curriculum. Have you extracted any machines from your site, yet?

Etirn motions at me, then picks up the mic. Unfortunately, we had an accident, and we had to evacuate the ruins.

Someone else picked up the mic, What happened?

Long, uncertain story. The place is currently infested with powerful biomonsters. It's inadvisable to send in anything less than experienced fighters at this time. A short pause. Principal, will you authorize hiring an outside consultant for a high-risk operation?

With a little hesitation in his voice, ...Why?

Etirn chuckled. In the interests of science. I need a Hunter by morning; Any later, and this site will already be sealed off permanently. End of Transmission.

What do y- was all that came out of the radio before Etirn turned it off.

He looked at me with a lopsided smile. I just love pissing them off. Anyway, I need to wire the radio's power system into my computer, so I have enough energy for another dance tomorrow. See you at dinner, Marika.

Etirn... I began, but I didn't know how to phrase what I wanted to say, so I went back to my tent to try my hand at sewing with leather instead. Etirn didn't seem to notice.

Next chapter

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