Chapter 18: The Oracle

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While the former nurse had been putting the apple farmer under the needle, Isaac had decided to scout ahead. Apart from the holographic display there was nothing else that distinguished the tunnel. It just kept going on and on, beginning to gently slope upwards at a gradually increasing angle. Until at the end when he found an exit that was shining with a much brighter light, almost blinding.

The exit was at the top of a flight of around fifty, or so, stairs. Although the stairway was more akin to a slightly tilted ramp since the angle of the stairwell was very shallow. It hung perilously over a wide bottomless pit; more a natural crack in the earth than an artificial artifice. Although Isaac wasn’t really afraid of height, and one couldn’t be if expected to work in outer space, he took no chances and carefully tested the walkway. Placing a single hoof on the first step, he was relieved to find it solid and stationary; it didn’t swing to and fro like a rope bridge would. Even that reassurance didn’t stop him from tentatively placing one hoof in front of the other as he crossed over into the light.

Without incident he had emerging in a room that was all too familiar to him. He felt heart rate spike and a lump form in his throat as he surveyed the sight. The room, buried so far beneath the earth, was screaming under the aesthetic design, or virtual lack, of an EarthGov facility. The same ones he’d visited back on Terra and especially similar to the one he’d visited on Titan Station just before he’d been pulled into Equestria. Circular in design and built out of bland gun-metal gray alloys, the walls were highlighted in white neon lights of the kind that irritated the eyes, and constructed with a complete utilitarian mindset. The only thing missing, that Isaac could see, was the paranoid number of security cameras so that every single nook and cranny could be monitored, logged, and archived all day, every day, twenty four-seven.

In the center of this orbicular shaped room was a similarly built pillbox structure, dome shaped and made of the same dull metal and not concrete. It took up nearly half the room it was settled in and was, Isaac concluded, the guard station. The pillbox had a single window that wrapped all the way around, interrupted only by a single door on the west side. Through the glass he could see that wall lockers, a computer console had been placed inside as well as many various other knick-knacks he couldn’t identify.

Apart from the southern passage, that which Isaac had emerged from, there were two other passageways. One was headed to the north and other lead to the east.
It was then a sudden flicker of movement caught Isaac’s attention. He shot down into a crouched position as a Diamond Dog rose up from a seated position from inside the center structure. Without thinking the stallion jumped back a couple steps and threw himself down on the stairs, which had let loose loud protests under his weight. Menacing creaks betrayed his rapid movements as he silently let out a curse while loose dirt was shaken free and plummeted into the dark chasm.

Fearing the possibility that he had been spotted, Isaac quickly loaded a fresh canister into his plasma cutter; storing the ejected, nearly empty, clip back into his belt. Terse seconds passed as he listened for any activity; plasma cutter at the ready as he carefully backed down the stairs. No klaxon alarm had sounded, no rushed footsteps, or warning shouts. When he was satisfied that the danger had passed he proceeded to jog the return journey to his two companions. Usually he would’ve had no problem with going solo against any enemy force and blasting them into chunky salsa, but ammo was limited and, like it or not, he had to protect the two mares with him.

Though, ‘safety in numbers,’ was how he preferred to justify it, and he needed information on top of it all.

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As Isaac retreated to his companions his mind was filled with many unsettling thoughts concerning the bulkhead door, the holographic sign, and the security room. All of it was pointing to an EarthGov presence on this world; a human presence more pervasive than just himself. If EarthGov had discovered this planet than it made sense that they’d use it as a site for building Markers and as a giant experiment to test on non-human subjects. Isaac was familiar with how his government worked. They were brutal in their sick experiments and their need to acquire more power to dominate all that was laid before their eyes.

The callous and complete disregard for human life, their own citizens, EarthGov would have no reservations in using ponies as fodder for their laboratories. The alien equines regarded as little more than lab rats and, furthermore, magic would be the hot topic of fascination them the most about these equines and they would pursue every method, every test, to unlock the mysteries behind such an enigmatic energy. To be used as both a weapon and means of control, even if it means the complete and systematic genocide and dissection of every unicorn in existence.

Naturally, if EarthGov was here than the church of Unitology and its Marker-worshiping, religious-fuckjobs wouldn’t be far behind. They were worse than EarthGov and both sides were always trying to find new ways to gain the upper hand over the other. In addition to the nasty habit they had to always follow Isaac wherever he went. The only difference was that Unitologists would probably be a little more accepting of their pony brothers and sisters who were building the marker down in these subterranean chambers.

“Then there’s that alicorn bastard, Dream Reaver. How does he figure into all this?” Isaac thought with a rising temper. His first thought was that Reaver was somehow in league with EarthGov. It would explain how the alicorn had gotten his hooves on the necessary power cell that was operating Isaac’s advanced suit. It was all too convenient and yet, for all of his hatred for the manipulating jerk, Isaac couldn’t bring himself to believe that the alicorn was entangled with EarthGov.

“EarthGov wants Markers as weapons and if Reaver worked from them then why help bring me into this world and force me to destroy it in the first place?” The second idea was that Reaver was a Unitologist, but that made even less sense since the pseudo-church wanted to utilize Markers as a means to bring about Convergence, or humanity’s rise onto a higher plane of existence.

“Maybe this Reaver is on the up and up...yeah and I’m the fucking king of Equestria.” Isaac would’ve spat in response, but remembered his helmet was still up just as he was about to. The only other person he’d ever met who had wanted to destroy a Marker was a man named Stross. In the end it turned out he was a murderer who had killed his wife and infant child and had eventually gone fifty shades of insane; nearly had killed Isaac as well. Reaver seemed as equally unstable.

One thing for certain was that the ancient alicorn would have a lot of explaining to do when this was all over. Isaac had a very bad feeling that he was caught up in a much larger series of events.

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Applejack, Isaac, and Rarity silently crept up the low angled stairwell. With every step of the way the tension had mounted like a rope being pulled taunt, ever approaching its limit until it finally snapped. The three were sweating profusely despite the chilly air inside the facility and the non-challenge of the stairs. Near the climax of the ramp climb they stopped; crouching down just far enough as to not be seen, but near enough they could lift their heads enough to peer over the brink and into the room.

From this vantage point they were able to spot the body of one of the big guard dogs. The ones that were adorned in a suit of crude iron armor that so closely plagiarized a hoofball player’s uniform. The dog had his back valiantly faced towards the ponies and no other guards could be seen from the ponies’ limited view. As this was the equines best opportunity to make their move, Applejack mouthed a countdown of ‘3...2...1...,’ and lead the charge. From crouched positions the ponies moved as low as they could go while maintaining speed. Stealth was their intent; nearly useless as twelve hooves clanked loudly on the plated floor. The initial opening stretch into the room was the most dangerous as they were the most exposed, easily spotted if the dog turned around.

Yet, whatever activity the canine was currently engaged in had held his rapt uninterrupted attention. Allowing the ponies to easily decimate the distance and have come to tightly embrace the bunker wall, heads hovering just below the glass panel. Only now could they make out the grumbling voices of several dogs on the other side, arguing over some obscure matter.

“Now what?” Applejack asked expectantly.

“We need to see how many dogs are inside,” Isaac instructed, barely above a whisper, “then think of a way to lure them out into an ambush.”

“Not to worry, darlings,” Rarity spoke while levitating a clam-shaped makeup kit from her bags. She opened it to reveal a small mirror on top and various dark shades of blue-tinted blush on the bottom, complemented with a small brush.

“Consarn it!” The apple farmer groaned in irritation. “This is hardly the time to...”

“Shhh,” Isaac interrupted, “I think I know what she’s doing.”

“Indeed,” Rarity toned smugly before removing the tray of makeup from the kit to reveal a second mirror, “watch and learn.” She extracted the two mirrors from the kit and, leaning her back against the bunker wall. Her magical aura was scarcely visible around her horn as she lifted and rotated the mirrors to give her the best unobstructed view into the bunker.

“Peekaboo, I see you, stupid mangy dogs...er...darlings.” She sang in a lighthearted filly tune. She then had to bite her lips to try and stop herself from giggling like a mare who had just told the funniest joke.

“Anything yet?” Isaac inquired.

“There are three of the brutes,” Rarity answered, “playing poker...Skylian Bits from the look of it.”

“Well ah’ll be a rotten tomater.” Applejack’s skepticism had dissolved, leaving behind incredulity.

“Ah, dear sweet Applejack,” the white unicorn packed the mirrors and kit back into her bags, “as the ‘Grandmaster of Gossip’ I have many such...skills for finding the juiciest morsels of rumor and hearsay.”
“It’s also helpful for keeping an eye on the handsome stallions around town.” She seductively batted her eyes at the engineer.

“Right...,” Isaac deadpanned expression was unreadable behind his helmet. Applejack scowled like she had tasted something foul; staring daggers at her unicorn friend who continued to smile at Isaac and act as innocent as a newborn filly.

“So, this is the plan...” The armored stallion quickly changed the subject.

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Inside the bunker, sat three of the ‘hoofball’ armored dogs. Each one was holding six playing cards in their paws, their chipped, yet sharp, nails were a polluted yellow. Their fur coats and armor looked like they had never once experienced something close to a shower their whole lives. They were caked in dirt and grime with countless flies and fleas making their nests there.

The trio was gathered around a simple folding table, and in the center of the table was a small pile of crudely cut gemstones next to a deck of cards. None of them said but a word as they occasionally tossed more useless gems into the center pile. The atmosphere was tense without reproach as each dog scrutinized their opponent’s poker faces. Or perhaps it was the smell of body odor that hung like a dense cloud that drove them to judge just who had broken wind.

The silence was finally broken when a dog gave a throaty grunt, calling the game. The dogs placed their cards onto the table, shortly followed up by a howl of excitement from the winner.

“Bah,” the one with brown colored fur protested in a crusty voice, slamming his fist on the table, “I think you cheater!”

“Me no cheat.” protested the tan furred victor with a dismissive wave of a claw, highlighting the arrangement of six cards before him. He then began to drag the treasure towards him.
“Rules say crop beat full pony.”

“That do not sound right.” spoke the third member, a stone gray dog, scratching his head in confusion.

“Yoo-hoo!” tittered a lovely voice in tune with the electronic sliding of a mechanical door. Like the crack of a whip, the dogs snapped their attention towards the sound and spotted a white unicorn with a curly violet mane.
“Sorry to interrupt, sweeties, but I believe you’re mistaken. A full pony always beats a crop in Skyllian bits.” Rarity politely informed them.

“I knew it,” Brown pointed an accusing finger at Tan, “cheater!” He then made a grab for the gems only to grapple claw to claw with the other canine. The two briefly struggled, knocking the table over with a mighty crash, sending cards and gems tumbling. It looked as if they were fit to throw down right then and there.

“You imbeciles,” interrupted Gray, delivering a backhanded slap to Brown while poking Tan in the eyes, “no time for that! What is pony doing unchained?” The three dogs were back on Rarity, who had decided to slowly back up.

“Get the pony!” The trio barked and immediately charged. Brown was in front with Tan close behind. Gray, on the other claw, took a moment and slipped some of the chipped gems into a hidden pouch underneath his breastplate; where he kept his hidden cards.

With a look of paralyzing fear, Rarity slowly retreated from the charging dogs, but was unable to get her shaky legs to function properly. She gasped and was teetering on the edge of fainting. The canines, sensing an easy victory, wiggled their claws in eager anticipation for the sheer delight to break another weak pony; the opportunity to break another unicorn horn under the violent swing of a sledgehammer.

As Brown approached within arms reach of Rarity a blur of movement erupted from his right. The blur rounded the corner was a pony stallion encased from head to hoof in armor, a streak of blue and gray with orange highlights. The stallion rammed Brown full force in the chest with incredible strength, grappling with his forelegs around the dog at the moment of impact. The collision had stopped Brown dead in his tracks and he felt himself being lifted off his feet as the stallion carried him clear across the room until the two of them slammed against the opposite wall.

Caught flat-footed, Tan was unable to sidestep Brown’s sudden reverse momentum. The dog and pony duo had clipped him on the shoulder and sent him spinning, nearly knocking him to the ground. Tripping over his feet he had just managed to regain his balance in time to spot a lasso falling down across his chest. There was no time to ponder the implications as the rope had immediately tightened into a vice grip that made it hard to breath.

He spun about only to see the orange pony who was holding the other end of the rope in her mouth.

“Bad dog. Heel!” the pony said before giving a mighty pull and felling the captured canine to the ground.

“Good boy.”

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With two of the three dogs already engaged in combat with her friends, Rarity trotted into the bunker with her trademark air of royalty. She casually observed as Cutter wrestled with the brown dog. The two of them trading blow for blow, although Cutter’s armor gave him an undeniable advantage. A right hook from Cutter knocked the helmet off of the dog, followed up by a jab to the solar plexus and followed up by a head butt. Afterwards the armored stallion managed to render his opponent comatose.

“Yee-Ha! Get on littl’ doggy!” Applejack shouted as she tied another knot around the dog’s leg. Tan struggled valiantly, but he had lost the advantage in both in initiative and strength. Leaving him wide open to be used and abused by Applejack as she saw fit, much to Tan’s abject frustration. He proceeded to hurl curse, swear, and insult aplenty towards Applejack like a machine gun. At least until the Earth-pony was forced to buck the dog in the face. The strike rendered the dog unconscious much to AJ’s relief and enjoyment.

Rarity feigned disinterest as the cowpony hogtied the sleeping canine. Her attention was focused solely upon the gray figure that was struggling between either salvaging the gems on the floor or helping his fellow Diamond Dogs.

SLAM!

The decision was made for him as Rarity used her magic to upturn the table and used it as a battering ram. Swinging it as a baseball player’s bat, the act had crushed the dog into the wall and shattered glass and rending metal.

“That was for Fluttershy!” Rarity spat with pure venom. She removed the table from the dog, only for it to crash firmly back upon him.

SLAM!

“And that was for me!”

SLAM!

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“...was for my Father’sBrother’sNewphew’sCousin’s former roommate!” Rarity screamed at the dog that was partially embedded into the wall.

“Whoa, easy there Rarity!” Applejack practically had to tackle the unicorn in order to make her stop.

“Applejack? What…,” Rarity’s single minded vengeance collapsed under her friend’s touch. With it her hold on the table faded away and the improvised weapon fell with a loud shuttering clang. It revealed a broken creature bleeding profusely from his nose and from innumerable lacerations caused from razor sharp glass, broken bones, and extreme blunt trauma. Gray collapsed to the floor, stiff and unmoving.

“Oh…oh…,” the unicorn gasped trying to catch her breath, yet teetering on the verge of hyperventilating. While Isaac tied up the two other dogs, AJ examined the battered and bruised body of Rarity’s conquest. The farmer placed a hoof on the dog’s neck to check for a pulse. Failing to feel for any signs of life she then put an ear to the dog’s chest.

“He’s dead, Rarity. Ya killed him.” The unicorn fell to the ground at the news of what she'd just done. She didn't know whether to feel remorseful or angry. But there was something in the back of her mind that felt a small amount of satisfaction and that terrified her even more.

“Celestia have mercy on me.” She broke down crying.

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The sound of an unlocking steel bolt echoed through the small room as the large metal door swung open. A hallway of intense light briefly illuminated Fluttershy as the pegasus Doctor allowed himself in. He was dressed in a green surgeon’s gown with flecks of blood and other fluids scattered over him.

“Ah, I see you are awake.” He spoke with both neutral voice and expression; while the butter yellow Pegasus was writhed against her bonds, trying to find a more comfortable position.

Fluttershy had terrible bags under her eyes and bloodshot veins from where her legs had chaffed against her bonds. Her vision danced across the room as if everything around her was only half real. As she tried to regain a hoof-hold on her environment she noticed that she couldn’t feel her body from the waist down. In a fit of panic she nearly screamed in abject terror as she searched for her missing body parts. Thankfully both were still attached to her body, but they felt as if they no longer existed.

“Why are my hind legs numb? What did you do to me?” Fluttershy whispered, finding little reason to even raise any objection at this point. Feeling that nothing she could say or do would offer her up any relief. She examined the surgical sutures that vertically cut down both of her hind legs, with detached abandon.

“No need to complain. It was just a little operation, taking some samples for testing.” The Doctor spoke with nary a concern as he settled himself at his desk.
“Hair, skin, muscle tissue, even cracked open your metacarpal and radius bones for a few C.C.s of marrow.” He settled his suitcase on the table and opened it. The slight rustling of papers followed.

“Wh...you...I don’t feel anything.” Fluttershy whimpered, but no tears came as she had no more left to give.

“Without the painkillers, you would. Bone injuries are some of the most painful wounds anypony could experience... or so I’m told.” The interrogator never bothered to look in her direction as he pulled out several files and a square shaped package wrapped in thin white paper. He nonchalantly browsed through the files for several long minutes until he had pulling out a sharp knife and twirled it over his hoof.

“Well, you’ll be feeling it soon enough, but for now I need you somewhat coherent.” He slowly unwrapped the package to expose a large sandwich. The meal looked to have lettuce and tomato along with some mystery ingredient placed between two slices of wheat bread. Using the knife, the Doctor sliced the sandwich into two halves and then gently placed the utensil to the side. Lifting up one half of the sandwich in his hooves, the Doctor began to eat with tame, paced, bites.

Fluttershy watched the slow consumption of the food while a hollow pit in her stomach quietly spasmed painfully inside of her. Without realizing it she was licking her lips with an intense desire. It was to her eternal shame she found a desire to deep throat the untouched half of the sandwich which had been placed temptingly in front of her. Her restraints, however, made it impossible to even slide an inch in the direction of her desires. Fortunately, the Doctor noticed her cravings.

“Oh, would you care for some?” The doctor said sympathetically, lifting the second portion of his meal, suspending it enticingly before her. When she didn’t answer right away he moved the offered piece even closer.
“I know you haven’t eaten since they brought you here; that’s at least a full day.”

“...I...”

“No need to hide it. You must be quite hungry. Here,” he acted as if he was a father concerned for his daughter, “don’t be timid, go ahead and eat it.”

Fluttershy would have never described herself as the strongest pony, far from it. Nor did she see herself as the most resilient of ponies either. The truth was that she was all too eager to accept the Doctor’s offer. She grasped the sandwich and immediately took a large bite out of the offered foodstuff. Right away she had tasted the strong presence of deli mustard that was both full-bodied and slightly spicy. It tickled the corners of her mouth and caressed her tongue with its delightful taste.

She chewed and chewed with blissful contentment until she had realize that something was very, very, wrong. Underneath the mustard was yet another feeling, something unknown. It was stringy; it seemed to seek out the spaces in-between her teeth and stayed there. Then there was the taste, oh Celestia, the taste. It was unlike anything she’d ever put into her mouth before and there were no words she could find to describe it. When she looked to the Doctor, he had nothing but the most perverse impartial expression she had ever seen.
“What is this? Is this…meat?” Fluttershy spat out all the food in her mouth at her own mention of meat.

“Eat it. All of it.” The Doctor calmly instructed.

“No! No, I won’t.” Fluttershy shouted and, regardless of her own disgust, she was still desperately hungry. So she did the only sane thing she could think of. She removed the meat patty from the sandwich and threw it to the ground. She then consumed the rest of the sandwich and felt somewhat proud of herself for having been assertive enough for such a small victory. However, her success was short lived as the Doctor’s expression grew dire.

“Fluttershy, have you forgotten rule one? Cooperation will be rewarded; deception and resistance will be punished. I told you to eat it all and you have disappointed me.”

“But...I can’t, no, I won’t eat it.” The Pegasus professional sighed at Fluttershy’s defiant avowal.

“Then I must inform you that I neglected to say that the mustard was laced with wolfsbane.” The Doctor gave the slightest of grins when he told her this.

“Do you know what happens to a pony who ingests wolfsbane?” she shook her head no, “when ingested it will cause burning, tingling, and numbness; and that is the best of it. Soon afterwards your nervous system will begin to shutdown and in the end your heart will stop beating.”
“But what about you? You ate it too.”

“Ah, yes I did. But I knew that there was an antidote injected into the meat. If you want to live you must eat it as well,” he opened his golden pocket watch, “I estimate you only have four minutes left to live.”

“Please. Why must you do this? I thought you said they wanted to keep me alive?”

“Yes, but only if you are a good and obedient little pony. You WILL follow orders, you WILL conform to our desires, and ultimately become what we wish you to be otherwise you are useless to us.” The doctor walked over and scooped the discarded meat patty onto the sandwich wrapper. He presented it before Fluttershy, offering it to her.

“Not a nibble, all of it.”

“But…,”

“Two minutes left.” He informed. Still Fluttershy refused to bite. However, she was becoming aware of a growing sensation in her legs, or rather a lack thereof. It had begun at her hooves and quickly worked its way up to her body. Numbness, the lack of any and all feeling was growing by the second. Her heart was rapidly developing an irregular rhythm which left her gasping for breath.

“One minute.”

She had only just managed to hear the Doctor speak as her world was a spinning void of color. A spider network of veins pulsated across her vision with every heartbeat as the wolfsbane worked its way through her body. She was going to die, that much she knew. She also was aware of the cure for such a malady.

“Well done. I feel we’ve made a lot of progress today.” The Doctor smirked as Fluttershy gave in and consumed the piece of cooked dead animal completely.

“Since you’ve been such a good pony, let me reward you with a little comfort,” he leaned over her, a conniving smirk parting his lips.

“I lied about the poison,” he whispered, “You were right about my employers wanting you alive. You’re far more useful that way, but consider the lesson I have imparted unto you. Mull it over carefully. When you truly believed your life was near the end you ultimately chose yourself over a friend in order to save yourself.”

“Wh...what do you mean a friend?”

“I may have forgot to mention that the meat you ate...well... I believe you knew it. I think her name was Elizabeak.”

“No! No, no, no, no, no, not Elizabeak...I didn’t...I could not...” She was shaking far worse than when she’d believed that she’d ingested the floral poison. She remembered Elizabeak fondly as the chicken that had fled into the Everfree forest that one time, only to be turned into stone by a cockatrice. Fluttershy had managed to save both the Cutie-Mark Crusaders and the flightless bird that day by using, ‘The Stare,’ on the cockatrice.

It would’ve been better to not have starved. It was not suppost to end this way; with a part of Elizabeak inside her. The stress combined with all the emotional turmoil and the nauseating feeling deep within the pit of her stomach finally overcame her and she passed out. Her eyes still wide open; frozen in an expression of sadness and despair.

The Doctor briefly glimpsed at his captive as he packed his files away. There was an air of satisfaction around him. Confident at his performance, but such feelings didn’t last long as the cell door had opened to allow entrance to a unicorn mare.

“Someone will be by later to...clean up the mess.” The Doctor assured the new arrival without looking up from his packing.

“There will not be time for that,” the mare spoke, her voice carrying an undertone of military upbringing, “we have a problem.” The Doctor reluctantly inquired of the mare in front of him. She had brown fur with a black mane and tail and wore a single earpiece and microphone headset. Her eyes were of an icy blue disposition that could drill holes through anypony if she was in a particularly bad mood.

“Tidemare,” The Doctor addressed her curtly, “Didn’t see you there. What’s the situation?”

“We have confirmed reports that intruders have gained access to the complex. Some of them are the Element Holders.” Tidemare talked as if she was discussing the weather. Yet, her voice held an undercurrent of malicious hatred.

“We believe that Celestia’s protégée is among them.”

“I see…,” The Pegasus willed himself to remain calm, “then what are your orders?” Tidemare looked at Fluttershy.

“Escort the Oracle to the evacuation point. Make sure she survives at all costs.” She stomped a hoof and two Diamond Dogs entered with a sreatcher. They wheeled the stretcher next to the comatose Fluttershy and began to undo her restraints.

“I’ll make sure it happens, but be assured that my employer will demand higher compensation for this.” His words devolved into a strained mess as Tidemare gazed at him with an unforgiving scowl.

“Then tell your boss that if we are discovered by Celestia’s peacekeepers then he can also kiss his filthy flank goodbye. I will not allow this project to be disturbed by you or anypony else. Do you understand me?!”

“Clear as crystal.” The Doctor nodded in compliance before running down the hallway. Tidemare regarded room seven with a longing stare, knowing that Fluttershy was in there and she was instrumental for the next stage of the project. She touched her microphone and set it to broadcast over the entire facility.

“This is Director Tidemare to all project personnel. I want the key subjects terminated and the facility scrubbed. This is not a drill, Tidemare out.”

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Author's Notes:

Happy New Year everyone. Sorry for the long wait. Sorry if it seems rushed, but I really wanted to finally get a new chapter posted. I’ll fix up any problems later tonight.