Chapitre 61: Alistair - 008
"It is a wall, yes," Richter skeptically replied, waving his hand to dismiss my suggestion.
"No. That is a passageway." I pointed directly at the faint trails of disturbance on the floor, "See the scuff marks trailing to the wall?"
A few soldiers followed where I was pointing.
"What if they just dragged something away from there?" one of them suggested.
Another said, "That could have been left prior to the clear out."
I stepped over to the wall, placing my hand on it.
"Curled shavings indicate lateral movement that direction." I explained.
"In addition," I walked over to the left of the room, "If you don't believe my analysis, you must believe they magically fell into subspace."
"No, Galen is correct," Agent Harris said, pulling his comm from his belt. "I need a breach team with a transbarrier, 12.6 BAP or better."
Several minutes later, a team of special operatives dressed in the signature green armor of Home Defense arrived with a machine about the size of a man. It was a cylindrical device composed of many segments of chrome machinery, tubes, data terminals, and a spatial display module.
"Clear the path," Harris ordered.
Everyone parted, giving the technicians room to work. The lead technician activated the device, and a stream of cyan molecules formed a spatial display of the room beyond the wall.
"Get me in there in ten minutes or less," Richter commanded.
"Yes, sir," the technician replied.
The operative tapped commands into the interface on the transbarrier. The spatial display disappeared, and the middle cylinders of the machine hummed and rotated in place. A laser, blinding even through the shielding of my helmet, poured onto the wall. The beam slowly left a red, molten metal gash in its wake before blinking to its next location.
The wall stood marred by a rectangle of melted holes. Slowly, the beam etched more holes between the previous pairs, mutilating the surface of the wall before gravity detached the piece from the rest.
"You first, Galen," Harris said, gesturing towards the newly created entrance.
I stepped over the rapidly cooling edge, my helmet's HUD adjusting to the darkness. A wide and long corridor stretched ahead, leading to a blast door. The trail of disturbance led all the way there.
"Don't leave the transbarrier," I ordered as the rest of the team filed in behind me.
We cautiously approached the end of the tunnel. Just as the transbarrier began to display beyond the door, the sound of pressure release filled the corridor, and the blast door opened in a diamond pattern.
We must be expected.
The room lay empty, save for a data pad on the floor. The trail ended abruptly inside, as if it had magically disappeared. I bent over to reach for the tablet, but Agent Harris stepped ahead of me, snatching it before I could lay a finger on it.
"That will be thoroughly examined by the Democratic Collection of Systems," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"Yes, sir," I replied, straightening up. "But if any data regarding my exact modifications lies within its memory, please brief me."
"That can be arranged, Lieutenant," Harris said, tucking the data pad into a secure pouch.
The room was stark and clinical, the walls a sterile white that seemed to reflect the harsh overhead lights. As I looked around, I could see the faint outlines of where equipment had once been. It was clear that this place had been abandoned in a hurry, the occupants taking what they could and leaving little behind. The air was thick with the scent of antiseptic, mingled with the faint metallic tang of machinery.
Richter and the rest of the team moved methodically, checking every corner and crevice for any hidden compartments or clues. I joined them, my mind racing with questions. Who were these people? Why had they targeted me? And what was the purpose of the modifications they had made?
Richter joined us, a grim look on his face. "We need to get this data pad analyzed as soon as possible. Galen, you're coming with us. We need to debrief and figure out our next steps."
I nodded, feeling a mix of relief and determination. We were on the verge of uncovering something significant, and I was more determined than ever to get to the bottom of it. As we made our way back through the corridor and out of the facility, I couldn't help but feel that this was only the beginning of a much larger journey.
Harris's comm beeped urgently. He held it to his ear, listening intently. His expression grew increasingly serious.
"Understood," Harris said into the comm before turning to us. "Lieutenant Galen, you're to be released immediately. High Command has ordered your return to your ship."
"Your men need you." Richter's face was grim. "The assault in the Draconis System has failed. The offensive requires everyone present for reorganization for a second initiative."
I almost stumbled. The failure of the assault meant countless lives lost or captured. The need for immediate and effective action was paramount. I nodded, turning for the exit.
"Agent, Colonel, Please investigate this matter with a microscope." I implored, "I hope to expect a debrief of my modifications."
"Dismissed Lieutenant." Harris replied.
I almost forgot.
"Where can I retireve AM-3S from?" I asked.
"What?" Harris confusedly replied. "Oh. Your companion unit. No."
"I am sorry Lieutenant, but your android needs to be decrypted and analyzed before it can be recommissioned to you." Richter said.
I shed a lone tear. Recommissioned. More like erased and loaded with a new conscious. I raised my arm to reply, but I clenched my fist and turned. Soldiers follow orders, even if they hurt.
I quickly made way back through the facility, the potential lives each tarried second costs propelled my feet forward as quick as my suit could manage. I rode the transport back to the capitol fortress and hastily acquisitioned a subspace craft.
As we boarded the shuttle, I couldn't help but glance toward at the facility one last time. There were so many unanswered questions, but they would have to wait. My priority was my men and the mission.
The shuttle's engines roared to life, and we lifted off, heading back to the front lines. I sat back, my mind already racing. I exhausted myself with the possibilities and slept for the majority of the trip.
I awoke when the ship reentered over-reality, before the viewport lingered The Vanguard. Just as magnificent as I left her. She was now joined by twin galleons and a dreadnaught.
The shuttle sped towards The Vanguard. The speakers in the cockpit buzzed to life.
"Transmit your Identity Code." The speakers ordered.
The pilot flipped several switches before nodding towards me. I entered my numbers onto the screen on the arm of my suit.
"Lieutenant Galen. Cleared. Please navigate towards docking bay forty-one."
L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS 
The_Finest_Author
The_Finest_Author Webnovel is hosting a Summer Writing Sprint, from today the 11th to the 31st. I am participating! To increase the pace of updates for this period, I will be posting 2-3x as many updates sequentially for each POV. So expect one more or two Alistair chapters before the next spotlight!
Thank you for reading and enjoy your summer!
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone