Bab 134: Strange Island
Hours felt like minutes, and minutes like seconds, as the duo trudged on. The dense forests gave way to open meadows, and the meadows in turn led to the foot of modest mountain ranges. At last, the silhouette of an imposing structure appeared in the distance—a building that seemed out of place amidst the natural beauty surrounding it.
Gothic spires and arches combined seamlessly with futuristic technology to create a structure that was both hauntingly beautiful and daunting. It was clear that the building was a hub of revolutionary science, its very existence a testament to the genius of its creator. This had to be the laboratory that was central to all the stories about the island.
In the ambient light of the moon, mechanical entities whizzed through the air, their strange, aerodynamic forms betraying no signs of life. These drones, seemingly autonomous, diligently patrolled the periphery of the looming structure.
Lysa, with a curious glint in her eyes, whispered, "What are those?"
Jack gazed at the mysterious objects hovering above, sensing no sign of life through his connection with Bead. Their eye-like sockets hinted at some sort of surveillance. "Reconnaissance?" he whispered to himself, uncertainty evident in his voice. Opting for caution, he chose to steer clear of them for the moment.
Recognizing the danger of being detected, Jack decided to take a roundabout route. The two ventured through the island's varied landscapes, skirting around the dense forests and carefully traversing the open meadows. Time felt elusive as they navigated past rolling hills and descended into valleys, all the while maintaining a safe distance from the drones patrolling the air.
The rhythmic drone of the machines punctuated the night, and Jack found himself admiring the technological marvel, even if it was currently an obstacle. His heart, fueled by urgency, barely noticed the hours slipping away.
The back side of the building was clearly was fortified with high-tech defenses too. Besides the drones, other security measures lurked in the shadows, waiting for intruders. The ominous atmosphere was palpable, every stone and brick of the imposing lab screaming 'Keep Out'.
Jack and Lysa cautiously approached, constantly vigilant of the drones. Every so often, Lysa would float slightly off the ground, using her weightlessness to scout ahead. Her unique ability provided them with an advantage, offering perspectives Jack couldn't access.
The moon climbed higher in the sky, casting elongated shadows as they pressed on. Lysa's expression turned pensive, her eyes reflecting the sorrow of the earlier events. But there was also determination there, an unwavering resolve that mirrored Jack's.
They finally reached the foothills surrounding the lab. With Lysa's ability to hover, she scouted for an entrance, away from the prying eyes of the drones.
After what felt like an eternity, Lysa gestured towards a discreet side entrance, less guarded and less grand than the main gates. With stealth on their side, they approached, ready to infiltrate the heart of the island's mysteries and find the children taken from their village.
The discreet entrance that Lysa had pinpointed was nestled in the side of the lab's vast complex. It was a simple door, far removed from the grandeur of the main entrance. Yet, its very simplicity suggested that it led to places the island's architects wanted to keep discreet.
Jack approached the door, his eyes assessing its construction. The metal surface looked worn, indicating it was used often, but not for any ceremonial purpose. It was a functional door, perhaps for the staff or those who did not wish to be seen.
Lysa floated next to him, her weightlessness an advantage as they sought to infiltrate silently. Her fingers grazed the door's surface, searching for any hint of a trap. Finding none, she gave Jack a slight nod.
He took a deep breath, reached out, and slowly turned the handle. The door swung open to reveal a dimly lit corridor. They slipped inside, the weight of the mission pressing on them with each step.
The corridor's walls were lined with pipes and machinery, emitting a faint hum. Jack realized the humming wasn't from the machinery alone but from the very foundation of the lab itself. The entire structure felt alive, pulsing with an energy that was both intriguing and foreboding.
Leading the way, Jack extended his Observation Haki to its maximum range. Pulsing through the structure, he sought to identify potential threats, entrances, and the location of the taken children. Faint echoes of various lifeforms registered on his senses, but to his relief, none appeared to have been alerted to their presence.
The echoing maze of corridors and chambers proved daunting. However, Jack's acute senses continuously relayed feedback, allowing him to navigate efficiently, always choosing paths with minimal risks. Lysa, her focus unwavering, often floated slightly ahead to provide an aerial perspective of their immediate surroundings.
As they rounded a bend, a monotonous mechanical hum grew louder, causing them to freeze in their tracks. Swiftly, they turned to see a machine slowly trundling toward them. Its cylindrical body was capped with metallic brushes, and from its core, a soft glow illuminated the ground. The gadget appeared to be autonomously cleaning the floor tiles, inching its way along a pre-determined route.
Jack's muscles tensed, his instincts preparing him for a swift and deadly strike. But Lysa, with a keen eye, gestured for him to pause. "It's not a guard," she whispered, "Looks like a cleaning device?" Uncertainty tinged her voice. Their world was one of oceans and islands, not cutting-edge technology. Machines like this were outside their realm of experience.
Nodding, Jack relaxed slightly. It was a brief moment of levity in a tense environment. The machine, oblivious to their presence, continued its programmed route, leaving a polished gleam on the tiles. The pair took a step aside, allowing it to pass unhindered.
Soon, they arrived at a juncture where the hum of machinery and subtle murmurs of voices became more pronounced. In the dim light, Jack could make out the figures of two guards stationed ahead. There was something odd about their silhouettes, a certain asymmetry that caught Jack's attention. The shadows seemed to depict a fusion of human and machine. Parts of their arms glinted in the artificial lighting, and their postures were rigid, precise – unnatural.
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