บท 31: Progress

Aegis walked through white and sterilized walls in one of the many secret facilities he made for his researchers after realizing that what he wished to make would make even the most lawful break the law just to take his fruits of creation.

Again...

So, as a result, Aegis made several hidden facilities that all are focused on different kinds of projects. Some were military, biotechnology, Grimm research, dust and how to regrow it, cybertechnology, and much more, and the one he was currently on is focused on alternate power research.

"Tell me about your progress."

Aegis asked the bald-headed man in a lab coat.

"Yes, sir! As you can see yourself, we already have a full understanding of atom energy. No small thanks belong to your notes you have given us."

The head researcher of this facility said Aegis didn't have time and energy to use all the knowledge he hoarded in the shadow realm, so as compensation, he wrote notes that could help his people better understand the concepts of said knowledge.

Aegis was glad that his gamble turned out well as he didn't give his scientist a complete understanding of atom research but just snippets and concepts thanks to what they could experiment and grasp the knowledge themselves.

Aegis made sure to write how dangerous and unsuitable were atom generators and bombs, so he wrote another concept that he wished for them to make, and that was atom fusion technology, and from what he sees, it progressed well.

"So, what are your thoughts, mister Volkov?"

Aegis asked his head researcher named Walter Volkov, who had doctorates in dust, engineering, and advanced science.

"Sir, as you wished, we abandoned all thought of using mere atom technology. Even though we still try to understand all pros and cons fully, we are sure that in a half year, we would have the first fusion generator prototype ready for testing."

Volkov said with happiness, as a scientist, he loved the idea of immortalizing his name, and what's better than being remembered as a person who was participating in creating a fully capable and nearly infinite source of power such as fusion?

Of course, he must make first sure that he will not make his boss displeased with himself as he witnessed how the scientists who went against his advice secretly disappeared. That said, Volkov had an absolute aversion to primitive but valuable concepts such as atom bombs...

Volkov understood that they would change the world, but he didn't wish to see if it were for the good or bad.

So Volkov made sure that all of his scientist personnel was aware of the dangers of such weapon, and to make sure that they understand that the security in their facility isn't there just to protect them...

"I see. Did you already had some success on incorporating dust into your research?"

Aegis asked as he was interested if the dust could mutate some of the results of atom energy.

"No, unfortunately, all tests have proven that dust would lose all of its properties when it comes to contact with atom energy."

Volkov said with no small amount of frustration as he himself was interested in just how much dust could react to atom research. Alas, all tests proved that dust is absolutely incapable of withstanding the power of atom energy and radiation.

"Oh?"

Aegis hummed, but then again, even with all of his knowledge, Aegis knew that dust is a mysterious substance that is natural just to this world.

"hmm?"

Aegis stoped as he gets a special massage.

"So they finally made a move."

Aegis hummed to himself as he looked at his scroll for additional pieces of information.

"Apologies, but I must postpone with my inspection for the moment."

Aegis said, not waiting for a response, and made his way to this facility's private room that was built in case he needed personal time.

"Ah, yes, sir!"

Volkov said, knowing it wouldn't be wise to stop his boss.

After all, no matter what he thought of him, his boss was his master as he and others gave up on their freedom in exchange for financial support for their projects and access to the most advanced research.

And how they lost freedom? Volkov touched the back of his neck, where he still felt phantom pain from the time the little droid his boss made entered his body.

Volkov saw what happened to people who betrayed his boss's trust, and he wished that he never give his boss reason to activate that little droid.

Aegis, finally in his private room, locked the door and sat on his chair as he looked at the live feed of his work.

He could see what is happening from a first-person view as his experimental spy droid connected to the victim's nervous system and gained visual feed.

Aegis couldn't hear what was said, but he could see the person he until now just heard or read about.

The Witch, Queen of Grimms, The Salem.

And honestly, what a sight she was?

Pale, ashen hair that looked almost white, pale, ashen skin, with what looked like black veins and red eyes, but what kind of hairstyle was that?

Still, Aegis could see a man who could be none other than Arthur Watts and some other people he didn't recognize, but just in case, he saved their faces into his database, and then Aegis was surprised.

Aegis made sure that he sliced of Tyrian's arms, but now he could see how he had new arms, black and deformed arms but still arms...

Seeing that they were made of Grimm substance, Aegis was interested in how?

Still not trying to risk his chances of missing such a rare occasion, Aegis activated his spy droid hidden function.

The live feed ended, and Aegis was satisfied with the result.

-----

Salem, who was just about to make new plans as her minion told her about the new piece on board named Aegis Schnee, was surprised as she felt her body being ripped apart.

After an untold amount of time, Salem's body formed again, and she looked around just to witness a devasted hall and all of her minion's deaths. Watts body was missing its head. Her little madman Tyrian who she used her precious magical power to regenerate his lost limbs, was no more than a bit of blood smear on the floor, and her other minions she painstakingly recruited to her side were just nothing; more than a disassembled pile of bodies...

Salem looked at her years of work and let out a primal cry of rage.

"GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"

------

Ozpin, who was now in a video call with others headmasters and members of his hidden brotherhood about the latest mishap of losing Tyrian Callows, who was one of Salem's most significant pieces, left out a surprised yelp.

"What is it, Ozpin?!"

Ironwood asked in surprise and worry, and other headmasters too looked interested in Ozpin's sudden action as they never saw the man so surprised.

"I just felt a surge of magical power. Something must happen with Salem."

Ozpin gravely said and started making plans and reasons for Salem's sudden action.

Not knowing his little conversation with other headmasters was not so hidden.

-------

Aegis smiled as he listened to the little brotherhood conversation, satisfied that Miss Salem appreciated his little gift for her.

Still, it was a folly of Ozpin and Ironwood to speak with others through CCTS connection as previously, Aegis could not get into their private systems that were cut off the network.

But now that they called each other?

Aegis just smiled as he could, without problem, hack into their connection without them noticing.

Still, when he looked at them, Aegis's eyes narrowed on the headmaster of Haven academy.

"Soon, soon, I will visit you, mister traitor."

Aegis said and sipped from his coffee as he listened to the frantic conversation of panicked headmasters...