Silent labs, starry night: rich plunder. The NMLA operation 'self-service' in full swing.
09 Dec 2024Haraldsen
As the Thargoid Titan invaded Sol, several neighboring systems were also attacked and thrown into chaos. The sudden onslaught led to the abandonment of many facilities, including high-tech laboratories that were normally equipped with the best possible security. This unique situation presented us with a rare opportunity to strike and rob items that couldn’t be evacuated in time and were now without adequate protection. Thus, I found myself leading a team of NMLA fighters through the eerily silent corridors of the Emeagwali Chemical Complex. Once an independent, bustling hub of activity in Wolf 359, it now lay abandoned, a ghostly relic of human enterprise after the Thargoid invasion. The stale air was thick with the smell of antiseptic, and also already decaying organic matter, mingling with a cold metallic tang that seemed to permeate every inch of the claustrophobic, dark building, which only had an emergency power supply and life support running.
We moved quickly but cautiously, weapons drawn and eyes scanning for any signs of defense turrets or unexpected traps. The approach of the Thargoids had driven everyone out, but that didn't necessarily mean the place was safe. “Eyes sharp, everyone,” I whispered into my comm.
Our target was the central lab, where the most valuable research and compounds were stored. Emeagwali, highly advanced and usually tightly secured, had been on the brink of a breakthrough - something to turn the tide against mankind's alien foes. Too bad they didn’t finish it before they ran. But what is a loss for one person is an opportunity for another.
We reached the lab and forced the doors open. Inside, the place was a wreck. Documents and memory chips were scattered, equipment smashed, and only few computer terminals flickered with half-dead displays. “Secure the area,” I ordered, and my team spread out, setting up a perimeter.
I approached the main terminal and began hacking into the system. “Cassia, we found the storage unit,” one of my team members, Vane, reported. “It’s still sealed.”
“Good,” I replied, fingers flying over the keys. “Let’s see what goodies they left behind.”
Minutes later, I was in. The data here was invaluable and would earn us good money for our cause - formulas, blueprints, and logs of experimental results. I quickly transferred everything to my portable drive. “Got all the data, but there’s no code for the storage. Get it open the old fashioned way,” I commanded.
My team moved to the far side of the lab and began cutting open the door to the storage, their tools gleaming in the flashing emergency lighting as they worked the lock. With a hiss, the door swung open, revealing shelves packed with neatly labeled containers. At first glance, they appeared mundane - just another batch of chemicals and compounds. But then I spotted something unusual tucked away at the back, in secure, transparent transport cases.
"Wait, what’s that?" I asked, stepping closer.
Vane pulled one of the transport cases out carefully, setting it on a nearby counter. Inside were vials filled with a viscous, purple liquid, each labeled with intricate codes and scientific notations. My heart raced. Biological catalysts - the kind used to speed up and enhance biochemical reactions. They were a treasure trove of potential, especially in regards to bomb making, a lifeline in our struggle against the Imperials.
“Jackpot,” Vane said, his eyes lighting up with the same realization. “Experimental stuff. Highly reactive and possibly still unknown to any Imp security detectors... They could be real game-changers.”
I nodded, unable to tear my eyes away from the find. “Exactly what we need to teach those Imps a lesson. Load them up carefully. We can’t afford to lose any of these.”
As my team delicately packed the vials, I felt a surge of triumph. In the midst of this abandoned facility, we had unearthed the ingredients to something of immense potential. It was a small success for now, but one that carried the weight of countless battles yet to come.
“Let’s move, people,” I said, my voice firm and resolute. “We have what we came for. Now let’s get out of here before someone - or something - decides to check in on us.”
Every second here was a risk - the Thargoids could show up any moment now.
“Move it, people,” I urged. “We don’t have all day.”
As we prepared to leave, I took one last look around the storage unit. It was a strange feeling - looting an abandoned place like this, without any security forces around. But in our struggle, success was the only thing that mattered, even if it was easier to achieve, as it was this time.
With the vials of biological catalysts secured in our packs, we moved swiftly through the labyrinthine corridors of the Emeagwali Chemical Complex, retracing our steps through the barely lit corridors, each turn bringing us closer to the exit.
“Cassia, I’m picking up movement on the scanners,” Laney, one of my most experienced pilots, reported from our transport with a hint of urgency in her voice. “It’s the Thargoids. They’re closing in on our position.”
“Double time it!” I commanded the team, my voice steady but firm. “We can’t afford to be caught here.”
With adrenaline surging through our veins, we pushed forward, our hurried footsteps echoing through the desolate corridors of the abandoned complex. The dim glow of exit signs far away became our guiding light, a beacon of hope in the otherwise oppressive darkness. My heart pounded as we finally neared the main entrance.
As we burst through the exit doors and into the open expanse of Wolf 359, the chill of the night air hit us like a wave. But we didn’t pause to adjust; instead, we sprinted towards our waiting transport, the fiery backblast of its already running engines a welcome sight in the dark, silent night.
Once on board, I took a moment to look back at the complex we had just escaped, while the team ensured the catalysts we acquired were safely stored. This mission was just one step in our long and arduous battle against the Duvals, but it was a crucial one. In the strictest secrecy, we gathered the necessary strength and resources, thus creating new opportunities for action. With the right resources and unwavering determination, I knew we could continue our relentless fight for freedom.
Every step we took was fraught with danger, but our motivation and determination were unshakable. And what's more, Thalax IV still demanded retribution. The fire of revenge burned brightly within us and fueled our determination to take our fight to the next theater of operations.