End Of Nightmares (Book 3)

Chapter 86: Difference In Ideologies

"Ashura, how copy?" Haseul asks for Lily's sitrep. Only crackles of static coming from Lily; indicating either the area she enters blocks the radiowave of the communicator or she and the cyborgs had been wiped out, although the later option would be impossible.

"White Bird. Corner's clear." Yeojin reports, giving everyone the clear. They breaks away from the single file, spreading out.

The base looks abandoned, but it does not means that Loona can be slacking off. Lily had warned them about this place might be booby trapped, so tension and cautious is at all time high. And right now with Lily and her team is not responding, Loona is on alert for any kind of ambush.

"Ashura, reporting in. We just passed the tunnel, entering the generator room." Lily's voice reverbs through Haseul's earpiece. Haseul draws a sigh of relief, wiping the sweat from her chin.

"Thought you got jumped. Good to see your ass is still in one piece."

"Cocky, huh? Watch your sectors. And if something doesn't sit right with your eyes, avoid them at all cost. Just complete the objective and get out. We're in the wolves' den now."

"Loud and clear. Roger and out." Haseul ends the sitrep, following close behind Yeojin with her weapon lowered down.

"You got Ashura?"

"Yep. They just entered the generator room. Swan, Betta, Penguin; Team 1. You three to the left. Rabbit, Cat, and Butterfly; Team 2, right ahead. Wolf and Frog; Team 3, with me. We're taking the one on the right. Focus on the objectives, no shenanigans. Especially you, Penguin." Haseul gives out the orders, ending it with a warning to Chuu.

"Why me?!"

"Because you always do something unexpected!" The rest of Loona hissed in unison. Chuu rolls her eyes in retaliation, pouting. 

"And don't screech, dummy! We're behind enemy's line now. Your loud ass is gonna gives us away!" Yves slaps Chuu's helmet, taking point. Chuu glares at Yves' back in irritation, hoping she can shoots laser with her eyes and setting Yves on fire.

"Come on, Kowalski. Nobody's afraid with that puppy eyes' glaring." Jinsoul pushes her forward.

"Wolf. Take point." Haseul pats on Olivia's shoulder, going to the back of the formation.

Without saying anything, Olivia turns on the flashlight on her helmet, signalling Haseul and Yeojin to move as she takes the lead. Team 1 arrived at the RnD wing, slipping through the half opened blast door. Strong rancid smell pierced their nostril, making Yeojin taking out her breathing mask.

"You okay, Frog?"

"What the fuck is that smell?! Goddamn!" Yeojin repeatedly clears her throat to remove the rancid taste from her lungs. But Haseul and Olivia remain indifferent, breathing the rancid air just fine.

"This must be where they performed all the experimentations." Olivia carefully opens up a door on her left, shining the room with her flashlight. Everything in the room is overturned, some part of the walls and floor splattered with dark, black sprites. Olivia proceeds to run her fingers over the sprites, grinding it between her thumb and giving it a whiff.

"Blood?" Haseul looks over Olivia's shoulder, with Olivia answers with a nod.

"So this was where Alexa and Itzy were bornt. Wonder how many lives it took to perfect them?" Yeojin comments, horror can be heard in her voice.

"Not enough. They switched side, remember?" Olivia takes out a small digital camera from her breast pocket, snapping pictures of the room.

As they moved forward, more and more pictures were taken, one is more horrifying and grotesque than the next. As they reaches the room at the end of the corridor, the pungent smell is getting stronger by each step, forcing Haseul to follow Yeojin's footstep on wearing the breathing mask. Olivia somehow remained calm, working in unlocking the door.