Cyber Chronicles 1: Crimson's Effect

Chapter 21: Lincoln (Past)

Within the confined space of the training room, Lincoln engaged in a subtle charade. Though hitting the targets had become a routine skill, he had to keep up the act to distract the observing scientists.

His attention turned to the sturdy glass wall, separating him from the laboratory where four scientists were engrossed in their work. Two pairs operated distinctly—one pair scrutinizing Lincoln's actions, the other delving into the complexities of his DNA. Unnoticed by their watchful eyes, Lincoln's clone quietly moved through the corridors, gathering essential details for his impending escape.

The scientists, now aware of the existence of his clones, had become vigilant. To avoid raising suspicions, Lincoln had to proceed with caution, taking gradual steps to execute his plan. Over the next six months, he meticulously observed the structure of the building, searching for potential vulnerabilities to exploit. Every action and glance became part of a carefully calculated strategy in the intricate game between the captive and the captor.

Finally, everything was in check. Lincoln's elaborate plan relied on erasing any trace of him and his abilities before executing the escape. The prolonged preparation period underscored the inherent risks woven into the fabric of his strategy.

A distinctive feature of Lincoln's clones was the absence of collars. Unlike traditional duplication, his clones were creations that mirrored his appearance, granting them an uncanny resemblance to anyone he desired. This ingenious adaptation allowed his clone to seamlessly blend in, assuming different soldier personas to gather essential information discreetly.

The laboratory fell into darkness, signaling the opportune moment for Lincoln to set his plan into motion.

 Approaching his bed, he visualized his clone and closed his eyes, opening them moments later in an entirely different location. A satisfied gaze confirmed that his clone had adopted a guise identical to the soldiers, successfully infiltrating the upper echelons of the facility.

Lincoln navigated the labyrinthine corridors, acutely aware of the stakes. His clone, lacking the energy compatibility of the original, began to disintegrate with each movement. A surveillance camera loomed ahead, prompting Lincoln to employ his teleportation-like ability, bypassing the obstacle and closing in on the boss's complex.

Without guards in sight, Lincoln seized the opportunity. Disintegrating the clone, he worked hastily, the nature energy now a volatile essence. Lincoln sensed the pull of his consciousness back to his original body—the risk of death escalating the longer he remained in this disembodied state.

Swiftly, he maneuvered through the space under the door and reentered his body with a gasp. The awakening brought relief, but there was no time for complacency. Lincoln closed his eyes once more, witnessing an expanded third-person view of his skeletal system, zoomed out of his usual perspective.

To the far left, the nature energy he had left in the boss's abode shimmered in his energy vision—a bird's eye view of the controlled energy. Lincoln marveled at the newfound flexibility granted by this extended perspective, a powerful tool in his quest for freedom. 

A quiet chuckle escaped him, echoing the satisfaction of a well-executed plan.

Lincoln embarked on the challenging task of guiding the nature energy from his core to the location where his disintegrated clone's essence lingered. 

The green energy sluggishly detached from him, its journey set to traverse various routes before reaching the boss's destination. The inherent difficulty arose from the energy's limited ability to move through solid objects, necessitating a circuitous path that would take at least five minutes to complete.