Project 863 - The Mystery

~Chapter 56~

River was at work sitting on the floor in the corner with a few papers sitting by her as she was decorating the bulletin board and putting new information that she didn't get before on it. She had decided to decorate it a bit to fit the theme of 863 so it didn't look similar to Matthias's in his office at his place. She was working on it in her office when she heard talking downstairs, assuming it was Matthias as she left her office going down to see that it was indeed Matthias who was asking Sam how she was doing before going to join Matthias in asking the fans about some things with Sam and Bailey. When he had asked everyone if they should go to the safehouse all of Subject 4 told them to go which made River chuckle out of nervousness as she sat there watching him talk with other people. After asking the discord and getting good answers the group had decided to go ahead and begin to get things like gloves, gas masks, bats, as Matthias joked about Tanner's mother's number which made River chuckle as she decided to talk to Woods about the fan's telling them how it could be a trap. 

Once they got the camera and other things they all go into the car as they joked about making the red mountaineer a mega-machine as Matthias began to drive around a few times to ensure that no one was going to pop up out of nowhere. They ended up getting out of the car and going towards her room as they saw caution tape over the door Matthias was about to put on his gas mask before Sam spoke. "But what if this is like her hideout like-" Sam spoke looking at them as Matthias looked back at her before he spoke. "This is a crime scene, I doubt we're allowed in here though. We have a key so we could at least say we didn't know. I'm going to go in there first, when you guys go in there try not to move anything. If this is where Deb was murdered." Matthias spoke as he unlocked the door before he spoke. "Scott's a suspect now, he had an opportunity," Matthias spoke as he duck down to look inside the room he began to freak while coming out everyone got confused before Matthias explained how they needed to see for themself before going inside the room with him as they saw a bunch of things.

They had seen something that looked like her body outline as they talked about everything and the places she had been at for the spots as they looked at the documents that had been in their database on a huge bulletin board as they talked about the body outline that was on the wall and the floor as they talked about how it wasn't a real shadow as they were able to see the serum as Matthias took a closer look at it before seeing a cup with what looked like frozen coffee that had been shattered as Matthias picked up a vital which looked like to be crystals inside as everyone looked at it as Matthias held it up. They were able to find documents from Project MKUltra and a clock that had been going through time too quickly River decided to take photos of everything as everyone looked around the room. The group was able to find more things like letters from Gary Reynolds and a letter from Wes before they ended up finding letters addressed to everyone. Bailey ended up reading the letter from Deb to Subject 4 as she spoke. 

"Subject Four, do not overthink this the answers you need are sometimes the simplest ones. You're all collectively a wonderous group and you've exceeded my expectations and uncovered as much as you have so far and I couldn't be prouder. Your role was always the one that was the hardest for me to see properly, but I'm glad I didn't stray from my gut instinct. Syntec's dark history is long and expansive people have twisted the lines of truths and lies so much that you may continuously go down multiple wrong paths before finding a useful crumb of information. Do not get discouraged, this is just how it works, I know you're up to the challenge the rest of the team needs you to stay calm and always look closer but beware like Nelson attempted to do before there will be others that see your strength as a way to take advantage of the team. They may try to use you against them. Stay true to the path you know is right and don't allow your minds to be swayed by emotion. You are their safety net, you are the ones they look to remember than and don't let anyone tell you differently." Bailey spoke before finishing as Matthias stood there surprised as he spoke.

"She wrote this... recently... After Nelson took over. This is like in the past couple of weeks right before this." Matthias spoke talking about her death as Matthias continued to look through before finding one about Subject 3, aka Woods Woods opened his note before he began to read it. "Subject 3, you do not need to blame yourself any longer. Guilt can weigh heavy on a conscious as intuitive and empathetic as yours. Your leader is safe, as are your friends and they will continue to be if you stay calm and listen. I know your quiet disposition is not a sign of delusion or ignorance. I know you are always thinking, please do not stop that may save one of your friends from going down the wrong path one day. Your strength is something I admire, it reminds me in many ways of Wesley. He was always willing to do what was right, even if he wasn't the loudest one in the room that quiet resolve is a rare gift and it's one of the most important things that you continue to Project 863. Look after them all, even those not as deep into this rabbit hole as you are. I need you to make sure that they stay safe. D" Woods spoke explaining how it gave him some chills as Matthias decided to take the camera from Sam so she could be able to open her letter.

"Subject 2, I'm incredibly proud of you, even though it all, your positivity and hopefulness shine like a beacon even in the darkest of tunnels. I know you all have seen quite a lot in such a short amount of time, but you haven't compromised even when faced with complete and total despair. Know that from the bottom of my heart, I couldn't be more grateful to you. I know that without you, Project 863 would have faded a long time ago. In a way, you remind me of myself, a long time ago, back before Syntec. Back before I was left trying to survive every day without compromising my morals, I was passionate, bright-eyed, and incredibly supportive of my friends and family. Don't let it fade away, don't let life bully it out of you as it did myself. You're stronger than I now's the time to prove it, you're going to be needed now more than ever. D" Sam explained as she gave her thoughts about the letter to her before taking the camera from Matthias to let him read his letter. 

"Subject 1, I want to apologize to you directly, I know Nelson too well and I knew that he would try to remove Project 863 as soon as he became aware of its presence. The most common opening move in chess is that of a pawn to the middle of the board but it's not the only one. Nelson is aggressive with his moves and going after one of my most important pieces was no doubt on his mind from the very start. I knew you were compromised, I knew he would take advantage of that. I'm sorry you lost seven months of your life to his influence. Do not stop fighting, do not stop being inquisitive even after all that it's part of what makes you an excellent leader to your ensemble. It's one of the few parts of Nelson I see in you that I'm missing him. You opened up a new door that I cannot follow through, but I need you to keep going regardless, remember everything I told you, keep your eyes out for anyone looking to make you stray from your path,, and keep kindness and protectiveness in your heart safe. It will help, I promise, I'm sorry. D" Matthias spoke as he sighed looking away to force back tears before continuing to look as he realized something. "River, there's something for you." 

When River heard what Matthias said, she got confused taking the envelope from him as she opened the letter. "Subject 5, I want to apologize to you directly as well. I never meant for you to be dragged so deep into this when they first heard about you. I know you were living a peaceful life before, me bringing you into this caused you to go into the rabbit hole. You surprise me daily when I saw you slowly begin to trust the team, I told you they would be friendly. I'm sorry you lost seven months of your life as well, I never expected Nelson to be able to gain control of you as well when you were exposed. Your relationship with the team is so together, please don't lose it because all of you can create something new working together. I know sometimes you might feel like you aren't meant to be on this team but I promise, you have helped this team out so much you don't even realize it. Continue to protect you and your team, I can't predict what's going to come next, but I know, it might me more dangerous than you all have seen. D." After reading the message River sighed looking at them as she stood there forcing back any tears that had began to form in her eyes.

Matthias went to look at his letter as he was able to find a code from looking through the light. He was able to use the code to get into Deb's computer as they found the same email address from John Doe. "That's the same email address, it's an email. I'm winning, you're losing. There aren't many left Deb, soon all that will remain is D3B. John Doe? What happened to him?" Matthias asked confused before something clicked in his head as he stood there. "Maybe we don't know him." Matthias spoke looking at the camera as he stood there confused.