Against the Clock

Chapter 9 | Support

[Professor Red's POV]

I was just doing more late-night research, like yesterday... or I guess it's the other day now, as it's 2 AM.

I was using the data collected from the analysis test from earlier, trying to figure out what this virus could possibly be. I also had the vial of black-and-white sludge from the intruder's meltdown, as I had to keep an eye on it while it was being analyzed in the machine. Right now, it's at 67% of the way... this thing takes forever, I need to work on that. Just another project to do while I wait for results on the virus, I guess.

I then suddenly hear a sound of something glass starting to break, and I immediately rush to where I believe I heard it, not thinking to bring the Assistant with me. I get to the hallway where Sabre's room is, hoping it's not coming from there. Maybe it was a different window, or I didn't hear it where I think I did-

I am however proven wrong, as I hear the window in Sabre's room shatter.

I look over to the door, and I see through the small openings on the top two figures just like the one I experimented on today crawling through his broken window frame, Sabre backed up against the wall. I run to the door, but one of the creatures sees me and blocks the door with itself, making it so I can't get in. I pound on the door, trying to get the creature to move, but it's no use. The thing won't budge. As I keep trying to get through, I yell for backup;

"ASSISTANT, GET OVER HERE AND BRING THE PROTOTYPE!"

Soon I hear the Assistant quickly rolling over here, and when I turn my head I see he's holding the prototype I made, getting ready to fire it.

The prototype is basically a mini redstone beam cannon, made to be effective against these sludge creatures, as I took another sample of the one that turned into a puddle and tested what it was weak against.

Turning back to the situation, I command the Assistant to get the door open. As he begins hitting the door harder than I could, the creature is already being pushed back, unable to combat against the Assistant's strength. However, I soon hear Sabre coughing again. That other creature is doing something to him, no doubt.

While it might not be much, I start helping the Assistant break down the door once I collect myself. I don't let it show, but I'm panicking. It's just as I feared, there's more than one of these things and they're here to harm Sabre. I should've known they would get in through his window...

Suddenly I hear lighting, then the door to the lab bursting open.

"Professor?!" M calls out.

"What's going on?!" Time also yells.

"Over here, quick!" I answer. "There's creatures in Sabre's room, and they're doing something to him!"

It's not even a second later after saying that, when Time rushes in and screams;

"MOVE!"

I grab the Assistant and oblige, as Time jumps onto the wall in front of the door and uses it like a launch pad, breaking the door down on impact. Oh, he's angry. And I don't think the sound of Sabre's panicked coughing fit is helping.

M comes rushing in as Time fights the creature, who is using the broken door as a shield to block him from getting further inside. A few other Red Steves come in behind M, worried.

"What's happening here?!" M says, looking into the room.

"More invaders. Got in through the window. They have Sabre. Doing something to him." I say, helping the Assistant fasten the prototype to his arm as intended. I then motion to the other Steves that came in. "You guys, get Light Steve. I don't really know if this'll work."