Wayfarer - Yaena the corrupted guardian

Chapter XVI - Contaminated network

Chapter XVI

Contaminated network

 I saw a squadron of men in heavy armor setting up rope devices along the track. Finn was communicating with them by radio from the room. Once the installation was complete, they took turns rappelling down the track, surveying the area. The squad made initial radio contact once deployed.

"Commander, I don't detect any signatures for over a kilometer. The place is completely deserted, there are no survivors."

Finn looked devastated, but his professionalism quickly took over.

"Understood. Try to recover what you can, but don't take any unnecessary risks."

"Got it. Let's get to work, boys!"

Finn put his device down and started tapping his foot. I guessed he wanted to keep an eye on his men, but my presence prevented that.

On the other side, the men were surveying the damage. I heard them mention the gargoyles, which had been cut by Eliza's wires. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Finn staring at me questioningly. He didn't have time to question me, because the squad leader addressed the commander again.

"Finn, do you read me?"

"Five by five." he replied, picking up his radio. "Is there a problem?"

"The electronics stop working as we approach car number twelve. It's the only one that's particularly damaged, although it was spared from the flames. It looks like it has been targeted repeatedly by the horde. Should we force our way in?"

"Stay on guard. Deploy the shields before you break down the door, we don't know what might be behind it. Let me know when you've secured the place.

"Understood, Commander. Over and out."

The signal had cut out, ending the conversation. Finn waited impatiently for the news, tapping the back of the chair. After a few minutes, an answer finally came.

"We entered without difficulty. The compartment was completely empty, except for a tank that emitted a blue glow. It was fixed in a hurry, so we should be able to get it out without too much trouble."

"A blue glow, you say? Bring it up, I'd like to take a look at it. If it is what I think it is, we should be able to explain the cause of the accident."

"It should be coming to you shortly, Commander."

Indeed, the mechanisms installed on the edge of the track were pulling the ropes. The goods soon arrived. The soldiers untied the ropes and rolled the tank onto the track. It emitted a powerful bluish glow, which I could not take my eyes off. I was captivated by the light. So much so, that I seemed to hear a sound, which became more and more intense. I suddenly had a terrible headache and my primal instincts returned.

I screamed as my arms became covered in scales and my eyes focused on the light. My wings began to sprout, threatening to tear everything in their path. I looked into Fenna's eyes, a look of fury on my face. She recoiled, frightened. The handcuffs did not resist the pressure exerted on them and shattered.

My claws shot out, just missing her cheek, and ended up in her chair. They pierced the leather effortlessly. Then something stung me in the neck. I could feel my body slowly recede and before I knew it, I was on the floor. My body was no longer responding to my commands, and I could see the lips moving but no sound reaching my ears.

I woke up with a start when I hit my head on a metal plate. I was lying next to the compartment door, my hands tied to a chain on the wall.

"Are you awake?" Finn asked, having turned around when he heard the noise. "How do you feel?"