Man On The Moon

Chapter 37: The Project Of Belobog

The group surrounds Dan Heng as he begins turning pages in the file, each one revealing diagrams and data logs. One particular page catches their attention—it's labelled 'Project Report: Initiating Aurora Plan'. Dan Heng, reading aloud, says.

Dan Heng: "Looks like a report. It says, 'The Aurora Plan commences with the activation of the Stellaron Core..'"

Ruan Mei, her interest piqued, adds.

Ruan Mei: "The Stellaron Core? So this 'Project Aurora' involves the Stellaron? This could be the link we're looking for."

Topaz, her eyes scanning the page, remarks.

Topaz: "Here's more. Listen to this—' The Aurora Plan has a primary objective—protection and survival of Belobog.' Protection and survival..?"

March 7th, her eyebrows furrowing, asks.

March 7th: "Protection and survival from what? What was the city being protected from?"

Jingliu, her gaze still on the file, reads further.

Jingliu: "I think I see it. 'The Aurora Plan has secondary objectives, including defence against external threats and maintaining the city's infrastructure and survival capabilities'. There's more. 'External threats and potential invasion by alien forces..' Wait, what does it say down there"

Dan Heng, peering closer at the page, reads out loud.

Dan Heng: "Here's something... 'The Aurora Plan also includes the utilization of unknown and experimental technologies..' There's a list of some technologies mentioned here."
The group exchanges intrigued glances. The mention of unknown and experimental technologies raises more questions. Ruan Mei, her mind racing, asks.

Ruan Mei: "Unidentified technologies? We should look into the details of these. They might hold clues about what Cocolia's regime was up to."

Dan Heng nods and continues reading.

Dan Heng: "There's more to this. The file mentions 'Cocolia's directive to activate the Stellaron Core and a series of contingency plans under unforeseen circumstances.' Look, there's a page here marked 'Contingency Plans'. Let's check that out."

The group listens intently as they move on to the next section labelled 'Contingency Plans'.Dan Heng, continuing to read, says.

Dan Heng: "Alright, here's something. 'Contingency Plan A: If the city should ever come under attack from aliens or other external threats...'"

Vettel, his voice carrying a sense of caution, comments.

Vettel: "...Contingency Plan A... Seems like a pretty serious plan if they had to account for an external attack.. "

Dan Heng, continuing to read, nods.

Dan Heng: "Yes, it's a plan to deal with a dire situation. 'The Plan entails the activation of defensive measures, implementation of lockdown protocols, and evacuation procedures...' Wait, there's a map here.. with several underground facilities marked on it.."

The group gathers around the map, their eyes drawn to the marked locations. Jingliu comments.

Jingliu: "These are locations underground? They must be the facilities mentioned in the plan. It seems the city had extensive infrastructure prepared for their survival. But what are these facilities for?"
As the group ponders the map, their conversation is interrupted by a cheerful, familiar voice. Sampo: "Well, well, well! If it isn't Serval's little workshop gang! Fancy seeing you here!"

The group turns to find Sampo, with his usual smug smile, approaching them from behind one of the cabinets. Topaz, looking at him with a mixture of annoyance and curiosity, asks.

Topaz: "What are you doin' here, Sampo?"

Sampo, feigning innocence, replies with his usual jest.

Sampo: "Just passing by, just passing by! You know how I like to explore and gather information. Can't blame a guy for being a little curious, can you?"

Dan Heng, not buying his act, says.

Dan Heng: "I don't believe you. You never do anything without a purpose. What are you doing here?"

Sampo, keeping up his facade, gives a sarcastic chuckle.

Sampo: "Oh, you're too perceptive Dan Heng. I just happened to be in the area and heard that you folks were snooping around, so I thought I'd drop by and see what you're up to."

March 7th, her eyes narrowing, chimes in.

March 7th: "We're here looking for information about Cocolia and her rule. What's it to you, Sampo?"

Sampo, his carefree demeanour not fading, shrugs.

Sampo: "Ah, Cocolia, the former Guardian. A subject of interest for many, I imagine. But I can't help shake the feeling that you're looking for something a little... more than just information if you know what I mean."

Dan Heng, his patience wearing thin, replies.

Dan Heng: "What do you mean, Sampo? And how do you know about us looking into Cocolia's rule? Were you following us?"
Sampo, feigning innocence, chuckles.

Sampo: "Now, now, I wouldn't call it 'following'. Let's just say I have a keen ear for gathering information. As for what I meant... well, let's just say I have my suspicions about what you're looking for."

Vettel, his frustration mounting, grabs Sampo by the shirt.

Vettel: "Enough of these games, Sampo. You know something, don't you? Stop being cryptic and just tell us what you know."

Sampo, suddenly more serious, responds.

Sampo: "Ooh, someone's riled up! Relax, relax, I was just having a bit of fun. But you're right, I do know a thing or two. But what makes you think I'd just give up information like that for free?"

Jingliu, her face stern, replies.

Jingliu: "We don't have time for this, Sampo. If you have information that could help us, tell us. Otherwise, we have more important business to attend to."

Sampo, his smirk returning, counters.

Sampo: "More important business, huh? I could help you, but I'd need a favour in return. Let's make a deal, shall we?"

Topaz, rolling her eyes, responds.

Topaz: "A deal, of course. What do you want, Sampo?"

Sampo, grinning from ear to ear, says.

Sampo: "I just have a small request. Nothing too complicated. I need you to help me find a... item, let's say. A little trinket that I've been searching high and low for. Once you bring it to me, I'll tell you everything I know about Cocolia's little secret."

The group exchanges glances, weighing the proposition. Dan Heng, sceptical but curious, replies.

Dan Heng: "And this... trinket, what exactly is it, Sampo?"

Sampo, his smile enigmatic, replies.

Sampo: "Oh, it's just a small artefact, you could say. Something that holds great value to me. But I can't give you much more detail until you agree to help me. So, what do you say? Deal or no deal?"

The group discusses the proposition, considering their options.

March 7th, her curiosity piqued, chimes in.

March 7th: "He's being so vague about what he wants... you think this is a good idea, guys?"

Ruan Mei, her analytical mind at work, replies.

Ruan Mei: "Sampo has been known to have connections and information. He might know something about Cocolia. But we should tread carefully. We don't know if this 'artefact' is worth the risk."

Dan Heng, agreeing with Ruan Mei, adds.

Dan Heng: "She's right. We can't be sure if Sampo's request leads us to anything useful. But we don't have many leads as it is. This could be our only chance to find out more about Cocolia's secrets..."

Vettel, his demeanour serious, offers his opinion.

Vettel: "We can't afford to waste time. But we can't blindly trust Sampo. I say we agree, but we keep our guard up and don't give him anything until he delivers on his end of the deal."

The group, led by Sampo, follows him through the labyrinthine workshop. They pass by various machine rooms and labs, the hum of technology and the dim light guiding their path.

Sampo, strolling ahead, turns back to the group.

Sampo: "Follow me, ladies and gents. We're almost there!"

The group continues following Sampo, their eyes on their surroundings, wary of any potential dangers. Jingliu, her keen senses on high alert, whispers to Dan Heng.

Jingliu (whispering): "Be cautious. We don't know anything about where he's taking us."

Dan Heng, nodding, replies in a hushed tone.

Dan Heng (whispering): "Agreed. We need to be ready for anything. He could be leading us right into a trap."

Sampo, noticing their whispered conversation, turns back with a cheeky grin.

Sampo (whispers back): "Oh, I can hear you two, you know. No need to whisper. Trust me, I wouldn't lead you into anything... too dangerous."

As the group continues in suspenseful anticipation, they are interrupted by the sudden appearance of the young troublemaker Hook, who suddenly appears out of nowhere beside Sampo.

Hook, her usual mischievous grin on her face, pounces on Sampo and starts tugging on his coat.

Hook: "Sampo! I found you! You owe me a snack!"

Sampo, taken by surprise, stumbles back a bit before regaining his footing. He lets out a sigh, trying to maintain his cool demeanour.

Sampo: "Ah, Hook. Of course, you'd be here. Can't you see I'm a bit busy at the moment?"

Hook, her eyes wide and innocent, pouts.

Hook: "But you promised you'd get me a snack! You're a liar, Sampo!"

Sampo, slightly frustrated, replies.

Sampo: "Alright, alright. I'll get you your snack, just not right now, okay? I'm in the middle of something."

Hook, her lips still pouting, refuses to let go of Sampo's coat.

Hook: "No! You said right now!"

Sampo, trying to maintain his composure, glances back at the group with a half-amused, half-exasperated expression.

The group, now gathered around Sampo and Hook, quietly chuckles, finding the situation strangely amusing.

March 7th, barely containing her laughter, comments.

March 7th: "Well, well, seems like Sampo's got his hands full today."

Jingliu, a hint of amusement in her eyes, adds.

Jingliu: "And here I thought you were a master of dealing with tricky situations, Sampo."

Sampo, still trying to shake off Hook's hold on his coat, lets out a sigh.

Sampo: "Oh, har har, very funny. It's not like I need your sarcasm right now. Hook, could you please let go of my coat? I'm trying to have a private conversation here."

Hook, still pouting, shakes her head.

Hook: "No way! Not until you get me my snack!"

Vettel, finding the situation amusing, leans down and pats Hook on the head, which momentarily distracts her from her determination.

Vettel (with a chuckle): "Now, Hook, you need to give Sampo a break. He will get you your snack, just not right this minute."

Hook, her eyes momentarily diverted by Vettel's gesture, looks at him, her pout softened, but her determination to have her snack not backing down.

Topaz, trying to join in, on the comments.

Topaz: "You know, Hook, it's not nice to interrupt people when they're busy. How about you give Sampo a chance to talk to us first, and then he can get you your snack after?"

Hook, her pout now wavering, looks up at Topaz with big, innocent eyes. Her grip on Sampo's coat loosens a bit but she's still not ready to fully let go.

Hook: "But... but I'm hungry..."

Dan Heng, attempting to reason with her further, adds.

Dan Heng: "Hook, we understand you're hungry, but you need to be patient. Sampo will keep his promise to get you a snack, but right now we're in the middle of something important. Can you wait for just a little while longer?"

Hook, her pouting almost completely fading, looks around at the group. Seeing their serious yet patient expressions, she seems to finally realize the weight of the situation.

Hook: "Okay... I'll wait... but you promise you'll get me my snack, Sampo?"

Sampo, seeing an opportunity to defuse the situation, nods.

Sampo: "I promise, Hook. I'll get you your snack as soon as I can. Just give me a few minutes, alright?"

Hook, finally fully letting go of Sampo's coat, nods in agreement.

Hook: "Okay, I'll wait!"

The group, relieved that the situation has been resolved, can now return to the task at hand. Sampo, straightening his coat, gives a small, grateful nod to the group.

Sampo: "Thanks for the assist, everyone. The hook can be quite the handful."

After the brief encounter with Hook, the group, along with Sampo, continues their journey through Belobog's technological maze. Sampo leads them down a series of halls and corridors, each one more filled with equipment and technology than the last. As they move through the workshops, the hum of machines and the soft glow of circuits paint an industrial picture of Belobog's technological prowess. As they walk, the group remains on guard, wary of any sudden surprises. The group follows Sampo deeper into the labyrinth, and they suddenly find themselves in a circular, caged area. It becomes apparent that it's a makeshift fighting ring, the cage lit by dim, flickering lamps. As they step into the ring, they are approached by Luca, a young man who seems to be in charge of the area. He looks at the group, then shifts his gaze to Sampo with a raised eyebrow.