Chronicles of Terrelement: Fortress of Abominations

   Skylog: Commander Rojo.       
   Time: 23:03, Wednesday, winter.  Year: 005052

     Two years after the Agency was defeated and here I am, leading an expedition to
investigate some experiments done by the Agency a few years ago.  The higher ups discovered an old ruined fortress that was used as a safe haven during dire times in the ancient wars by one of the many kingdoms.  This castle is deep in the southern mountains near the underwater city of Atlantis; perfectly secluded for some experimental work.  Our knowledge of what was done there is limited, but Davis, a former officer of the Agency, told us there were some experiments conducted on the exotic creatures that dwell in the surrounding bodies of water, but their experiments failed and they had to evacuate the facility.  I'm hoping this won't be too much trouble.
Commander Rojo, signing out.

     A loud echoing noise floods the mountains.  An airship traverses through the towering rocks as an ocean of thick mist phases along the peaks of the giants.  The airship is a B.B. Airship (B.B. stands for Bumble Bee) taken from the Agency's remains.  It is now used as an effective way to carry troops and supplies with its roomy cargo hold in the back, and an effective killer in war with its two turrets, one on each side.  The ship has been upgraded upon entering the vast array of war machines in the S.S.E. and Skywarriors along with the other B.B. Airships.  The ships exoskeleton holds it together with the powerful sky silver, the strongest metal found in the floating islands of Terrelement.  The shape resembles a bee with its long and wide build.  The cockpit is shielded by a sturdy glass also found in the floating islands.  Windows built in the sides of the flying beast allow the passengers to enjoy a great view.  Soldiers wait in the back, sitting along the bench lined up along the inside.
     "We're almost there, boys!  Just a few more minutes until we land."  The pilot warns on the intercom.  "After we pass this mountain the fortress should come into sight."
"This better be fun," a heavy gunner demands as he adjusts his large, bulky assault rifle.
"Be careful down there, Jeorge," another heavy gunner with two slightly smaller machine guns teases.  "You might get spooked."  The other soldiers begin laughing at the comment.
"Shut it Tom!  I don't get spooked."  Jeorge gazes out the small back window next to him.  The
mountain escapes the frame of the window revealing an ominous ruined fortress, crumbled with areas covered in deep darkness.  A man in high tech armor outlined in red enters the cargo hold, exiting the cockpit where the pilot continues flying.
"Listen up soldiers!  When we land, I want you all to go into groups.  You four go with Don," he points to a group of gunners, all with basic assault guns.  Don, however, has only two handguns because his occupation is a tactician, the strategic soldiers in the S.S.E..  "You two
go with Jason, (another tactician) and you two come with me."  Jeorge and Tom agree to their
assignment with the commander.

"Commander Rojo," Don begins.
"Yes Don?"
"What exactly do we know about this place so far?"
"Nothing other than the Agency conducted some experiments on sea creatures in the nearby
lakes and rivers."
"What do you think happened?"
"Thats not important, soldier.  We'll find out when we get there."
"Here we are boys." The pilot calls from the intercom.  "Get ready to disembark."
     The pilot lands the ship gently on the flat rock ground around the fortress.  The mountains
circle around the flat stone ground the fortress is built upon.  The ground itself gives a sturdy
foundation to the castle which is why it lasted through the ancient wars thousands of years ago.
     The back of the B.B. Airship opens up, releasing the soldiers inside.  They exit the ship and head towards the dark fortress.  Phantom-ish shadows guard the various openings around the crumbled fort.  A gate, still intact, stands as the main entrance.  Though it is small, it's size gave an advantage to the occupants of the fortress during sieges.
     As the soldiers approach the fort, they gaze upon the surroundings.  Intimidating mountains surround them and the sky is covered in an ominous, depressing light gray sheet of clouds.  Phantoms of mist traverse the rocky slopes and peaks of the mountains.
"This place feels sad," comments Don.
"Let's get moving boy's!"  Rojo instructs.
     They all enter through the small main gate.  Rugged edges and cracks trail along the rim of the gate.  Three narrow hallways lead down dark paths
pleading the curious yet fearful hearts to follow.  Cobwebs cover the edges and corners of the
walls displaying the age of the structure.  A curling noise echoes through the walls planting the seed of fear in the heart through the shaking spines of the soldiers.
"Perfect," Rojo begins.  "Three hallways, three groups.  Split up into the assigned groups.  I'll
take my team down this one on the left."  Rojo enters through the darkness on the left.
"Let's go to the right," Jason says.
"Then we will head down the middle," Don sighs deeply.  "Why do I get the middle?"
"Radio everyone when you find something!"  Rojo commands before leaving the sight of the others.
     The soldiers begin down their chosen paths.  One gunner radios the team.  "I seem to have found some cobwebs sir."  The soldiers laugh at his joke.
"Serious things soldier."
     The curling noise returns like a predator stalking its prey, watering the seed of fear.