In Silent Dreams

CHAPTER 17 - Just Run, Beth

"A plasma rifle works by super-charging plasmid reserves in the rear containment chambers of the weapon, then channels the supercharged liquid into a hyper-refractor which converts the plasmid charges into a form of light energy. The light energy discharges through the front barrel, travelling at speeds close to light itself, whilst piercing through almost any material. The discharge loses its heat and energy over time, and subsequently ends its course when there is no heat left.

Several reflective materials can reflect or refract this plasmid discharge.

If a leak occurs, or the weapon has been broken, immediately discard the weapon and avoid physical contact.

A plasma rifle is very dangerous, and can cause unwanted damages if not used properly. Please consult this manual for further instructions on dismantling and maintaining the weapon."

-ACCP41 Plasma Repeater, Instruction Manual, Page 2

The chaos in the chamber went quiet, as tens of bodies lay dead on the floor. The environment was not spared either. Most of the intricate pillars were carved by the plasma, defacing the patterns and figures on them. Several walls which were not reinforced with light protection were cut through.

Elizabeth leaped off the control room towards the stage, shining her weapon's torchlight to illuminate the dark hall. She activated a magnetic field generator device just before landing, then swung the holo-axe down on the stage centre, utilizing the momentum gained from falling. The stage flooring gave way to a large crack, and revealed the vault within.

Elizabeth: [Nothing- Nothing?]

Aside from the usual gadgets and weaponry, there was not a single Planetcracker.

Elizabeth heard a strange sound in the air.

Instinctively, Elizabeth dodged to the left, pushing her entire body in momentum just in time to dodge a large plasmid discharge stream.

Elizabeth: [All the plasma streams should have dissolved by now, what could be-]

Elizabeth turned around, and noticed a figure standing amongst the slaughter field where the plasmid trace originated.

Elizabeth: [It's him again. This can't be. The plasma should have at least cut him.]

The man did not spoke. He stared down Elizabeth's eyes with intense focus. His arm was glowing with plasmid discharge. His suit was channelling plasmid liquid around in tubes.

Elizabeth: [Is he some mutant or - That should not exist. I have never come across-]

The man started shaking his right arm violently. The arm started to glow more radiantly as he shook it.

Elizabeth ducked for cover behind one of the wine tables.

Elizabeth: [He is literally discharging plasma without a gun. The plasma seems to be emanating from his bare hands and arms. Nano-bots? Magic? It should definitely be some runic magic in play. But what could it be? Sacrifice of what? Runic magic at its most is only able to collapse a few large boulders. I have never heard of magic so strong it could offer such immunity to superheat.]

A plasma discharge flew at the wall, further down the room from Elizabeth.

Elizabeth: [He either does not know where I am, or he is tricking me out. Solutions, solutions, Beth.]

Eva: You know you could just run, right?

E: "No, I can't. This ship, this ship is... Eva?"

Elizabeth looked around her, while she tried to control her breathing. She looked back at her transponder, it was still off-link. Panic was setting in. This was the first time Elizabeth had encountered a situation that she could not prepare for. Eva was still outside and off-link, and her mind was starting to play tricks on her.