Ancient Forces (2018 Reboot)

Chapter 21 - An Early Winter

It was dawn, the sun was just barely visible over the surrounding buildings which bordered the old, run-down factory. The factory was two stories tall, with a nearly thirty thousand square foot ground. The structure was tall and menacing with its old rusty walls and doors, and the stench was awful. Inside the main doors was the lobby, with an old reception desk and clock on the wall above the entry doors. Neither were in order any more, apparent by the cobwebs and dust that had accumulated over them. The plastic plants inside looked like they actually needed water. The musty air was enough to force someone to leave if they required such a trivial thing. Thankfully for the android entering the structure, he did not need the assistance of oxygen to live.

The android marched past the lobby room and entered the actual factory itself. To the right and left of the main doors were vats and massive bowls where metal was melted down. There were six or eight of them on both sides, which went all the way down to the double staircase up to the second floor. There was a single metal staircase on either side of the factory floor which led to the supported threshold above. The platform surrounded each of the vats and led to consoles where clinger devices above could transport metal or pick up melted down liquid and move it safely. The threshold also went in the opposite direction which led off to the main office department, and most likely also entered a storage and delivery center on the other side of the factory floor. The robot chuckled.

This factory had been out of commision for years. According to the records the city was planning on demolishing it in the next few weeks, but the public had been keeping them busy with other things. They wanted this factory to be redesigned or refurbished to work again. The debate was a heated one, and the city knew that if they demolished the factory under the noses of the people, there might be some issues with the populace for a few days. The guise was perfect for a temporary home base. His pursuers had entered the area of the cabin days ago, so he was forced to move again. He didn't mind, in fact, he was enjoying this scenery change. The factory was right under the MRaCD's noses. They would never think to look here.

With Arachnid captured the android had to make plans for other ways of eradicating the Dragon's Heart. He had to admit, the chosen user of that powerful artifact was becoming quite the threat. A nuisance at best currently, but if left unchecked...

Beeping in the android's core reminded him of his main objective. He swiftly dashed across the factory floor and made his way upstairs, then entered the long hall which led to dozens of offices and control stations. He entered the main office at the end of the hall and moved the desk and items away. Once it was clear, the android pulled out a small cube device from his side and planted it down, then tapped the top of it with his metallic finger. The box whirred and hummed for a moment before finally activating. The metal expanded and grew in pixelated blocks as it took shape and formed a little compartment, just barely big enough for the android to fit in. When it was complete the android quickly stepped inside and allowed the barrier to form in front of him. The lights and gas filled the chamber like any other recharge cycle.

This factory was going to be a good base. This factory was going to be a good base indeed.

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It was dawn, the sun was just barely visible over the forest trees surrounding the cave. There was a single individual who slowly crept his way up into the main room of the base. The monitors were shut off, including the scanners now. They had done their job. Eli was asleep on a new couch they'd ordered for him to rest on in the main lobby in the furthest corner from the entrance. He was somewhat hidden behind the monitors and consoles resting against the wall, but Zayne knew well where he would be. It was a Saturday, so everyone else would hopefully be sleeping in until about nine or ten. It was about seven now, so he a little bit of time to get in, investigate, and leave. He felt pretty confident about his timing.