21st Period: Creating a Plan of Action

The following week I met up with Alyson to discuss class with her. When I arrived she was in one of her good moods. 

"Hey, I've been waiting here for you," said Alyson. 

"Hey, I'm relieved to see you. Could I possibly get your advice on something," I asked. 

"What is it?" she asked. 

"I've been studying like crazy all week for my Universe History test, and I'm not sure if I'll pass it," I said worriedly. 

"Is that why you were late to your class earlier this week? You're so silly," she said, as she put her arm around me, and she held me close. 

"Don't worry we can study the material together, and if you do a little studying tonight with me, I'm sure you will pass the test with no problem," said Alyson of the Stanfield House with a big smile on her face. 

Alyson and I immersed ourselves in our Universe History textbook, pouring over each page with a shared sense of curiosity and determination. We discussed complex events, analyzed historical figures, and delved into various civilizations, their cultures, and contributions. This collaborative study session not only enhanced our understanding of the subject but also strengthened our bond. After an intense few hours of study, I felt the need for a change of pace and decided to call Athena for a casual hangout in my dorm room. 

"Athena, what can you tell me about the G.B.I.? I found this name in some old files that once belonged to my deceased father," I asked. 

Shortly after Athena showed up to my dorm room with news articles that she had collected within the library's archive app. 

"I figured you would ask me so I downloaded these news articles from the library's archive," said Athena as she sent the news article to me. 

It appears the explosion that killed your father was just the beginning. The two of us went over all the news articles together. We decided that we needed to investigate the building in person for any clues. 

"The terrible accident at the Lenora Institute of Technology which occurred this year was a tragedy that shook the entire community. The incident, which resulted in the death of many scientists, is believed to have happened when an experimental energy system test went terribly wrong. The system, which was designed to convert natural energy sources into usable electricity, malfunctioned and caused a massive explosion in the testing facility," she read. 

"The explosion left multiple people dead, injured and many missing as debris flew out from the building. Firefighters arrived quickly on the scene but sadly they were unable to contain the blaze with conventional extinguishing methods. It took almost four hours for them to finally put out the fire with special foam meant specifically for chemical fires," she continued. 

"Jefferson E of the Eliwood House was said to have perished in this terrible accident. He had been working on launching the energy system for months prior to its malfunction and had placed full trust in its performance and safety protocols. Unfortunately, it failed him and those around him, tragically claiming his life along with those of several other scientists and engineers involved in creating it," Athena explained. 

"This tragedy has brought shock waves throughout the scientific community as well as sadness to everyone affected by it. Lenora Institute of Technology is currently undergoing investigation regarding what led to this catastrophic failure and how future tests can be conducted more safely. Everyone is hoping that some answers can be found regarding what caused this terrible accident so that steps can be taken moving forward to avoid similar occurrences in the future," she said. 

"I would understand if you decided to investigate the place where your father once worked. If that's the case then we need to put together a small team. On Wednesday I'll ask a few of my classmates to join us. In the meantime we need to gather some supplies," said Athena. 

Later on that day we visited a few different stores to gather some supplies for our investigation. As soon as Wednesday morning came along I made my way to first period class as usual. On the way I met up with Athena. 

Athena and I had amassed quite the collection of supplies when Wednesday came around for our impending exploration. We had flashlights, of course, for the dark corners and long-abandoned rooms. Additionally, we equipped ourselves with a sturdy rope for potential tricky situations, and a camera to document our discoveries. 

We located old blueprints of the building that my father had saved from his workdays as the most precious of our supplies. They served as a map to navigate the labyrinthine structure that now stood eerily silent, a stark reminder of the accident that had abruptly ended my father's life ten years ago. 

Later that morning when I ran into Athena on the way to the university she had some good news to share with me. 

"I asked the sisters from the Springfield House to help us out. The plan is to meet up in my dorm room, and we will leave early Thursday morning," Athena said. 

We made our way to class, and as soon as it was over, I headed to the cafeteria. We met up with the sisters from the Springfield House, and discussed our plan of action with them. Our plan of action was meticulously detailed. Upon reaching the deserted building, Athena and I would first conduct a perimeter check, using the blueprints to identify any potential entrances or hazards. 

Once inside the building, we would systematically explore each room according to the layout depicted in the blueprints. The flashlight would be used to illuminate our path, while the rope would assist us in crossing any unstable structures we might encounter. With the camera, we planned to document every inch of our exploration, focusing on any abnormal signs or potential clues related to the accident that ended my father's work there. 

We agreed on clear hand signals for communication, and we set strict timelines to ensure we don't linger too long. Lastly, we devised an emergency plan, outlining steps for immediate evacuation if required. There was no way of knowing what dangers awaited us in the abandoned building. 

Right after our meeting I returned to the dorm room to inform Aspen, and Cobalt about the plan we had devised. I knew what their answer was going to be on the matter and soon I found myself explaining everything to the two of them before calling it a day.