Project A.E.G.I.S. - Part 1

Lucas went silent.

Was it all a coincidence that the monsters first appeared in the city where the two researchers were residents? 

Patrick saw Lucas' expression and his eyes narrowed for a moment.

"Do you think those two were involved in this catastrophe?"

Lucas remained silent.

"No, no, it can't be. How can it be?" Patrick was in denial. He couldn't believe that the two men he had once thought to be outstanding could do something so heinous.

"How were their characters, Patrick? Were they good people?" Lucas asked, not bothering to comfort him.

"Huh?" Patrick tilted his head and thought about it for a few minutes, allowing silence to linger around them.

Lucas didn't force him to reply immediately. He waited for the man to think about it.

"They were good men, I presume," Patrick replied after thinking for some time.

"You presume?" Lucas' brows quirked up questioningly.

"I mean... they were greedy for money and had been involved in illegal research that almost led to their licenses being canceled. But they changed before the situation went too far," Patrick said, scratching his head. 

At first, he had been confident that the two men had no hand in the disaster the world was facing. But he couldn't be sure anymore. 

"I see." Lucas nodded and bit his lip, a thought entering his mind. "What happened to their city?"

"What about it?" Patrick was confused. He couldn't understand what Lucas was trying to ask.

"I mean... Never mind." Lucas brushed it off, thinking of something else suddenly.

He instead made a note to speak to Ryker and Vance later. He suddenly wanted to go to the two researchers' laboratory.

Lucas had an inkling he'd find some answers there.

"Were you taking a break? If you aren't, can you show me your lab?"

"Yes, yes, of course."

Patrick's eyes lit up and Lucas nodded how quickly the man's fatigue vanished. 

Patrick sure was an oddball who loved working.

Lucas understood him though. Considering the situation they were in, if Patrick didn't work, then Velomore too would have been wiped out completely.

Lucas and Patrick were on their way to the lab when they met Vance and Ryker.

"Done storytelling?" Lucas asked with a teasing smile.

"Yeah." Vance sighed, feeling his mouth sore. "I never knew our people were so curious. They didn't let go of me until all their questions were answered."

Lucas laughed in amusement. Even Ryker was smiling and Vance glared at the two.

"Laugh all you want. I'm pushing you two to the forefront if a similar situation arises."

"What are you guys talking about?" Patrick looked at the three in confusion.

"I'll fill in the details later. Where are you going?" Vance diverted the topic, wanting to take a break from storytelling. 

"I told him already," Lucas intervened.

"Thank you. I don't think I can handle repeating the story. I'm going to get nightmares tonight." Vance was especially grateful. Lucas had saved him from reliving the trauma.

"Where are we going, by the way?" Ryker asked, derailing from the topic.

"I'm talking Lucas to my lab."

"What are we waiting for? Let's go then." Ryker slung his hand over Lucas' shoulder and Lucas realized how heavy the man was. He almost stumbled due to the impact.

"Tch, tch, tch, what a weakling." Ryker shook his head and looked at Lucas admonishingly. "You need to train harder. Otherwise, you'll fly away if there is a windstorm."

Lucas gave him a look that said Ryker would die soon if he didn't stop talking.

"Hey, don't look at me that way." Ryker moved away from him instantly and pulled Vance between them.

"It makes me feel that you like me."

Lucas was speechless.

Vance was amused.

Patrick just stared at them blankly, not bothered by their banter.

"Oh, please. I'm into women, alright. I can't tell the same about you." Lucas folded his hands and sized him up.

"What do you mean? Lucas, are you looking for a fight?" Ryker made a mock attempt to roll his sleeves up as if he was ready to fight him.

"Yeah, right. Who wants to fight you?" Lucas scoffed and averted his gaze away.

"You..." Ryker clenched his jaw and almost punched Lucas, if not for Vance stopping him in time.

"Will you both stop? If I didn't know you two, I'd have thought you were fighting."

Ryker was the first to give in and he smiled cheekily. 

Even Lucas couldn't stop laughing as the four men entered the basements.

Even though Lucas had already visited the place the previous day, he was still in awe. 

The people of Velomore were sure cautious and quick. They had planned ahead and everything was in control.

"Have you seen the basements?" Patrick asked as he pulled the lever and the floor before him opened.

"We gave him a tour yesterday," Vance answered and Patrick nodded.

"Great. Saves us some time."

Patrick led them to his laboratory and stood before the door. "My lab has restricted access. I'll add you to the database later."

Lucas watched Patrick place his hand on the door and soon, the door opened with a click.

What he saw inside blew his mind away. 

Lucas had been proud of his laboratory. It was his safe place, his temple.

But Patrick's laboratory? It was beyond his comprehension. There were rows and rows of apparatus that stretched forever.

Lucas couldn't even see the end. He couldn't recognize some of the machines and for a moment, he wondered if he was dreaming.

Why did everything look familiar, yet not at the same time?

"So? How's it?" Patrick asked, his eyes twinkling in joy. He resembled a kid who was waiting to be praised.

"I have only one word to say." Lucas didn't hide his admiration as he met Patrick's hopeful gaze. "Incredible!"

"Thanks."

"Come. Let me show you around."

Lucas noticed they weren't the only ones in the lab. There were a few other people who were deeply involved in their work.

"They are in charge of preparing the tranquilizers," Patrick explained. "It seems we'll have to make some modifications, now that the fiends have become immune to them."

Lucas had assumed Patrick would show him around his lab. Instead, he was led to the farther end, to a closed door.

Patrick didn't explain, and neither did Vance or Ryker. Lucas stood beside them confused, waiting to see what they were up to.

"This is my space. No one is allowed here." Patrick exclaimed and approached the door and the facial recognition started working instantly.

The doors parted and Patrick entered first, followed by Vance and Ryker. 

Lucas was the last to enter.

"Welcome to my abode. This is where I conduct research on Project A.E.G.I.S."