Echoes of the Unseen: The Forgotten Man

ＰＡＲＴ [09]: "The Secret Locker"

They launched 10 drones and implanted mapping sticks on the coast.

Caleb gave orders, saying, "Copy S1, map the route." S1 acknowledged, "Copy that." S1 then relayed instructions, "Copy, team 1, follow the route on your display." Caleb affirmed, "Copy that." He then urged, "Move."

The troop ran into the forest silently. After some distance,

S1 reported, "Copy, team 1, drone 3 was hit by something." Caleb expressed frustration, saying, "Copy that, f***."

Caleb used a mapping globe and threw it in the direction of Drone 3. The area started scanning, and then something was spotted. Caleb picked up his gun and looked at the map, then suddenly a baby animal came out. The troop breathed a sigh of relief.

The soldier remarked, "How cute the baby looks."

Caleb shot the baby on the spot, and the gunfire temporarily deafened the soldier, who regained his senses after some time.

Caleb shouted, "Move!"

They found an underground tunnel, and Caleb instructed his two colleagues to create a front barrier and ordered them to shoot anything in their way. All the way to the laboratory, the underground path sounded and lit up like fireworks. Many animals were killed in the process. Somehow, they reached their destination.

Caleb reiterated, "Ethan, check the server box.".

Ethan checked and then restarted the server box, and the whole laboratory lit up.

Caleb commanded, "Install a device into the server box and retrieve the map of the entire laboratory. Then,"

Caleb delegated control, saying, "Copy S1, you have control." S1 acknowledged, "Copy that."

The troops began searching all the main rooms, and within an hour, they found themselves in a dark, chamber-like room. Everyone went inside the chamber and started searching for a switch. Someone stepped on a table-like structure, and suddenly, a hologram appeared.

They began scrolling through pages and found a file named "Muted Doc" in which different fungi, viruses and newly formed bioweapons were registered. Among them, Ophiocordyceps was mentioned. After opening the file, there were many videos. They randomly played one of the videos.

VIDEO STARTED PLAYING

The video features Dr. Fiddass-e-rom, a chief biologist, who introduces himself by saying, "I am Doctor Fiddass-e-rom, a chief biologist working on the modification of Ophiocordyceps fungi. In the 18th human trial, we are going to integrate this fungus with a human without losing control over them."

Fiddass explains, "We are going to place the fungi inside the body by opening the outer lobe of the brain," while in the background, a man's shouting can be heard.

NEXT VIDEO

Fiddass can be heard saying, "... Where is the cloth?" as he cleans the lens, mentioning, "Sorry, my hands are bloody. Okay, now we are done with the operation and waiting for the fungi to react." Later, he expresses frustration, saying, ".. same result, again. This creature cannot be controlled."

Gas was released in the chamber, and that creature fell down.

Fiddass begins, "Let's open and see what's the problem. Ahhhh..Ooo.., focus the camera here. You can see this part of the brain is decomposed by fungi, therefore we can't......." and it appears that the statement is cut off.

The video was so disturbing that Ethan closed it. None of them expected what was to be shown in the video.

Caleb addressed a soldier, instructing, "Soldier, search every bit of the place, help the doctor with what they were sent here, and then get out of this f****** place." He concluded with a concise, "Go."

Everyone in the room started searching every corner, and then one soldier found a locker…

Caleb pulled back the soldier and tried to understand the locker.

Caleb communicated, "Copy, S1. We found a locker at the main experiment chamber." S1 acknowledged, "Copy that. Use the scanner and forward the details." Caleb confirmed with, "Copy that."

Caleb took the scanner from his soldier's hand and placed it in front of the locker. Unfortunately, the scanner failed to scan the locker, as it was made of highly resistant materials that blocked radioactive waves, X-rays, heat signature waves, microwaves, and many more.

Caleb inquired, "Copy, S1. Did you see the scan results?" S1 confirmed, "Copy that, yes, we did." Caleb continued, "Copy, S1. Now, we're going to drill or use equipment to access the locker." S1 responded, "Copy that. Wait for further orders." Caleb acknowledged with, "Copy that."

While scientists aboard the ship analyzed the scan results, they couldn't find any definitive answers to their questions. Meanwhile, Caleb successfully drilled around the locker and removed it entirely. As he examined the locker from all sides, he heard a liquid sound and noticed tiny holes from which the sound was emanating.

Caleb reported, "Copy, S1. I drilled out the locker and heard a liquid sound inside." S1 acknowledged, "Copy that." Dr. Jackson, communicating from the ship, speculated, "Oh... It might be the antidote." Dr. Benjamin disagreed, saying, "No, it cannot be. Antidotes aren't stored in delicate glass containers where we can hear the contents." Scientists on the ship supported this, saying, "Yes, it's not the antidote."

A scientist grabbed the walkie-talkie from the officer and inquired, "How did you hear the sound? It's a soundproof locker, right?"

The officer took the walkie-talkie back, looking concerned, and replied softly, "Copy."

Caleb responded, "Copy that. No, it isn't soundproof. There are tiny holes in the locker."

The scientist snatched the walkie-talkie from the officer again,

The Officer urged, "Say copy, copy......"

A Scientist shouted a warning, "Be careful! That isn't a normal liquid, and those tiny holes aren't normal either. There's liquid explosive inside the locker, stored in very delicate glass. If that glass breaks, the liquid will come into contact with the air through those tiny holes, and everyone will die without a trace of your bodies."

Caleb acknowledged, saying, "Copy that. Quite brutal."

Caleb carefully placed the box on the table.

In this intense situation, the conversation unfolds as follows:

Caleb asked, "Copy, S1. What should we do now?"

Dr. Benjamin responded, "We have to retrieve the contents of the locker without harming ourselves."

Ethan offered a suggestion, but Caleb rejected it, saying, "No."

S1, in agreement with Ethan's input, said, "Copy, Team 1, Lieutenant, yes, Ethan, please proceed."

Caleb reluctantly agreed, stating, "Nice..."