The lumber mill was situated on the main road leading into this side of the town, it being the first thing anyone entering the township would see. The world beyond this entrance was dominated by forest which fed the logging industry which in turn supplied the construction company that was responsible for the building of log cabins that dominated Polaris. The large cabin that Rorik had mentioned was on the opposite side of the street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most of the residential cabins the mercs had seen thus far were bungalows that had been cheaply thrown together for a baseline level of comfort. Most residents left their families in their home countries with the plan to send money back, the cabins here each being built for a single person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Chief\u2019s cabin had two floors, it having originally been a store front that had been converted into liveable space. The outside sported an expansive decking and a quaint balcony, the front of the house dominated by large floor-to ceiling windows on both floors. The decking had originally been used to display the wares of the shop but now had been converted into a small garden, potted plants shielding much of the lower windows. The place looked luxurious compared to the surrounding buildings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As The Chief approached the front door with plans to enjoy his afternoon off, he paused as he noticed the number of owls circling overhead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Chief was a slender blonde man, his skin nearly as pale as the snow he was standing in. He was still wearing his work uniform; a black suit with a black coat that had the Genetix logo emblazoned on the back. His sharp eyes scanned the windows but nothing seemed out of place besides the number of birds above him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unsettled, The Chief\u2019s hand came to rest on his firearm as he cautiously made his way up the decking\u2019s steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Upon reaching the door, he found it was open. The inside of the frame had been reduced to splinters, the door having been forced open. He drew his pistol, his throat tightening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There were two sets of snowy footprints running through the living room, disappearing into the kitchen. The Snow looked to be melting, suggesting that the intruders had been here for some time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He crept forward, following the trail deeper into the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He made it half-way through the living room when a floorboard creaked behind him. The Chief turned just in time for a large fist to slam into the side of his face, sending him sprawling over a foot rest, his head slamming into the oak wood floor. The last thing he saw before he passed out was a pair of feet clad in nothing but a pair of ratty socks silently strolling towards him\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When he awoke it quickly became clear that he was no longer in his lavish abode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He was in a warehouse of sorts. The smell of lumber filled his nostrils. The surface he was lying on was curved, ropes holding him in place. The sound of bickering met his ears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis guy ever gonna wake up?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou were the one to put him to sleep. Why\u2019d you hit him so hard?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI thought he could take it, didn\u2019t I! How was I supposed to know he\u2019d drop like a sack of potatoes!?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShh, he\u2019s moving\u2026\u201d The Chief thrashed his head around for a better look at his surroundings, quickly becoming aware that his mouth had been tapped shut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMMPH!\u201d he locked eyes on his assailants. There were two of them: a slim red-headed woman who was sitting on a pile of wooden planks, a bored expression on her ruddy face and a tall man wearing goggles and a stupid hat. The Chief\u2019s gaze settled on the bionic arm and he very quickly pieced together who these two were, the security chief struggling against his bindings with a renewed panic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOi! C\u2019mon, mate, there\u2019s no need for that! We haven\u2019t even started yet!\u201d Doug\u2019s voice chastised the bound man as the mercenary strolled over, his human hand coming to rest on the prisoner\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLook, yard\u2019s closed, innit? No workers in the mill today. No one\u2019s around to hear you so you may as well save your breath,\u201d Doug was leaning over the man now, his head appearing upside-down to his captive as he stood by the top of the log he was tied to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow, me and my friend over there just have a few questions and we hear you might be able to answer them! If you behave then we\u2019ll tuck you back in your fancy cabin and leave you be, no harm no foul, right?\u201d he smiled innocently at the security chief, the expression slowly taking on a more sinister air as the mercenary proceeded, \u201cbut, if you scream or otherwise piss us off by misbehavin\u2019, then…well…I\u2019ve got this new toy I\u2019m itching to have a play with!\u201d he pointed with his bionic hand, the Chief\u2019s gaze following the length of the prosthetic until he laid eyes on the large buzz saw at the end of the contraption he was currently on top of. He was tied to a log that was resting on a conveyor belt. The man let out a muffled yelp upon laying eyes on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow then,\u201d Doug leaned down closer to the man\u2019s face, \u201cI\u2019m going to take the tape off, alright?\u201d he pulled the tape off in one quick motion, the Chief gasping in pain and for air before screaming at the top of his lungs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHELP! SOMEBODY HELP! GET ME OUTTA-\u201d tape was slammed back onto his face so forcefully that the Chief thought his teeth would bruise. Doug made a \u201ctsk tsk\u201d noise with his tongue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI warned you mate, this is on you!\u201d chirped the soldier as he strolled over to the controls for the saw. The Chief craned his head to see what Doug was doing. The sound of the blade starting to rotate filled the space. The log the man was tied to lurched forward as Doug hit the button to activate the conveyor belt, the look on his face reminiscent of a child pulling apart an insect out of pure curiosity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The blade inched closer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wood began to chip off the log as it met the steel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Chief squealed in anticipation, his eyes tightly closed to the point that tears were beginning to well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He let out another squeal as the log lurched to a halt and continued for an embarrassingly long time before he realised that it wasn\u2019t due to hitting the saw blade. Everything had been shut off. The Chief risked a peak to see the red head with her hand on the controls for the conveyor belt, McCracken stood behind her with his arms folded over his chest. Both were staring at him awkwardly, waiting for him to stop squealing long enough to ask a question or two. The Chief settled down into a series of soft whimpers before finally falling silent, the redhead struggling to remain patient in her role as good cop where as the bad cop, aka Doug, was biting his lip to hold back his amusement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI can\u2019t keep my partner here from having his fun for long so I suggest you give us something\u2026\u201d she stated, trying to sound like someone taking their designated role seriously but clearly finding it hard not to sound annoyed. Doug didn\u2019t need to try very hard to look the part as he was itching to push past her and press the button again if only because he found their captive\u2019s squeals funny. The Chief gulped and nodded, allowing Doug to remove the tape once again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWh-what do you want?\u201d his voice was shaky and uneven, terror permeating it. Doug couldn\u2019t help but grin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLet\u2019s start with something simple,\u201d Kate began, ignoring whatever face Doug was making behind her back, \u201cWhat is it Genetix does exactly? What sort of company are they?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd don\u2019t go acting the tough guy and messing about with a bunch of lies! We want answers here!\u201d pressed Doug, attempting to leer over Kate\u2019s shoulder. The Chief flinched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ll tell you whatever you want! Don\u2019t hurt me! Please!\u201d Doug seemed to deflate a little at the man\u2019s terror. He thought this guy was supposed to be a swaggering cock that would put up a fight. This was quite pathetic by comparison, Doug feeling bad for the guy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell…good…answer the question then…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey do genetic research, mostly. Sell gene therapies to pharmaceutical companies. Research and development into Bio-mechanical technology and interfaces. Develop modified crops and animals for the agricultural sector. One of their biggest clients is Aquarius Springs-\u201d a thought occurred, a determined expression rushing across his face \u201cYou don\u2019t want to fuck with one of the Pillar\u2019s associates! You\u2019ve already got the big one after you, you don\u2019t want to add another!\u201d the mercenaries shared a glance, McCracken starting to chuckle whereas O\u2019Donnell merely looked amused by this feeble attempt to scare them off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think Aquarius Springs are going to be coming to your rescue anytime soon, but we\u2019ll take it under consideration. What else can you tell us?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPreferably the stuff that ain\u2019t in the brochures your marketing guys hand out to Joe-Public,\u201d added Doug. The Chief squirmed against his bindings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI dunno what goes on in the basement levels, I just run security for the above-ground labs!\u201d he protested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat implies some seedy shit goes on downstairs\u2026\u201d observed Doug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cErr…I mean…there are rumours. PSF military contracts, human specimen that go downstairs and never make it back up, that sorta thing\u2026\u201d this caused Doug to make a chuffing noise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe PSF don\u2019t mess with soldiers\u2019 genetics! The Commander would never allow that bullshit!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t deal with the Commander but I\u2019ve seen PSF accountants and salesmen getting tours of the facility and have even gone down to the lower levels\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnderson, Maris and Flynne\u2026\u201d Kate muttered to herself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWho?\u201d Doug was staring at his companion in confusion. The gunslinger cleared her throat, clearly surprised Doug didn\u2019t know the names.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Board of Directors? Your Commander\u2019s Bosses? They\u2019re the ring leaders\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat would the Board want with Genetix?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, what do you think?\u201d this came from the Chief, \u201cHuman soldiers are squishy and die easily. The Board probably want to market a new breed of soldier; ones that heal faster and stay on their feet longer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIvan never would allow it-\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou think the Board tell him when they\u2019re thinking about making shady deals like this? They could sneak it in as part of a basic medical check up and you lot would be none the wiser!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFuck off!\u201d Doug was certain he\u2019d never been modified without his knowledge. He still had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach though and he was slowly becoming aware of how much his stab wound wasn\u2019t hurting\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is all speculation,\u201d interjected Kate, \u201cWe\u2019re after something more concrete. Is Salmanic one of Genetix\u2019s clients?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think so? I\u2019m not privy to the client list but I\u2019ve not seen any of their reps in well over a decade. Not since Old Victor was running the company,\u201d The Chief attempted a shrug but was hampered by his bindings. Kate\u2019s posture became more pensive as she mulled this over, one hand cupping her chin as she tried to align this information with what Gratin had already told them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHmm…what about the building\u2019s layout? It looked like it was split into different sections?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cErr, yeah,\u201d The Chief seemed to be more relaxed now if only because Doug wasn\u2019t poised over the controls any more. He was absorbed in the conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere\u2019s Specimen containment which is where all our live test subjects are kept but I only have access to a few floors. Then there\u2019s the lab block where we test and develop all the stuff I mentioned before. Warehouses and the delivery hub is another sector and then there\u2019s the bio-dome where we grow all the GM crops we\u2019re creating. We also have an in-house production centre with a 3D printing suite for the new tech we\u2019re making. Then in the centre is the Central Hub. I think it\u2019s mostly admin but access is majorly restricted\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMore dodgy experiments?\u201d Doug guessed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOr it\u2019s where central processing for all their data is?\u201dposited Kate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat last one, yeah. The ground floor has all the staff rooms and facilities but upstairs is where the bosses live. I think all the staff that works up there live in the facility too? I never see anyone leaving except the security personnel for that area. Those guys creep me the fuck out\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBit too into their job?\u201d this came from Doug, the soldier looking bored by the conversation at this point and was absent mindedly scratching at some of the rust on the console.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI dunno, they just seem like they\u2019re not all there? There\u2019s rumours that the Sisters like to keep some of the more interesting projects for themselves, could be their personal security teams have been modded to the point of not really being human any more?\u201d this didn\u2019t sit well with the mercenaries, Doug pausing mid scratch to exchange a glance with his partner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat kind of mods? Ones similar to what you were talking about with the PSF contracts?\u201d Kate asked, tension evident in her voice. The Chief nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBetter healing, reflexes, even their senses. Something\u2019s off about their eyes. The way they look at you, it\u2019s like they see right through you\u2026\u201d it was clear from the way he spoke that he had no evidence for any of this but the prospect was worrying to say the least. Especially as there was little doubt that the information they were seeking was going to be found in the Central Hub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd the Sisters you mentioned are the bosses? They own the company?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes but I\u2019ve never met them. No body has, at least not in my department. They never leave their sanctum in the Central Hub,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHmm. And what exactly do you have access to?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cErr, the entirety of the Lab block aside from the basement levels and the Central Hub\u2019s atrium?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGlad we\u2019ve already pinched your ID then!\u201d this came from Doug, the soldier laughing as he patted a pocket that The Chief could just make out his own wallet sticking out of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat? No! You can\u2019t-!\u201d he\u2019d lost a little colour in his cheeks, the implications of them using his ID cards hitting him like a tonne of bricks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think you\u2019d be surprised by how much we actually can do, mate!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut they\u2019ll know it\u2019s mine! I could lose my job!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBetter than what you might lose if you keep pissing us off!\u201d warned Doug jovially, \u201cnow, we\u2019re gonna show you a map and you\u2019re gonna tell us which bit is which and give us some directions for when we\u2019re inside. Then, if you play your cards right, we\u2019ll find you somewhere nice and cosy to stick you until all the fun is over, savvy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd if you don\u2019t, well, you\u2019ve seen how eager Doug is to play with those controls over there\u2026\u201d Kate added, the line of which mercenary was supposed to be good cop and which was the bad blurring slightly. The distinction wasn\u2019t helped by the fact that McCracken\u2019s tones had remained jovial throughout where as O\u2019Donnell was the cold and distant one. The Chief couldn\u2019t help but wonder if the roles would have been more clear if GR4-71N hadn\u2019t been suspiciously absent through this entire interview\u2026?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf it gets me off this damn log then I\u2019ll draw you a damn diagram but if anyone asks, I put up a fight, yeah? Don\u2019t let the higher ups know I caved this easily, please? I gotta rep to think about and I need the money too!\u201d Doug couldn\u2019t help but roll his eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSure, pal, if we stop to chit chat with the other security guards, we\u2019ll tell \u2018em how you nearly had us on the ropes for a sec there,\u201d he sarcastically reassured the man. The Chief failed to read Doug\u2019s tone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThanks, man, I appreciate it! Let me see that map then\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Twenty minutes later and the Chief was bound and gagged in the comfort of his own bathtub. It was mostly comfortable as the mercenaries had been considerate enough to give him one of his body pillows to lie on. He couldn\u2019t help but reflect that for wanted terrorists, they hadn\u2019t been all that bad. It could have been a lot worse. Now the question remained: how was he supposed to untie himself or would someone come get him before he found himself in a far more uncomfortable situation?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u204e \u204e \u204e<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There was bird song coming from outside. A sweet tittering noise that told the world that it was a bright sunny day and people should be going about their business. Silverton was far to preoccupied to appreciate it though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At some point in the last eleven hours he had shed his jacket and tie, rolled up his sleeves and loosened his collar. The library was dark and stuffy, thick curtains covering the windows. The walls were covered in shelves that were home to more books than an individual could possibly read in their lifetime, the subjects of which ranged from children\u2019s fantasy stories to tomes of engineering and the sciences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Silverton had spent hours of his youth in here, ignoring tutors whilst imagining what his future would be like when he was head of the family and held the title of most powerful person in the world. Now here he was, bent over the grand table in the centre of the library, sitting in the shadow of the display case that housed the map of his family lineage, surrounded by a multitude of empty coffee cups and piles and piles of his father\u2019s notebooks and mad ramblings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And they were mad. Victor Salmanic\u2019s mind had been akin to a maze, each thought branching out into strange pathways that could take you further and further away from the point of order until you were utterly lost in ramblings. Filing systems had been for cowards as far as Victor had been concerned, each page a tapestry of random ideas often with no connection to one another besides being featured on the same page. Notes were scrawled in every available place; in the margins, upside down between paragraphs, sideways footnotes crammed between the main text and the bottom of the page. Trying to find a particular detail was maddening and almost impossible, Silverton certain that his father did it on purpose just to make life difficult for anyone that wanted to read his private thoughts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n