Flesh and Machine

[Tabris]

Jiangxi. A world scarred by the Phantom 'Empire', radiation made much of it uninhabitable, twisted the life forms that dwelt upon the surface. Yet despite the massive damage done the Coalition still found uses for the planet during the clean up.

Beneath a large estate belonging to Lt.Colonel Ben Warner, a large bunker that extended deep under ground lay hid, containing Dozens of Laboratories, Cold-Storage Rooms, A large armory that could equip a small Army with enough firepower to hold they're own. But the most dangerous thing of all, it housed a BAAL-Type AI Core in a large chamber near the bottom of the complex. The AI Core stood vigil, always watching as the Scientists labored intensely, trying to find the solution to 'The Phantom Problem'. Taking samples from many of the afflicted creatures in an attempt to isolate the energy signature of the Phantom weapon used.

Above ground, within the Mansion, Commissars patrolled the halls of the Bretonian-styled Mansion. The Mansion itself had a Gothic feel, like the mansions from a horror novel, the lighting did not fully reach the edges of the many rooms, the artistry of many of the paintings was dark, showing various states of violence and it's aftereffects.

The way into the Bunker was extremely well protected, behind the main staircase in the main hall was a large door, it's shiny metal surface bare aside from a Keypad and two indentations, as if something was to be placed in there like keys.


The AI began a new update of it's software, patching old 'bugs' in the system it had trouble dealing with on it's own, new features being added. But unknown to it during the transfer, something else came with the Update. The AI had no idea of this new intruder until it was branched out into it's primary systems. When it finally did notice it could do nothing but watch as this 'virus' took over the whole system, triggering the release of various specimens which due to heightened aggression caused by radiation twisting their minds, attacked and killed the scientists, above ground the Commissariat Guards had no warning as Nerve Gas was vented into the house, death was almost instantaneous.


Soon the entire estate was quiet, the Bodies of the guards litering the many hallways and rooms of the hero's home, the last thought the AI had before it was completely taken over and re-written was simple.

"Impossible..."