Classroom 102

“It’s the same.” Elena observes a sample taking from Nozomi, Liang’s daughter.

After some time, the behavior of the cells was the same as that of Matteo. For both to have the same illness is strange, the geniuses wonder if more are affected by this but only the two younglings are known to have the illness so far.

“Do you think we can find something?” Liang asked.

“We must. The others won’t bother us either, we can focus on this. Unless, has Veronica asked anything of you?”

“No, she’ll find all she needs in the class anyway.”

“102… that may be the most dangerous place on earth.”

The radiation of the area around the university housing classroom 102 is some of the most intense on the planet. Furthermore, the very air is heavier, even gravity is affected by the worst of human decisions.

Four individuals walk through the forbidden zone. Each wearing large radiation suits and headgear equipped with technology that allows them to breathe. The equipment is necessary to enter a forbidden zone but rare and was made as a prototype during a time no one believed a war like the Tear in History could happen.

“These things won’t break on us, right?” Julian asked.

Along with their radiation suits, each member of their group of four is equipped with exoskeleton pieces for their legs. Veronica and Esperanza wear original pieces while Julian and Isha wear custom made parts made by Elizabeth from using the rest of the two exoskeletons collected.

“If it does, I’ll shoot you in the head myself.” Isha said.

“And I’ll carry you to the border so others can pick you up.”

“You idiot, don’t get so romantic now.”

They group continue for the university now within sight. Walking on foot, the journey has been about half an hour as most vehicles, like the hoverboards, are known to fail inside the forbidden zones. No matter, the exoskeletons take much of the energy toll away from the wearer, they could walk for weeks before needing to rest.

“Wow. It was a really nice school.” Esperanza said.

They stand at the university entrance. One of the most prestigious of the time, the faculties are made with medieval architecture style. Tall towers, piercing roofs, and beautiful designs made by some of the earliest students of the university.

Despite the grand architecture, classroom 102 lies in much more simple building just left of the school gates.

“They’re closed.” Veronica said.

The gates have been closed and chained. On the other side of the gates, the building housing their target has been fortified with wooden panels on some windows, the path to the building has wooden barricades, and,

“Are the lights on?” Isha asked.

An impossibility right before their eyes, but one that bears terrible assumptions. Someone is inside and capable of powering the building inside a forbidden zone where most things die.

“Keep your guards up.”

The group tears through the chains keeping the gate shut using small energy blades. Useful tech, but their energy sources were never perfected and they burn out after a few uses.

“We should get those geniuses to make us some weapons.” Julian said.

“Please, those idiots would never even consider it. But I’m sure we’ll find blueprints for some inside. Let’s go.”

The group makes their way inside the lighted building. The halls are clean and well lit, still affected by radiation but somewhat livable for anyone with a radiation suit.

Checking every corner and room, the group continues forward until they reach room 102 at the left end of the hallway. The room itself is also clean, the board at the front has a list of supplies needed written in chalk. Filters, first aid supplies, canned food, anything needed to bunker down.

“What kind of idiot would live here?” Julian muttered.

“Doesn’t matter.” Veronica walks behind the front desk and presses a button hidden within a shelf.

The student seating splits, revealing a staircase heading down and lit by blue fluorescent lights.

“Wow! How’d you know that?” Isha asked.

“Bell told me, said they created a hidden lab for themselves. They had all the funding in the world alongside the support to do it. That’s why they stopped using this classroom by the time I got here.”

“You went here? You’re a lot older than I thought.” Julian laughs until getting hit in the ribs by Esperanza. “Sorry, sorry. Never knew Veronica was the university type is all.”

“I’m not. But I had the opportunity to visit once or twice. Come on.”

At the end of the staircase is a lab large enough to house every genius it was made for alongside having an individual workspace and a common area at the center. Advanced computers, every tool and machinery imaginable, and large pods that contain,

“Is that a brain? Yuck!” Isha gags at the sight.

“Probably the work of Anastasia. He was focused on neuroscience. He was all about unlocking our potential, I heard one day he just stopped. Esperanza, here.” Veronica tosses blueprints at Esperanza. Every sheet she can find is taken.

Afterwards, she accesses the computers and makes copies onto small drives. Three in total, one to fool the geniuses, one for themselves, and another for backup.

“Think they’ll try and keep it from us?” Esperanza asked.

“They’ll try and fail. That was always their greatest mistake, they tried so hard to limit what they gave away, they’re not who decides what is allowed. Everyone deserved this knowledge; could have made a difference.”

“Woah! Veronica!” Julian calls out from a section near the end of the lab.

There, the group finds a wall with weapons.

“Unbelievable.” Veronica mutters.

Advanced weapons, smart guns, plasma guns, energy weapons, cybernetic enhancement weapons, the genius of weapon development has some of his most prized creations sitting on the wall.

“Imagine if these made it to the war.” Julian said as he grabbed a sword like energy weapon. “Don’t mind if I do.”

“Grab what you can carry.” Veronica said. She grabs a small pistol for herself, Esperanza an axe like weapons, and Isha a small machine gun.

“Too bad we can’t carry more.” Isha said.

“We can always come back, or make more.” Veronica waves her memory drive in the air. “Come on, won’t want to use more of our filters than necessary.”

The group makes way for the building exit, their mission successful despite the strangeness of the well-lit building. Whatever answers to the mystery matter not to them, Veronica now holds an incredible piece for the success of her mission.

They stop at the hallway leading to the front door, each reaching for their weapons. At the door stands a large figure wearing a white radiation suit, above it a hefty exoskeleton unlike any the group had ever seen.

The figure stares at the door before turning his attention to the group walking down the hallway. within a split second after eye contact, Julian is pinned against a wall, a blade extending from the person’s arm piercing him.

“Gahh!”

“Julian!” Isha uses her new machine gun but their opponent deploys an energy shield.

“You looked away!” Julian uses his energy blade to cut the arm blade, only succeeding in cutting it from the armor however.

“Get Julian!” Veronica yells to Isha.

“Veronica!” Esperanza tackles Veronica away from a blade strike.

“Esperanza! Are you ok?”

“I’m fine.”

“Esperanza, get her out of here!” Julian gathers himself with the help of Isha.

“What?! Wait!” Veronica resists but is too weak to free herself as Esperanza runs away with her.

“Veronica!” Isha and Julian yell in unison. “We believe in you!”

Julian and Isha stare at their opponent. Battle against an exoskeleton is guaranteed defeat for those without the technology, yet the two never falter. With blade in stomach, Julian rushes forward. Behind him, Isha provides support, their battle only one to stall for time.

“Fuck!” Veronica tosses an empty bottle at the wall as they wait for the light train.

“I’m sorry.”

“No! No. I’m sorry. I never thought we’d go up against something like that.”

“No one could have predicted that. Julian and Isha would have only sacrificed themselves for you, so please don’t blame yourself.”

Veronica rests her head against the wall. She reaches for another bottle, her solace found in losing memories of the moment. In losing control of her emotions.

“Just give me a moment.”

“Mhmm.” Esperanza smiles. Her vision blurry, body aching. The mission came at great cost, but even so, she is willing to pay it many times over.