The old university library stood like a forgotten monument to pre-Sundering Ironhaven; its classical architecture was not in harmony with the neon-lit modern structures that had sprung up around it.
Most of the building remained abandoned, and its upper floors were deemed structurally unsound after The Sundering's shockwave had cracked its foundation. But the basement level, reinforced to protect rare manuscripts, had survived intact, making it an ideal location for the Underground's clandestine research facility.
Elias approached cautiously, circling the building twice to check for Syndicate surveillance before entering through a service door that had been deliberately left unlocked. Inside, the air was thick with dust and the musty scent of decaying books. Instinct took over where conscious thought couldn't keep pace.
The wind picked up, howling between buildings and carrying stinging particles of pollution and debris. Emergency lights cast weak pools of illumination across the main floor, where empty shelves stood like skeletal remains of a bygone era.
Following Lysandra's instructions, he made his way to the basement archives. The stairwell was dark, forcing him to navigate by touch until he reached the lower level. Here, the "Historical Records" section was marked by a faded sign hanging askew from a single screw. Behind the shelving unit, just as Lysandra had described, was a concealed door leading deeper into the building's foundation.
The laboratory beyond was a stark contrast to the abandoned library above. Bright LED lighting illuminated a space filled with salvaged and repurposed equipment, centrifuges, spectrometers, and diagnostic tools arranged in workstations around a central analysis chamber. The technology was a mix of pre-Sundering university equipment and more modern devices likely stolen from Syndicate facilities.
Lysandra stood at the main workstation, her back to the door as she manipulated a holographic display showing molecular structures. She didn't turn when Elias entered, though the slight tilt of her head indicated she was aware of his presence.
"You're early," she said, continuing her work. "I said midnight."
"I prefer to scout locations before meetings," Elias replied, moving further into the lab. "Security precaution."
Now she did turn, her cybernetic eyes scanning him with that unsettling mechanical precision. "No mask tonight? No coat? I almost didn't recognize you without the whole 'vengeful specter' aesthetic."
Elias had indeed come as himself rather than the Wraith dressed in nondescript civilian clothes with a hood pulled low over his face. The Wraith's distinctive attire was too recognizable, too likely to draw attention with the increased Syndicate patrols in the Lower Districts.
"The Wraith is a target," he said simply. "I needed to move freely."
Lysandra nodded, seeming to approve of his pragmatism. "Well, you're just in time. I've completed the preliminary analysis of the Pandora strain." She gestured to the holographic display. "It's... remarkable. Terrifying, but remarkable."
Elias moved closer, studying the rotating molecular structure. Though he lacked the scientific background to fully understand what he was seeing, the complexity of the design was evident even to his untrained eye.
"Can you explain it in terms I'll understand?" The casual tone couldn't mask the tension underneath.
"I'll try."
Lysandra manipulated the display, highlighting specific components of the molecule. "Standard Oblivion Dust works by temporarily altering neural pathways and cellular structures. The effects are powerful but unstable hence the need for regular dosing and the eventual degradation of the host body."
She zoomed in on a particular section of the molecule. "Pandora is different. It contains a binding agent that integrates with the host's DNA, essentially rewriting genetic code to permanently accommodate the Dust. Once bonded, it becomes self-sustaining using the body's natural cellular repair mechanisms to maintain the integration indefinitely." Behind the professional demeanor, genuine concern flickered briefly.
"And the neural override component?"
Lysandra's expression darkened. "That's where it gets truly insidious."
She shifted the display to show a different structure. "This element creates artificial synaptic pathways directly to the brain's command centers. It's like... installing a backdoor into human consciousness. The right signal, the right frequency, and the subject becomes a puppet fully aware but unable to resist commands."
"So, basically like a sleeper agent?"
"Yes."
Elias felt a chill at the implications. "Can it be reversed? Once someone is exposed."
"Theoretically, yes. The override relies on specific frequency patterns to activate. Disrupt those patterns, and the subject should regain autonomy."
She hesitated. "But that's assuming they survive the initial bonding. The mortality rate is high because the genetic rewriting is traumatic. The body essentially tears itself apart and rebuilds."
"And the water supply delivery method? How would that work?" She chose her words carefully, revealing as little as possible.
Lysandra moved to another workstation, where a vial of the crimson Dust sat in a containment field. "They've modified Pandora to remain stable in water for up to seventy-two hours. It's designed to be absorbed through the mucous membranes: mouth, eyes, and even skin, with prolonged exposure. One drop in a thousand gallons would be enough to affect anyone who drinks, bathes, or even washes their hands." His words said one thing, but his eyes told another story.
The scale of the threat was staggering. The Underground relied on three main water distribution nodes that serviced the Lower Districts, exactly the targets the Syndicate had identified in their meeting.
"Can it be filtered out? Or neutralized somehow?"
"I'm working on that," Lysandra said, frustration evident in her voice. "The molecular structure is resilient, designed to withstand standard water treatment processes. But there might be a way to destabilize it using a counter-agent. Instinct took over where conscious thought couldn't keep pace." She chose her words carefully, revealing as little as possible. With those words, the advantage was suddenly his.
She moved to a third workstation, where various chemical compounds were being tested in sealed chambers. "I've been experimenting with different substances that might disrupt the binding agent. So far, the most promising is a compound derived from Nullsteel, the same material that disrupts your abilities." She chose her words carefully, revealing as little as possible.
"Nullsteel?"
Elias frowned. "The Syndicate controls all known deposits."
"Not all," Lysandra corrected. "The Underground has a small stockpile salvaged from damaged Syndicate weapons, mostly. Not enough to treat the entire water supply, but enough for proof of concept."
She turned to face him fully, her expression serious. "But developing a counter-agent is only half the solution. We still need to prevent the Syndicate from deploying Pandora in the first place. That means identifying the deployment sites, the personnel involved, and the timeline."
"I have some of that information from the Syndicate meeting," Elias said. "They mentioned three water distribution nodes, but not specific locations."
"That's where this comes in."
Lysandra moved back to the main workstation and pulled up a new display, the contents of the data drive Elias had taken from Captain Mercer. "I managed to decrypt portions of the data. It includes partial deployment protocols, security rotations, and some technical specifications for the delivery system. The neural interface is degrading."
Elias studied the information, mentally mapping it against his knowledge of Ironhaven's infrastructure. "These security rotations suggest they're planning to move the Pandora strain from the Syndicate Tower to the deployment sites twenty-four hours before activation. That gives us a window to intercept."
"Assuming we can identify the exact sites," Lysandra pointed out. "The data is incomplete. There are references to 'Node Alpha,' 'Node Beta,' and 'Node Gamma,' but no coordinates."
"We need more information," Elias concluded. "And we need allies. You mentioned Mirage, the Underground faction leader. Have you contacted her?"
Lysandra nodded. "She's agreed to meet with us. Tomorrow night, at a location called The Hollow."
"The Hollow?"
Elias had never heard of it.
"An Underground stronghold in the old subway tunnels beneath the financial district. It's where Mirage's faction is based." Lysandra's cybernetic eyes flickered. "She was... intrigued by the mention of Pandora. And by the prospect of meeting the Wraith."
Elias frowned. "I told you, I don't reveal my identity."
"And I told you, that might not be negotiable." Lysandra's tone hardened. "This isn't about your personal vendetta anymore. The Underground needs to know they can trust you—especially if we're asking them to commit resources to this fight."
The logic was sound, but it didn't make the prospect any less uncomfortable. Elias had maintained his anonymity for years, operating in the shadows where the Syndicate couldn't touch him. Stepping into the light, even among potential allies, felt like exposing a wound.
"We'll see," he said noncommittally. "For now, let's focus on what we know. The Syndicate is planning to deploy Pandora in six days. We need to identify the water nodes, develop a counter-agent, and formulate a plan to stop the deployment."
Lysandra studied him for a moment, clearly frustrated by his evasiveness but unwilling to push further. "Fine. I'll continue working on the counter-agent. In the meantime, there's something else you should see."
***
Any Kind of engagement is appreciated.