I13DT: The Shadow Over Thornhurst

[Narrator]

There is a passage below the observation deck.

[Will Stanton]

"Onward! Before he has a chance to get away!" Will said, leading a charge.

[Stan Bowen]

"Will, not so fast!.."

Stan came along, with the unconscious investigator on his shoulder.

[Theresa McMasters]

Theresa moved, letting the wind propel her along behind Will for a bit, before dropping to the ground to run after him.

[Nash Riley]

Nash stayed back didn't run after Will.

[Sara Stanton]

"Don't split up, stick together everyone!" Sara shouts as she runs after Will.

[Stan Bowen]

"...damn it. Nash, help me out here.."

With the student's help, they followed along, as quickly as possible.

[Narrator]

The passage leads to a stairwell that obviously lead up to the observation platform, but also keeps going ahead. A trail of blood drops, barely visible on the dark floor, indicate Karpov's escape route down the passage.

[Sara Stanton]

"Doctor Bowen, see if he had any controls up there to release the villagers, we'll stop him from getting away!" Sara shouts over her shoulder, hurrying down the passage.

[Theresa McMasters]

Theresa seems intent on sticking with Will, trying to her best to keep up.

[Narrator]

The passage leads the pursuing team members onward.

The others soon find themselves in a once comfortably furnished observation room. Theresa's storm had done quite a number on the place, toppling furniture and throwing papers all over the place. A strangely organic-looking computer terminal of molded metal and glass by the closed viewing window sits miraculously unharmed.

[Nash Riley]

Nash walks up to the computer and takes a closer look at it.

[Narrator]

The display shows a variety of controls surrounding a map of the facility, which is laid out like a giant alchemical circle. It's even in English for once.

Notable Options:
- Security Camera Control
- Pathing Lights Control
- Nanite Control
- Power Status
- Cryochamber Status
- Self-Destruct Sequence Activation

[Nash Riley]

Nash looks further at Nanite Control.

[Stan Bowen]

Stan comes up behind Nash, ready to offer his assistance.

[Narrator]

The view zooms out to include the town to the south. A multitude of green dots appear with a large concentration in the facility. Zooming back in puts them in the arena's stands.

There are four options:
- Issue Command
- Adjust Compliance
- Relay Status
- Emergency Kill Switch

[Nash Riley]

He first selects Relay Status.

[Narrator]

Code: Select all

Nanite Control Relay A
Power: On
Operational Status: 100%
Capacity Remaining: 80%

Nanite Control Relay B
Power: On
Operational Status: 100%
Capacity Remaining: 30%


[Nash Riley]

Nash sees if he can turn the power for both relays to off from this menu.

[Narrator]

He can! How convenient Karpov didn't log out. The townspeople in the facility are probably very confused and scared right now. Also, that guy Sara trapped in the street.

[Nash Riley]

Nash looked over the map and security camera feeds to find a way out.

[Stan Bowen]

"Good, good.."

Stan approved of Nash's choices so far.

[Narrator]

The main entrance at the north end of the facility is easily located and appears to have been guarded by controlled civilians. The arena chamber is in the north section as well.

[Nash Riley]

Nash looked at pathing lights control, to try a set the lights to show a path to the exit.

[Narrator]

That is easy to accomplish. Soon the group has reunited and successfully led the frightened townsfolk out of the facility. All that is left is to destroy the vile place.

[Nash Riley]

Before initiating the self destruct Nash tries to figure out just what it will do, to know just what will be a safe distance.

[Narrator]

No such luck. It's best everyone just runs like hell.

[Nash Riley]

In that case Nash isn't about to activate the self destruct, if someone else wants too they can do it themselves.

[Stan Bowen]

"Good call. The self destruct is a bit of overkill, I'd say. Let's get going and meet the others."

[Narrator]

(Exposition Time!)

As the team leaves the facility behind, three figures watch from a copse of trees on a hill along the road back to town.

The German lowers his binoculars. "Scheiße. They have Citrinitas as well."

"Worry not Nigredo, she is resourceful enough to avoid revealing anything until she can escape," the cloaked man beside him responds.

"Uhh... and Albedo?" the giant Russian asks dumbly.

"He has partaken of the Elixir and part of my flesh has become of his flesh. He will return to us eventually, one way or another. Until then, let us proceed as planned," the cloaked man says. He looks back to the distant X-Men. "My homunculus wasn't sacrificed for nothing. I promise you that, dear X-Men."

"And I have all the time in the world."

(And that's a wrap.)