Obscurum

Prologue: The Scientist's Warning

23rd May, 2008:
The quiet rustle of their feet moved forward as the soldiers crept upon the metallic walls of the structure looming ahead. Their hands tightly gripped their weapons, as their minds wandered, exploring the different possibilities of the monster they could face inside. They were all awaiting the order from their commander; then they would enter.

The commander, officer James O'Reilly, slowly made his way up to the bushes that lined the fence facing the entrance to the building; a large metal door, with the words "Craig Research Facilities" etched into the top. He was flanked by his two assistants, Wade Chambers and Roy Davenport.

Roy looked up at the gigantic structure, wondering how it had remained concealed from the eyes of the law for so long. He shook his head. It hadn't, really. It was just that nobody knew the depth of the monstrous activities that went on inside those cold walls. Under the tag of research, that man as doing things far more sinister than anyone had ever imagined. An investigation which had dragged on for three months and led them on way too many wild goose chases had finally opened the door on his cruelties.

"Charlie Craig," O'Reilly whispered, grunting.

"Seventy-five kids, sir. That man has seventy-five kids in there. Do you think all of them are even-" Roy was cut off by a sharp look from the leader.

"Alive?" he asked, "I don't know, Davenport. I don't know what that monster's done to those kids. But he and his men are capable of kidnapping seventy-five kids in a single day, so we know what that means for us. One false move, and this mission goes to hell. Follow my orders, and don't do anything to endanger the kids. I want every kid in there back with their families. Something happens to even one of 'em, and this mission is a failure."

Roy and Wade gave crisp nods. Roy was the youngest in the lot, being only twenty-eight. Wade wasn't too much older, but this was O'Reilly's last mission. He had planned his retirement after this.

"Alpha unit in position. Bravo, Charlie, Delta- do you copy?" he asked into his communication device. A static word of assent came from the three units. O'Reilly sighed. "Here goes," he muttered, as he crept up slowly, inching his way towards the door. Roy and Wade followed. O'Reilly gave a quick nod to Wade, as the man stepped forward, and immediately started working with the security mechanism on the gate. The technical equipment expert's hands flew across the tiny screen, and within a minute, the gate swung open.

The three of them walked through, their guns trained ahead, their fingers on the triggers.

"That's weird," Roy observed, "There aint a guard in sight."

O'Reilly nodded warily. "We can't linger on that. We need to get inside the building, then let the others in."

As Wade got to working on the mechanism on the door to the building, Roy couldn't shake the terrible feeling in his heart. He trusted O'Reilly, and the man knew hat he was doing, but even the mere thought of meeting Craig made his stomach twist. That guy was a psychopath. He'd kidnapped seventy-five kids on a single day, by sabotaging kids' parties. Around fifty of those kids had come from a school event, where they'd gassed the party-goers into unconsciousness.

A loud BEEP jarred Roy from his thoughts. The door was open. O'Reilly carefully took a step; for being such a big man, he had almost a soundless tread. Wade and Roy positioned themselves, looking into the pitch-black interior of the lab. The fact that they were executing this mission in the lightless hours of dusk meant no support of the sun, either.

"Chambers, get the frickin' flashlight out, will ya'? I can't see nothin'" O'Reilly barked.

"Oh, there's no need for that," a raspy voice called out, somewhere ahead of them. The three officers immediately swept their weapons to point in the direction of the voice, and before they could react any further, the electric hum of the lights greeted their ears as their surroundings became illuminated for the first time. Looking ahead, Roy's grip on his weapon tightened.