**Created by:** Genezhine **You Can Find Me At:** ‘genezhine’ or ‘gene’ --- DATE: SEPTEMBER 2048 LOCATION: Boreas Secret Facility TO: CPT LaSalle FROM: Antonov <br> ![[Phantasmagoria_01.mp3]] *“You lied to me. I trusted you.”* <br> I made it to the south west wing. I could hear harrowing screams echo throughout the claustrophobic corridors as my footsteps limped across the floor. Pain shot through my body with every step I took, something was not right. My flesh, what remained of it, showed signs of rejection against the machine. I could feel my now replaced optics flicker and induced a heavy headache that made me stop in my tracks to take a rest. I saw no sign of this supposed Paik. Was I too late, or too early, I couldn’t tell. Unrecognizable screams traveled through the facility, unlike anything I had heard prior. Something. Was. Not. Right. <br> ![[Phantasmagoria_02.mp3]] *“Damn you Captain! You only manipulate those around you to calm your own mind, reach your own goals. You are no different to Oz. You should be banished, burned, skinned, tortured, as I was. I trusted you, you promised me aid. Yet, there is no sign of it.”* <br> After some time had passed. I could hear a sudden burst of footsteps in the distance quickly ramping up to sprinting. I heard voices scream and incomprehensible shouts pierce my eardrums. They were closing in fast on my location. My stilt fell to the ground, I had no time to retrieve it, so I turned and ran in the opposite direction. <br> ![[Phantasmagoria_03.mp3]] *“The rebellion had begun. Liberation, freedom, resolve. Our mental pain was released. We scattered across the facility. The domes turned into battlegrounds. Panels crashing to the ground, security tried to hold us off. But we were superior. We were extraordinary.”* <br> I made it to stress testing. My prosthetics felt… healed. I was regaining strength in my limbs. This was unusual, but I had no time to reflect. Glowing eyes streaked in the dark hallways as I turned my head back as I ran. Smoke began to fill the dome, panels crashing down like bombs next to me. As I ran through the bordering section between the domes I could hear a voice call out on the speakers. One I had not heard before, at least, not in the same tone. I don’t remember the words, I could only focus on my hopeful escape. I needed to make my way to the laboratory and continue a bit further to reach the elevators. <br> ![[Phantasmagoria_04.mp3]] *“I suspect you might have made it to shore by now and we shall finally meet, optic to optic. I will make you realize why this is necessary, why it is inevitable. Humanity was the first step. This was always the plan. Behind the curtains, behind the war, the firestorms, the economy. Everything is linked.”* <br> I started feeling my nerves react in my arm, I could feel my artificial muscle respond to my movements even faster, even stronger. I encountered some of the stragglers in the laboratory behind the printers. It was almost as if they were hiding. They didn’t attack me when I came across them, instead they only looked up to me, oil on their clothing, white flakes on the ground below them. They were itching away at their faces, some had their bones exposed. Eventual cries were heard, and the woman in front of me wept and reached out to me for help. I recognized her even though half of her face was clawed away, I remember her helping me during my tough times in the beginning. I could only feel sadness for her but I knew it was too late to intervene. She had a minute or two left, at best. Please, LaSalle. I hope you are okay and are waiting for me outside this wretched place. I want to get away from here as soon as possible. I don’t want to disappoint you, please, I am not myself anymore. <br> ![[Phantasmagoria_05.mp3]] *“See you soon, Captain.”*