Colossus By Design: Season 2 - Log 145

[July 8, 2166]
[Former Axis Alliance Headquarters]
[Australian Outback]
[Australia]
[Open Territory - G.U.D.]

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Out in the inhospitable Australian Outback, a contingent of the G.U.D.'s Civil Defense Force, as well as accompanying forensic scientists and investigators, has been dispatched to investigate a lead on the terrorist conglomerate known as the Axis Alliance; this was only possible due to a trace put on a COMMS line at S.T.A.R. Labs.

Although a squad of heavily armed C.D.F. militia wouldn't ordinarily be called in to investigate and almost assuredly scrubbed lead, the Global Union of Divisions has decided to not take any chances with regards to this threat to global stability.

After several days of preparation, travel, and diplomatic bargaining, the investigation team has finally made visual contact with the former headquarters of the terrorist conglomerate. As expected, it appears to be completely abandoned and as rundown and off-the-grid as a secrete hideout can be in this modern age of surveillance and awareness.

Because of the hostile conditions of the Australian Outback, the dispatched group is only composed of Synthetics.


(Cpt. Angelo Antonio-2): Target area confirmed. We have visual.

(Gnl. Rico Rasczak): [COMMS] Copy that. Proceed with investigation, and maintain all necessary precautions. Over and out.


One of the civilian Synthetic investigators walks up to the lead captain of the C.D.F. contingent with datapad in hand; the captain turns his head to meet her gaze.


(Cpt. Angelo Antonio-2): What is it?

(Helen Stockman-31): I've been compiling data on the atmospheric makeup of the surrounding area of the abandoned Axis Alliance headquarters. There are signs of what used to be a habitable atmosphere, one that was likely made possible with precise Ki control from an abhorrently large entity.

(Cpt. Angelo Antonio-2): A rogue Guardian Sentinel or undocumented Kaiju?

(Helen Stockman-31): Perhaps. Unfortunately, because we couldn't really monitor this region without doing what we're doing right now, we'd never know for sure.

(Cpt. Angelo Antonio-2): Well, put it in your report anyway. Alright, we are moving in, people! Get ready, and expect the unexpected!


The investigation contingent moves in to secure and survey the site; the civilians remain clustered in the middle of the group for their own protection.

The first thing everyone notices are burnt scars all around the abandoned warehouse. However, what distinguishes them from normal heat scarring from plasma weapons is the consistency of the marks; they're consistently patterned in something of a circular pattern around the whole area. One of the forensics experts takes a closer look and scans these strange marks with his datapad to determine what exactly could've created these deep wounds in the ground.


(Helen Stockman-31): Is this what I suspect we're looking at?

(Vincent Cappelli-80): I believe so. The data shows faint but noticeable imprints of a foot. The intense heat scarring and consistency around the whole area suggests that we have a Post-Human with extremely high speed. And the sheer volume and blurring of these tracks can only mean one speedster. Zoom.


At the utterance of this name, many of the lower-ranked C.D.F. militiamen and civilian investigators start to murmur and whisper to oen another; there are clear signs of worry and nervousness in their vocal tone.

The other C.O.s are quick to try and dispel the rabble, though Captain Antonio-2 remains in deep thought.

Finally, the lead officer makes the call.


(Cpt. Angelo Antonio-2): Alright, that's enough! We came here to survey this area and look for evidence to help the G.U.D.'s case against the Axis Alliance, and that's exactly what we're gonna do!

(C.D.F. Militiamen): YES SIR!

(Cpt. Angelo Antonio-2): Alright, I want an officer and a squad to every group of civilians present. Maintain visual and localized COMMS lines, and search every little corner of this perimeter.


The investigation contingent splits up into their assigned divisions; each group searches a different area of the premises. The lead captain's group in particular is moving towards one of the greenhouses located near the main warehouse; there's a cellar door next to it.

On Captain Antonio-2's signal, one of the privates opens up the doors; he continues to aim his stun rifle as he does this. At first, nothing happens for the longest time. All of a sudden, a huge vapour cloud of gas rushes out of the cellar opening, obscuring the Synthetics' vision and lowering their guard. After a few seconds, the cloud disperses.


(Cpt. Angelo Antonio-2): What the hell was that just now?

(Vincent Cappelli-80): It appears to have been a cloud of pure oxygen, along with particulates in the air that made it visible.

(Cpt. Angelo Antonio-2): Pure oxygen? That means Death Lilly. Okay, move in, make sure the civilians remain in the centre of formation.


The group goes down into the cellar, with weapons raised.

Some of the other investigating groups are nearby and pay no mind to the lead captain's contingent going into the cellar to search for evidence. However, the sounds of screams, gunfire, and static on the COMMS coming from the cellar opening get everyone's attention.