Chapter 10: Chapter 10 {Count}
*Aika's eyes narrowed as she studied the map, her mind racing with possibilities. She tapped on the holographic screen, and a list of security personnel and their patrol routes appeared. "I'll create a diversion in the west wing," she said to herself. "That should draw the guards away from the laboratory."*
With a few swift keystrokes, Aika hacked into the estate's security system, creating a fake alert in the west wing. The sound of alarms echoed through the corridors, and the guards rushed to respond.
Aika smiled to herself, satisfied with the diversion. She then turned her attention to the laboratory, her eyes scanning the map for any hidden dangers.
"I'll need to be careful," she thought.
"I don't know what kind of security measures they have in place."
As she continued to study the map, Aika's earbud crackled to life.
"Mistress, this is Eddy," the AI's voice said.
"I've detected a strange energy signature coming from the laboratory. It's not part of the estate's usual security protocols."
Aika's eyes snapped to attention.
"What kind of energy signature?" she asked, her voice low and urgent.
"It's some kind of containment field," Eddy replied.
"I'm not sure what it's designed to hold, but it's definitely not standard issue."
Aika's mind was racing. What could the laboratory be hiding? And what was the purpose of the containment field? She knew she had to find out.
"Eddy, can you disable the containment field?" she asked.
There was a pause before Eddy responded.
"I'll try, Mistress. But I need to warn you, it's a high-risk operation. If I fail, it could trigger a security lockdown."
Aika's jaw set in determination.
"Do it," she said.
"Shadow Ace, it's Lu Fox speaking how can I help the big boss," A male voice asked. Lu Fox walked for her The Red Rose Hacker Alliance.
Aika's voice was firm and commanding, her tone brooking no argument.
"I need this information, Lu. The Frost Family is hiding something, and I aim to find out what it is. Use all of the Alliance's resources to get me everything you can on that laboratory and what's behind the containment field."*
Lu Fox's voice was steady and calm, his tone professional.
"Yes, Shadow Ace. I'm on it. I'll get you everything we have. But I have to warn you, the Frost Family has some of the best security in the business. This won't be easy."
Aika's smile was cold and calculating.
"I didn't become the leader of the Red Rose Hacker Alliance by being afraid of a challenge, Lu. Get me the information, and get it to me now."
There was a pause, and then Lu Fox spoke up again.
"Shadow Ace, I've got something. The laboratory is being run by a Dr. Elara Vex, a leading expert in... wait for it... magical energy containment."
Aika's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with possibilities.
"Magical energy containment? What does that mean, Lu?"
Lu Fox's voice was cautious.
"I'm not entirely sure, Shadow Ace. But from what I've been able to dig up, it seems that Dr. Vex is working on a way to contain and control magical energy. But there's something more, something that's not quite right about this whole thing."
Aika's grip on her earbud tightened, her knuckles white with tension.
"What is it, Lu? What's not right?"
Lu Fox's voice was barely above a whisper.
"I've found a reference to something called 'Project: Eclipse'. I don't know what it is, but it seems to be connected to the laboratory and the containment field. And Shadow Ace, I think it's big. This could be the biggest thing we've ever seen."
"Perfect send me the location I am going to blow it up," Aika said with a smirk she sat down on a top building as she stared at the estate and sucked on the lollipop.
Aika's eyes sparkled with excitement as she stood up, her gaze fixed on the estate. She tucked the lollipop into her mouth and began to walk towards the edge of the rooftop, her long coat fluttering behind her. Lu Fox's voice came through the earbud again.
"Shadow Ace, I'm detecting multiple security patrols in the area. You'll need to be careful."
Aika's smirk never wavered as she reached the edge of the rooftop and leaped off, her body arcing through the air as she soared towards the estate. She landed with a soft thud on the roof of the east wing, her eyes scanning the area for any signs of security.
She spotted a ventilation shaft nearby and sprinted towards it, her movements swift and silent. She opened the vent cover and slipped inside, finding herself in a narrow, dimly lit duct.
Aika's eyes adjusted to the darkness as she began to crawl through the duct, her ears straining to pick up any sounds of security patrols. She knew that the laboratory was just a few floors down, and she was determined to reach it undetected.
As she crawled, Aika's mind flashed back to the days when she was a prisoner in this very estate. She remembered the cruel treatment she had received at the hands of the Frost Family, and her determination to destroy them grew.
She reached a vent cover that looked out into a laboratory, and her eyes widened as she took in the sight before her. Rows of workstations were lined up, each one cluttered with various pieces of equipment and strange devices. In the center of the room, a large containment field hummed with energy, surrounded by a team of scientists in white coats.
Aika's eyes locked onto the containment field, and a cold smile spread across her face. She knew that this was what she had been searching for. She took a deep breath, her mind focusing on the task at hand.
It was time to blow it up.
Aika's eyes sparkled with excitement as she set the spell in motion. The containment field began to glow with a soft blue light, and a countdown timer appeared on the wall, ticking down from 30 seconds. The air was charged with magical energy, and the scientists in the room began to panic, realizing too late what was happening.
Aika's smile grew wider as she stepped back from the containment field, her eyes fixed on the countdown timer. The scientists were frantically trying to shut down the spell, but it was too late. The magical energy had already reached a critical point, and the air was charged with an intense, electric tension.
"The Frost Family's secrets are about to be revealed," Aika said, her voice dripping with satisfaction.
The countdown timer reached 10 seconds, and the room fell silent, except for the sound of the scientists' panicked breathing.
5... 4... 3... 2... 1...
The room erupted in a blinding flash of light, and the containment field exploded in a shower of sparks. The sound of the explosion was deafening, and the ground shook beneath Aika's feet.
As the dust settled, Aika surveyed the destruction she had caused. The laboratory was in ruins, and the scientists were stumbling around, trying to make sense of what had happened.
Aika smiled, satisfied with the chaos she had unleashed. She turned to leave, but not before catching a glimpse of a figure watching her from the shadows. A figure she knew all too well.
"Looks like we're not alone," Aika said, her eyes narrowing.