The Cracks of Doom - Part 1
Posted on Sat Oct 26th, 2024 @ 2:50am by Charles Xavier & Connor Bruin & Hank McCoy & Kurt Wagner & Hayden Davis & Ethan Hale & Aurora Summers & Kennedy Kelly & Maeve MacKenna & Meja Vikström & Kayleigh Marshall & Bliss Hawkins
5,135 words; about a 26 minute read
Mission:
Episode 5: Days of Fortune Past
Location: various
Timeline: November 6th/7th, 1990
November 6th
Hank McCoy’s footsteps echoed down the mansion’s halls, his expression taut with urgency. He’d been pacing the lower levels for days, poring over notes, re-running simulations, and trying to find a solution for Warren’s horrific transformation. Now, at long last, he had come to the conclusion he dreaded most—there was only one place left to go, and only one man who might hold the key to undoing the Prime Sentinel technology: Victor Von Doom.
Bursting into Xavier’s office, Hank’s voice trembled with both exhaustion and resolve.
"Hank?" asked the Professor with no small amount of concern.
“Charles..." Hank gasped more in desperation than exhaustion, "we need to go to Latveria.”
Xavier furrowed his brow, seeing the distraught look on Hank's face as well as the perseverance in his heart. "Tell me everything."
On the following day, the War Room filled with the steady hum of activity as the X-Men were gathered around the central table. Professor Xavier had been quite busy the previous day with an arduous research project. The atmosphere was tense as they waited to learn what came next in the rollercoaster of events from the past month.
Professor Xavier, calm but grave, began to speak. "Our next move will take us to the Eastern Bloc nation of Latveria." He brought up a national profile on the War Room computer for them all to see. "Latveria is celebrating the anniversary of the communist revolution in two days’ time. The National Assembly, led by Premier Lucia von Bardas, will be on high alert due to military parades and heightened security. The capital city of Hassenstadt will be crawling with troops, making any covert operations difficult. Yet, it is imperative that we strike now."
Xavier’s eyes swept the room, locking with each of his students, his tone unwavering. "Hank has informed me that during his time... away, he was forced to work within Castle Doom’s labs, contributing to the very nanotechnology that transformed Warren into the Omega Sentinel. Those labs still contain the research necessary to reverse the process—if we can retrieve it."
He paused, letting the weight of the situation settle in. "Our mission is twofold: infiltrate Castle Doom, locate Victor Von Doom, and secure the release of the Prime Sentinel nanotech. The nanotech must be neutralized before it spreads any further, and Warren... before he's lost to us forever."
Xavier’s expression softened, though the severity of his message remained clear. "This will not be an easy mission. Latveria is a powder keg, and Castle Doom is heavily fortified. But if anyone can succeed, it is you, my X-Men."
He paused then to allow for questions and responses. Hank remained quietly stoic, his eyes locked on the computer display screen while he lost himself in thought.
Given her pregnancy Aurora was starting to wonder just how much longer she’d be able to accompany the rest of the team without becoming a liability, or putting her son at risk. “Professor, as much as I want to help I’m just becoming a liability to the rest of the team.” She looked towards Connor. “Connor, I want to go, I really do. I just don’t want anyone getting hurt looking out for me.”
"That is why I have asked Kayleigh to accompany the team," the Professor said. "She performed well at the Freedom March. I believe her support role will aid the X-Men in this endeavor as well." Looking at Kayleigh, he said, "It is customary for each member of the X-Men have a codename. Is there one which stands out to you, Kayleigh?"
Kayleigh had been surprised to be called to the briefing, as a senior she was amongst the next line of students to take a place with the team, but she hadn’t expected it to be so soon. “Actually Professor having had time to think about it, I think maybe Ember?” She smiled. “Given my thermokinesis it seems to be a good fit.”
The association was plain enough to Connor who nodded in approval. "WELCOME TO THE TEAM, EMBER."
Hayden was nervous to say the least; the last mission didn't go so well for her. And now they were headed out of country to some place that literally had doom written all over it. "I've never heard of any of that. This isn't going to be like sneaking into a fancy mansion, is it?" she asked with a hint of dread in her voice.
"God, I hope not," Maeve blurted out. She was beginning to think that there would never be much downtime in this mansion, or with these people. Having taken a space next to Hayden she looked amongst the others present, more young faces than old and wondered why they were the only ones that ever seemed to be doing anything. The national news only ever seemed to spout nonsense they were dangerous and with the creation, or revelation, of these Prime Sentinels she felt it was only a matter of time before public opinion went the other way. "This place sounds like it's right out of a comic book."
"These are no Tales to Astonish," the Professor replied, a half smile at Maeve's quip on his face despite his attempt to maintain the gravity of the situation. "If Hank's hunch is correct, this mission may hold the key to stopping the Prime Sentinel threat."
With a nod from the Professor, the floor was given to Hank.
“Hassenstadt,” Hank began, his tone precise yet carrying an unmistakable edge of passion, “or more specifically, Castle Doom, is as fortified as one might expect from the name. The castle itself is an architectural marvel, both ancient and cutting-edge, a hybrid fortress that would make Machiavelli blush.” He smirked slightly, but there was little humor in it. The overhead satellite images zoomed in on the city surrounding the imposing structure.
“Kurt, your remarkable ability to teleport into fortified areas will get us into Hassenstadt proper, but once we approach the walls of Castle Doom, things will become… problematic.” Hank’s eyes flickered to Kurt, acknowledging his talents while setting the gravity of the situation. “The outer walls are no ordinary defenses. They’re laced with anti-teleportation shielding.”
Satellite pictures turned to three-dimensional block grids showing the hilltop on which the city was built, along with underground tunnels. "There is an abandoned underground within Hassenstadt below even the sewers. It is my recommendation that we make use of it and attempt to breach the subterranean levels of Castle Doom as opposed to an above ground infiltration."
He paused, pointing to the layout of the castle. “However, once we are within the castle walls, I propose a two-pronged approach. The north wing of the topside compound houses the main security hub. Disabling it will allow us to bypass initial detection to the secure labs below the mountain.”
The image on the screen shifted to the inner compound, zooming in on the labyrinthine structure. “We’ll need to move quickly and silently through the undercity. I have an... imprecise recollection of the castle's interior defenses, but it is enough to tell us that they rely heavily on motion and thermal sensors and biometric locks, both of which I studied extensively during my time as Doom's unwilling guest.”
His tone darkened for a moment, the memories of his time under direct control flashing through his mind, but he continued without faltering. “We need to enter through the west wing of the subbasement. The ventilation system there will be less guarded, though it has a thermographic defense grid that we will need to disable. I can recall its frequency from my time there—small details like that tend to lodge in the mind of an unwilling researcher.” He adjusted his glasses and sighed.
“Once inside,” Hank pointed to the blueprint on the screen, “we’ll need to divide our forces. One group will head upwards directly to the security hub and disable the main systems. This will be our priority to ensure our continued movement through the compound. The second team will proceed to the secure labs located beneath the castle where the Prime Sentinel nanotech is being developed. Those labs will be heavily defended, and not just with force fields. I can recall the basic layout...” Try as he might, the recollection made him flinch.
Blue fists clenched briefly before he regained control, and his voice took on a more fervent tone. “The castle is designed to break the will of any invader. But we are not just any invaders—we are the X-Men. And while Doom's defenses are designed to thwart teleportation, technological interference, and brute force, they are not infallible. My familiarity with the systems, combined with Nightcrawler’s abilities and the strategic use of the team, will allow us to get inside and reach our target.”
Having sat quietly throughout the entire explanation, Professor Xavier could remain silent no more. "Discretion is of the utmost importance here. It cannot be overstated that even if we have plausible deniability in an international incident, the free world may not. Untold multitudes of people may suffer for any misstep on our part."
In response, Hank's eyes gleamed with a fervor that bordered on obsession. “I am reminded, quite aptly, of Sun Tzu’s Art of War where he says, ‘In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.’
"Latveria is extremely militarized," the Professor said firmly. "If not for the Warsaw Pact and the interventions of the Soviet Union, Latveria would likely be another Somalia. While the X-Men is a transational crisis response and disaster prevention team, the fact we are based in a NATO aligned nation means that the stakes for this mission going wrong could be volatile. We are trying to put an end to Zero Tolerance, not ignite the Cold War." Looking at Connor, he said, "See to it that discretion remains the better part of valor."
Understanding the assignment and marveling at Hank's uncharacteristic belligerence, Connor replied, "YES, PROFESSOR. BUT WHAT IF WE DO ENCOUNTER ARMED RESISTANCE?"
That was a very difficult question. "Casualties must be at a minimum, whether they be military servicemen, private guards, or innocent civilians, but I want everybody coming home safe and sound..." He trailed off for a moment before saying, "Iris was awake for a few moments today and gives her regards to the team." She had suffered a traumatic brain injury during Kennedy's rescue and had remained bedridden since. It weighed heavily on Xavier whenever one of his students came to harm. "So it is with those regards that I urge the utmost caution at each and every step."
Kennedy examined the maps that Hank displayed from her position near the front of the War Room. Her mood was somber and focused during the briefing despite her lingering turmoil from the Gala. There was something about going on missions that stilled her mind and honed her senses, like a switch was flipped in her and the huntress took control. It was a welcomed feeling for Kennedy, like the complications of the world disappeared and everything was so much simpler. As the plan was laid out for them, she liked the idea of taking the high ground. Her skills were best utilized when she had height and distance between her and her foes. “I can act as a sniper for the security hub team. Any guards or response teams traveling through the open courtyards or up the roads to the castle will have to deal with me. And I suppose if you need demolitions in the lower levels, Kurt can bring me to you.”
Meja had sat quietly during the briefing so far. It was the first time in the War Room and she'd kept her head about her as the information, plans and strategies had started to play out. The main thing that had come to mind for her, she felt secure in her skill in subduing others in hand to hand combat. Thankful for the hard work and years that her father had dedicated to make sure she knew how to handle herself. Since being at the X-Mansion, she'd grasped how to control and use her mutant powers along with her physical strengths, having no doubt in her mind that she'd prove herself to be an asset to the X-Men when they acted on missions.
Bliss raised her hand and waited to be recognized.
"I'm sure it's just a stupid question, but I'm trying to think outside the box. These people in Latveria are heavily armed and most likely just as bad if not worse than the people we're already fighting. Since these super sentinels are trying to attack the whole world, mutants and humans alike, won't Latveria dealing with them eventually? In the interest of mutual cooperation and survival against a common enemy, couldn't we just ask for what we're looking for rather than assuming they're going to say no? I mean, the last thing we need is even more enemies trying to batter down the gates. We should be trying to make allies where we can."
“Permit me to clarify, since I apparently wasn't sufficiently clear earlier,” Hank began, his voice tight and laced with sarcasm. “That location is the provenance for Prime Sentinel technology. I know this intimately, because I was enslaved there—how long, I can't even tell you. That nanotechnology?" Hank bared his fangs in frenetic self-loathing. "It’s the product of my blood, sweat, and forced labor.” His words grew sharper, more cutting. “So, if you think for one moment we can politely knock and ask for what we need, you’re a damned fool. Not in the seven circles of Dante’s Inferno will that lead us anywhere but the grave. Trask—or whoever’s the lead researcher behind Operation Zero Tolerance—built that lab behind the Iron Curtain precisely to prevent any diplomatic solutions.” Hank's hand tightened into a fist as he glared across the room. “This is a battle, not a negotiation. We go in by force, or we stand back and watch the world burn. The choice, as always, is yours.”
Professor Xavier’s gentle but firm tone broke Beast's diatribe. “Hank…”
Hank lowered his head, his breath escaping in a harsh sigh, the edge of his anger giving way to a moment of contrition. “Yes, Professor, I know. I overstepped.” He glanced briefly at Bliss. “Apologies.” With a heavy exhale, Hank stood from his seat. “I’ll prep the Blackbird.”
As Hank left the War Room, the Professor spoke once again. "While Hank's tensions are high and his words out of line, he is not wrong. Matters being what they are require us to take them into our own hands. I appreciate the fact of how the line you are all being asked to walk is a veritable tightrope between force and discretion, but those are unfortunately the terms of engagement commensurate with the stakes which could not be higher."
"Never fear, Herr Professor," Kurt cut in with a fanged grin that was the opposite of Hanks gesture due to his chipper tone. "Vonce upon a time, ze tightrope and trapeze vere my specialties."
"Thank you, Kurt..." Professor Xavier returned his grin with a wry smile. It wasn't a productive contribution to the briefing, but it did help smooth the tensions in the room. "Are there any other questions?"
"Will the team assignments be handed out on the jet?" asked Hayden.
"KENNEDY VOLUNTEERED AS SNIPER FOR THE SECURITY HUB TEAM," Connor said. "I WILL BE ABLE TO DEACTIVATE THEIR SYSTEM AND KURT WILL HELP US REGROUP. PERHAPS ONE OR TWO MORE MAY ASSIST, BUT THE REST SHOULD GO WITH BEAST TO CLEAR THE WAY TO THE SECRET LAB."
Meja finally felt it was time for her to air her strengths, while she had only just learned to control her literal fire power, she was definitely adept in neutralizing, especially in hand to hand if it came down to it. "I'd be of more use with Hank then, my powers are getting stronger but once we're inside the building my fighting skill will be of much more use." She paused a moment before continuing, "I've also thought of a code name, Logi... in the old Scandinavian tongue it means to be ablaze... and seeing as though I literally breathe fire, I thought it suits."
"Indeed," said the Professor, realizing his oversight in not assigning Meja a code name. "Logi it is. I am sure you will be an asset to the main group."
"Normally," Ethan piped up, I'd volunteer for the Security Hub team. I can still do that, but I think I'd prefer to go with Beast's team and go to the secret lab. I know something about labs myself."
"You are a vital asset either way, Ethan," said the Professor with a nod, "and I am sure your team would agree."
A small smile pulled the corner of the winged teen's lips up. "Thank you, Professor, then I'll go with the lab team. Like I said, I should be more of an asset there."
After the War Room briefing, the team hurried to the hangar and boarded the waiting Blackbird. The hum of the Blackbird’s engines filled the cabin as the team prepared for the mission, the atmosphere thick with tension.
Hank sat at the helm, his hands gripping the controls as his thoughts raced. Latveria loomed ahead, shrouded behind the Iron Curtain, and Castle Doom awaited them—a fortress that held the key to undoing the horrors wrought upon Warren, Mara, and now an untold multitude.
Connor sat in the copilot's seat, reviewing the flight plan. "WE'LL BREAK THROUGH THE IRON CURTAIN BETWEEN ROMANIA AND HUNGARY," he signed, his fingers moving deftly through the air. "WE CAN USE THE CARPATHIAN MOUNTAINS AS COVER TO KEEP US BELOW RADAR."
Kurt, ever calm, glanced over at the rest of the team from the passenger area, his yellow eyes glinting in the dim cabin light. “Castle Doom… vhat a name, eh? Sure to discourage unvanted guests.”
Hank grunted in agreement. "Once we’re in Latverian airspace, we’ll need to find a landing zone. The mountains near Hassenstadt are heavily forested, which should allow us to conceal the Blackbird. From there, we’ll make our way to the undercity beneath Hassenstadt. It’s the safest route to Castle Doom."
"Sewer surfing. My fave." Bliss rolled her eyes.
"THE FLIGHT WILL TAKE SEVERAL HOURS," Connor announced, "SO EVERYONE SHOULD SETTLE IN AND TAKE REST IN ORDER TO BE PREPARED."
"Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm hungry." Bliss got out of her seat and went back to the tiny galley for an in-flight snack. "What?" she challenged, taking a bite out of a protein bar.
“I can’t eat anything just before a mission," Kennedy said while placing a hand on her stomach. “I get too nervous and I feel a little queasy. I think if I ate anything I would run the risk of puking.” She had in fact vomited in the middle of her first mission with the X-Men and didn’t care to repeat the act anytime they went out into the field. “So I think I’ll stick to water.”
"That's not a bad idea, sticking to water," said Hayden. "Think I'm just gonna try to rest. Maybe even nap if it's quiet enough. But somehow I doubt that," she added with a laugh.
“I think I’ll join you, Bliss.” Aurora smiled as she got up to get a snack. “Have to keep up our energy.”
Meja got up quietly and joined Bliss in the galley, it wasn't long before a gorgeous smell permeated through the Blackbird. Meja was cooking for the others, not herself as she'd bought along both jerky and some nuts in a little metal container, she'd been snacking on them as she cooked up a little roasted tomato, mushrooms and potato rösti. There was enough for a few people and as she turned the second burner off on the tiny stove top, she moved back to the seated area of the Blackbird. "Potato rösti, baked tomatoes and mushroom for anyone that wants it." She had a long piece of jerky and bit at it after the offer went out, she picked up a bottle of water and took one of the empty seats.
“Sounds lovely” Kayleigh smiled as she got up to go and help herself to some, making sure not to take more than her fair share.
"I can always eat." Maeve nodded in agreement although it was more with herself than anything. Her mother always said she had hollow legs when she was a child.
The Blackbird descended through the dense, rolling fog of the Latverian mountains. Its matte black fuselage blended seamlessly with the rocky landscape below. Hank guided the jet toward a narrow clearing between two jagged peaks. The mountains surrounding Hassenstadt were unforgiving with sharp ridges and heavy gusts of wind. The sun had long since set, casting everything in shadows that seemed to swallow the jet as it touched down with barely a sound.
Hank’s hands moved across the control panel with precision, engaging the cloaking systems to mask their presence. As the engines powered down, the subtle hum of the Blackbird faded, leaving nothing but the cold wind howling through the mountains outside.
“We’re here,” Hank said quietly, his voice carrying a grim finality as he turned in his seat to look at the team. His blue-furred fingers tapped the edge of the console with barely restrained energy. “Hassenstadt is roughly five miles southeast. Castle Doom sits atop the highest ridge, but our entry point isn’t up there.” He gestured to the rocky expanse below them. “We need to find the access to the old undercity—a network of tunnels beneath the surface that will bring us closer to the castle’s lower levels.”
The team began unbuckling their harnesses, the reality of the mission sinking in. Connor stood, adjusting the collar of his uniform as he glanced out the narrow window. The peaks and valleys below offered little comfort, but he was ready.
“DO WE HAVE ANY IDEA WHERE WE CAN FIND AN ENTRANCE?” Connor signed.
Hank nodded, though his brow furrowed slightly. “I have a rough idea. The undercity was constructed long before the reign of King Vladimir. It was originally intended as an escape route, but it’s been sealed off for decades. We’ll need to find one of the old access points near a stream that runs through the northern pass.”
“May I make a suggestion?” Aurora looked towards Hank. “Can I read your mind, and you show me what you know of the layout? If anything happens to you none of us will know where we’re going, at least then I could help guide. It’s totally up to you though, Hank, I’ll understand if you’re not comfortable with it.”
"Yes, fine!" Hank snapped before bringing himself back. "Apologies. You may skim my memories as I access them, but they are admittedly spotty. Everyone would have done better to analyze the readouts that I showed in the briefing."
“We did analyse Hank, but in the throws of fighting who has time to recall maps they’ve only seen once?” Aurora smiled. “Surface thoughts only got it.” She nodded. “I’ll pick them up as you recall the layout.”
Connor opened the door to the outside world. Rocky terrain strewn across steep ridges with sparse trees but plenty of shrubbery greeted them. "LET US LOOK FOR ANYTHING THAT COULD BE A SEALED UNDERGROUND ENTRANCE."
Maeve exited the Blackbird and placed her hand on the ground. Closing her eyes she felt the earth beneath her fingertips and cocked her head as her mind travelling through sand, stone and rock. "There is something in that direction." She pointed towards what looked like a minute clearing, so small if she hadn't pointed you'd have missed it. "Something more 'artificial' is there." She scrunched up her nose after she said the words. Sometimes describing how the earth felt, or differences in it, could be difficult. "Also if we can't find an entrance I can always make one," she said, wiggling her fingers.
Meja exited the Blackbird behind Maeve and shivered a little, nodding silently as Maeve pointed and moved cautiously over in the direction. She felt her very nerve endings were on edge being in such a foreign place which really helped her clarity of mind. As she came up on the mentioned space, Meja could make out the top of something concrete that looked pretty well sealed. "Maeve, you were right but it's buried, unused would be an understatement for how it looks."
Hank approached the small clearing, his blue fur rippling in the cold night air as he crouched near the spot Maeve and Meja had indicated. His sharp eyes scanned the area, and he brushed away a thin layer of dirt and debris, revealing an old metal hatch beneath. The door was ancient, rusted in places, but still solid.
"This is it," Hank murmured, nodding in appreciation at Maeve’s earth-sense. "An access point to the undercity. Excellent work."
Connor stood close by, peering down at the hatch. "ANY IDEA WHAT'S WAITING FOR US INSIDE?"
"Nothing pleasant," Hank said, already moving to unlatch the door. Despite his best efforts, it wouldn't budge. "Curses!" he hissed.
"Allow me," Bliss said with a cocky vocal fry. With a grunt of effort, yanked at the hatch with one hand. The old mechanisms gave way, and the heavy hatch swung open with a groan. Inside was a narrow stairwell leading deep into darkness. "Open sesame!"
"GOOD JOB, ESCAPADE." Connor and Bliss exchanged grins.
The team hesitated only briefly before Hank stepped forward, flicking on a small handheld device. "I'll take point," he said firmly. "Stay close."
They descended into the metal stairwell, the echo of their footsteps bouncing off the cold stone walls. As they reached the bottom, a strange metallic sheen glinted faintly in the distance. Hank held up a hand to stop the team.
“Wait,” he said, slipping on a pair of infrared goggles. "Invisible laser grids. Defensive systems in most unpatrolled areas. I’ve seen this before."
Hank examined the room ahead through his goggles, and sure enough, a tangled web of nearly invisible laser beams crisscrossed the narrow passage. "These lasers are connected to alarms, and worse, hidden turrets. If we trip them, we’ll be cut down before we take another step."
Connor glanced at the web of lasers ahead. "CAN THEY BE DISABLED?"
Hank gave a half-smile, though his expression was far from jovial. "Leave it to me."
With the grace of a seasoned acrobat, Hank leapt forward, twisting his body between the thin beams, using walls and narrow surfaces to parkour his way across the grid. His movements were fluid and precise as he flipped from beam to beam, avoiding the deadly traps with almost superhuman reflexes. At one point, he pressed off a wall and landed on a narrow outcropping near the ceiling, hugging the stone as his blue fur brushed lightly against a beam—too close for comfort.
He gritted his teeth, ignoring the adrenaline that pulsed through his veins, and swung up toward a small control node embedded in the wall. “There you are,” he muttered to himself. Hank quickly pried open the control panel, his hands moving in a blur as he rewired the circuits, rerouting them into a feedback loop. A soft hum filled the air as he finished his work, and with a faint crackle, the laser grid deactivated.
Breathing a small sigh of relief, Hank looked back at the team. "That should neutralize the entire network down here. The other sensors will be caught in the feedback loop I just set." He returned to the ground in a triple flip and landed in a crouch. "Even so, I recommend that everybody step softly and remain circumspect going forward."
Hayden nodded her head at Hank's instructions after watching his acrobatics. She hadn't gotten too many chances to see his agility in action and every time was something new. Or so it seemed. Props to the big guy. "Understood, sir," she said, "walks softly and carry a big stick."
“I didn’t know that Dr. McCoy could do that,” Kennedy mumbled in disbelief in response to his gravity defying acts before she clutched her bow close to her body and began to cautiously walk down the tunnel. Despite being shielded from the wind Kennedy couldn’t help but shiver. “Why does this place feel so spooky?”
"Being all but abandoned for decades and the secret accessway to a place with doom in the name, maybe?" Meja quipped, walking cautiously ahead with a smirk on her face. She was incredibly impressed with Dr. McCoy's agility and prowess, noting silently never to come face to face with him one on one.
As Hank led them into the undercity, he began narrating as loudly as he dared. "The original inhabitants of these structures died in the Black Plague some 600 years ago," he said. "While I'm not one to believe in ghosts, the macabre quality of this place is much harder to deny."
"NOW IT IS A GRAVEYARD," Connor observed. "WE SHOULD NOT LINGER."
"Indeed," Hank agreed. "I am following the broadcast signal from the castle's radio network. It should lead us straight to our destination."
The air in the undercity was damp and stale, a testament to its decades of abandonment. Dust and cobwebs clung to the ancient stone walls, and the faint echo of their footsteps created an eerie resonance as Beast led the team through the narrow passage. Old brick arches overhead supported the weight of the city, as the winding tunnel, once used as an escape route during Latveria’s darker days, stretched endlessly ahead.
Hank, with his enhanced vision and acute senses, moved with purpose. The others followed close behind, their eyes flicking toward every shadow, alert for any sign of movement or danger. An oppressive atmosphere made the silence even more palpable. As they rounded a corner, the tunnel opened into a wider chamber, its vaulted ceiling towering overhead.
Hank paused, signaling the team to stop, and turned to the group with an intensity in his eyes. "We’re entering the old evacuation route now," he said in a low voice. "This will lead us directly to the sublevel residence of Castle Doom. Stay alert, as this may be where enhanced security measures begin."
To Be Continued...
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