"Dr. Carosa get away from there!" Trey shouts as he descends the stairs towards the chamber floor, "It's too dangerous!"
"No," she calls back over her shoulder, "I've waited too long for this!"
"I know Rachel," Trey runs over to her, shouting over the deafening, hurricane like uproar coming from the gateway, "But the energy readings are increasing too fast!" Another pulse vibrates through the room, causing the ground to tremor and some debris to fall from the ceiling. "The portal may collapse any second, we need to get to higher ground!"
"Please!" Dr. Carosa begs,"I have to know what's on the other side!"
"We'll find all of that out in time!" Trey lifts her up off the ground, beginning to lead her away from the artifact,"We need to move before--"
An arc of electricity releases from the gateway's frame and rockets toward the roof, striking with impossible force and speed. A large chunk of metal and compact dirt breaks off and plummets downward, barely missing the two scientists. A piece of rebar slices a gash into Trey's calf. He shouts in pain and stumbles to the floor. Another bolt strikes the wall of the room. Dr. Carosa glances around in horror. 571Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Jyiht5PL9
The gateway is ripping itself apart. There has to be some way to fix this. A way to turn it off without destroying everything I've worked towards.
The gusts of wind and outbursts of electricity become stronger and a low humming starts, slowly growing stronger and louder, like a canon priming to fire. Dr. Carosa grunts in frustration and grabs Trey's shoulders, hoisting him up. They stumble over to the metal staircase and start climbing.
The humming grows louder.
Almost there 571Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyukPYe1AQQ
Another chunk falls from the roof. 571Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFECcsNymI
Only twenty more steps
The humming reaches a crescendo and lightning begins pouring out from multiple points on the ring. The two reach the observation platform and and the sliding reinforced door quickly opens and closes as they pass through. 571Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpqMln1J95
Silence 571Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoS209yMso
The frenzied gusts stop, as well as the lightning. Dr. Carosa and Trey collapse onto the ground. The environment in the chamber was exhausting, draining them of energy. The lab is still just as frenzied however, with scientists rushing around. Some at monitors and computers, frantically trying to figure out what just happened. Others trying to stabilize equipment that has destabilized from the energy pulses.
"The gateway is stable!" A man shouts. Dr. Carosa looks back through the window. The portal is still there, swirling and shimmering. But the electricity has disappeared. All of the scientists look towards the gateway, trying to get a view of the portal. Dr. Carosa sighs. 571Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoK2skPCW2
"All right then," she calls to everyone, "Nice work everybody. Now let's get to--" 571Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Gj5XoYJQb
A blinding flash of light fills the view space, illuminating the chamber. Rachel's heart drops. 571Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjogWLeb0qF
"EVERYBODY DOWN!" 571Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTQ9YzkuQY
A single pulse was all it took. 571Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsREjCcvlR
The blast, ten times more powerful than any of the ones prior, bursts through the chamber from the portal. A visible wave of rippling energy speeds through the room, with it shattering the industrial grade windows while causing furniture and personnel to go flying in every direction.
Dr. Carosa smashes against a cabinet and feels a rib break. A high pitch ringing blocks out any other sound, and as she tries to stand back up she falls onto the cold, metal floor. Small fires burn throughout the lab, shards of glass litter the floor, and broken machinery sends sparks in the air. Some scientists lay unconscious in limp positions, while others try to help revive them. Trey lays on the ground five feet away from Rachel. She tries to get his attention but he doesn't move. Blood pools from a cut on his head.
"Trey?" she shouts," Trey can you hear me?"
No response. She stands to her feet and pain shoots through her abdomen. She staggers a bit and motions to another scientist to help Trey. Dr. Carosa limps over to the observation platform, which hangs loosely by a few cables, teetering back and forth. The gateway is still activated. She can see the swirling blue portal from where she stands dozens of feet above. She feels hand on her shoulder and turns. A woman in a lab coat with a bloody nose hands her a tablet.
"Im sorry Doc," she says with a grim expression.
Incoming call from Gordon Kaliban
"You've got to be kidding me."571Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbNqlDHZtZ
