Chapter Text
“Please…” Sebastion hissed, glaring furiously at the radio on the table. It was spluttering, sending waves of static out into the enclosed space, echoing through the dripping facility, sterile and cold. It was the only sound for miles. Red stained the floor, a wayward limb—was that an arm? —strewn to the side. Tsk, another group of expendables, torn apart. Typical.
“This just in—”
Sebastion’s glowing gaze focused on the radio. Words. Eligible words. He had a signal. Carefully, with a feather light touch, Sebastion turned the left dial with his claws. The last thing he needed was for his oversized talons to break the fragile equipment.
He frowned in concentration. His shoulders were starting to ache, crouched as he was. Standing up right, he would be much taller than the roof anyway, this was the only way he fit into the hallways with this body. He sighed; ear fins pulled back with disappointment.
“Hello?” The radio spit out statically.
“Hello?!” Sebastion gasped, lurching forward.
“Hello? Where are you—we picked up a—lost signal.” The radio spluttered.
“This is Sebastion Solace, I am inside the Hadal Blacksite, property of Urbanshade.” Sebastion recited. He had practiced for this moment for weeks. Every sleepless night led to this point. The first contact with the outer world in over a decade.
“Hadal Blacksite—” The voice sounded distant. Sebastion figured they were reciting his lines to a superior.
“This is Deluge Labs. Why are you contacting us?” A deeper voice asked, static almost overwhelming the speaker. Any human would have found the garbled mess of static unintelligible, but Sebastion was far from human.
“I have insider information that could lead to the downfall of Urbanshade. I thought you might be interested.” Sebastion replied. This he knew, the quick trade of information. And he had a LOT. Thousands of Expendables had come and died right on his doorstep, leaving goods behind. The few that made it past his shop brought him classified files, which he readily accepted and traded for items they might need.
“And how would--- have access to that?”
“I’ve been gathering blackmail on the company for years. Ever since they ruined my life.” Sebastion fought down a hiss. These people needed to think he was sane. Was he sane? Sebastion shook his head, raven hair rippling into his face.
“And why would we trust you?”
“The Hadal Blacksite is currently under lockdown. Urbanshade… underestimated one of their assets and it broke out, freeing their monsters. But I know a safe way in and a safe way out. I’ll give you all the information you need, if I come with you when you go.” Sebastion bit his lower lip, wincing as sharp teeth pierced flesh. He tasted copper in his mouth.
Static buzzed from the radio. The silence was deafening. This was his way out. He could NOT screw this up. Sebastion knew if he stayed here much longer, he would truly lose his mind. At least the small bit he had left. He could not allow that to happen, no matter what.
“We need coordinates and as much information as you can give us.” The voice said finally. Sebastion fisted the air, grinning wide.
He had a way out. He caught the sight of his pale blue hand in the fluorescent lights and frowned.
“There is one more thing you need to know.”
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“So we’re leaving? I’m going to see landscapes?” Painter asked from his place in Sebastion’s arms. The scribble of his face flashed across the computer screen. Sebastion was avidly aware of the twitch in his tail as he slithered across the ground, keeping his tail fins off the ground.
“Yes.” He kept his eyes forward, facing the dark room. It was the final one, the one the expendables could never reach. He saw it, their target. The golden crystal, shimmering from its place amidst the room, sending a glow across it. Sebastion swore he could hear ethereal whispering coming from it. But he had many auditory hallucinations in his time down here. He averted his gaze, fixing it on the dark water.
Anytime now.
Anytime now, unless they had lied. Unless they weren’t coming, and he couldn’t get out.
“Landscapes, landscapes, landscapes.” Painter chanted.
Sebastion felt the atmosphere change imperceptibly.
His gaze flicked back to the crystal. Painter noticed.
“Do you really think we should let that get into the wrong hands?” He muttered, scribbled face pulled into a frown. Sebastion considered. He didn’t even know what the gem was, or what it could do. He only knew Urbanshade was willing to sacrifice thousands of lives to get it. What would Deluge do with it, if they discovered it?
He shuddered in thought. He didn’t trust Deluge in the slightest, but it was the lesser of two evils and Sebastion wanted out. He had promised Painter an out. He always kept his promises.
He slithered forward, third arm grabbing the gem and slipping it into his bag. He pulled the satchel around and then slit the side material, dropping the crystal into the side. It would have to do. He hoped they wouldn’t search his bag, but that was always a risk. Sebastion slipped over the railing, tail coiling around the railing and lower him down, powerful muscles barely straining.
The water rippled. Sebastion saw a single flash of green and then the Eyefestation was gone. That was the signal.
It was probably the last time Sebastion was ever going to see that damn shark. A small part of him wished he could have said goodbye. A greater part of him kept still, awaiting the submarine, steadfast on his goal. If everything went well, if something could finally go Sebastion’s way, he would never see that googly-eyed shark again.
Two minutes later, he heard it. Three minutes later it emerged from the water. A proud logo, an eagle, wings outstretched across a golden circle frame was painted across the side of the sub. A good vehicle, perfect for the debilitating pressures outside.
There was a horrific pressure in his chest. Sebastion breathed in as deeply as he could. His one eye twitched, his lure rearing back. He frowned. Come on, Sebastian, what is wrong with you? The feeling was familiar, an ache clawing into his throat. Sebastian’s stomach clenched, threatening to upend his meal of raw fish from this morning. He swallowed, clenching his eyes shut.
What was WRONG with him?! This was not the time to freak out!
“Come on, get a grip…” He muttered breathlessly.
“Sebastion? You alright?” A voice asked. There was static in Sebastion’s ears, threatening to overwhelm him. Through unseeing eyes, the door to the sub started to depressurize. It was opening.
“Sebastion?!”
Sebastion heaved in breaths. Through his mouth, nose slits, even his gills. He couldn’t breathe. He couldn--
“Your mom needs you buddy. Sebastion? You are a Solace, you are from Chile. You are the second child. You have an older sister named Clara—”
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*”Clara! It’s my turn with Pepper! Mom said so!” Sebastion yelled, shaking little fists in outrage. Clara, almost two heads taller than him, stuck out her tongue at him.*
*”Pepper likes me more!” She called back, running across the yard and away from him.”*
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Sebastion’s eyes focused on the Submarine’s doors. A gangway spread out from the side, slick and gray. *Grey like the operating tables. Blood strewn across the ground*
“Your brother is five years younger than you. He was majoring to be an engineer when you got arrested. Remember?” Painter kept going. Sebastion focused on his voice, eyes trained on the door. Four men stepped out, black ops by the looks of them, covered in body armor and carrying heavy duty rifles. Painter’s voice quieted but did not stop muttering soft words. It kept Sebastian grounded as those horrific guns were levelled at his face. He couldn’t see the people’s eyes behind their blackout visors, but he saw one of them stiffen at the sight of him. He kept his eyes resolutely forward, his body still. Then another figure came from the submarine. A woman, in a hazmat suit, but with golden arm cuffs.
“I am no threat.” Sebastion said, looking at her. Ignoring the guns. He had no idea how he managed to keep his voice calm.
The woman eyed him, crystal blue eyes cold and calculating. Sebastion refused to buckle under the glare. Then she smiled and some of the tension left the room.
“Mr. Solace, I presume?” She asked, stepping forward and holding out a hand. Sebastion hesitated for a moment. His two main arms were full, so he leaned down, slowly, and shook her hand with his third arm.
She glanced at the appendage, eyes widening for a second before looking back up at him. Sebastion could see his own eyes reflected in hers. Glowing a bright empty blue. Empty. He blinked, pulling back.
Painter was oddly silent. Sebastian hoped that meant he was going to be quiet. He had neglected to mention the Ai to Deluge Labs. Everything was going to plan. Sebastion hated it. That meant everything could go wrong.
“Yes. I am him.” Sebastion said instead, stiff.
“I am Dr. E, and I was sent to accompany you to the surface.”
“Alright.” Sebastion nodded.
“And you have all the files Mr. Deluge asked for?” The woman asked.
Sebastion reached into his bag, preparing to pull out some files, when he heard the guns cock. He froze, breath caught in his throat. His head burst into overdrive. He was such an idiot, thinking these people would help him. But he could kill them all. Maybe take the submarine then. No—what was he thinking, these people had not done anything to him! He would not kill them.
His tail clenched in anticipation of attack.
“Put the guns down.” Dr. E’s voice was sharp, cutting through the air like a dagger. Sebastion glanced at the guards. They hesitated a moment, before lowering the guns. Safety clicked on and the guards stood aside.
“Wait here for Squads Beta and Gamma. Squad Alpha is heading out.” Dr. E announced, strutting back to the submarine. She beckoned to Sebastian and he followed, slithering up the gang plank and into the small space. He had to crouch down to fit, his head bumping against the ceiling, forcing his lure right into his face.
He didn’t miss the calculating gaze Dr. E levelled at him. He ignored it, instead focusing on his breathing. The last time he had been in containment like this he--
No.
He refused to think about that.
The submarine let out a groan and Sebastion felt the pressure drop as they descended under the water level. He felt them start to move and finally, the obstruction was gone. They were out into the empty ocean now. If Eyefestation had done, was he had asked, then the huge orange glowing things would be gone, driven off. And they would have safe passage.
In a submarine and undetected by Urbanshade monitors. Sebastian pressed himself against the far wall, coiling his tail beneath him like a snake, settling in for a long ride. Exhaustion weighed on him, heavily. Dr. E’s eyes glimmered behind her suit, and he could feel her eyes boring into him. It annoyed him to no end.
“I know you’re staring.” He snapped.
“Can you blame me?” She asked, voice slightly muffled by the suit. He rolled his eyes.
“Yes. I can.”
The woman eyed him for a moment, then shrugged and turned away, opting to stare at the wall across from her. Sebastian settled back into his vigil, ears carefully pricked for anything outside them. He had already started to feel the pressure drop, an odd static in his ears growing the higher they went. He would be fine right…? Surely.
“May I read through those files so long?” Dr. E asked.
Sebastian handed her one wordlessly. It was the file on the creation of Eyefestation. He had read once and opted to never again. Most the files in his satchel, the important ones, he had only read once. It was nightmare inducing. What those scientists, those monsters, had done to him.
He wanted to see Urbanshade burn in hell.
“Eyefestation? Is that what we saw in the distance. A green glow?” Dr. E started conversationally.
“Yes.”
“Here it says the entity is aggressive. Why did it then not attack us?”
“I asked her not to.” Sebastian muttered.
“It is intelligent?” Dr. E looked up in surprise.
“’She’, is intelligent yes. But not friendly. I would not try to capture her.” Sebastian said, menace creeping into his voice. Dr. E waved him off.
“We have no intention of aggravating the creatures you mentioned. Hopefully the blackout opps have read through their informational folders and know how to deal with them. They should be out as soon as they reached your rendezvous point. Assuming it is where you said it was, Mr. Solace.”
“It is.” Sebastian said simply. He had stored the other files, all of the ones he had ever collected, in his shop, keeping only the most crucial ones with him.
Dr. E didn’t say anything, just kept reading in silence.
Sebastian’s eyes had just fluttered closed when--
“We will be keeping you in quarantine for a week before you leave.”
His eyes shot open, a cold spike of fear crawling down his spine.
“What…?”
“Mr. Deluge asked, we don’t know if you are carrying any foreign pathogens and would like to check your physical and mental health before we release you back to the public… if you even can go back.”
Sebastian fumed but internally, he knew they were right. Was he carrying some sort of disease?
“It’s nothing personal, Mr. Solace, just a safety protocol.”
He nodded.
“Nothing I can do about it anyway.” He muttered.
The rest of the ride kept on in silence. It was only when a red light flickered on, a soft beep escaping an interior microphone that Sebastian looked up.
“One minute until surface breach.” A mechanical voice announced.
It was the longest minute of Sebastian’s life, his breaths coming in short gasps as he tried to steady his nerves. He clutched Painter tighter against his chest, ear fins drawn tight against his skull.
Dr. E stood up, standing in front of the door.
“You are going to be met with a dozen blackout opps. They are under strict orders to shoot if you make yourself a threat. Do not move quickly or without my command.” She announced right as the door whisked open, the gangway opening and a white light bleeding into the submarine. Sebastian ducked under the door, keeping his body as straight as it could. He was awfully aware of the gun at his side and kept his hands in front of him, away from the holster.
The guards trained their guns on him. He refused to look at them, schooling his expression into one of calculated calm and followed Dr. E down the gangplank and into the room. It was also sterile and white, agonizingly bright light streaming from above. Sebastian could already feel a headache form behind his eyes.
“This way. I will escort you to your quarters.”
Sebastian was aware of every person in the room. Could hear their short gasps as they saw him, scientists and guards alike. The sight of those damned white overcoats sent shivers down his spine. How he hated those damn things.
At first, he tried to keep track of the hallways. Then, when the headache became a pounding mess he relented and followed blindly, allow his main eyes to blink shut and only looking with his third one. His vision was blurry with only one eye. Shadows seemed darker, stretching towards him.
Dr. E halted before a door, swiping a golden keycard.
“We hope this is to your liking, if you have need for anything else just press the button on the bedside and we will bring whatever you request.” She said, standing aside to let Sebastian in.
He braced himself. If it was a cell, he was gone, damn the headache and the promises of these people and what he had to offer. If it was a cell, he was out, even if he died. He refused to be another experiment to some sick company’s whims.
It was a bedroom.
The roof was much higher than he expected and he could comfortably stretch up in the space. It could fit his tail and more. A larger bed, round was stuck in one corner, a bedside table with an innocuous golden button on its side. There was a separate room that Sebastian assumed to be the bathroom. There were bookshelves on all the walls, covered in reading material and a large desk in the opposite corner. The ground was still white, like the room had been renovated as quickly as possible to suit his needs.
It was the bare minimum. It was more than Sebastian had in years.
“I am going to seal this door behind you. I will be in contact soon.” Dr. E said once Sebastian had slunk into the room. He nodded absently.
“Mr. Deluge will be along to speak with you in a moment, settle in so long.”
The door hissed shut and sealed behind him. It was a heavy lock, the type that sealed with stainless steel beams. Sebastian had to remind himself that he was the one in charge here, he had the files with him, and he knew what they needed to take down the rivaling company.
But he was stuck again.
Again.
Sebastian gently put the computer down on the desk.
“Stay quiet.” He muttered, pulling away so as not to seem suspicious.
Then he didn’t really know what to do.
So, sailing towards the bookshelves he selected one at random, pulling it from the shelf and circling onto his bed. The sheer softness of the mattress was enough to push him to tears. He blinked them away harshly. There was a camera in the corner of the room, a red light blinking on and off. He was being watched. They were watching and he was sealed in a room.
He took a deep breath, and read.