Viona sniffs at Lily's questions. "You should know that whatever Takimi says is subjective. I had my reasons for fleeing with the modified virus strain. You for one should do well to remember that without it you would be dead now at the hands of a mad man and probably being fed to his daughter".
At Builder's comment she scowls. "I did not wish anyone dead! And anyone who is dead is dead for greater reasons than you can comprehend"! She flicks her hair aside then takes a deep breathe as she tucks a black lock behind her ear, framing her beauty face. Her eyes, that cold blue, shine. "Dr. Takimi is one of the original four directors on the project, including myself and Dr. Hart and Dr. Johnson. Although she is also brilliant beyond human standards like myself, there is little hope she will be able to recreate a cure from the ground up in time without resources. Remember we are living on borrowed time, only another 12 hours before I believe your government will take action".
With that Viona steps forward and flashes an Ident Card at the guards. Both of them look at the card then look at each other through the helmets then nod. "Head on through", one remarks with a wave of his gun, "The Ident is not needed, we have orders from Johnson to allow you all through". He turns slightly and presses a button on the wall and the huge steel double doors slide open from the middle.
As the party shuffles through they all gaze in wonder at the size of the room. It must be about the size of a football field. The roof being over 20 feet above only gave the impression it was larger. Rows of complicated machinery, hardware, monitors, and other equipment are scattered in a half ordered mess throughout the entire room. Between all these machines and monitors men and women of every race dressed in white lab coats hurried to and fro between them. Some looked in microscopes, others at computer screens, and terrifyingly enough some were studying a giant test tube filled with a strange liquid. Inside an Infected man lay dormant, floating. There were many more sleek black guards here at the door. Even more to the north, where a large door was. And to the far west, where the "field" stretched, guards could be seen patrolling a couple door ways there as well.
The people, guards and scientists alike, seemed shocked at the entrance of the party. Several even stopped to gape but shook their heads and ran off to their duties. They knew they were racing time. And losing.
Suddenly from the shifting sea of white coats a woman is seen approaching them. At each side is a black helmet guard. The woman carries herself powerfully, despite the circumstances her head is held high. She is obviously of Asian descent, perhaps full blooded Chinese. She has long black hair tied into a tight bun on her head. Her eyes are dark black, slanted, her skin an almost yellow tinge. Definitely Asian. She reaches them. Her face is tight and angry.
"What brings you back Viona? Haven't you done enough"? She spits, her Chinese accent strong. "And who are these people? Your puppets? What has she told you I can onry begin to wonder". She gazes at Lily, Chuck, Hudson, and Builder; her squinted eyes making it seem all the more she is scrutinizing them. She turns that glare unto Viona again and suddenly her hand slips to side, where a pistol is strapped to her coat. "Give me one good god damned reason I shouldn't gun down where you stand". She glances at the party again, noticing they are warriors and sizing them up. "Why are you here? How much money has she offered you? It's not going to do you any good if we can't stop the bomb that approaches".
Viona interrupts. "They are here of their own free will. I have not coerced them in any way".
Takimi barks a laugh, mirthless. "I doubt it. Anything you can sink your dark tendrils into you will. I don't suppose she told you why we are in this mess in the first place", she nearly spits again. "Dr. Duncan, who answered directry to you! The Brack Rook, who malfunctioned only afterwards mysteriously and then lo and behold, Dr. Ivankov is missing...and with the experimental modified strains at that! How convenient", she growls.
She turns to the party. "Prease. Do not stand with her. I do not want to hurt you". The guards at her sides heft their weapons and suddenly the party realizes that the guards around them are not patrolling...they are standing at attention all around them, at least six of them, exotic looking rifles in hand.
