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Chapter 4

Within TL headquarters, the atmosphere in Plexa's room was was more intense than he could ever remember. He patiently paced back and forth as he tried to process what he had just heard from DLO during that brief phone call that happened a minute ago. The idea that someone on TL was plotting something from the inside baffled him. He trusted each and every member as if he was a brother. As the minutes went by, his anxiety just kept building up. Feeling like he just couldn't wait any lnoger, Plexa was just about to head out of his room and meet DLO himself when there was a sudden knock on the door.

PLEXA: DLO is that you?
DARKLORDOLLI: Yeah, it's me.
PLEXA: Come in.
DARKLORDOLLI (opening the door) Sorry to bother you like this Plexa. Are you busy?
PLEXA: Yes but I made sure to make time for this. What's going on?
DARKLORDOLLI: (closing the door behind him) Well... Like I said over the phone, I think someone in TL is plotting something.
PLEXA: Sit down (pointing to a chair) Explain. I need to hear everything.
DARKLORDOLLI: (while sitting down) Plexa, I need you to understand that this is still all speculation. I really don't have any concrete proof about anything. So just keep that in mind because I don't think that-
PLEXA: Damn it DLO, just start talking already!
DARKLORDOLLI: (suddenly taken aback) Oh... Umm... Alright. So here what I think my be going on. If you recall, during the writers' meeting-...

DLO began to explain to Plexa all the events that had occurred that day. Starting from Zealously's strange outburst during the meeting, the anxious and uncomfortable way he was behaving after the meeting, and ending with the suspicious phone call he had just overheard. With each and every detail, Plexa's expression became more and more focused. However, as DLO was coming near to his conclusion, Plexa showed no sign of response. By the time he had finished, DLO was beginning to get worried at how distant Plexa seemed.

DARKLORDOLLI: ...And that's when I called you and asked to speak with you. Umm.... So... Yeah... That's about it really. Any thoughts?
PLEXA: (No response)
DARKLORDOLLI: (nervously shifting in his seat) Err... Well... Like I said, this is all speculation. Nothing's been proven yet so there's a chance that-
PLEXA: (suddenly getting up from his seat) Let's go. (heads to the door)
DARKLORDOLLI: Go? Go where?
PLEXA: We're going to go see Chapa. You said you heard Zeal say that he was going to meet him. If that's the case, then we need to either get there before him or at least get there to catch him in the act.
DARKLORDOLLI: (getting up and following) Uhhh... Are you sure that's a good idea?
PLEXA: (speeding up) If you want, you can just stay here. I can go by myself.
DARKLORDOLLI: (running after him) No! I... I want to go too! I want to help!

Plexa gave no further response. He sped down the hallway at a ridiculous speed with no sign of any emotion on his face. As DLO tried desperately to catch up to him, he felt that the intense atmosphere that was in Plexa's room was not beginning to follow them wherever they went. Plexa's silence and emotionless responses caused DLO to become more and more worried. But with nothing else to go on, he continued to follow Plexa, determined to figure out just exactly what was going on.







Over at the Liquipedia Operations Command Center, salle was busy working on installing the new security system updates. The whole place felt strange and emptier than usual to salle but he tried to take no notice of it. He knew how imperative it was that the new security systems were all up to date. Even though he had co-worker with him in the room, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was not quite right. With so many things he needed to get done that day, this additional uncertainty only caused more stress for him.

SALLE: (wiping his forehead) Damn, this is a lot of work. Where the hell is everybody?
A3: Not sure. I checked everyone's schedules. No one is scheduled to work right now except you and me.
SALLE: That's really weird though. I don't ever remember the facility being this empty before. Was this planned or something?
A3: (shrugging his shoulders) Beats me. I thought it was strange too. But it's not my responsibility so it's whatever.
SALLE: Meh... I'll figure out what happened later. I'm too busy with this right now anyways. By the way, cameras pick up anything unusual?
A3: Nope. It's like a freaking ghost town in here right now.

A3 was lying of course. Just over in the main coordination room, lichter was busy combing through all the files he could find on Project HerO. Determined to ensure that lichter goes unnoticed during this, A3 was constantly adjusting the camera angles so that they wouldn't pick up anything. But there was always a chance that salle could notice something fishy going on, so A3 knew that they had to act fast.

SALLE: Ah, damn, another coding error. Ever since we switched to the new servers, I've been having to deal with so many problems.
A3: (laughs) I know right? Things were so much simpler when all we had to worry about was keeping the Liquipedia pages updated.
SALLE: (getting up from his chair) Yeah, it sure was. Let's see here...
A3: (alert) What are you doing?
SALLE: I need to fix this coding error. I need to look at the manual we got the other day.
A3: Oh alright...

The monitor salle was looking at was only two monitors away from the security footage monitor. A3's heart was beating faster and faster with every passing second. He knew that salle memorized all the camera positions, and the second salle looked at the angle for the main coordination room, he would know that it was out of place. A3 kept checking the time as salle continued to study the nearby monitor. He could tell that lichter was running late since he was supposed to be out of the room almost two minutes ago. As A3's frustration was about to reach its peak, suddenly, salle turned and walked over towards A3.

A3: (hurriedly getting up from his chair) What's up salle?
SALLE: (taken by surprised) Hmm? Oh, I just need to grab some files over there on your side, that's all.
A3: Oh, I-I can get those for you.
SALLE: Nah, don't bother. They're pretty scattered right now. I'll only need a minute.
A3: Err... You sure I can't get those- salle wait!
SALLE: (abruptly turning around) Huh? Why?
A3: Uhh... Umm... WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?! (points to the other end of the room)
SALLE: (quickly turning around) Huh? What? Where?!

As soon as salle was distracted, A3 quickly input the order for the camera to face the proper angle again, and instantly shut down the security monitor. When he looked up, salle was still frantically searching around the room to see what A3 had pointed to.

SALLE: What were you yelling about?
A3: Ah... Yeah, sorry about that. I thought I saw some kind of shadow in the corner of the room. False alarm. Well, I'll see you later (gets up and starts to leave)
SALLE: What? Where are you going?
A3: Getting kind of hungry. I figured I'd grab some lunch.
SALLE: Oh, alright. Well, thanks for all your help.
A3: Anytime. See ya. (quickly opens the door and walks out the room)

Without wasting any time, as soon as A3 was out of salle's sight, he quickly pulled out his phone and called lichter as he hurried down the hall.


LICHTER: Hello?
A3: Please tell me you got the hell out of there. I couldn't stall salle any longer.
LICHTER: Yeah, don't worry, I got out.
A3: Did you get the info?
LICHTER: I think I got most of it. Some of the other files were protected by a completely different code so I had to give up on them for now.
A3: Good. I took care of all the records. No one will ever know that you accessed this place. Now get out before anyone shows up!
LICHTER: Got it. I'll see you later.


Once he hung up, lichter immediately headed towards the exit as quickly as he could. As soon as CPTSM's key card was recognized by the system and the doors opened, lichter dashed out of the Liquipedia Operations Command Center. It was not until that he saw that the doors were closed behind him when he finally give a sigh of relief. As he was just about to take out his phone and call S, someone called out to him.

NOVEMBERSTORM: Hey lichter!
LICHTER: (alert and panicky) What? ....Oh... Hey Nov...
NOVEMBERSTORM: (walking up to him) Hey man. What are you doing here?
LICHTER: Oh umm... I needed to talk to salle about something. But it's cool, I'll just come back later.
NOVEMBERSTORM: You sure? I can open the doors for you if you want.
LICHTER: That's not necessary. Thanks though. (quickly begins to walk away)
NOVEMBERSTORM: (calling out after him) Alright. I'll see you later.

With haste, lichter sped down the hallway and did not stop until he was out of sight. After quickly scanning left and right, he opened a door to the nearest room on his left and called A3 once he made sure he was alone.


A3: Hello?
LICHTER: I think we’re in trouble.
A3: Why? What happened?
LICHTER: NovemberstOrm caught me right outside the Liquipedia room. I made up some story about needing to talk to salle but since he saw me right outside, there’s a good chance that he could become a problem for us in the future.
A3: Shit! What do we do?
LICHTER: Well, I’m not sure right now. But I do know that we can’t tell S about this. If he hears that I screwed up again then he’ll have my head… And then, probably yours too.
A3: What? This wasn’t my fault.
LICHTER: You really think he’s going to give a damn about that? Phase two revolves around me and you, if the operation gets jeopardized then he’s going to hold both of us responsible regardless of what happened.
A3: God damn it lichter! What the hell are we going to do?
LICHTER: Let me call A1 and explain the situation. For now, just monitor everything and keep a close eye on both Nov and salle. Let me know the second you feel that they may have caught on to something… (takes a big sigh) If worst comes to worst, we may have to eliminate Nov.
A3: Fine. I’ll keep checking on things here. Bye.


Realizing that he didn’t have a second to waste, lichter left the room and sprinted towards section Elephant as fast as he could since he needed to put Chapa’s key card back before anyone could notice that it was missing. As he was running, lichter was starting to feel nauseous. He knew he had to call A1 and give a status update soon and he knew that he was not going to like what lichter was about to tell him. Dreading the upcoming conversation that would have to take place very soon, lichter continued to hurriedly run towards section Elephant.







Over in section Elephant, Zealously was climbing the stairs towards CPTSM’s office. Once he reached the door, he knocked several times but there was no answer. After about five minutes, he finally decided to open the door and peek inside a little. The first thing he noticed was that the room was a total mess. He could see that the contents of CPTSM’s desk were strewn about all over the floor and that the chair had been flipped to its side. Zealously slowly crept into the room and tried to properly survey the area. He began to look all around the room for any signs as to what could have happened. After searching everywhere and finding nothing, he finally came across the closet doors and yanked them open. As soon as he did that, CPTSM’s body fell down upon him and Zealously leaped back in surprise. After regaining his composure, he knelt down and grabbed CPTSM and tried to talk to him.

ZEALOUSLY: Chapa. Chapa, are you okay?

CPTSM did not respond. His body stirred a little but he continued to remain unconscious. As Zealously was about to pull out his receiver and call for help, he suddenly looked up and noticed lichter staring at him from the doorway.

LICHTER: What the hell are you doing here?
ZEALOUSLY: (with a stern look on his face) What the hell are you doing here?
LICHTER: …I uh… I needed to talk to CPTSM about something. Is he okay?
ZEALOUSLY: (getting up) Don’t play dumb with me lichter. I know you’re the one responsible for this.
LICHTER: (feigning innocence) What? Me? What are you talking about?
ZEALOUSLY: I know all about your little operation lichter. How was phase two? Did it go smoothly?
LICHTER: (stunned silence)
ZEALOUSLY: What’s the matter lichter? Why aren’t you saying anything? Oh, wait, I know why. Maybe because you thought no one knew what was going on, huh?
LICHTER: …I don’t know what you’re talking about.
ZEALOUSLY: Oh really? So if I were to ask you to empty out your pockets, I wouldn’t find Chapa’s key card on you? The one you needed to get into Liquipedia’s Command Center so that you could find out all you could about Project HerO?

After saying this, the room went completely silent. The two men continued to stare at each other as the seconds ticked by. Zealously kept a firm expression on his face and did not blink once as he continued to stare at lichter. After about thirty seconds of just standing there, lichter slowly reached into his pocket and pulled out CPTSM’s key card, extended his arm out to his side, and dropped the key card on to the floor.

LICHTER: (puts on a smile) So… This is why you were so against me getting the head of SC2 position during the writers’ meeting.
ZEALOUSLY: Damn right. It’s over lichter. Turn yourself in.
LICHTER: How long have you known?
ZEALOUSLY: Long enough. I’m serious lichter. Don’t make me do this. Just please turn yourself in before it’s too late.
LICHTER: (coldly) And if I were to refuse?
ZEALOUSLY: Then I’ll have no choice but to stop you by force.
LICHTER: ...Hmm… Is that so?
ZEALOUSLY: Yes. lichter, there is no way I’m letting you get away.
LICHTER: (nodding his head slowly) I see… (pauses for about ten seconds, then looks back up at Zealously) You know… On my way over here, I saw Plexa and DLO heading this way.
ZEALOUSLY: What?
LICHTER: Yeah… I can hear them climbing the steps. They should be here any second.
ZEALOUSLY: Then you have nowhere to run. This is your chance. Come clean to Plexa and I’m sure we will be able to work out some kind of deal for you. You can help us stop this.
LICHTER: Hmm… That’s true… But you know what? Let’s call that option B.
ZEALOUSLY: Option B? Then what’s option A?
LICHTER: (smiles) This.

Suddenly, lichter reached into his other pocket, pulled out a knife, and stabbed himself in the stomach. Zealously was so stunned by this sudden action that he didn’t move an inch. After stabbing himself, lichter slowly backed out of the room and fell down on to the ground just as Plexa and DLO came up the stairs. At the sight of what was going on, both Plexa and DLO quickly ran over to lichter. When they got near enough, lichter reached out his arm and grabbed Plexa’s ankle.

LICHTER: (weakly) Plexa… Plexa… H-help me…
PLEXA: What the hell?! lichter! lichter, what the hell happened?! Who did this?!

Without responding, lichter slowly raised his right arm up and pointed at Zealously, who was still standing perfectly still. Plexa looked over to where lichter was pointing and his eyes met with Zealously’s. Five seconds later, Plexa then looked down and saw that CPTSM was lying on the ground in an unconscious state. Shocked and stunned, Plexa turned back to lichter just as lichter’s arm dropped straight on to the ground as his head drooped to the side with his eyes closed.
As soon as lichter went down, Zealously came to his senses and tried to assess the situation. He realized that there was no way he was going to be able to explain this situation in a way that would make them understand what was going on. He also knew that he couldn’t allow himself to get caught since the other side’s operation wasn’t over yet. Without any hesitation, Zealously quickly ran out of the room as he pushed both Plexa and DLO to the ground and sprinted down the stairs as fast he could.

DARKLORDOLLI: Ouch! Damn! (looks up towards the stairs) Zeaously! Zealously!!!
PLEXA: (quickly getting up) DLO look after lichter and Chapa. I’m going after Zealously.
DARKLORDOLLI: Wait, Plexa. Plexa!

Plexa did not respond. As he descended the stairs as fast as possible, he quickly pulled out his receiver.

PLEXA: This is Plexa! I need immediate medical attention in room E21 in section Elephant! Two staff memebers are down, I repeat, two staff members are down! One is unconscious and the other one is massively bleeding from a knife wound! The suspect is Zealously! He has just left section Elephant and is heading down the hall! I am currently in pursuit! All officers are to proceed with caution as the suspect may be armed and dangerous!

End of Chapter

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