Chapter - 324
The Core was the eye of the storm.
While the rest of the facility pulsed with chaotic lights and deafening music, the central chamber was soundproofed and calm. It was a massive, circular room dominated by a telescope mechanism above and a ring of computer terminals below.
Standing in the center, looking at a wall of monitors that were currently displaying error messages and dancing cartoon skeletons (courtesy of the Poltergeist), was Valerius.
He was a striking figure. Tall, gaunt, with skin as pale as the snow outside. He wore a white turtleneck and grey slacks. He didn't look like a soldier; he looked like a transhumanist cult leader. His left arm was cybernetic—a sleek, chrome prosthetic that hummed softly. One of his eyes was replaced by a multi-lens optical sensor that whirred as it focused on Rick.
Rick walked in, shoving Kovac to the floor.
"Valerius," Rick said, his voice echoing in the silent room. "I brought your dog back. He's housebroken, mostly."
