*SOMEWHERE IN ANTARCTICA*
Following years of exploitation, the governments discovered no sign of life in Antarctica. They allocated only a few people to drill the remaining oil reservoirs on Earth under the seabed of Antarctica. Erecting from the glaciers, was a facility built to accommodate workers. It was comprised of 8 oil platforms connected together with bridges and a roof garden, surrounding a glass dome at the centre underneath the garden. In between the oil platforms, were rows and rows of defensive walls. Most of the researchers were working inside the dome, in different rooms.
“CLING.”
Todd mixed chemicals in a lab. After Todd pushed a button, a test tube rack arose from a rectangular hole. Todd placed his chemicals into the holder.
“ANALYZING 1%”
“ANALYZING 5%”
It was already at 9 pm. In Antarctica, there was not much to do. No TV, video games, or Internet connection even though 20 years had passed. Technological advancements promised had flown under the radar. The only thing changed was the social order of mankind. Everyone became cynical and egotistical.
“ANALYZING 75%”
“ANALYZING 80%”
“ANALYZING 95%..96%..97%”
Todd anticipated his bedtime since he woke up. It took meticulous calculations to work in a laboratory, but the duties were redundant.
High wages were his only incentive. Resources depleted quickly on Earth, causing costs of everything to skyrocket.
*ANALYZING 98%...99%*
Todd clenched his fists and pressed the table firmly before him. He was awaiting the moment of joy. The moment when he was able to wave his hands in the air, jump to his bed and close his eyes.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
“COMPLE... EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE...”
Todd became exasperated as he had never encountered such a situation before. The robotic voice stuttered in a monotone. It wouldn’t end by declaring COMPLETED. Todd covered his ears as he couldn’t bear the eerie anomaly.
*EARLIER IN THE CONTROL ROOM OF LAB*
“Tomorrow we will have to move oil via the network or the city lights will go out.” A woman said.
“No, we can’t! Look at the power storage! 1 more week and we all will die here!” Spencer argued.
“We could evacuate! We have to transfer the power!” The woman said.
“How? Our helicopters also need power! We are scientists! Without us, they will all die! Taking care of ourselves is our top priority!” Spencer replied.
“We have already charged our helicopters! Aren’t you trying to take the power away by yourself!” The woman questioned.
Spencer blanched when the woman revealed his secret plan. He looked around slyly and peeked at the button he needed to press on the control panel. He began running towards the button, but the woman was already there blocking.
“Sarah, I don’t want to do this!” shook Spencer's head, blustering.
He caught hold of a syringe from the table and charged towards Sarah. She parried Spencer and duffed him up, trying to snatch his syringe. Both stumbled upon a wire on the floor and lost balance. They were then rolling on the floor, wrestling.
“PCHUKK!”
Unfortunately, Spencer outflanked Sarah. He thrust the syringe deep into her neck.
His immediate reaction was fear. He could not imagine killing someone. Sarah was bleeding, and her wound was getting bigger and bigger. Blood seeping out contaminated the pristine and sanitized floor. Her dilated pupils gave him the evil eye.
“I’m so sorry.” Spencer whispered out a faux apology.
He took out a garbage bag and threw Sarah’s corpse in. He hauled the bag into an old cabinet after tying, then closed the doors.
Unbeknownst to Spencer, what he did will eradicate mankind. He didn’t know there was an ancient oil valve control in the cabinet. Oil began leaking back into the boreholes.
The leakage triggered the alarm, which began blasting out. Yet it didn’t matter. The only thing Spencer cares about was he killed someone and he needed to run away. He took out a huge power storage to discharge the main power and manipulated its capacity to 90%, to deceive others. He then sneaked to the backdoor, arriving at the helipad. Leering when he put the power storage on the back seat, he did not use it to charge the helicopter. With no piloting experience, he still pulled the accelerator to full speed in fulfilling his secret plan.
*EXPERIMENT ROOM*
Todd heard the loud siren going off.
“It must be one of those stupid fire drills again. There isn’t a fire incident happened here at all.” Todd chafed.