The Project

Yet another group of synchronized boot steps marched along the corridor to do some horrific thing. These thugs had come in and just took over the entire barrier, even bringing in their own mages to expand the barrier by miles. Security had picked up intensely in the secret lab as Professor Raynesh’s necromancy had gone into full swing. With the technology the Nazis provided, Raynesh was able to mass produce his abominations and perfect his gargoyles.

“Come now, Sasha, don’t look so gloom! My lifelong dream of my creations finally coming to life is being met! Isn’t that worth a smile?!” asked the professor as he looked over the blueprints to his latest creation. Sasha let out a sigh as she faked a smile for the good doctor.

“I’d be happier if you got this done without becoming their stooge,” she replied as she stared at more goose-stepping Nazis make their way down the hall. Sasha once again struggled with herself as to why she stayed with Professor Raynesh and did not leave. I should have left when I had that chance days ago. ‘Sure professor, I’ll go out and get that part for you! No need to send a Nazi!’ But nooooooooooooo I had to stay by his side; to make sure he was safe. God dammit, this bit me in the ass real good, Sasha told herself as she paced back and forth, her mind raced to figure a way out of her current predicament.

“I know, my dear, I know. But in my line of magic, it’s hard to find people who appreciate my magecraft. Now, while they aren’t my first choice either, the Nazis are a means to an end. Do you really think that I would let these despicable mongoloids use these for their horrible goals?” asked Reynash as he scribbled down some notes on the plans that sat in front of him.

“Yes, I know. It’s just…” started Sasha as she sighed and looked off, not sure what to say or do. This last week had been a roller-coaster for Sasha. Not once did she think that doing a simple test and catalog a late bloomer’s powers gig would turn into an extended stint with the god damn Nazis. Sasha was never one to put down roots in a place for long, but it felt like the Nazis were forcing it on her and she hated every second of it.

“Maybe some fresh air will do you good, girl. I could use some items from the store nearby, perhaps you could get them for me?” asked the professor, a soft smile on his face. Sasha couldn’t help but **** a smile at the kind old man. Most people think of necromancers as horribly evil people, and they are mostly right. Sasha had encountered enough of those types to know it was true. But with Professor Reynash, he just wanted to experiment, and necromancy gave him the most to experiment with. She couldn’t help but admire his curiosity, even if it led to things like him assisting the Nazis. One day your curiosity is gonna get you killed, old man, thought Sasha as she accepted the request and headed out of the office.

Sasha made her way down the hallways, dodging out of the way of various Nazis busily passing through the halls, always a sense of urgency on their faces. Sasha just laughed at them as she continued through, yet a hint of sadness was also present. These drones just buzzed along oblivious to the atrocities that their fellows had or will commit, wilfully ignorant of it all. As she turned a corner, she spotted two officers in mid-conversation and ducked back around to hear what they were saying.
“…much potential. This professor truly loves to experiment with the undead. I think it’s just the thrill of seeing if he can do it but never actually making more than one that is his weakness,” said the taller officer.

“Yes, I agree. His curiosity is high, but his ambition is rather lacking. It is disappointing when a person has one but lacks the other. It’s only when one has both that their true potential is seen,” said the second one as he played with his hat.

“But Project Endless Night has potential we haven’t seen since Project MG-B-UM-01. If we can recreate even half the combat potential of that project, the time and money spent on this will all be worth it,” said the first Nazi, his wicked grin made Sasha feel sick.

“Ah yes, that project. That’s the one where they turned traitor and fled, right?”

“Yes, those traitors fled with the Fuhrer’s potentially greatest weapon that would have allowed him to win the war! Now it is lost to us, only God knows where those Soviets hid it,” the Nazi’s anger palpable. “We will not make that mistake twice. The first sign he shows of turning traitor to the cause and he will be eliminated!” nearly shouted the Nazi as his voice rose. Sasha took in all the information that she had just overheard and knew it was trouble. Professor Reynash would be too oblivious to even see the intent of these soldiers and his equal inability to fully finish a job meant his life was forfeit. Cursing her attachment to the old man, Sasha quietly made her way back to office.

“…patrols have picked up. We are also detecting large movements of their troops, they are all returning to Springfield. The Order seems to be preparing for war. Best we can tell, the scouts are searching for someone or some place, but it doesn’t seem to be focused on our residential area. The search is further east than where we are,” spoke a Nazi into a phone as he rushed down the hall, completely ignorant to Sasha as she calmly walked down the same hall. Now the Order is up to something too? This week is turning into a week of god damn hell, she thought as she finally made it back to the office.

“Professor, we have t-oh hello William, how nice of you to be here,” gritted Sasha through her teeth as she tried not to reveal her plans. William turned around and greeted Sasha while she felt his lecherous eyes look all over her body. Sasha felt disgusted just by the mere gaze he gave her.

“As I was telling the professor here, it would probably be best if you both stayed here. It seems the Order is up to something and we can’t take any…unnecessary risks, right?” asked the noble, his eyes still upon Sasha, eating up every piece of flesh he could see.

“Yes, yes that makes sense. We wouldn’t want anything to happen while I was working,” said the professor as he stretched. “I haven’t felt this alive in years! So thrilling!” he said as he patted William on the back. “Don’t worry, Sasha and I shall stay here, for our safety!” he said with a smile, causing William to smile in return.

“I’m glad you both see reason. I have nothing else to say and if you have nothing to add, I shall take my leave,” said William as he gave the professor a pat and winked at Sasha, who had to hold back her urge to vomit from the guy as he walked past her and out the door.

“Professor we need-“

“to go. Yes, Sasha, I am aware something is amiss here. We’d best make our leave posthaste, before they realize we are not content to be here,” said the professor as he pulled out two bags packed to the brim. He took his latest blueprints, of which Sasha saw a glimpse of something that looked monstrous, and he slid it into the larger bag. “I’m ready, are you?” he asked.

“Of course. I always keep everything stored in my cards,” she said with a smile as she held a card with multiple bags between her index and middle fingers. “Makes for easy movement when I have to leave in a hurry.”

“Ah, such a smart young woman you are, Sasha. I’m glad to have met you and become friends,” he said with a warm smile on his face. Sasha couldn’t help but return his smile with one of her own, the old man her only true friend. He placed his wrinkled hand on her cheek to lift her face. “Now, let’s get out of here, shall we?” he said, his warm smile warming Sasha up.

“Right, let’s go, you crazy, old man,” she said as she walked over to the table. Professor Reynash watched in silence as Sasha took a card out of her fighting deck and placed it on the table. “Release!” she said as a puff of smoke appeared from the card and quickly dissipated to reveal a circular object and a headset. The headset covered one ear and had a small screen that was placed about a foot from the same eye as the covered ear. The screen displayed a HUD for controlling the object. “This is my scouting drone. I’ll use it to scout out ahead of us so we can avoid any patrols or idling Nazis,” she told him as she booted up the drone.
The drone made no noise whatsoever as it slowly rose from the table and hovered at around waist length of Sasha before she ordered it through the door. The drone quietly made its way one hall ahead of the two, alerting them to any hallways filled with their captors. The two were **** to take a more roundabout way as they zigzagged through the barrier complex.

“Ok, around this corner should be another way to the exit. Let’s hope there’s nothing blocking our path,” Sasha said, realizing she just jinxed herself as she saw a small group of Nazi soldiers guarding the exit. “Well, that’s a problem,” tsked Sasha as she contemplated as to what to do.

“I’ll deal with this, Sasha,” said the old professor. “Stitches, come!” he said as he raised his hand. A dark crack appeared from the hand all the way down to the floor. First, one hand appeared from the gap, grabbing the side. Soon a second hand, then a third, smaller hand, both appeared and stretched the dark tear. The shambling abomination known as Stitches emerged from the tear, it sealing up after the creature was fully out of it.

“Stitches here! What master want?” asked the mass of undead flesh and bile.

“Go, kill those people. Desummon yourself once they are all dead or you are close to dying, ok?” half ordered half asked Reynash. Stitches nodded as he grabbed his meat cleaver and fish hook, turned the corner, and rushed towards the unprepared Nazis.

“What is that thing?” asked one.

“Did one of those creatures escape?” asked another.

“Sound the ala-“ was all that one could say before the fish hook cut through his chest and dragged him to Stitches, whose meat cleaver cut the Nazi’s head in two. The Nazis attempted a counter attack, but were not prepared for the abomination’s surprising quickness. In all the confusion of Stitches’ attack, Sasha and Reynash sprinted towards the exit of the barrier, dodging attacks from Stitches and the Nazis.