Red and Blue: Volume One

One Day at the Facility

Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there existed a kingdom called Energies, nestled amidst picturesque landscapes and inhabited by peaceful and loving people. The kingdom was renowned for its harmonious coexistence with nature and its commitment to scientific progress. At the heart of this idyllic realm lay the majestic Albino Peaks, a range of towering mountains that soared into the heavens, their snow-capped peaks glistening like diamonds.

Perched upon one of these magnificent peaks stood the Albino Peaks Science Complex (APSC), a sprawling facility that housed some of the world's most brilliant and innovative minds. Employing thousands of dedicated individuals from the kingdom of Energies and beyond, the APSC was renowned for its groundbreaking research and unparalleled scientific advancements.

Among the many individuals working within the complex were two extraordinary men: Lieutenant Dale Thompson, a seasoned security guard, and Doctor Tyler Hayes, a brilliant nuclear engineer. Despite their differing roles within the APSC, both Dale and Tyler possessed an insatiable curiosity and a shared passion for unraveling the mysteries of the universe.

Lt. Dale, a 28-year-old criminology graduate hailing from the River State, had unexpectedly found himself serving as a high-security officer in the APSC. Trained in the elite Raven's Fury Police Training Academy, Dale's exceptional skills had earned him the respect and admiration of his peers, positioning him for a forthcoming promotion to the rank of General within the security team.

On the other hand, Dr. Hayes, a 36-year-old nuclear engineering graduate from the prestigious institution of Brightlingham, had recently migrated to the kingdom of Energies to assume the role of engineering supervisor for the complex's power core. Tyler's reputation as a pioneering scientist had preceded him, particularly due to his relentless pursuit of understanding the origins of two enigmatic objects discovered a century ago.

Long ago, two adventurous brothers named Paul and Johnny Peterson had ventured into the treacherous depths of the Albino Peaks during a casual hike. To their astonishment, they stumbled upon a pair of peculiar objects resting upon an ancient metallic pedestal. Upon closer inspection, they discovered the artifacts to be a set of radiant crystals: the Red Gem and the Blue Gem. As fate would have it, the moment the Peterson brothers touched these extraordinary gems, they found themselves bestowed with incredible superhuman abilities. Paul became the Blue Warrior, christened Thunderbolt, while Johnny transformed into the Red Fighter, known as Terraquake. Together, they became Earth's guardians, defending their fellow inhabitants from a malevolent force known as the Bug Men – giant mutant humans possessing insect-like powers – who had ravaged numerous communities. In time, Thunderbolt and Terraquake enlisted the aid of their wives, Mandy and Serena, who embraced their roles as Amira and Primavera, warriors in their own right. United as a formidable team, they relentlessly pursued and vanquished the Bug Men, culminating in a decisive victory over the King Bug and the eradication of their menace.

A hundred years had elapsed since Thunderbolt and Terraquake's heroic mission, during which they were called upon by the mysterious gems to transcend their earthly forms and ascend as immortal Templars. Though they departed their mortal bodies, the artifacts they left behind – the Red Gem and the Blue Gem – were entrusted to the care of the Albino Peaks Science Complex.

However, destiny had a different path in store for Dale and Tyler, as an unforeseen catastrophe struck the APSC, forever altering their lives.

One fateful morning, as the sun began to cast its golden rays over the Albino Peaks, Dr. Hayes made his way to the locker room to don his protective hazard suit, unknowingly sharing the space with Lt. Thompson, who stood vigilant in his role as a guardian of the facility.

"Good morning, chap," greeted Dr. Hayes with a warm smile.

"Good morning, Doc," responded Lt. Thompson, his eyes filled with curiosity. "How's the day shaping up?"

"Well, my friend, I'm sure you're aware of the announcement regarding today's experiment," began Tyler, his voice tinged with excitement. "We're scheduled to inspect the pedestals housing the Red Gem and the Blue Gem."

"What have you discovered, Doc?" inquired Dale, his interest piqued.

Tyler's eyes sparkled with a blend of intrigue and wonder. "Remarkable inscriptions adorn the pedestals, and we've also determined that the materials used in their construction are virtually indestructible. We intend to study these metals further, with the hope of unlocking the potential for mass production."

"That sounds incredible, Doc! But are you not concerned about potential dangers that may arise?" Dale questioned, his brows furrowed.

Tyler's demeanor exuded confidence. "Fear not, my friend. These metals are of extraterrestrial origin, and while the possibility of unforeseen phenomena cannot be entirely ruled out, we are well-prepared to navigate any potential challenges."

Dale's eyes widened, and his tone shifted to a more lighthearted one. "Speaking of extraordinary things, Doc, would you like to meet my girlfriend, Anneliese? She's stationed at the nearby military camp – an absolute stunner with cascading, waist-length brown locks! Join us, and I'll treat you to a pint of ale from Brightlingham. My treat!"

A grin spread across Tyler's face. "That sounds delightful, mate. Count me in! I'll bring Mei Ling, my partner, along as well. She's a gifted perfume chemist from the Middle Kingdom, and her fragrances are simply enchanting. In fact, the perfume I'm wearing today is her creation – a testament to her incredible talent."

Dale chuckled, his enthusiasm infectious. "She sounds absolutely lovely, my friend! Carry on with your suit, Doc, and we'll catch up later."

"Likewise, my dear friend. Until then, cheerio!" Tyler bid farewell as he prepared to resume his duties.

As the morning progressed, Tyler embarked on his tasks within the APSC's nuclear core, overseeing the initiation of the scanning process for the remnants of the metallic pedestals that had long housed the mystical Gems discovered by the Peterson brothers. With the activation of the precision element scanner, an unprecedented sequence of events began to unfold, forever altering the destiny of those within the facility.

A surge of raw power emanated from the core, wreaking havoc on the complex. Equipment shattered, walls crumbled, and the very ground trembled beneath their feet. In the midst of this chaos, as the laser device of the scanner locked onto the pedestal, an extraordinary phenomenon commenced.

Before Dr. Hayes's eyes, a mesmerizing tableau of an intergalactic war unfurled, its intensity and scale leaving him awestruck. Waves of green and orange light cascaded throughout the complex, mingling with the tumultuous atmosphere. As the dazzling spectacle unfolded, workers caught a whiff of an unfamiliar scent – a pungent amalgamation reminiscent of flesh and burning sulfur.

Simultaneously, within the confines of the office complex adjacent to the laboratory, Lt. Dale sensed the impending danger. His instincts kicked into overdrive, propelling him to act swiftly. "Cover your noses! Seek shelter! Evacuate and distance yourselves from that noxious smell!" he urgently commanded, his voice resonating with authority.

Regrettably, unbeknownst to them, the very scent they sought to avoid carried within it an insidious alien virus. Once inhaled, the virus infiltrated their bodies, its tendrils gradually encroaching upon their hearts. In a macabre metamorphosis, the infected organ transformed into a gland, secreting a malevolent chemical that hijacked both mind and body, reducing humans to mindless creatures akin to zombies.

As the strange scent permeated the air, Dr. Hayes and Lt. Thompson succumbed to its influence, their consciousness fading into oblivion. Little did they know, the Red Gem near Tyler and the Blue Gem near Dale began to emanate a vibrant glow, their energies intertwining in the face of this unfolding catastrophe.