Sweeping past scientists and soldiers, through long and narrow metal-pipe hallways, Taylor Davidson rapidly makes his way towards the designated chamber N.5, where the rest of his research team should have been gathered, awaiting orders.

Davidson is a handsome, 36-year-old man, with slick but short black hair, sky blue eyes. His posture is firm and his physique is that of a trained soldier. And some of these features didn't just come naturally to him - after all, he had to endure intense training and almost 20 years of serving in the US military to become one of the most profound and skilled soldiers and commanders - earning him the officer rank of Colonel.

Being efficient with his time, Taylor looked at his watch and slowed down his walk. After all, the gathering schedule was set to 7:30 AM, and right then it's was only 6:50 AM. Pausing at a crossway, Taylor turned to the right - towards the cafeteria.

-"I've even got time to have some morning coffee and toast. Marvelous!".

After 5 or so minutes of walking, he has finally reached the small but comforting cafeteria area on the side of the path. This small area is humble and simple - 4 small round metal tables with a metal chair next to each, a small counter area and a back room that is the kitchen. Paying $8 for a fresh cup of coffee and a hot toast, Taylor sits down at one of the tables and pulls out some files from his suitcase.

Lt. Claus Diaz - Born in 1982, Bilbao, Spain. Moved to the United States in 1998, attending a military academy in Washington. Wife - Sofia Diaz. Daughter - Valeria Diaz. Proficiencies - Engineering, Tank Driver.

Lt. Morgan Flores - Born in 1978, Connecticut, United States. Has been serving in the United States military by contract since 1996. Proficiencies - Medic.

Lt. Lizabeth Ross - Born in 1982, Texas, United States. Has been serving in the United States military by contract since 1990. Father - Major General James Ross. Proficiencies - Recon.

Taylor is reading through the private documents on the rest of his research team yet again. He has been working with these people for the past 2 years, and today is the day they depart from each other. Each and everyone of them Colonel Davidson trained personally, so the relationship between the team members grew tighter and closer as the days passed by. The thought of his lost wife cannot pass by considering the upcoming event, and his face turns from a light smile to a serious look.

-"7:12, time to go".

Cleaning his face with a napkin, Taylor stands up from the table and heads back to his designated zone.

7:30 AM, Chamber N.5.

As Davidson puts his I.D Card against the white magnet lock that reads "N.5", the thick steel door opens up inward into a large square chamber, where the 3 other members of his research team - Lizabeth, Morgan and Claus swiftly stand up from the benches, form a line and salute to the Colonel.

The younger, bald and thin-looking man, Claus, steps forward.

-"Lt. Diaz, Lt. Flores and Lt. Ross under your command, sir!" - he shouts out in a loud, commanding voice.

-"Rest, lieutenants" - all 3 of them synchronously relax their bodies and stop saluting.

-"Any news from the association, Claus? Is our department command still in force?" - Says Taylor whilst walking towards one of the lockers.

-"Actually, sir, I wanted to report to you on this matter. The Association has issued to prolong our contract by 2 days,"-pulling out a sealed file from his briefcase -"Here are the orders" -says Claus.

-"What?!" -completely caught off guard yells out Taylor -"What kind of idiot let that order go through?!".

-"To our expectations, it was Doctor Raymond, sir".

To the Colonel, it was a completely unexpected matter. The New Year is coming soon, and he had already planned and booked tickets for himself and his son to go on a holiday to Egypt. Even though his thoughts didn't escape his mouth, it was quite easy to tell what's on his mind. His face started to turn red from anger, but he was trained enough to keep himself from breaking something or somebody in the room.

After a brief pause, Taylor takes the sealed file from Claus and sits down behind his desk. He takes out a small pocket knife from his belt and breaks the seal, pulling out a small stack of papers. Everyone in the room were silently waiting to hear the orders listed in the documents.

-"Issued by Doctor Raymond, approved by Lt. General Roberts," -Taylor starts whispering to himself, loudly enough for the rest of the team to hear -"the research team under the command of Colonel Davidson are to follow Doctor Raymond's orders in the following experiments with the Miracle, thus prolonging his and his team's work contracts until 23rd of December, 2008".

-"We're not going to make it for the new year, are we?" - says Lizabeth in a gentle, but sad voice.

-"It looks like so. I hope we'll at least get a compensation" - Morgan follows up.

-"A command is a command, there is no point to be sad about it. If even the Lt. General had to personally approve the sudden extension of our contracts - it just means that we are seriously needed here" - explains Claus.

-"The document also has the schedule written down. Looks like they are planning on something big today. Anyways, gather your things and equip the suits. We are to be in the Anomaly Core Zone by 8:30" - commands Taylor.

-"Yes, sir!"

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8:15 AM, Anomaly Core Zone, Main Laboratory.

-"Are you completely sure about this, Professor? I know that the suits have been specifically designed to withstand high temperatures and pressure, but 9000? Have you gone completely nuts?!".

-"I have done my calculations, boy. Don't underestimate the power of science. The power of the 'Miracle' is getting stronger and stronger, and this is the only way to weaken it and let the soldiers finally approach it. Today we will celebrate for our success, I can see it!".

-"What are you going to say, if the experiment team dies? How are you going to explain to the Association if the laboratory suffers a disaster? I am not going to be part of this. Wish you best of luck, Professor".

-"Pft, you're too young to understand. Go on then, leave. I'll make sure they cut your salary for disobeying".

With a big bang, the younger scientist leaves the chamber, leaving only Doctor Raymond and 3 other scientists inside. Through the multiple layers of bullet-proof glass in this room, Doctor stares at the image of the pulsating blue crystal ball - the whole reason he is here - the Miracle.

After a little while, the door into this chamber opens again, leading Taylor's research team, who are all equipped with heavy white resistant suits, inside. Walking in one by one and holding their helmets in their arms, Taylor walks forward towards Raymond and in a commanding voice says:

-"Lt. Diaz, Lt. Ross, Lt. Flores and Colonel Davidson have arrived by your command, Doctor Raymond".

-"Glad you are here on time, Colonel." -scanning the rest of the team head to toe Raymond continues - "Gather the stimulants and have the pills - they are on the table over there. Standby after that".

With a nod, Taylor and his team slowly approached to the designated table in their heavy suits. Each of them took 2 syringes filled with brownish liquid and a blue pill, which they swallowed a minute later.

-"Can I ask you, why exactly did you wan't us to do more experiments, Doctor? We have already gone through so much, and now you are ruining our New Year". - says Taylor.

-"Colonel...The Association is growing tired of our failed attempts and our meaningless results. We are losing sponsors, the fundings are burning out rapidly - and all for no results. I have a clue on how to make this thing open itself to us. I have a way to prove the world that they are wrong".

Taylor sighs heavily.

-"I hope we can do this quick, whatever you are planning".

-"Didn't take me long to convince you. Good. I'll make sure you all get compensated for this".

Doctor Raymond starts yelling out commands to the other scientists in the room to prepare for the upcoming experiment. The machines are starting to boot up, the lights turn brighter, everyone in the room starts putting on gas masks and checking the radio, contacting the headquarters.

In all of this chaos, Taylor and his team are sitting quietly, feeling their muscles starting to slowly tense - this is the effect of the pills they have taken. The substance not only provides with a higher level of alertness to the user, but also increased vitality. This is practically a drug that had to have been approved by the Goverment specifically for the use of the experiment, since it shortens the life span of the user.

10 minutes of intense conversation between the scientists pass, until Raymond stands up and walks towards the research team.

-"During this, you might find yourself heavily dizzied, unable to move, it will be extremely hard for you to breath at times, and, most likely, you will start passing out. If you feel your mind starting to get clouded - use the stimulants immediately. And remember - do not back out. Your courage is going to be the decisive step towards the success of this experiment. I wish you the best of luck, comrades."

-"Yes, sir!" - the whole team yells out and stands up simultaneously.

Putting on their helmets, Colonel and his team starts heading towards the large steel doorway - the entrance to the room with the Miracle. Pulling the triggering lever, they all start going through a pressure-normalazing room. After a few moments, the air has been completely pulled away around them. They press the small buttons on their arms that trigger their air gallons - they can now breath normally.

-"We are going to be slowly increasing the pressure, your job is to gradually make steps towards the Anomaly. Clear?" -says Raymond through the radio.

-"Clear, sir!" - responds Taylor.

-"Then let us start with experiment N.378 - Breakthrough!"

-"What a flashy name..."- thinks Davidson to himself.

-"10..

9..

8..

7..

6..

5" -the whole rooms goes silent and holds their breath.

"4..

3..

2..

1..

"Pressure release to 1000 initiate!".

The door in front of the research team starts slowly opening and they start hearing loud cracking noises, almost like a storm being brought into this room! They all form a line and start slowly moving in closer towards their objective.

"1500...2000...2500..."-Raymond is notifying the team of the current pressure state.

As the number starts increasing, breathing for the team starts becoming harder and harder, their bodies feel more and more heavy with each step.

"3000...3500...4000".

At this point it becomes extremely hard for them to see anything in front of their eyes - breathing gets to an impossible state - their minds are starting to black out. At this point Taylor, who is in the front of the team, yells out:

"Stimulants, now!".

This message hit the rest of the team instantly - they all inject the syringes they picked up earlier in their veins, stimulating their bodies and pushing themselves beyond their physical limits.

"4500..5000..."

"Doctor, they won't be able to hold much longer! Issue retreat"

Raymond, witnessing all of this through the bullet-proof glass, bites his lip to the point of bleeding.

"Doctor, we can do this. The stimulants will be able to hold us for much longer, let us proceed!" - Taylor yells out through the radio.

Unexpected of this request, Raymond hesitates:

-"15 meters away, the pressure is 6000...They will make it!" - Raymond yells out -"Proceed with the experiment. May God be with you."

-"Do you really believe in God, Professor? The only thing that can help us here is science!

Claus, Morgan - inject the 2nd round of stimulants. Lizabeth - pull the trigger. We are going in!"

As commanded, Claus and Morgan quickly inject the 2nd round of stimulants in themselves, while Lizabeth rushes over to the wall to pull the red lever - the trigger to the last layer of protection for the Miracle.

-"6500...7000...7500!"

Taylor starts slowly passing out but hesitates to inject a 2nd round.

"Pull!"- Taylor yells out desperately.

With a clicking noise, Lizabeth pulls the red lever with all of her might and starts rushing over to the crystal.

The last layer of Miracle's protection - the force field - is shut down. There is now nothing standing between the research team and it.

"We can do this!".

"Yes!".

Raymond couldn't help but smile as a reaction to these soldier's courage. Will his work finally be finished? Will he finally be able to unveil the secrets of this anomaly? Will this be the new step for humanity?

Exhausted but determined - the team follows their commander until the end.

"7800! Distance - 3 meters! Unbelievable!".

Taylor pushes himself beyond his imaginable limit - he thrusts himself towards the crystal with all of his remaining might.

"8000!".

And with that, Taylor touches the blue crystalline ball with his hands.

The time in here for everyone stops. This moment that everyone has been waiting for is finally here. What is going to happen? What is coming next? These questions were going through every singular mind in the vicinity.

And suddenly...Bang! A flash of white light as bright as the sun followed up with a large explosion fills in the whole area. The scientist's skin and eyes, including the Doctor's, immediately burn away, revealing the muscles and the bone. Their heads start popping like balloons, and the multiple layers of bullet-proof glass cracks and breaks within an instant.

Within less than 10 seconds, there were 4 melting flesh bodies of once living humans, a ruined laboratory slowly filling with the outside water, and Taylor's research team - the bodies of which were absent.

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"Uhh..."- waking up on a cold, rock floor -"What...what happened?"- Taylor whispers to himself, with a major headache and stomach pain -"Where the hell am I?!"

End of the Ironclad Chapter.