Project Eidolon is a work-in-progress science fiction story I am writing. Originally, this was just a video game concept (which would be amazing, still), but I've enjoyed writing about it, so I'm working on some full 'lore.' :)
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Erebus Point is a military research facility stationed on the coast of Alaska. Those working at Erebus Point are the top minds when it comes to radiological weaponry and warfare. In 1995, Under orders by the CIA, a team of scientists created a prototype weapon designed for the front-lines. This weapon, nicknamed "The Eidolon," is a living, sentient, Weapon of Mass Casualty. One of the Modular Prototypes (a smaller, somewhat less destructive version of the weapon) has escaped and wreaked havoc on the Facility. The only hope for those at Erebus Point is to abandon it. The Coast Guard is conducting an evacuation procedure, but time is limited.
Weapons of Mass Casualty differ from traditional Weapons of Mass Destruction in that they do not destroy buildings, cities, or transportation. They just destroy human lives. The Eidolon is a CIA-backed Radiological Weapons experiment designed to be deployed on the front lines of combat, replacing the need for human soldiers or to be deployed during a coup to gain control of a city, state, or country. The weapon is a radioactive, silicone-based lifeform programmed to kill desired targets. Because the weapon is silicone based, It is unknown exactly how the Eidolon senses its targets, although it is theorized that it may be able to detect changes in air density. Due to the destructive nature of the Eidolon, researchers have only conducted studies on “Modular Eidolons” which are smaller and less destructive prototypes, which have a fraction of the finalized weapon’s potential.
The Eidolon resembles a biomechanical mass of dark sticky fluid. it navigates a given area using “tendrils” that are able to stick to any type of surface (similar to the mechanisms found in tree frogs). The tendrils can also be used as a melee weapon, when the Eidolon strikes a target it will sharpen a tendril to stab or maim a target. It may also use its tendrils to suffocate a target by covering the face, and depositing radioactive residue into the target's orifices. Similar to an Octopus, the Eidolon is able to fit through any sized opening, given enough time. The Eidolon may also leave a radioactive residue on the surfaces it travels on. Direct contact with this residue (or the Eidolon itself) will result in skin burns and acute radiation syndrome. The only observed weakness of the Eidolon is its inability to swim in water. In order to keep the Modular Eidolons dormant, researchers keep them in tubes of near-frozen liquid chemicals.
Erebus Point is an American research facility designed for studying and creating Radiological Weapons. The research facility was originally an outpost during the cold war built to harbor boats and submarines to spy on the Soviet Union. One year after the Cold War ended, it was decided that the outpost would become a research facility. The base was to be dedicated to studying virology and radiology. Renovation of the base began in 1992 and finished in 1993, adding a second story and labs to the base. In 1995, the CIA funded Project Eidolon, leading to the expansion of the facility to include a state-of-the-art research and testing wing dedicated to Project Eidolon. This second wing is connected via a bridge on the second story.
Project Eidolon led to the creation of a sentient radiological weapon which became unstable, killing almost every scientist and soldier at Erebus Point. Only a few people survived with the help of the Coast Guard, who conducted a sea evacuation. Those who did survive were later killed by radiation poisoning due to contact with the unstable weapon.