INT. HQ UNDERGROUND – CORE ROOM EXIT – NIGHT
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhCHjzm7LR
ALERTS begin to flash across the patrol’s HUDs.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyGsf91RJS
[COOLANT RESERVE: 12%]
[CORE TEMP RISING]
[OVERHEAT WARNING – SHUTDOWN IMMINENT]
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XFdgp3wgq
A shrill, synthetic whine pierces through the silence—automated systems crying out as their limits approach.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbirL5fzT7s
SCIENTIST UNIT (through comms)
“All units, you’ve got less than five minutes before core temperatures breach tolerance. Initiate retreat protocol now!”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoi0ZxxZFFr
JASON
(gritting his teeth, watching steam hiss from his arms)
“You heard the nerd. Fall back! Mark your routes as you go—don’t get cocky.”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWeazl87AM
SECURITY BOT 07
“Exit’s behind us, shaft’s stable. Dropping signal beacons.”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZswYZVcOm
The team moves fast, metal limbs straining, servos whining with heat-stressed effort. Flare tags and electronic markers are punched into organic walls—burning through layers of soft flesh and latching in with anchors.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BEn5cb7Vc
As they abseil back up the elevator shaft, it feels more like escaping the stomach of something alive. The vines around them twitch and tighten, but don’t attack—just observe.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CSMqFfGwR
SECURITY BOT 11
(panting)
“This place... It wasn’t finished growing.”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcDMcqGkTE
JASON
“Then let’s not stick around for its birthday party.”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnd7syQ79Tl
Up, up, climbing back toward light and metal and breathable air. The howling fades, replaced by the rhythmic clanks of boots and grapples.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIRozCSRx9
They emerge through the blasted hole in HQ’s lower level, panting, limbs trailing vapor like they just crawled out of hell.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyRqUnD3eb
Cool air slams into them—clean, industrial, painfully sharp.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jOexfCPs1
SCIENTIST UNIT (on-site)
“Your vitals are off the charts. Coolant flush stations are ready—move!”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CGn0iWKab
The team rushes toward the temporary triage station, collapsing into position, coolant streams hissing as it floods through systems.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzAahlPLWq
JASON, seated on the ground, looks back at the gaping hole behind them. The glow of purple light still faintly visible through the breach.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mzM0a2fGQ
JASON
(quietly, to himself)
“We found the heart... but we still don’t know what’s pumping it.”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLAxp76KB8
FADE OUT.
ns216.73.216.238da2
