INT. HQ UNDERGROUND – CORE ROOM EXIT – NIGHT
33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6n9xV9mPKz
ALERTS begin to flash across the patrol’s HUDs.
33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwSRMbn7to
[COOLANT RESERVE: 12%]
[CORE TEMP RISING]
[OVERHEAT WARNING – SHUTDOWN IMMINENT]
33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtfZYiqWq0
A shrill, synthetic whine pierces through the silence—automated systems crying out as their limits approach.
33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSDafStOIP
SCIENTIST UNIT (through comms)
“All units, you’ve got less than five minutes before core temperatures breach tolerance. Initiate retreat protocol now!”
33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRtfNZ2Ru7
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.”
33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvMkhyNYFi
SECURITY BOT 07
“Exit’s behind us, shaft’s stable. Dropping signal beacons.”
33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0gKkKT5Au
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.
33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXs8D4Yln1
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.
33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGVnifkn5s
SECURITY BOT 11
(panting)
“This place... It wasn’t finished growing.”
33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwh7kZvYU3
JASON
“Then let’s not stick around for its birthday party.”
33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1pYQFge08
Up, up, climbing back toward light and metal and breathable air. The howling fades, replaced by the rhythmic clanks of boots and grapples.
33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0OixrPkEu
They emerge through the blasted hole in HQ’s lower level, panting, limbs trailing vapor like they just crawled out of hell.
33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvZAyTg9qE
Cool air slams into them—clean, industrial, painfully sharp.
33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Jc9sf0OId
SCIENTIST UNIT (on-site)
“Your vitals are off the charts. Coolant flush stations are ready—move!”
33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSj9YgGHipf
The team rushes toward the temporary triage station, collapsing into position, coolant streams hissing as it floods through systems.
33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9Xjv4hyUR
JASON, seated on the ground, looks back at the gaping hole behind them. The glow of purple light still faintly visible through the breach.
33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bsv8EJTG9
JASON
(quietly, to himself)
“We found the heart... but we still don’t know what’s pumping it.”
33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4zqYWVYbo
FADE OUT.
ns216.73.216.62da2
