INT. SECURITY HQ – BLOWN ELEVATOR SHAFT – NIGHT
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX97P5ucPtB
The world narrows to a vertical tunnel of shadow, veins of pulsing alloy carved into the shaft like the body of a buried creature. Wind, not from the outside, but from within, breathes up at them. A chorus of distant howls echoes from below.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJdLQsEaTr
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBF75iMZiEe
---
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkGLGVSZRl
PREP
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtw3fjiFbT9
Cables are fired into the shaft walls—anchor claws piercing into reinforced bone-metal. Searchlights are lowered first, flooding the shaft in eerie amber glow. Flare guns are clipped to belts. Each Security unit loads a final thermal cell into their plasma rifles.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwKi3CbeKo
SERGEANT R8
“Check comms. Pair flare guns to tactical sensors. Mark your partners—if one falls, two catch.”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ob1sgcHR1
JASON tightens his harness. His optics glance across the squad—most bots silent, focused.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPwHF99fVt
JASON
“Last chance to turn back. Anyone wanna quit, I’ll even lie for your bravery.”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNlwrPUkBZ
A dry chuckle from F2, followed by a clank as he checks his launcher.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZh5ZheGlm
F2
“If I wanted to retire, I wouldn’t follow you, Gearman.”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZ4ta8unkI
JASON
“Touching.”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZypCtKE7S
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAJq2nuAvB
---
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYz3IriujV
DESCENT
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZVaUNIaEs
They begin abseiling down in pairs, boots gently tapping the shaft walls, searchlights scanning. Below, light warps—bent by heat, by something else.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVsz1aZxPE
JASON descends next to D3-MINI, both gliding silently.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKAOTUsJl1
D3-MINI
“Estimated depth—sixty floors. Readings unstable.”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDD1A7W1VN3
JASON
“Is this still Central City, or are we halfway to hell?”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiVr1KPnP0
D3-MINI
“I was unaware hell had so many HR offices.”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Cnk484lUf
They both share a faint smirk.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoq8OEGcVR
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEFTOH8Nxh
---
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjQW11Hz2H
THE HOWLS
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHf8rcXhTx4
As they go deeper, the organic howls grow louder. It’s not just sound—it rattles their armor, trembles in their joints. Something ancient and furious, echoing through layers of time and pipework.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYrQnLBN2c
One of the bots pauses mid-air, looking up.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsvvr0bc5M
SCOUT L9
“It’s... calling. Like it knows we’re here.”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRglgxz0iRp
JASON
“Then let’s not keep it waiting.”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9VMmhn0Io
A final glance is exchanged across the group—not fear, but fire. Tacit trust forged by chaos. They pull their flares, ready.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28BOqkBPHU
The lower they go, the narrower the shaft becomes. Roots coil tighter. Lights dim.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5cS9NuXLO
SERGEANT R8 (over comms)
“Brace. We’re breaching the final level.”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OX6E45hOs
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPoRKma2Yh
---
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbJTvPbEeE
The squad drops past the final set of metal ribs, vanishing into the mouth of a new zone—one where HQ ends and something else begins.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZb0W5XoCe
FADE TO BLACK.
TO BE CONTINUED...
ns3.144.101.157da2
