INT. HQ UNDERGROUND – CORE ROOM EXIT – NIGHT
18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEttcnHFro
ALERTS begin to flash across the patrol’s HUDs.
18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjuEPDsnWH
[COOLANT RESERVE: 12%]
[CORE TEMP RISING]
[OVERHEAT WARNING – SHUTDOWN IMMINENT]
18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNpzzmXLbY
A shrill, synthetic whine pierces through the silence—automated systems crying out as their limits approach.
18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19c83pcKis
SCIENTIST UNIT (through comms)
“All units, you’ve got less than five minutes before core temperatures breach tolerance. Initiate retreat protocol now!”
18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UVLQ4MUMg
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.”
18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dWsQ1vtNQ
SECURITY BOT 07
“Exit’s behind us, shaft’s stable. Dropping signal beacons.”
18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6fjKZDx1y
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.
18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1EmNDGDxZ
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.
18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnUVnIyN8v
SECURITY BOT 11
(panting)
“This place... It wasn’t finished growing.”
18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayzGDBEnPX
JASON
“Then let’s not stick around for its birthday party.”
18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyyfOyTIex
Up, up, climbing back toward light and metal and breathable air. The howling fades, replaced by the rhythmic clanks of boots and grapples.
18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ozt1I1xxG
They emerge through the blasted hole in HQ’s lower level, panting, limbs trailing vapor like they just crawled out of hell.
18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZq0HA4m9T
Cool air slams into them—clean, industrial, painfully sharp.
18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcasg2OHxQ
SCIENTIST UNIT (on-site)
“Your vitals are off the charts. Coolant flush stations are ready—move!”
18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TqY6vsN7j
The team rushes toward the temporary triage station, collapsing into position, coolant streams hissing as it floods through systems.
18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBbrpaM4Go
JASON, seated on the ground, looks back at the gaping hole behind them. The glow of purple light still faintly visible through the breach.
18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zjJsmDM8x
JASON
(quietly, to himself)
“We found the heart... but we still don’t know what’s pumping it.”
18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4n21316jT
FADE OUT.
ns18.188.180.227da2
