INT. HQ UNDERGROUND – CORE ROOM EXIT – NIGHT
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4ypQP0SQm
ALERTS begin to flash across the patrol’s HUDs.
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI94MhpNsTL
[COOLANT RESERVE: 12%]
[CORE TEMP RISING]
[OVERHEAT WARNING – SHUTDOWN IMMINENT]
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGhe8DK9y4
A shrill, synthetic whine pierces through the silence—automated systems crying out as their limits approach.
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1j0AJZpRwy
SCIENTIST UNIT (through comms)
“All units, you’ve got less than five minutes before core temperatures breach tolerance. Initiate retreat protocol now!”
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEk4nTfoBt
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.”
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOO7ORTkTlu
SECURITY BOT 07
“Exit’s behind us, shaft’s stable. Dropping signal beacons.”
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjGTtOuxMZ
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.
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOPUFdTNxu
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.
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9g7kGpNSg
SECURITY BOT 11
(panting)
“This place... It wasn’t finished growing.”
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxCfCPifOq
JASON
“Then let’s not stick around for its birthday party.”
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjF9hm0bRZr
Up, up, climbing back toward light and metal and breathable air. The howling fades, replaced by the rhythmic clanks of boots and grapples.
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQWNbqkiLk
They emerge through the blasted hole in HQ’s lower level, panting, limbs trailing vapor like they just crawled out of hell.
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LLJrIk2bZ
Cool air slams into them—clean, industrial, painfully sharp.
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Z2iTx1hMf
SCIENTIST UNIT (on-site)
“Your vitals are off the charts. Coolant flush stations are ready—move!”
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AytliyRux
The team rushes toward the temporary triage station, collapsing into position, coolant streams hissing as it floods through systems.
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLZKFpwDb6
JASON, seated on the ground, looks back at the gaping hole behind them. The glow of purple light still faintly visible through the breach.
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlXmydgSO2
JASON
(quietly, to himself)
“We found the heart... but we still don’t know what’s pumping it.”
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4bF49qPiv
FADE OUT.
ns216.73.216.54da2
and then Add to home screen.