Jaxon Rhylis clutched the secure disk tightly, the weight of their discovery pressing on his mind as his team gathered around him. The flickering lights of the ship cast long, shifting shadows across their faces, each lost in thought yet keenly aware of the urgency.
— We need to move fast, Jaxon said, his voice low but urgent. Pier's orders make it clear that Aria's crew won't be idle for long. We've got to get this data to the lab in Rangar before they catch wind of us.
Maya Trent, her eyes still scanning the incomplete data on the screen, looked up with a furrowed brow.
— We need to be careful, though. If Aria's soldiers find out what we're carrying, they'll stop at nothing to get it.
Sergeant Liam Keller, ever the steady presence, nodded. — She's right, Jaxon. We need to stay one step ahead of them, no matter what.
Paula added, her voice calm but determined. — And we'll need to use every trick we've got. We've come too far to be stopped now. Let's stay sharp.
The team quickly gathered their gear, the urgency of their mission propelling them forward. The airlock hissed as it opened, and they slipped back into the cold, barren landscape of Deimos. The faint glow from Aria Shaw's camp was still visible in the distance, a constant reminder of the threat lurking close by.
They moved swiftly but cautiously, sticking to the shadows and using the natural cover of the rocky terrain. As they approached the entrance to the tunnel, the tension in the group was palpable. The tunnels were dark and foreboding, their depths unknown and potentially dangerous.
— Stay close, and keep your eyes open, Jaxon instructed. We can't afford any mistakes. Every second counts.
Elias led the way, his scanner emitting a soft glow that illuminated the narrow path ahead. The tunnels, ancient and winding, were carved out by natural processes over millennia. The air was cool and dry, carrying the faint scent of mineral deposits.
— These tunnels should lead us to an old maintenance shaft that connects to Rangar's underground system, Elias explained, his voice echoing softly in the confined space. It's not an easy route, but it's our best option.
As they delved deeper into the tunnels, the sounds of their footsteps seemed amplified in the stillness. The path was treacherous, with uneven ground and sudden drops that kept them on edge. Maya's engineering skills were put to the test as she improvised solutions to navigate the more difficult sections, using her keen eye for detail to spot potential hazards.
— Careful here, Maya whispered, pointing to a narrow ledge they needed to cross. One slip, and it's a long way down.
They moved cautiously, each step measured and deliberate. The narrow ledge gave way to a wider passage, and they pressed on, their pace quickening as they grew more confident in their route.
— We're getting close, Elias said, consulting his scanner. The maintenance shaft should be just ahead.
Suddenly, a distant rumble echoed through the tunnel, the sound growing louder with each passing second. The team froze, their eyes widening in alarm.
— What was that? Nina Valdez asked, her voice tense.
— Sounds like a patrol, Liam replied, his hand instinctively moving to his weapon. We need to find cover.
They hurriedly ducked into a nearby alcove, the shadows enveloping them as they waited. The rumble grew louder, accompanied by the distant clatter of armored boots. Jaxon peered out, his heart pounding in his chest.
A group of soldiers, their armor gleaming in the dim light, marched past the entrance to the alcove. Their faces were stern, their movements coordinated and purposeful. Aria Shaw's emblem was emblazoned on their uniforms, a stark reminder of the threat they faced.
— Hold your breath and stay still, Jaxon whispered, his voice barely audible.
The team held their breath, their bodies tense as the soldiers passed by. The seconds stretched into an eternity, the sound of their own heartbeats deafening in the silence. Finally, the soldiers moved on, their footsteps fading into the distance.
— That was too close, Liam said, exhaling a sigh of relief. We need to keep moving.
They emerged from the alcove, their senses heightened. The maintenance shaft was just ahead, a narrow metal ladder leading upwards. Elias checked the scanner one last time before nodding to Jaxon.
— This is it. We'll have to climb up one at a time.
Jaxon motioned for Elias to go first, followed by Paula, Maya, Nina, Liam, and finally himself. The climb was arduous, the rungs of the ladder cold and slippery. As they ascended, the tunnel grew narrower, the air thinner.
— Almost there, Elias called down, his voice echoing faintly.
One by one, they reached the top of the shaft, emerging into a dimly lit corridor. The walls were lined with old maintenance equipment, the air thick with the scent of oil and metal.
— We're near the lower levels of Rangar, Elias said, consulting his scanner. The lab isn't far from here.
As they neared the entrance to the lab, they heard the unmistakable sound of soldiers' voices. Jaxon held up a hand, signaling the team to stop.
— Aria's soldiers, Jaxon whispered. They've got this place surrounded.
— We need to find another way in, Maya said, her mind already working on a solution.
Maya guided them through a series of twisting corridors, each turn taking them deeper into the labyrinthine network beneath Rangar. The path was deliberately convoluted, designed to confuse and mislead anyone without intimate knowledge of the layout. After several deceptive turns and concealed passages, they reached a small, unmarked door, almost indistinguishable from the surrounding wall. Maya expertly manipulated a hidden panel, revealing the door's controls. With a soft click, the door slid open with a barely audible hiss.
— This way, she said, stepping through the doorway.
They entered a narrow tunnel, the walls rough and unpolished. The tunnel sloped gently downwards, leading them towards the heart of Rangar.
— We're almost there, Maya said, her voice filled with determination.
The tunnel opened up into a larger chamber, revealing a small, well-hidden room bustling with workers who immediately looked up as the team entered. The room was filled with various equipment and tools, the workers clearly engaged in maintaining the secret pathways.
— You got here just in time, one of the workers said, nodding in greeting.
— Just barely, Jaxon replied, his voice a mix of exhaustion and triumph.
— Aria Shaw's soldiers were here a few hours ago, another worker added, glancing nervously around. They patrolled the perimeter of Rangar city but couldn't find any entrance to our camp. We've halted all non-essential activities to avoid detection.
— Good work, Jaxon said, relieved. The lab is just ahead, right?
— Yes, the entrance is just behind those crates.
The team hurried towards the concealed entrance, their relief palpable as they slipped inside. The door closed silently behind them, sealing them within the high-tech sanctuary of the lab. The interior was a stark contrast to the tunnels, filled with advanced equipment and softly glowing screens. The room hummed with the quiet efficiency of cutting-edge technology.
— Let's get to work, Jaxon said, setting the secure disk on the central console. We don't have much time.
Maya and Elias quickly connected the disk to the system, their fingers flying over the controls as they began to analyze the data. The room was filled with the soft hum of machinery and the faint clicking of keys as they worked.
— We need to reconstruct Nate's last moments, Jaxon said, his eyes fixed on the screen.