Paula staggered to her feet, her shoulder throbbing with pain from the gunshot wound. She looked at Elias, pinned beneath Maya's grip, confusion and betrayal battling within her.
— Who got to you, Elias? What did they promise you? — Paula demanded, her voice a mix of anger and hurt.
Elias's eyes flickered with a strange mix of defiance and regret.
— You wouldn't understand — he whispered. — This goes beyond us, beyond anything we could fight alone.
Paula's mind raced. The entity that had manipulated Elias was powerful, cunning. She couldn't let this setback deter them from their mission.
— Maya, tie him up. We need to move.
Maya, still wary, tied Elias's hands with a strip of plastic found in the rubble.
— What now? — she asked, her voice strained.
— We find Jaxon and the others — Paula replied, her resolve hardening. — We're not letting this entity win.
---
Meanwhile, Jaxon, Nina, and Liam were making their way back through the complex, the stolen data crucial for restoring Nate safely tucked away. The dark, labyrinthine tunnels seemed even more oppressive with the weight of their mission hanging over them.
— How much further? — Nina asked, her voice a tense whisper.
— Not far — Jaxon replied, checking the scanner. — We just need to—
A loud crash echoed through the tunnel, cutting him off. The trio froze, their weapons drawn, eyes scanning the darkness.
— Sounds like trouble — Liam muttered.
Jaxon narrowed his eyes.
— Stay alert. Let's keep moving.
They pressed on, their senses heightened. The sounds of distant conflict grew louder, and Jaxon felt a growing unease. Rounding a corner, they came face to face with Paula, Maya, and the bound Elias.
— Paula! — Jaxon exclaimed, relief washing over him. — Are you alright?
— Not exactly — Paula replied, glancing at her wounded shoulder. — Elias turned on us. He's working for the entity.
Jaxon's eyes widened.
— What?
— It's true — Maya added. — He pulled a gun on us.
Elias looked away, his expression unreadable.
— I had no choice.
Jaxon shook his head, anger simmering.
— We'll deal with that later. Right now, we need to return to Rangar and try to reach the laboratory and restore Nate... if we can.
---
The group moved swiftly through the tunnels, every shadow a potential threat. As they approached Rangar, the hidden city loomed before them, its overgrown streets and towering buildings reclaimed by nature. They needed to get to the laboratory without alerting Aria Shaw's soldiers, who had already discovered the workers' camp.
— We need to be careful — Jaxon whispered. — Aria's soldiers are everywhere. We can't let them see us.
They navigated the outskirts of the city, staying in the shadows and avoiding patrols. The tension was palpable, each step taken with caution. The laboratory was on the other side of the city, and getting there would require stealth and precision.
— This way — Paula said, leading them through a narrow alleyway covered in vines. — We can use the old service tunnels to get closer.
The service tunnels were dark and cramped, but they provided the cover they needed. The group moved silently, their eyes adjusting to the dim light. Every sound seemed amplified in the silence, each footstep carefully placed to avoid detection.
— We're close — Jaxon whispered, checking the scanner. — The lab should be just up ahead.
They emerged from the tunnels near the laboratory, a large building partially hidden by overgrown foliage. The entrance was guarded, but they found a secluded spot near an external server access point.
— We can't go inside without being seen — Nina said. — But we can try to connect from out here.
— Good idea — Jaxon replied. — Set up the equipment. We'll cover you.
Nina quickly unpacked a portable terminal and connected it to the external server access point. The group formed a defensive perimeter, keeping watch for any soldiers who might stumble upon them.
— How long? — Paula asked, her voice tense.
— Not long — Nina replied, her focus intense. — Just keep them off me.
The tension grew as Nina worked, her fingers flying over the controls. Suddenly, a rustling sound came from the nearby bushes. The team tensed, weapons ready, as two soldiers emerged.
— What are you doing here? — one of the soldiers demanded, raising his weapon.
Recognizing Paula and Jaxon, the soldiers hesitated, their eyes widening in surprise.
— Wait, aren't you... General Strix and Captain Rhylis? — the other soldier asked, lowering his weapon slightly.
— Yes — Paula replied, keeping her voice calm and authoritative. — We're on a critical mission. You need to let us finish andor we neutralize you.
The soldiers exchanged uneasy glances but didn't lower their guard completely.
Finally, they stepping back but keeping their weapons at the ready.
Nina continued to work, the tension in the air palpable. The seconds felt like hours, each one filled with the threat of discovery and conflict. Finally, with a triumphant cry, Nina completed the process.
— It's done! — she shouted. — Nate is back online!
The portable terminal flared to life, and the holographic form of Nate materialized.
— Welcome back, Nate — Jaxon said, relief evident in his voice.
Nate's holographic form flickered, then stabilized, projecting a calm and confident demeanor. His digital eyes met Jaxon's, a sign of their deep connection despite Nate's artificial nature.
— Thank you, Captain. I'm fully operational now.
Jaxon nodded, a mixture of relief and determination on his face. Paula, still clutching her injured shoulder, glanced at Nate with curiosity.
— Nate, can you tell us what happened here?
Nate's holographic gaze shifted to Paula before he began his recount.
— Few hours ago, Aria Shaw's soldiers discovered Rangar and the installation. They quickly placed the workers under protection and secured the laboratory. However, they found that in the current state, the research was incomplete and I was still deficient. Aria decided to establish a camp within the workers' settlement, waiting for you and your team to arrive and repair me to continue the analysis of the data regarding the teleportation stations and the weapons on Deimos.
Jaxon exchanged a look with Paula, then turned back to Nate.
— So it was Aria and Pier's mission all along? To ensure I was restored so we could finish the work?
Nate nodded, the projection of his form flickering slightly.
— Yes, Captain. They knew that without my full operational capacity, analyzing the critical data about the teleportation stations and weapons on Deimos would be impossible. They have been awaiting your arrival to complete these tasks.
Paula leaned against a nearby console, wincing at the pain in her shoulder.
— And now that you're back online, what do we need to do next?
Nate's holographic eyes met Jaxon's.
— We need to head to the central command of the laboratory to finish the data analysis. There are still many unknowns about the teleportation technology and the weapon systems. Completing this analysis is crucial for our next steps.
Jaxon looked around at the team, their faces a mix of exhaustion and resolve.
— Alright, team. Let's move. We need to secure the central command and finish what we started. Nate, stay with us and guide us through the necessary procedures.
They moved through the corridors of Rangar, Nate's guidance ensuring they avoided any patrols. The group advanced cautiously, every step bringing them closer to the heart of the laboratory.
As they approached the central command, Jaxon held up a hand, signaling the group to halt. He peeked around the corner, spotting two guards stationed at the entrance.
— Two guards, armed, he whispered. We need to take them out quietly.
Paula nodded, readying her weapon despite the pain in her shoulder.
— I'll take the one on the left, she whispered back.
Jaxon positioning himself to take out the other guard. With a silent signal, they moved as one. Paula's shot was swift and precise, stunning her target instantly. Jaxon's blaster echoed a moment later, stunning the second guard before he could react. They dragged the unconscious bodies out of sight and proceeded to the entrance.
The central command was a vast room filled with consoles and holographic displays. Nate's holographic form appeared beside Jaxon as they entered.
— The main console is over there, Nate pointed to a large, central terminal. We need to access the core systems to complete the data analysis.
Nina quickly moved to the terminal, her fingers dancing over the controls as she bypassed security protocols. The room hummed with energy as the systems came online, and the central holographic display projected complex schematics and data streams.
— I'm in, Nina announced. Starting the data analysis now.
Jaxon and Paula watched as the holographic display shifted, showing detailed diagrams of the teleportation stations and the weapon systems on Deimos. Nate's form flickered as he interfaced with the main console, his presence a guiding force in the complex analysis.
— We're identifying key components and vulnerabilities, Nate explained. The teleportation technology is advanced, but there are flaws we can exploit. The weapons systems are similarly sophisticated but require precise calibration to function.
As the data flowed, Jaxon felt a growing sense of urgency. This information was critical, not just for their immediate survival but for the larger conflict that loomed.