Jaxon and Maya moved with determined urgency through the labyrinthine corridors of the crumbling Rangar facility. The sounds of distant explosions and the haunting echoes of the being's influence served as a constant reminder of the ticking clock. They had one objective: to reach the laboratory and download the remaining data that could provide crucial insights into the being controlling them.
Jaxon glanced at Maya, who was scanning the path ahead with a cautious yet focused expression. — We need to be quick and stay alert. The being's influence could have corrupted more soldiers.
Maya nodded, her fingers tightening around her weapon. — I'm ready. Let's do this.
They navigated through the dimly lit hallways, the walls shaking occasionally from the ongoing structural collapses. As they approached the lab, Jaxon paused, holding up a hand to signal Maya to stop. — We need to check for traps, he whispered.
Maya nodded again, her eyes scanning the surroundings. — I'll cover you.
Jaxon crouched down, inspecting the door's control panel for any signs of tampering or hidden explosives. Satisfied that it was safe, he overrode the security system, and the door slid open with a soft hiss. They slipped inside, the door closing behind them, sealing them off from the chaos outside.
The lab was a stark contrast to the rest of Rangar—clean, organized, and eerily quiet. Rows of computers and high-tech equipment lined the walls, and the hum of machines filled the air. Jaxon and Maya quickly moved to the main terminal.
— Nate, we're at the terminal, Jaxon said into his communicator. — We're connecting you now.
Nate's holographic form flickered to life on a nearby console. — Understood. Initiating data transfer protocol. Please secure the area and stand by.
As Nate worked, Jaxon and Maya took defensive positions near the entrance. The tension in the room was palpable, each passing second feeling like an eternity.
Suddenly, the lights flickered, and the terminal emitted a series of warning beeps. Nate's hologram distorted and reformed. — Intruders detected in the facility. Reinforcements are converging on your location.
Maya glanced at Jaxon, her eyes wide with alarm. — We need more time.
Jaxon nodded. — Nate, how much longer?
— Approximately five minutes, Nate replied, his voice calm despite the urgency.
Jaxon gritted his teeth. — We'll hold them off.
The sounds of approaching footsteps echoed down the hallway. Jaxon and Maya readied their weapons, bracing for the inevitable confrontation. The door burst open, and controlled soldiers flooded into the lab, their eyes glazed over with the being's influence.
Maya fired a burst of shots, taking down the first wave of attackers. — We can't let them reach the terminal!
Jaxon covered her, aiming for the soldiers who tried to flank them. — Keep them at bay. Nate, hurry!
The room was filled with the deafening sounds of gunfire and the crackle of energy weapons. Jaxon and Maya fought with everything they had, but the soldiers kept coming, relentless and unyielding.
Just as it seemed they were about to be overwhelmed, Nate's voice cut through the chaos. — Data transfer complete. We have everything we need.
— Fall back, Maya! Jaxon yelled.
They retreated to the terminal, and Nate activated the emergency lockdown protocol. Steel shutters slammed down, blocking the entrance and giving them a momentary reprieve.
Breathing heavily, Jaxon and Maya exchanged a grim look. — We need to get this data back to the others, Jaxon said, wiping sweat from his brow. — This is our only chance to stop the being.
Maya nodded, her face set with determination. — Let's move.
As they made their way back through the facility, the ground began to shake violently. Massive cracks spiderwebbed across the floors and walls, and the once-stable structure started to crumble. Jaxon and Maya sprinted through the corridors, dodging falling debris and navigating around gaping holes that suddenly opened up beneath them.
— This place is falling apart! Maya shouted over the noise.
— Keep moving! Jaxon urged, grabbing her arm to pull her forward.
They rounded a corner just as a section of the ceiling collapsed behind them, cutting off their pursuers. The impact sent a cloud of dust and debris billowing through the corridor, momentarily blinding them. They coughed and pushed forward, knowing that stopping could mean their deaths.
— There! The exit! Maya pointed ahead, where the faint outline of an emergency door was visible through the dust.
They burst through the door and emerged into the open air. The cold, sterile light of the Deimos surface greeted them. Their ship, hidden with an optical shield, stood a short distance away. The optical shield shimmered faintly, blending the ship into the rocky terrain of the moon.
— Almost there, Jaxon urged, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of further threats.
They dashed across the rocky surface, their boots kicking up clouds of fine dust. As they reached the ship, Nate deactivated the optical shield, and the ramp lowered with a smooth hiss. They rushed inside, the ramp closing behind them.
Paula's voice crackled over the communicator. — Jaxon, Maya, do you have the data?
— Yes, we have it. We're on our way back, Jaxon responded.
Inside the ship, they met with Paula, Elias, and the rest of the team in the command center. The room was tense, the weight of their mission pressing down on them.
— Rangar is completely collapsing, Paula reported, her face grim. — The warehouses on the surface are secure, and the workers are safe, but we've lost the facility.
— We have the data, Jaxon said, holding up the storage device. — This is our only chance to stop the being.
Nate's holographic form appeared on the central console, flickering with urgency. — I have already begun analyzing the data. It contains crucial information about the being's technology and weaponry. This could give us the edge we need.
Suddenly, Nate's form flickered again, his expression turning more serious. — I've just completed a quick scan of the situation in the warehouses. There's a problem.
Paula stepped forward, her brow furrowed. — What is it, Nate?
— Several warehouses have been compromised, Nate reported. — It appears the being's influence has reached them. Some of the workers are showing signs of mental control, similar to the soldiers we encountered.