Paula clenched her fists, her gaze darkening.
— We need to act quickly before the situation gets out of hand. Nate, how many workers are affected?
Nate's hologram flickered slightly before answering.
— About 30% of the workers in the compromised warehouses show signs of mental control. However, the influence is spreading rapidly. We risk losing complete control if we don't intervene immediately.
Maya exchanged a worried glance with Jaxon.
— If the entity can corrupt civilians this easily, it won't take long for it to turn these warehouses into strongholds.
— What's your suggestion? Jaxon asked, his eyes fixed on Nate.
Nate paused, his hologram vibrating slightly as though processing calculations at high speed.
— I've identified a potential way to neutralize the entity's influence. The data you retrieved includes schematics of its control network. A targeted electromagnetic pulse could temporarily disable its hold on the workers. However, this would require a powerful emitter and close proximity to the warehouses.
Paula turned to Elias, the team's engineer, who was already thinking it through.
— We could modify one of the ship's communication emitters to generate this pulse, Elias said. — But it would take time, and once activated, the emitter will be unusable.
— How much time? Jaxon asked.
— An hour, maybe two, Elias replied. — But even then, there's a problem. The pulse might not work on all the workers, especially those who are already deeply corrupted.
Maya crossed her arms, her expression grim.
— Then we need to be ready to intervene on the ground. If the pulse fails, we'll have to disable the controlled workers by force.
A heavy silence settled over the room. Everyone knew what that implied. Paula finally broke the tension.
— Very well. Elias, start modifying the emitter. Maya, Jaxon, prepare an intervention team. If the pulse fails, we go in to retake the warehouses.
— And if the entity sends reinforcements? Jaxon asked.
— We'll hold, Paula replied, her voice as firm as steel. — It's our only option.
***
An hour later, the ship was stationed near the compromised warehouses, hidden behind a cluster of rocks to avoid detection. Elias was making the final adjustments to the emitter while Jaxon and Maya equipped their team. Light armor, energy weapons, and injectors containing an experimental antidote for the affected workers: they were ready for the worst.
— Alpha Team, we deploy at the south entrance, Jaxon said, adjusting his communicator. — Beta Team, cover the north entrance. Stay in constant communication. If the pulse fails, we go in.
Maya nodded, addressing the team.
— Remember, our priority is to neutralize the workers without harming them. They're not enemies, just victims.
— Understood, chief, one of the team members replied.
Elias signaled from the console.
— The emitter is ready. Activating in thirty seconds. Get ready for the signal.
Jaxon and Maya took their positions, each casting one last look at the dusty horizon of Deimos. The moment of truth was near.
— Pulse in three… two… one… activating! Elias announced.
A low rumble swept through the air, followed by an invisible wave rippling across the surface. The warehouse lights flickered briefly, then everything went silent.
— Nate, results? Paula asked from the ship.
Nate's hologram appeared on the tactical screens.
— The pulse has neutralized the entity's influence on about 70% of the affected workers. The others remain under control, and enemy units are already converging on the warehouses.
Maya clenched her jaw.
— We're not done. Alpha Team, with me. We deploy now.
Jaxon followed close behind, his weapon ready.
— Paula, keep the ship ready for takeoff in case things spiral out of control.
They advanced toward the warehouses, where the still-controlled workers were regrouping, their movements eerily synchronized. Controlled soldiers were also arriving, weapons raised, their eyes glowing with the strange light betraying the entity's influence.
— It's now or never, Jaxon muttered.
Maya raised her weapon, her gaze fixed on the enemies ahead.
— Hold the line. We don't back down.
And so, the battle to save the warehouses and contain the entity began.