Author's Note: Read chapter 17 again, because I posted the chapter out of order, sorry.
**POV - LASTRA**
As we passed through several Cybermen areas, we found a giant warehouse, which would be their base and command center.
"Something's wrong. It's too easy to reach their base. They should have more defenses. Ross, did we miss something in our analysis of these Cybermen?" Braz says as we enter the base.
Inside, the environment is dark and metallic. The walls have the cold, impersonal shine of the metal that makes up the Cybermen. I feel a wave of dread, but I quickly push it aside. "Everyone in position," I whisper through the communicator.
"I don't think so. We analyzed all the Cybermen, even those with their original metal," Ross says as we approach the control center.
"Yeah, you're right, but I think we missed something about the Cybermen," Braz says with a suspicious expression. "Let's install it and get out of here," he says as we reach the control room.
The elite group silently spreads out, covering every entrance and ensuring our path is secure. I see Braz and Ross approaching the control center, where they intend to install the device. Their expressions are of pure concentration.
Suddenly, an alarm blares, a shrill sound echoing through the corridors. "They know we're here!" Gristrax shouts, eyes wide.
"Stick to the plan!" I order. "Braz, Ross, how much time do you need?"
**---------POV CHANGE---------**
**POV - ■■■■■**
Graiger approaches the control center and begins connecting the device. "Just a few minutes," he responds quickly, his eyes not leaving the task. "We need to hold our position until the device is activated."
I connect the cables to the control center. "Done! Ross, start installing the software, and I'll start deciphering the codes to avoid interference. Hurry up; we don't have much time. The Cybermen are coming," I say, starting to decode the Cybermen's codes.
'Did we forget something about them? There's something strange about this *evolution* of theirs and the metal change,' I think, but focus on the task at hand.
**---------POV CHANGE---------**
**POV - LASTRA**
Panic tries to infiltrate my heart, but I keep it at bay. "Elite group, prepare for combat!" I order, holding my weapon firmly.
The Cybermen emerge, their heavy, metallic forms moving with frightening precision. The first shots are exchanged, and the sound of metal clashing with metal resonates as our soldiers collide with the Cybermen.
I see Braz and Ross working quickly, their hands moving frantically to set up the device. "Do you need more time?" I shout over the sounds of battle.
**---------POV CHANGE---------**
**POV - ■■■■■**
"Thirty more seconds!" Graiger responds.
"I'm done, Ross. I'll use our prototypes; I'll cover you while you finish," I say, turning to cover his back and firing at the approaching Cybermen. Our weapons pierce through the Cybermen, and they fall, but others keep coming, relentless.
A wave of energy pulses from the device, and for a moment, everything goes silent. The Cybermen around us start convulsing, sparks flying from their metallic bodies. "It worked!" Graiger exclaims.
But then, a new threat emerges. A larger, more robust Cyberman, clearly different from the others, enters the room. It doesn't seem affected by the electromagnetic pulse. "A new type of Cyberman. Seriously, they couldn't evolve without both of us being here?" I murmur, feeling the adrenaline rush. That's when something clicked in my mind. "We were too slow, Ross. It was right in front of us the whole time. They wouldn't create a weakness with another metal for themselves. They saw that the Silurians could destroy their armor, so they built these new ones, stronger and more resistant, probably still in the testing phase," I say extremely fast.
"That's not good; we need a new plan, quickly!" Graiger says, pulling out his gun and starting to shoot at the larger Cyberman.
"It's withstanding our lasers, Ross. If we increase the power, we risk breaking the weapon," I say, adjusting the power on the prototype. "Get back!!" I shout, firing with the power of five shots all at once.
The Cyberman collapses, and its head explodes. "Phew, good thing we implemented that," I say, raising my weapon, which is now short-circuiting.
"Yeah, but the weapon's broken," Graiger says, picking it up and analyzing it.
"You have a strong weapon, where did you get it?" Lastra approaches us, her face relieved.
"I told you, you were negligent. You didn't even analyze our outfits. Okay, most of the stuff was in our ship, which stayed in the cave on our planet," I say with a teasing smile.
Lastra looks at me, a bit embarrassed. "Yeah, maybe."
"There's something I don't understand," I say, approaching the robust Cyberman with the exploded head.
"What, Braz?" Graiger asks, also getting closer.
"How did they adapt so quickly to our device? We hadn't even used it in battle yet. The first time we deployed it was here," I say with a thoughtful expression.
Lastra looks at me with a look of shock, already knowing what I'm going to say.
"They were planning something and knew about the device to neutralize the Cybermen made from this new metal. They knew we'd attack today and shut down most of their Cybermen from the control center, probably moving them elsewhere. Someone among the Silurians likely betrayed us," I say, shocking everyone with us.
"That's impossible! My people have always fought for the survival of our race, and few Silurians knew about the development of this new device. The only ones who knew were the scientists and the high command," Lastra says, but then she makes a disgusted and uncomfortable face.
"What is it? Did you think of something that might have happened?" I ask, curious.
"Yes, there's someone in the high command who could have done this. He asked to see the device that day, and we took it to him. He was one of the few who said we could use the Cybermen as weapons," Lastra says, with anger.
"That general? The ugly one? Seriously, you let someone who wasn't 100% trustworthy get close to the device?" I say, incredulous.
"He outranks me and is part of the high command. I couldn't refuse an order from him," Lastra says.
"Oh no, if what we're deducing is true, we're in big trouble. We fell into a trap," Graiger says, and we start hearing the sound of several Cybermen approaching.
"Oh, crap. Couldn't we just enjoy this planet like a vacation? Seriously, I fell into a trap set by such a primitive people? I'll be a laughing stock if I tell anyone about this," I murmur indignantly.
"Any new plan? Our weapons are in extremely poor condition for use," Graiger says, showing his gun.
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**Author's Note:** How's the story? Is it progressing well or is something missing?