Despite their best efforts, the team found themselves overwhelmed by the coordinated assault of Myne and her associates. One by one, Darius, Cass, Zara, Nadia, and Maya were subdued, their resistance ultimately futile against the superior strategy and abilities of their foes.
Darius was the first to go down, his electrical strikes failing to hold against his opponent's overwhelming physical might. A strong blow knocked him down into a heap of rubble, where he lost consciousness. The shadow manipulator entangled Cass despite her agility, its tendrils winding around her limbs and drawing her to the ground. Zara and Nadia put up a fierce fight against the force field generator, but his defenses were unbreakable. They too were brought down, exhausted.
Maya's confrontation with Myne was the last to end. Despite her skill and determination, Myne's tactical prowess and ability to read her moves rendered Maya's efforts ineffective. With a swift and decisive blow, Myne incapacitated her.
"Well, that was entertaining," Myne said, brushing off her hands as she surveyed the defeated team. "But now, it's time to reunite you with your friend."
The group was taken to a subterranean location, bound and helpless, with the captors making sure they could not make another escape attempt. The building was a network of rooms and corridors intended to restrict and control; it was bleak and industrial.
They were taken to a big, poorly lit chamber where Melton, his body shattered and beaten but his spirit unbroken, hung dangling from shackles. His eyes grew wide with a mixture of relief and dread upon seeing his teammates being led inside.
"Melton!" Zara cried out, struggling against her bonds.
"Quiet!" one of the captors barked, shoving her roughly.
Myne stepped forward, a triumphant smirk on her face. "Welcome to your new home," she said, addressing the team. "You really should have cooperated. Now, you'll all see just how futile your efforts have been."
Melton forced his head up despite his own discomfort. "You won't get away with this, Myne," he declared in a raspy yet resolute tone. "We'll find a way out, and when we do—" Myne interrupted with a wave of dismissal.
Melton, hold your threats. You are not qualified to produce them. But don't worry, we'll look after everyone. The squad realized how serious their predicament was as they were made to kneel next to Melton.
Now that they were all prisoners, who knew what lay ahead of them. But there was still a glimmer of optimism, even under the worst of circumstances. They had each other, and they would figure out a way out as long as they were together.
After giving her prisoners one last look, Myne turned to leave the room, her comrades trailing closely behind. The team was left in stillness as the heavy door clanged shut, only to be disturbed by the steady trickle of water from somewhere in the darkness and the distant hum of machinery.
Melton muttered, "Guys," in a tight voice. "I truly apologize. I ought to have exercised more caution."
"Don't," Maya said firmly. "This isn't your fault. We'll get through this. Together."
Darius nodded, wincing from his injuries. "She's right. We're not done yet."
As the team was dragged into the underground facility, Linda Scott, head of the Central City Tactical Division, stood waiting with a cold, calculating expression. She ordered her subordinates to place Melton and his teammates into three separate containment tubes. Each tube was reinforced with energy-dampening technology, rendering them powerless and weak.
"Make sure they're secure," Linda commanded, her voice echoing through the chamber.
Once the team was locked inside the tubes, Linda approached Melton's containment unit, a cruel smile playing on her lips. "Melton Ryder, it's been quite the journey to get you here," she said, her tone mocking. "But now, it's time for you to be useful."
Melton scowled at her while he fought the bindings. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Linda gave a little laugh. Yes, I believe you do. Erebus Project. We are interested in the information you know about it.
"Even if I did, I wouldn't tell you," Melton shot back, his eyes blazing with defiance. Linda's smile vanished and was replaced with a stern, icy look.
"Allow me to simplify this for you. Please grant our requests, or your friends will perish in front of you."
She gestured to the control panel next to the tubes, where an aide was waiting to assist her. "One press of a button, and each of these tubes will flood with a neurotoxin that will paralyze them before killing them slowly and painfully."
Cass, Zara, Darius, and Nadia peered out of their tubes, a mix of determination and dread on their features. Though they were unable to hear the talk, they were able to notice Melton's resistance and Linda's ominous posture.
"Don't do this, Linda," Melton begged, his voice showing a hint of crack. "You don't have to hurt them."
Linda's eyebrow went up. It's true that I don't. However, if you refuse to comply, I will. You can either provide us with the details of Project Erebus or witness your buddies perish. Melton's thoughts raced, searching for a solution. He was unable to let his friends suffer as a result of him, but he was also unable to provide Linda with the information she requested.
He had to buy time, find a way to make things better.
Melton eventually stabilised his voice and muttered, "Alright." "I'll tell you what I know, but you have to promise me that you'll let my friends go."
Linda squinted her eyes. "You're in no position to negotiate, Melton."
Her hand shot out, slamming down on the first button without hesitation. A sickening hiss filled the room as neurotoxin flooded Darius's tube.
"Darius!" Zara let out a cry of sorrow that broke in her voice.
Darius gasped for oxygen, his body trembling with pain, and his eyes widened in disbelief. Melton and the others stood by helplessly, watching with pained hearts as their friend battled and choked. His body slumped against the glass, dead, and his movements stopped in a matter of moments.
The room fell into a horrified silence. Melton's breath caught in his throat, a searing rage and sorrow tearing through him. Zara and Cass sobbed, their pain palpable. Nadia's face was a mask of grief and fury.
Linda's expression was cold and unyielding. "You see, Melton?" she said, her voice ice-cold. "Your defiance has a price. Now, tell me everything about Project Erebus, or the rest of your friends will suffer the same fate."
Melton trembled with a mixture of anguish and wrath, his fists tightened. He spit out, "You'll get nothing from me, Linda," in a low, menacing voice.
"Then you condemn them all," Linda replied, her hand hovering over the next button.
Before she could press it, Melton spoke, his voice steady despite the chaos inside him. "Killing us won't get you what you want. Project Erebus is too complex. You need me alive."
Linda's hand paused, her eyes narrowing. "You think you can bargain with me after what just happened?"
"I think you need to understand that without me, you won't be able to control the power you seek," Melton said, his mind racing. He needed to buy time, to find a way to turn the situation around. "The energy is unstable. Without the proper protocols, it will destroy you."
Linda hesitated, clearly torn between her desire for control and her impatience. "Speak quickly, Melton."
"The core components of Project Erebus involve a delicate balance of energy regulation and containment," Melton began, stalling for time. "It's not just about harnessing power; it's about ensuring that power doesn't tear everything apart."
Linda's eyes bored into him, searching for any sign of deceit. "And how do we achieve this balance?"
Melton took a deep breath, his mind working furiously. "There are specific algorithms embedded in the Nexus system that regulate the energy flow. Without those, any attempt to harness the power will result in catastrophic failure."
"Show me," Linda demanded. "Prove that you're not just stalling."
Melton glanced at his friends, their eyes reflecting their trust in him despite the unbearable loss they had just witnessed. He nodded, knowing he had to find a way to protect them and keep Erebus's secrets safe.
"Nexus," Melton said softly, "display the energy regulation algorithms for Project Erebus."
A holographic screen with intricate data and calculations materialized. Linda's brow knitted as she read the information, trying to make sense of the complex intricacies.
"This isn't enough," she murmured, her voice cracking with frustration. "I need more."
"That's all I can give without causing an overload," Melton replied, hoping she would believe the half-truth. "Any more, and the system could destabilize."
Linda's frustration turned to anger. "Do you think I'm a fool, Melton?"
"No," Melton said, his voice firm. "I think you're someone who doesn't understand the full scope of what you're dealing with."
Linda's eyes flickered with uncertainty, but she quickly masked it. "You have one last chance, Melton. Give me everything, or I will kill your remaining friends, one by one."
Melton's resolve hardened. "Do what you must, Linda, but I will not hand over the key to destruction."