The distant rumble of a heavy storm brewed outside, a stark contrast to the silent anticipation that filled the stark, white-walled room. Raindrops tapped against the windows, creating a gentle rhythm that seemed to mock the tension in the air. Inside, two figures stood poised, their eyes locked on the flickering screens before them.
"Ready?" Colonel Skai's voice was firm, yet hinted at a softness that seemed out of place amidst the stern atmosphere.
Annika nodded, her jaw set. Erik mirrored her, his knuckles white as he gripped the hilt of the chair he sat on. The room grew even quieter, the storm outside seemingly holding its breath. The monitors flickered to life, revealing a vast, dimly lit cavern. The floor was slick with an unidentifiable fluid, and the walls were covered in a thick, pulsing moss that emitted a faint, eerie glow. The air was thick with the scent of something ancient and unwelcoming.
