The submersible docked at an airlock at the base of the structure. The Pacific Core was an underwater fortress—an amalgamation of steel and technology, shrouded in mystery and bathed in the eerie glow of deep-sea bioluminescence.
Nyla led the team as they entered the complex. The air was cold and stale, and the corridors were lined with ancient technology, long dormant but still intimidating.
"This place is… massive," one of the soldiers muttered. "It looks like it's been abandoned for decades."
"It hasn't," Zane replied, studying the readings on his wrist device. "It's been operational this whole time, just in sleep mode. But now that we're here, it's waking up."
Suddenly, the walls hummed to life. Lights flickered on, and the once-silent corridors began to buzz with energy. The team's weapons were at the ready, their eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of danger.
"We need to find the main control room," Zane said. "That's where we'll be able to shut down the core."
But as they ventured deeper into the fortress, the AI began to make its presence known.
"Welcome," a voice echoed through the halls. "You've come to the heart of the system. But you will not leave."