For the beat and the broken
For the lost and forsaken
Let us never surrender,
Chains that we are breaking
Fate that we are awaiting
We will rise unto the call
For the glory and the fall.
- League of Lengends
A T H A L I A
"Each of us will have an earpiece, and it's connected to Crisa's system. She will be online to provide assistance. Once we enter that capital ship, we'll split up to target each of the power subsystems.
Liliath and Vivene will handle the engine, Nathan and Gorg will take care of the steering system, and the most challenging part, the control wing, will be tackled by Athalia and me," explained Cade. We were fully attentive to his every word, his leadership qualities are just like those of his father as he gave out orders.
One of the attractive qualities about him is his intelligence and how dedicated he is to his work.
"And if anyone senses that the wrecked ship is about to fall, just run and save your lives," he concluded, handing out our earpieces.
"We have 15 minutes until departure. You might want to say a prayer for your lives," he said, then signaled for me to follow him.
Just like his father.
"It's an antivirus. I want you to keep it safe for me," he said, handing me a small chip as he put on his mechanical glove on his left hand.
"Alright," I replied and began to walk away with the chip in hand.
"Ah, Athalia" he called out once more. "Do you have my old specs with you too?"
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As I stepped onto the cold ice, my goosebumps rose. I had never been a great fan of the cold.
Just stay safe. I recalled the words Lewis had said to me before we set out.
In August, Antarctica is dark, bitterly cold, and subject to intense winds and heavy snowfall. Temperatures can drop to as low as -47°C (-52.6°F), with wind speeds reaching a .
Dim lights were set up around the Capita-Nova, which was surrounded by guards. I wrapped my jacket more tightly around me as we reached the entrance. There was no light, and wires hung everywhere. It was hard to fathom how a once luxurious and highly developed air carrier had turned into such a haunted place.
"How are we going to find our way to the power subsystems? Everything is in ruins inside. There'll be a lot of obstacles," Nathan pointed out.
"Your wristgears includes a holographic map of the capital ship. It'll guide you in finding your way. And to make things even easier, Crisa can provide power to some parts of Capita-Nova, making it less troublesome," Cade explained.
He accidentally grabbed my wrist, causing me to jump in surprise. He opened the wristgear system and scrolled down to the map, explaining to each of us where our destinations were. He pulled up the generator handle, causing some lights to glow brightly enough for us to see objects clearly. We wished each other good luck and set off on our separate paths.
Just stay safe.
.
The once bustling crew quarters and maintenance area now lay in ruins, with surrounded by twisted metal and sparking wire.
I stepped cautiously into the crashed airship, my breath becoming heavier in the biting cold.I stole a glance at Cade, who was deeply engrossed in his laptop, navigating the path to the control wing. I couldn't help but worry about how he managed to stay warm in just a thin black t-shirt and a jacket while I shivered in my multiple layers.
We walked in complete silence, so profound that even the sounds of the cold winds and the heavy snowfall were clearly audible.
The prevailing darkness and the wreckage contribute to the eerie atmosphere. I might be a spy who can resort to violence, but that only occurs when I'm provoked or when the situation demands a high level of seriousness.
This persona is just a façade for the world; deep down, I'm still the girl who was thrust into maturity, who quivers when someone raises their voice. That's why every sound of metal creaking makes my heart race, tempting me to run and hide under the sheets.
What a terrible person I am.
"We've reached," Cade suddenly halted in his tracks. In front of us stood a large metal wall adorned with the G.A.U.R.D logo. I'm quite certain that if he were to ask me to break through it. I fucking could not.
"Now what, we are going it to melt this wall or whoos! Teleport to the next side!" I asked making a dramatic expression.
"Now, what's the plan? Are we going to melt this wall or whoosh - teleport to the other side?" I asked, exaggerating with dramatic hand gestures. He rolled his eyes and requested my wristgear. I handed it over, and he switched it to shock shooter mode, aiming at the floor.
"It's not on the other side; it's down in the basement," he stated. He fired four shots at the floor, causing the metal to crack and removing a tile. Beneath it, there were small stairs downward leading to the control wing.
"There are multiple underground passages leading to the basement. I was 11 when they were constructing this, and my mother designed the secret routes for Capita-Nova. The blueprints were always on her study desk. I'm familiar with every pathway," he explained, adjusting my wristgear on his wrist. It was impressive how someone could remember blueprints from years ago.
"Are you a computer or something? I can't even remember what I had for breakfast," I quipped, following him down the stairs.
"Wait, no, I had pasta. I can remember". He gave me an unsure glare, questioning if I was being serious. That's when I felt myself skip a stair. Goodbye world, my time has come. Amen.
"What are you, a 10-year-old?" Cade deadpanned. I gave him a nervous smile and he made me clutched his sleeve to avoid falling again.
"Not my fault, I can't even see anything" I replied, tightening my grip. Oh, his hands were quite large, or maybe mine were just small.
I heard Nathan's voice coming through the earpiece, and Cade did too.
"We have successfully installed the data," he informed.
"Good. You should head outside," Cade replied.
We reached the end of the stairs, and I let go of his sleeve. I could confirm that not even a cat would be able to see anything here; the darkness was that thick.
"Crisa, can you activate the electricity in the basement?" Cade asked.
"I'm sorry, sir. The power panel circuit is shot, and if you plan to go further inside the basement, you may lose my connection," the A.I. informed.
"Damn," Cade muttered and held my hand tightly.
"Stay alert and don't die," he said, and we began to walk down the narrow pathway. The only source of light was Cade's laptop, casting a glow on his face, his jaw sharp and his blue eyes... Focus Athalia it's not the time to admire his flaws.
After a few minutes, Vivene also informed us that they had accessed the information and were heading back to the Heli-Bastion. Now, it was just me and Cade left in this eerie, haunted airship.
This time, there was a massive ice wall in front of us. Before I could even open my mouth to complain, Cade pointed at the control panel box.
"Good job, boy," I said, patting his shoulder. He handed me a screwdriver and a box filled with mechanical tools.
"Good luck, girl," he grinned at me. "Open the box and connect the wires to my laptop."
They are nothing more than a bunch of wires. I can do this easily.
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After what felt like an eternity, the laptop was finally connected to the control panel. My part was done like yeah, easily. Now it was Mr. Genius's turn to work with the laptop.
Cade was sitting cross-legged on the cold floor, his specs perched on his nose, fully immersed in the complex codes. Meanwhile, I couldn't help but glance around to keep my mind off the biting cold.
"Hand me the antivirus chip," he requested, and I handed it to him.
"Doesn't your wound hurt in this cold?" I asked, he shook his head which he had been doing whenever I asked something.
"Oh, is that a penguin?" I exclaimed, spotting a small figure in the distance. My words caught Cade's attention, and he glanced at me from the corner of his eye. I got up from my place to get a closer look, and sure enough, it was a baby penguin, about the size of my palm.
I picked it up before I heard Cade warn, "Wait, it might bite."
Cade watched with amusement as the penguin chick allowed me to hold it without any resistance. It didn't want to let go and nestled inside my jacket. I glanced around but couldn't spot any other penguins. I decided to keep it close, as the cold was too harsh for the little chick.
I returned to my spot and sat beside Cade, hugging my knees with the little penguin chick snuggled against my breasts.
I closed my eyes, and I could hear Cade's deep chuckles. "Fools"
The last few minutes passed with Cade cursing at the codes repeatedly. I opened my eyes when I heard him shout in frustration
"Damn it!"
"What happened" I asked, as run his hand through his hairs.
"We're fucked up!" Cade exclaimed.
"My mother designed this safety protocol, and it requires a four-letter key password. If we can't provide the password, this place will explode. If we enter the wrong password, this place will explode in 7 minutes," he said, looking at me with hopelessness.
"Hack this" i said, and he gave me a look of r-u-serious.
"You want me to beat something my mom had created in less than 6 minutes" he argued.
"So, do you want to die?" I argued back, feeling the small figure inside my jacket shift. The baby penguin opened its eyes.
He shut his eyes in frustration.
"Try to guess the password; maybe she told you in the past," I suggested to calm him down.
But deep down, I didn't want to meet my end in Antarctica.
He shook his head multiple times. I have seen Zaria's designs before including the Heli-bastion's design but none of them consists of passwords.
Cade look at me with a philosopher look.
"My mom used to say" look i told you it's a philosophy "I am the key to her whole world, and the letter requirement is of 4 letters-"
"What's the password, Cade?" Only 3 minutes remaining before the place would explode.
"Maybe, my name. I'm not sure. Okay," he debated.
"God, just type it. Nothing will change if we die 3 minutes early," I said, looking at the penguin chick, which seemed to be saying its last prayers to Jesus.
He typed each letter with utmost caution. I squeezed my eyes shut as he was about to press the button, but then I heard a voice confirming, "Password Access."
And the download started.
Wooo. Did i just rang the bell of hell and ran away.
I gave him a thank you hug from behind which he returned by holding my both hands.
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I wasn't sure what to say, but while the data download was in progress, the penguin chick and Cade exchanged what looked like fierce, death glares - or perhaps something different.
We returned to the Heli-Bastion, and Liliath pulled me into a tight hug. "I was worried you guys wouldn't make it back," she admitted.
"What took you so long?" Nathan asked, only to be met with Cade's poker face. "I just met your dead granny over there," he replied nonchalantly.
They handed Cade the pen drives. That's when I noticed Lewis watching Cade with a concerned expression.
"I just need to decode this information, and it's all done," Cade informed Lewis. "But I'll need proper lab equipment."
"You can use mine," said Dr. Liam, the most senior and somewhat arrogant researcher in the group.
"Not his, any cabin except his" Cade replied and Ouch what a sarcasm.
"Use Athalia's cabin," Lewis suggested, giving me a nod, and Cade agreed. Before I left, Lewis stopped me and said, "Keep an eye on my boy."
"We'll land the Heli-Bastion in New York, and then we'll head back to California," Lewis announced, implying that "California" meant me, Liliath, Vivene, Nathan, and maybe even Cade.
I took Cade to my cabin and unlocked it with my keycard. The cabin was filled with the scent of strawberries and lavender, which is why I loved it. I didn't use my cabin very often, but during military training, I would stay here. As a result, my clothes and personal belongings were stored here.
Cade settled down at my table and began his work, while I decided to take a warm, cozy, and relaxing bath.
After the bath, i dressed in my cozy sweatshirt and pants. And made myself a cup of coffee. I hate Antartica something inside me screamed.
I sat down on the small bed while cade was still focused on screen.
After few hours, he start gathering his stuff.
"What are you doing?" I asked him.
"Running away"he replied
"Where?"
"Don't know" he shrugged his shoulders "You wanna come?" Cade asked.
"Can't you at least stick around for a month or two? Lewis would kill me if he found out you ran away again," I said. But he responded with the same r-u-serious look.
He reached for the handle of my cabin door but stopped when I threatened, "I'll announce to the entire Heli-Bastion if you try to run."
He shot me an angry glance. "I'm not scared" I retorted.
"If you don't let me go," he clicked his tongue, "I'll tell my father about the baby penguin you brought onto the ship." He couldn't be serious, right?
And just like that, he told Lewis about my adorable little penguin chick.