Running quickly through the corridors, the distant sound of alarms and hurried footsteps echoed around him, but Viktor kept his focus.
"Have you detected any activity in the corridors near the hangar?" Viktor asked as he turned left.
"I DIDN'T DETECT ANY SIGNIFICANT MOVEMENT. YOU'RE SAFE FOR NOW!!!" Atlas replied.
"Okay..." Viktor muttered, huffing and puffing.
He ran as fast as he could. At any moment the situation could change in the chaos unfolding on the ship. Finally, he spotted the hangar entrance ahead.
"Atlas, prepare to open the hangar doors..." Viktor said as he approached.
"HANGAR SECURITY SYSTEMS ACCESS!!!" Atlas replied.
He stopped in front of the hangar doors, waiting as Atlas worked to unlock them. After a few seconds, the doors swung open with a soft hiss, revealing the vast space of the hangar.
The hangar was a large area located in the lower part of the ship, approximately 250 meters long, 150 meters wide, and 750 meters high. This space was large enough to accommodate several smaller ships and battle transport vehicles.
Reinforced access doors made of a titanium-ceramic alloy opened to the outside space, allowing for the entry and exit of escort ships and transport vessels.The interior of the hangar was divided into several sections, maintenance spaces, and equipment storage.
"Atlas, locate a ship closer so we can get out of here!!!" His eyes scanned the vast space of the hangar as he blushed.
"LOCATED. EMERGENCY SHIP IS ON YOUR RIGHT, NEAR THE BACK WALL!!!!"
Viktor raced toward the ship, determined to escape before the guards could reactivate the reactor. Every minute counted.
He spotted his ship. It was a compact structure measuring approximately 5 meters long, 3 meters wide, and 2 meters high. Constructed of lightweight, durable titanium alloys, the ship was designed for durability and impact protection.
The interior, optimized for maximum survivability, featured ergonomic seating and storage compartments for emergency supplies, accommodating up to 5 people.The ship was equipped with high-efficiency ion engines, allowing for precise maneuvers and fuel savings, ideal for short and quick trips. Additionally, it had chemical boosters for emergencies, providing rapid and powerful thrust when necessary.
"Atlas, I'm approaching the emergency ship. Any activity detected nearby?" Viktor asked, staying alert.
'I DO NOT DETECT SIGNIFICANT MOVEMENT IN THE VICINITY, BUT THERE IS INTERFERENCE IN THE SECURITY CAMERAS!!!' replied Atlas.
Viktor reached the ship and quickly began preparing to enter. He knew every second counted.
"Atlas, open the entry hatch and prepare the ship for takeoff." Viktor ordered.
"UNDERSTOOD. OPENING HATCH AND INITIATING TAKEOFF PROCEDURES!!" replied Atlas.
The ship's hatch opened with a soft hiss, and Viktor quickly entered, checking the systems and ensuring everything was in order. He settled into the pilot's seat, adjusting the controls for takeoff.
"Atlas, I need detailed information about this ship." Viktor requested as he checked the systems.
'UNDERSTOOD!!!!HERE IS THE REQUESTED INFORMATION!!!' replied Atlas.
Each emergency spacecraft is equipped with reinforced protective suits and life support systems, ensuring that each passenger has access to oxygen and vital signs monitoring throughout the journey.
'THE SHIP IS EQUIPPED WITH EMERGENCY SUPPLIES INCLUDING FOOD, WATER, MEDICAL KITS. THE SHIP HAS ADVANCED NAVIGATION SYSTEMS INCLUDING SPACE-BASED GPS AND PROXIMITY SENSORS TO ENSURE A SAFE AND EFFICIENT ROUTE TO THE DESTINATION!!!!' ATLAS INFORMS. 'THE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS ARE ENCRYPTED FOR SECURITY REASONS.'
Viktor muttered, "What about the ship's safety?"
'THE SHIP IS EQUIPPED WITH IMPACT AND FALL ARMOR, ENSURES THE CREW'S SAFETY DURING THE VOYAGE!!!'
Viktor felt more secure with the information provided. "Now let's get out of this explosive can!!!"
With all systems ready and the necessary information in hand, Viktor initiated the liftoff. The emergency shuttle began to move, gliding smoothly through the hangar towards the reinforced access doors. But just as it was about to lift off, an explosion echoed through the hangar. The hangar entrance door was ripped off and a shockwave swept through the hangar.
"What was that?" Viktor asked, surprised by the sound of the explosion.
"AN EXPLOSION AT THE HANGAR ENTRANCE. I DETECTED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE!!!" Atlas replied.
Through the smoke and debris, Viktor could see prisoners running away from the commander and his men, who were now even more determined to prevent the prisoners from escaping.
As the chaos intensified, his attacks used flames to create an even more impenetrable barrier. The prisoners, desperate to escape, ran towards the emergency ships and transport vehicles.
"It was about time... But it happened much faster than expected!!!"
He was no genius, but he was not stupid either. The moment the ship's generator was deactivated, all the security systems would fail, and soon everyone on the ship would realize that there was no way out of this chaos. The only key to escape was in the hangar. But he did not expect the prisoners to lose the balance of the battle so quickly.
Unfortunately, he realized that the one who changed the balance of power in the fight was an elemental master. These masters are considered superhuman and represent the main military force. With their powers, they have the ability to destroy entire armies.
Furthermore, elemental masters not only possessed raw strength, but also a deep connection to natural elements, allowing them to manipulate their specific element with devastating precision. Their presence on the battlefield could alter the course of a war, making them figures both feared and respected.
"WHY IS THERE A MASTER HERE?" Viktor shouted as he adjusted the ship's controls.
"We need to take off now!"
'PREPARING IMMEDIATE TAKEOFF!!' replied Atlas.
Suddenly, a shots echoed through the hangar. Viktor heard the sound of a projectile ricocheting off the ship's fuselage. He quickly looked at the monitors, utilizing his last risky idea to open a path for exit.
"Activate the emergency system. We need to clear the way."
UNDERSTOOD. ACTIVATING SECURITY AND EMERGENCY SYSTEMS!!'
Suddenly, alarms began to blare, and emergency lights flashed throughout the hangar. Fire suppression systems activated, releasing a dense mist that obscured the vision of the guards and prisoners.
Viktor wasn't the only one taking advantage of the situation. The prisoners were fighting for their lives to reach the ships, while others battled the guards, but most importantly, the prisoners included the Inquisitor, Killer, and the Carnage.
The Elemental Master, an imposing figure who controlled lava, faced his opponents with a smile, the flames reflecting in his eyes.
The Inquisitor charged his hands with fire and launched a jet of flames towards the Master. With a simple movement, the Master raised a barrier of lava, absorbing the impact without a scratch. He remained confident, observing the combatants.
Killer, with his wind manipulation, dodged the heat waves, moving quickly and creating an air current to deflect the Inquisitor's flames. Carnage launched blades of water towards the lava barrier, but formed a thick curtain of mist, obscuring the battlefield due to the contact between water and lava, making it difficult for the Master and his opponents to see.
With the mist around him, the Elemental Master launched a jet of lava, but the attack barely grazed them, exploding in a whirlwind of heat a few meters away. In response, the Inquisitor and the Assassin positioned themselves side by side, combining the heat of the flames with the force of the wind. A firestorm began to form, advancing towards the Master and destroying everything in its path: soldiers, prisoners and especially the ships.
Killer spun rapidly, creating a vortex that amplified the attack. The Elemental Master, feeling the force of the combined attack, prepared to defend himself. He summoned more lava, moving with precision and agility in the battle.
The energy wave collided with the Master, but he skillfully avoided it, his mastery of the element impressing the fighters. The confrontation continued, with the three combatants using their skills quickly and cooperatively, keeping the Master at bay.
Even fighting together, they were no match for a Master. The longest they could hold out was about 5 minutes, and even then, they didn't cause a single scratch. Some were lucky enough to make it to the ships. Little did they know that they had about five minutes to escape this chaos. At least that's what Viktor thought.
'WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!'
"Is there a problem, Atlas?"
'THEY'RE REACTIVATING THE GENERATOR!'
"WHAT?"
"They were faster than expected."
Even in such a chaotic situation, the commander wouldn't be foolish enough to leave the energy generator, which is the main source of defense for the ship, turned off. "I would do the same in his place."
"How much time do we have left?"
"'LESS THAN A MINUTE!'
Viktor knew he had no time to waste.
"Atlas, maximum power to the engines! We need to get out of the blast radius!!" he ordered while adjusting the ship's controls.
'MAXIMUM POWER ACTIVATED!!' replied Atlas.
The emergency ship accelerated rapidly, leaving a trail of light as it moved away from the hangar.
As the emergency shuttle sped toward the exit, he noticed that the hangar doors were taking too long to open. He didn't have time to wait for the doors to open.
"Atlas, ready the plasma cannons. We're going to clear a path."
The shuttle was equipped with defensive weapons, such as low-power plasma cannons, to protect against immediate threats during the escape. But they were enough to cause damage to the shuttle's exit gate.
'PLASMA GUNS READY!!!'
Viktor aimed at the access doors and fired. The plasma cannons released bursts of energy, hitting the doors hard. The doors began to buckle under the impact.
"Come on, Atlas! We need to get out of here now!"
'ACCESS DOORS DAMAGED. CONTINUING TAKEOFF!!' Atlas replied.
With the access doors weakened, the emergency ship accelerated, breaking through the barriers and finally exiting the hangar.
Before leaving, Viktor had prepared a parting surprise. A reactor bomb. To be more precise, a powerful electromagnetic pulse (EMP) strong enough to disable all nearby electronic systems. With his experience in sabotage and Atlas's instructions, it was easy to spot a bomb with such high-powered generator systems. When they activated the generator, it would explode instantly.
"How long until the bomb detonates?"
'DETERMINATION IN 30 SECONDS!!'
"We need to be out of the blast radius before the EMP reaches us!!!"
The electromagnetic pulse could last anywhere from minutes to nanoseconds, but it would be devastating to any electronics within range.
The ship continued to accelerate, engines roaring as Viktor pushed the ship to its limits.
"Atlas, status of navigation and communication systems?"
'NAV AND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. WE ARE QUICKLY MOVING OUT OF THE EXPLOSION RADIUS!!'
Viktor looked back, seeing the prison ship retreating rapidly.
"Atlas, prepare for EMP impact."
PREPARING SYSTEMS FOR EMP IMPACT!!!'
Suddenly, a bright light flashed behind them, followed by a shockwave that shook the ship. Viktor gripped the controls tightly as the ship was jolted by the force of the blast.
"Atlas, systems status?"
'SYSTEMS FUNCTIONING WITHIN PARAMETERS. EMP IMPACT MINIMIZED!!!'.
Viktor breathed a sigh of relief. "We did it. We're out of the blast radius..." finally relaxing a little. "Now, let's find a safe place to land and plan our next steps."
'UNDERSTANDED. SEARCHING FOR A SAFE DESTINATION....."' Atlas replied.
However, a medium-sized, heavily armed ship appeared ahead. Viktor noticed the symbol of a fist with a chain painted on the side of the ship.
"Rebels!! What are they doing here? It doesn't make sense?!" recognizing the emblem immediately.
'REBEL SHIP DETECTED. WEAPONS ON ALERT!!' Atlas informed.
"Atlas, stay calm."
Viktor adjusted the ship's course to hide among the meteorites. The asteroids could offer some cover against the rebel ship.
As they approached the asteroids, Viktor noticed something strange. The rebel ship was not focused on them.
"They're ignoring us.." surprised at who their target was. "So their target is the prison ship."
Watching the rebel ship prepare for battle.
"That explains the presence of an elemental master..." he murmured. "The union was planning a trap for the rebels."
'AFFIRMATIVE!'
"But I don't understand; I don't remember this situation happening in my past?"
'PROBABLY DUE TO YOUR ACTIONS NOW, YOU MAY HAVE ALTERED THE TIMELINE!'
Atlas was right. If it weren't for Viktor's actions in freeing the prisoners from their cells, especially the most dangerous ones on the ship, disabling the security systems, and causing chaos, the timeline would not have been altered. The rebels would not have appeared.
Viktor's ship hid among the asteroids, watching as the rebel ship approached the prison ship.
"They're already preparing to attack..." watching the rebel ship's weapons prepare for launch.
"Do we have popcorn?"
"NEGATIVE! Only perishable food."
"What a shame..."
"RECOMMEND MAINTAINING SAFE DISTANCE."
"I agree," Viktor replied. "Let's get out of here."
As the battle between the rebels and the temporarily disabled prison ship began, Viktor fled with his ship without looking back, activating hyperspace, and in the blink of an eye, he disappeared into the vastness of the cosmos, leaving behind the battle he had initiated.