Chapter 19: Into the Abyss
The Beta-13 facility loomed ahead, half-buried in the ground and surrounded by jagged cliffs. Rusted metal gates marked the entrance, their surface scarred with deep claw marks. Faint red light flickered from within, casting long shadows across the rocky terrain.
Alex and Carter crouched near a pile of debris, scanning the facility's exterior. The eerie silence was broken only by the occasional distant growl of infected.
Carter adjusted his helmet, the glow from its visor faint but steady. "Facility's sealed tight. These places usually are. We'll have to breach the entrance manually."
Alex glanced at the gates, his system already highlighting weak points in the structure. "What's the plan?"
Carter pulled a small device from his pack, a rectangular gadget covered in blinking lights. "EMP breaching charge. Disables any electronic locks and scrambles the security systems for a few minutes. Problem is…"
He trailed off, gesturing toward the shadows near the entrance. Alex followed his gaze and immediately tensed.
Several hulking figures prowled near the gates, their bodies grotesquely mutated. Thick, jagged spines jutted from their backs, and their glowing red eyes scanned the area with predatory intensity.
System Notification:
Threat Identified: Spined Mutants.
Danger Level: High. Quantity: 3.
"Let me guess," Alex said, gripping the Plasma Blade. "Those things aren't going to let us waltz in."
Carter chuckled darkly. "Not unless you speak mutant. But I doubt they're in the mood for conversation."
The Approach
The two moved silently through the shadows, keeping low to avoid detection. Alex's system fed him real-time updates, marking the patrol patterns of the mutants.
"Split up," Carter whispered. "I'll place the charge on the gate. You distract them."
"Distract them?" Alex shot him a look. "How?"
Carter smirked beneath his helmet. "You've got that fancy Plasma Blade, don't you? Get creative."
Alex sighed. "Yeah, sure. I'll just politely ask them to chase me."
Carter didn't wait for a response. He was already moving toward the gate, his steps silent and precise.
Alex took a deep breath and moved in the opposite direction, staying just out of sight of the mutants. He picked up a fist-sized rock and hurled it at the nearest one.
The rock struck the creature's back, and it turned with a guttural snarl, its glowing eyes locking onto Alex.
"Hey, ugly!" Alex shouted, igniting the Plasma Blade. "Come and get me!"
The mutant roared and charged, its spined back glinting in the dim light.
A Deadly Dance
Alex dodged the mutant's first swipe, its massive claws raking through the air inches from his face. He countered with a precise slash of the Plasma Blade, severing one of its spines.
The creature howled in pain but didn't slow down. It lunged again, its claws tearing into a nearby boulder as Alex rolled out of the way.
System Notification:
Spined Mutant: Vital Point Detected. Target Weak Spot Near Neck.
"Got it," Alex muttered, repositioning himself.
The mutant charged again, but this time Alex was ready. He ducked under its claws and drove the Plasma Blade into the base of its neck. The weapon hummed as it sliced through flesh and bone, and the mutant collapsed with a final, shuddering roar.
Mutant Eliminated: +100 SP. Current SP: 430.
Alex barely had time to catch his breath before the other two mutants roared in unison, their attention now fully on him.
"Carter," Alex growled under his breath. "That charge better be ready soon."
Carter's Countdown
At the gate, Carter worked quickly, attaching the EMP charge to the control panel. His visor displayed a countdown timer—00:30.
"Just a little longer," he muttered, glancing over his shoulder.
Alex was holding his own, but barely. The two remaining mutants were relentless, their claws tearing through the ground as they pursued him.
Alex ducked behind a large rock, his breathing ragged. One of the mutants leapt onto the boulder, snarling, while the other circled around to cut off his escape.
"Not good," Alex muttered, gripping the Plasma Blade tightly.
The Final Stand
The first mutant lunged, its claws slamming into the ground where Alex had been a moment earlier. He rolled to the side and slashed upward, the Plasma Blade carving a deep gash in the creature's side.
The second mutant attacked from behind, forcing Alex to spin and block with the blade. The impact sent him staggering, but he recovered quickly, aiming a kick at the creature's knee.
The mutant stumbled, giving Alex just enough time to drive the blade into its chest.
Mutant Eliminated: +100 SP. Current SP: 530.
The remaining mutant roared in fury, charging at Alex with reckless abandon. He braced himself, preparing for the final strike—
BOOM.
The EMP charge detonated, flooding the area with a burst of light and sound. The mutant froze mid-charge, its body convulsing as the energy disrupted its nervous system.
"Now's your chance!" Carter shouted from the gate.
Alex didn't hesitate. He surged forward, Plasma Blade in hand, and drove the weapon through the mutant's neck. The creature collapsed, twitching, before falling still.
Mutant Eliminated: +100 SP. Current SP: 630.
Accessing Beta-13
The gate groaned as it slid open, sparks flying from the damaged control panel. Carter stood by the entrance, his rifle at the ready.
"Not bad, kid," he said, nodding at Alex. "Didn't think you'd take all three of them down."
Alex wiped sweat from his brow, panting. "Yeah, well… next time, you're the distraction."
Carter chuckled and gestured toward the dark corridor beyond the gate. "Beta-13 awaits. You ready?"
Alex activated his system interface, double-checking his inventory. The Plasma Blade's charge was at 70%, and he still had two grenades left.
"As ready as I'll ever be," he said, stepping into the facility.
The air inside was cold and damp, the walls lined with flickering screens and cables. Faint red emergency lights illuminated the path ahead, casting eerie shadows.
System Notification:
Mission Updated: Investigate Beta-13 Facility. Find the Genesis Core Control Room.
Carter scanned the area with his rifle. "Stay sharp. These places are crawling with surprises."
Alex nodded, his grip tightening on the Plasma Blade. As they ventured deeper into the facility, the faint sound of machinery grew louder, accompanied by something far more unsettling—a low, guttural growl echoing from the darkness ahead.
"Surprises," Alex muttered, readying his weapon. "Yeah, I'm getting used to those."