The world erupted in chaos as the drone's weapon discharged, sending a beam of sizzling red energy into the ground mere feet from where the group had been standing. The blast threw up dirt and debris, forcing them to scatter like startled birds.
Amira dove behind a thick tree, her heart pounding so loudly she was sure the drones could hear it. Beside her, Luis skidded into cover, his glasses slightly askew. "What happened to getting inside quietly?!" he hissed.
Amira peeked around the tree trunk, catching a glimpse of Alex darting through the shadows, his movements efficient and precise. Jonah was nowhere to be seen. The three humanoid drones advanced, their mechanical bodies glinting ominously under the canopy's filtered light.
"Do they look angrier to you, or is that just me?" Luis whispered, clutching a rock like it was his last hope.
"It's not just you," Amira replied, her mind racing for a plan. "We need to disable them, or we'll never reach that structure."
Luis groaned. "Sure, let me just pull my anti-robot bazooka out of my pocket.
"Luis," she said, her voice sharper now, "you said earlier you might be able to jam their signal if we got close enough. Does that still apply?"
He hesitated, adjusting his glasses with shaky fingers. "Theoretically, yes. But that's if I can access their transmission frequency. You know, the one I don't currently have."
Amira grabbed his arm, forcing him to focus. "Then let's get you that frequency. Stick close to me."
"Terrible idea. Horrible idea," he muttered, but he followed her nonetheless.
On the other side of the clearing, Alex had already taken action. From his crouched position behind a fallen log, he launched a small EMP grenade toward the nearest drone. It detonated with a sharp crack, sending a wave of blue energy rippling outward. The lead drone froze mid-step, its glowing eyes flickering erratically before it collapsed in a heap.
"Nice!" Amira called out, ducking as a second drone's weapon fired.
"Keep moving," Alex ordered, his tone clipped as he rolled to another position. "These units are adaptive. The EMP won't work twice."
The second drone's weapon swiveled, locking onto Alex's location. It fired, and he barely had time to leap behind another tree, the blast scorching the ground where he'd just been.
"Overachiever," Luis muttered as he and Amira crept along the edge of the clearing, staying low. "Why doesn't the drone hate him more?"
"Focus, Luis," Amira whispered. She pointed to the third drone, which was scanning the area with mechanical precision. "That one's guarding the structure. If we can get you close enough, you can hack its signal and disrupt the whole group."
Luis stared at her like she'd lost her mind. "Do I look like someone who runs toward killer robots?"
"Right now, yes," she said firmly.
Before he could protest further, Jonah burst out of the undergrowth like a man possessed, machete raised high. "Surprise, tin cans!" he bellowed, slicing at the second drone's leg. Sparks flew as the blade connected, and the machine staggered, turning its attention toward him.
"Jonah!" Amira called out in alarm.
"Don't mind me," Jonah shouted over his shoulder, dodging the drone's retaliatory strike. "Just giving you an opening!"
"Go!" Amira urged Luis, grabbing his arm and pulling him toward the third drone.
As they sprinted toward the structure, the humming from the buried machine grew louder, vibrating in Amira's chest like a second heartbeat. The third drone noticed them almost immediately, its glowing eyes narrowing as it raised its weapon.
"Oh, come on!" Luis cried, stumbling as Amira yanked him behind a boulder.
"We're close enough," she said, panting. "Do your thing!"
Luis fumbled with his portable device, his fingers shaking as he typed furiously. "This is insane. I'm insane. You're insane for making me do this."
"And yet you're doing it," Amira said, risking a glance over the boulder. The drone was advancing, its weapon humming ominously.
"Five more seconds," Luis muttered.
"We don't have five seconds!" she snapped, grabbing a loose branch from the ground. Without thinking, she stepped out from behind the boulder and hurled it at the drone. It clattered uselessly against its metallic frame, but the distraction worked. The drone hesitated, recalibrating its target.
Luis let out a triumphant shout. "Got it!"
The drone froze, its glowing eyes flickering as Luis's signal jammer took effect. He adjusted his glasses, grinning despite the sweat dripping down his face. "I'm a genius."
Amira didn't have time to reply before Alex appeared at their side, his shirt slightly singed but otherwise unscathed. "The other two drones are neutralized," he said. "Good work."
Luis looked at him, still breathing heavily. "Define 'neutralized.' Because Jonah was fighting one with a machete."
"Jonah's fine," Alex replied curtly. "We need to move before more units arrive."
As if on cue, a loud whirring noise echoed from the structure, followed by the sound of grinding metal. Amira turned to see a hatch sliding open, revealing a dark, narrow passage leading underground.
"Oh, that's not ominous at all," Luis muttered. "Do we really have to go in there?"
"Yes," Alex said, already heading for the entrance. "The signal's origin is below ground. If we want answers, we have no choice."
Jonah jogged up to them, slightly out of breath but grinning nonetheless. "Well, that was invigorating. What's next, spelunking?"
"Exactly," Alex said, stepping into the hatch without hesitation.
Amira glanced at Luis and Jonah, then followed Alex into the darkness. The air inside was cool and damp, carrying the faint scent of machinery and oil. The walls were lined with glowing red symbols, their purpose unclear but unsettling nonetheless.
"Anyone else getting serious evil-lair vibes?" Jonah whispered, his voice echoing slightly in the confined space.
"Just stay close," Alex said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
The group descended deeper into the structure, the hum of machinery growing louder with every step. Amira's pulse quickened, a mix of fear and determination driving her forward. Whatever was waiting for them down here, it wasn't going to be friendly.
They reached a large chamber at the bottom of the tunnel, its ceiling high and domed. In the center stood a massive console, its surface covered in glowing red symbols. But what caught Amira's attention wasn't the console—it was the figure standing beside it.
Clad in a sleek, black exosuit, the figure turned to face them, its visor reflecting the red glow of the chamber. A voice, cold and distorted, echoed through the room.
"I warned you to turn back."
Amira's breath caught in her throat. This wasn't just a drone or a faceless enemy. This was someone—or something—intelligent, and it had been waiting for them.