The men stared in horror at the huge insects in the vicinity, each possessing eight eyes on their heads that provided almost unhindered vision, small mandibles, and bodies resembling those of caterpillars. At the end of their bodies was a stinger-like tail, reminiscent of a scorpion's, which they used to deposit eggs into their human hosts. These creatures were about three meters in length, and the men counted a couple of dozen grotesque beings as they climbed the cavern walls, trying to avoid any confrontation with the parasitic pests.
As they hung a hundred feet in the air, a small pebble slipped from Wong's foot and fell. The sound prompted the insects to turn their attention to where the pebble landed. Their many eyes scanned the surroundings, and they looked up, focusing on the men above, however, only the silent rocks met their gaze. Among the insects was the leader, a particularly large specimen with a millipede-like body that was five times the size of its peers. It crawled up the wall, meticulously scanning the ceiling for any signs of unnatural substances like rubber or metallic traces from human footwear. To confirm its findings, it even sampled some rocks by chewing at it, as if a connoisseur of some delicacy, ensuring it had not overlooked anything. As it noticed the taste of the leather armor worn by the Huechromixix operatives, it found it a bit strange. However, as it pondered this, it concluded that since they mingled here, it was possible the operatives had passed through the area, so it chose not to pry any further.
Sensing no threats, the leader let out a piercing screech that echoed like cries from the abyss, resembling the sound of a jet approaching supersonic speeds. It was intermittent, as if reprimanding the gossipers to return to their tasks or risk losing their jobs. This call spurred its team back to work, causing the caterpillar-like insects to scurry about, who seemed eager to see some action.
Axel and his team, seemingly blessed with the luck of humanity, stumbled upon a small crevice that was just large enough for all of them to fit inside. Wong, who had made a critical error, was sweating profusely and his face was as pale as porcelain. He panted heavily after witnessing firsthand the terror of the abyss he had only seen in horror films. As he relayed this information to his team and the behavior of such creatures, he could see the alarm spread across their faces as they took in his report. They understood that Wong was not one to exaggerate when it comes to these matters.
One thing was clear in their minds. As they descended further into the unknown, more of these malevolent creatures would be waiting for them. Doubt began to creep into the team as the mission felt increasingly daunting and the weight of their responsibility became almost too much to bear.
They then passed through a corridor filled with insects, but it felt like they had been there for decades as they double-checked the integrity of the rocks they stepped on. They couldn't help but praise their miraculous shoes. Even if the shoes looked unfashionable with their gaudy design, they would definitely sing their praises to the high heavens because of how silent they were.
As they descended to the lower levels, the sound of pickaxes striking resonated through the air, echoing in a disquieting chorus. This alarming noise heightened their concern about the presence of so many operatives. Axel assigned the stealthiest member of the group, Tamaki, to scout ahead. After a while, Tamaki returned with unsettling news, the men they had heard were tasked with excavating the cave on the seventh level and seemed to cling to the hope of reuniting with their families. However, Tamaki, with his near-perfect photographic memory, recalled that at least three of these miners resembled those who had been eaten alive on the fourth level. This meant that these men were not only at risk but also clinging to false hopes regarding the safety of their families.
Axel checked the time they had spent descending and felt a surge of frustration over the delay caused by the insects. Shaking off this distracting anger, he focused on the task ahead. He ordered his team to pull out the tattered clothes they had stashed away during their journey. They dressed in shabby garments, discarding the leather gear they had taken from the lizardmen earlier, as it was too heavy and hindered their ability to blend in. The skin-tight leather provided by Berg, however, matched their skin tones and offered a small degree of camouflage, making them harder to spot unless someone looked closely.
After burying the stolen leather armor, they covered themselves in dirt to disguise their appearances as miners. The Winston, when unarmed and configured in its knife-with-arm-support setting, resembled a pickaxe, possessing a slightly futuristic and stylish look. Spotting some clay and moss in the cavern, Tamaki fashioned them into a pickaxe that was nearly identical to those used by the excavators in the cave. His impressive creation earned him the praise of his peers, lightening the mood.
They descended into the cavern through a series of treacherous entry points, the steep walls posing a deadly risk to anyone foolish enough to leap from such heights. But with carefully secured ropes, the descent became a tactical maneuver rather than a perilous plummet. As they entered, they meticulously blended into the shadows, aware that the men here were not easily deceived. They could smell suspicion in the air, either a disguised human lurked among them, or a freshly blackmailed newcomer had joined the ranks, ready to toil away their lives.
Catching the keen gaze of what appeared to be the leader of the group, Axel noted the subtle signal exchanged with the man. In a fluid motion, they slipped into the darker recesses of the cavern. Seizing the moment, Axel carefully prodded the unsuspecting man with the pickaxe, the sharp tip barely grazing his spine. The man, seething with indignation and on the verge of a noisy protest, found himself slammed against the cold stone wall by Axel, whose hand swiftly covered his mouth, silencing any potential outcry in an instant. The air was thick with tension, and their secret mission hung in the balance.
"I saw hundreds being devoured in the upper chambers," Axel said, his voice low and steady, each word laced with urgency. "You need to cooperate. We're here to set you free." He paused, recalling the note that Fairy 001 had attached to the gold pouch she tossed to the soldiers.
"We purged the demons in the shadows, slayed the witches that hide from prying eyes, and grant no rest to the wicked."
As if the words had triggered something deep within him, the man's eyes trembled violently, glistening with the threat of unfallen tears. Yet, just as quickly, his cold exterior reasserted itself, a mask of resolve settling over his features. With the pickaxe clenched tightly in his grip, he raised it high, the weight of his conviction evident in every line of his body. In one swift motion, he plunged the steel into the side of his belly, skillfully avoiding any vital organs, the sharp metal slicing through flesh and muscle with a sickening crunch that echoed in the stillness around them.
"Comrade," he gasped, his voice strained yet resolute. "Take a look but be quick about it." Axel plunged his hand into the man's abdomen, checking to see if the organs were human.
After a few breaths, the man replied, "I am Winter 01 of the 20th Century." The air crackled with the weight of his words, a solemn reminder that these were men holding up the sky for humanity.
Axel handed over the foldable crossbow, its mundane appearance making it easy to mistake for a toy, along with at least twenty bolts. In one swift motion, the man opened his belly a bit more, carefully avoiding major arteries, then stashed the weapon inside. Axel glanced at his companion and asked in a low, steady voice.
"How many?"
The man, who appeared unfazed by the impending danger, surveyed their surroundings with an appraising eye before returning to his task of mining. He picked up clay and sand, carefully applying them to his wound as if it were a mere inconvenience rather than a serious injury. Axel followed his lead, letting the tension ebb a little as the rhythmic sound of picks striking the rock filled the air.
Nearby, two figures approached, coming within earshot, then they started to chip down the stonewall, their movements almost mechanical, perfectly synchronized as if they were components of a well-oiled machine. Axel's instinct flared to life, these men were not just workers, they were opposing operatives. As the shadow of danger loomed larger, he and his companion continued their work, aware that they couldn't afford to raise any suspicion.
"Comrades," Axel called out, his voice an inaudible whisper yet laden with false cheerfulness, "we're discussing a morsel of bread I stashed earlier. You're welcome to some, but, please, keep this between us." Leaning into the facade of camaraderie, he motioned toward the two stoic men, their blank expressions betraying nothing.
To his surprise, the two men exchanged glances, their eyebrows arching in mild astonishment. However, with quiet enthusiasm, they accepted the offered bread, a slight smile creeping onto their otherwise expressionless faces before they retreated to a different area. Still, their gazes lingered on Axel and Winter 01, as if they were closely observing them for other motives. The whisper revealed their intent, as it shouldn't have been heard by someone twenty meters away. Additionally, Axel hadn't articulated the word 'comrade' clearly, making it impossible for anyone to read his lips.
Axel exchanged a knowing glance with Winter 01, an unspoken understanding passing between them. They were walking a fine line, any slip could spell disaster. As they resumed their labor, Axel's heart raced with anxiety, each thud of the pick into the rock echoing the ticking clock of their mission. With every swing, he ran through worst-case scenarios in his mind, betrayal, capture, or worse.
Time was not on their side. They had to find a way to outsmart the operatives who watched their every move or risk losing everything. The air crackled with tension as they toiled, and Axel couldn't shake the feeling that every second brought them closer to an inevitable reckoning. How would they evade the keen eyes of their adversaries and prevail in this treacherous game?
Axel gestured sharply toward the entry point they had infiltrated and signaled for Tamaki, known for his precise and vivid descriptions, to recount the horrors they had encountered. As Tamaki detailed the grim realities, rage simmered among the squad leaders, their teeth clenched and eyes ignited with fury. The surrounding soldiers, eavesdropping on the tense exchange, felt their anger intensify, recognizing that these creatures were far from innocent, they had the audacity to make playthings of the people.
"Eyes sharp!" Axel commanded, directing their focus toward another exit discovered leading to the river. He computed the likelihood of an ambush, enemy operatives might be lurking underwater, ready to pounce. To utilize that exit as a viable checkpoint, they might need to execute a full-frontal assault. The third exit, located on the seventh floor, ascended toward Sainte-Catherine Hill, strategically close to their intended objective.
Spring 01 then synchronized the team with hand signals, establishing a defensive perimeter to eliminate any chance of eavesdropping. He turned to his fellow operatives and delivered a succinct briefing of their mission.
[Mission Duration: 04:17:41 – Currently Ongoing]
[France Time – 20:12]