Chapter 11: Into the Lion's Den
The dim glow of multiple screens bathed Stockman's lab in cold blue light as he finished his briefing. The turtles, April, and Casey stood around him, processing the insanity of what they were about to attempt.
Leonardo exhaled sharply. "Breaking into a top-secret facility with unknown security systems, highly trained guards, and possibly alien technology? Sounds like a suicide mission."
Stockman smirked. "Not if you're smarter than the people running the place."
Donatello crossed his arms. "And you're saying you are?"
Stockman turned the monitor to display a rotating 3D model of TCRI's underground facility. "I have every reason to believe so."
April adjusted her glasses, her brows furrowing as she studied the schematics. "You managed to pull all of this before they cut your access?"
Stockman nodded. "Didn't just pull it. I left them a little surprise while I was in there."
Casey frowned. "What kinda surprise?"
Stockman tapped a few keys, zooming in on a section labeled Security Network Mainframe. "A very subtle worm in their system—nothing that'll raise alarms, but the moment we move in, it'll disable their surveillance for exactly seven minutes."
Raphael cracked his knuckles. "Seven minutes? Not a lot of time."
"Then don't waste it," Stockman shot back.
Leonardo sighed. "We'll need an escape plan."
"Already handled," Stockman said, pulling up another screen. "Sewer access routes, possible structural weaknesses—everything we need."
Michelangelo grinned. "Okay, I kinda see why you're cocky."
Stockman turned back to them, his expression serious. "TCRI is hiding something. We find out what, and we control the board. The only question is…" He folded his arms.
"Are you in?"
Leonardo hesitated for only a moment.
Then he nodded.
"We're in."
---
Midnight.
The city was quiet, save for the occasional wail of sirens in the distance. Beneath the streets, in the sewers, the team moved swiftly through the tunnels leading toward TCRI's underground structure.
Casey adjusted his mask. "Y'know, I usually bust heads in alleyways, not sneak into high-tech government buildings."
April smirked. "First time for everything."
Michelangelo whispered, "Man, I feel like we're in a spy movie."
Raphael rolled his eyes. "Focus, Mikey."
Stockman led them through the tunnel, his wrist device displaying a countdown. "We're one minute from infiltration point. Get ready."
Leonardo signaled for silence. The group pressed against the tunnel walls as they reached a massive ventilation shaft.
Stockman smirked. "You guys like tight spaces?"
Donatello grimaced. "I already hate this plan."
One by one, they climbed into the shaft, moving through the steel tunnel. Every noise echoed. Every breath felt amplified.
At last, they reached the exit grate—right above the heart of TCRI's underground lab.
Stockman's device beeped.
Surveillance Disabled – 7:00
"Go," Leonardo ordered.
They dropped into the facility.
---
TCRI's underground lab was massive. Towering structures, glowing monitors, and containment tubes lined the walls. The air hummed with energy.
Stockman pulled up a holographic map. "We need to get to that terminal. Now."
They moved like shadows, avoiding patrols. But something felt wrong.
Too quiet.
Leonardo narrowed his eyes. "They knew someone was coming."
Then, the containment tubes hissed open.
And they stepped out.
Metallic bodies. Unnatural, insect-like movements. Their glowing red eyes locked onto the intruders.
Casey cursed. "What the hell are those?!"
Donatello's voice was grim. "Prototype Utrom Exo-Suits."
Michelangelo gulped. "Uh, guys? I think we woke them up."
Stockman smirked, tapping his wrist device. "Then let's put them back to sleep."
And just like that, the battle began.
End of Chapter 11.