INT. HQ UNDERGROUND – CORE ROOM EXIT – NIGHT
94Please respect copyright.PENANA6KS4CBvECg
ALERTS begin to flash across the patrol’s HUDs.
94Please respect copyright.PENANAASWphnWKez
[COOLANT RESERVE: 12%]
[CORE TEMP RISING]
[OVERHEAT WARNING – SHUTDOWN IMMINENT]
94Please respect copyright.PENANAGhsrmg4lY6
A shrill, synthetic whine pierces through the silence—automated systems crying out as their limits approach.
94Please respect copyright.PENANAHMyuDTkGQr
SCIENTIST UNIT (through comms)
“All units, you’ve got less than five minutes before core temperatures breach tolerance. Initiate retreat protocol now!”
94Please respect copyright.PENANAxgCJFOA7yO
JASON
(gritting his teeth, watching steam hiss from his arms)
“You heard the nerd. Fall back! Mark your routes as you go—don’t get cocky.”
94Please respect copyright.PENANAmpRnXg4On3
SECURITY BOT 07
“Exit’s behind us, shaft’s stable. Dropping signal beacons.”
94Please respect copyright.PENANAin6qTcr0y3
The team moves fast, metal limbs straining, servos whining with heat-stressed effort. Flare tags and electronic markers are punched into organic walls—burning through layers of soft flesh and latching in with anchors.
94Please respect copyright.PENANAdWIuppl6xD
As they abseil back up the elevator shaft, it feels more like escaping the stomach of something alive. The vines around them twitch and tighten, but don’t attack—just observe.
94Please respect copyright.PENANAFOkHepjURw
SECURITY BOT 11
(panting)
“This place... It wasn’t finished growing.”
94Please respect copyright.PENANAog4UDY0xBd
JASON
“Then let’s not stick around for its birthday party.”
94Please respect copyright.PENANAYHokvu0Tz9
Up, up, climbing back toward light and metal and breathable air. The howling fades, replaced by the rhythmic clanks of boots and grapples.
94Please respect copyright.PENANAMHgqkPQF6c
They emerge through the blasted hole in HQ’s lower level, panting, limbs trailing vapor like they just crawled out of hell.
94Please respect copyright.PENANAEsPsodxlaQ
Cool air slams into them—clean, industrial, painfully sharp.
94Please respect copyright.PENANA46eaUH8rm3
SCIENTIST UNIT (on-site)
“Your vitals are off the charts. Coolant flush stations are ready—move!”
94Please respect copyright.PENANA4kdnLSQ71M
The team rushes toward the temporary triage station, collapsing into position, coolant streams hissing as it floods through systems.
94Please respect copyright.PENANAWXYIhlGjHx
JASON, seated on the ground, looks back at the gaping hole behind them. The glow of purple light still faintly visible through the breach.
94Please respect copyright.PENANAsXWoSvCERy
JASON
(quietly, to himself)
“We found the heart... but we still don’t know what’s pumping it.”
94Please respect copyright.PENANANkVZ7SAtmE
FADE OUT.
ns216.73.216.206da2