The metal from the haul groaned loudly as Haiden pulled, its screeching sound echoing through the air. Once it dislodged and fell onto the silencer balloons, a burst of air escaped, carrying the faint smell of rot. The corridor they found themselves in was dimly lit, with flickering lights casting eerie shadows on the walls. Andy used his raised fist to deploy the first stack.

The twins, Alexia and River, took their positions on either side, their laser rifles glinting in the dim light. Next, Spot sprinted to sit alert between them, swiveling his head left and right, rifle at the ready, prepared to act as backup. Only the soft buzzing of the luminaries and the occasional drip of water from a leaky pipe broke the silence. Spot raised a fist, signaling that the coast was clear.

Andy’s finger brushed against the trigger, dislodging the safety, adrenaline coursing through him. Khalil and Andy led the way, their footsteps muffled by the squeaking of the epoxy floor and the occasional splashes from the pool of blood that stained the ground.

The flashing red luminaries made it difficult to see, casting an eerie glow that distorted their surroundings. Shadows danced on the walls, making it hard to distinguish between the fallen bodies and the carnage left behind.

The heat signatures of the corpses indicated, according to the visors, that some of them had only recently met their demise, adding a chilling sense of danger to the air. An eerie silence filled the hallway, broken only by the alternating sounds of their footsteps and Owen’s unsteady breathing and whimpering.

Andy knew Owen needed to be watched closely; fear can have devastating consequences. Clarke and Haiden flanked Owen, with Thomas and Elliot taking up the rear. Grade levels plastered on the doorways; they landed in an educational sector - a priority evacuation section.

Andy’s senses were heightened, scrutinizing every sound and movement for any sign of danger. His team won’t search for survivors. They’ll leave the search for survivors to the clean-up crew once it’s been confirmed the Crek has vacated. Their mission is to recover the scientists and no more. A disconcerting mixture of faint squeaks from their shoes on the epoxy floor and the unsettling splashes from the pooled blood that stained their path filled the air.

The sight before them was devastating - the lifeless bodies of children strewn amidst the wreckage of what was an educational sanctuary. The metallic tang of iron lingered in their nostrils, a constant reminder of the horror that surrounded them.

The destruction they witnessed was overwhelming - bent metal walls, toppled desks, and wires hanging from the ceiling created a chaotic tapestry of devastation. Amid their progress, Khalil’s sudden intake of breath and the swift movement of his gun startled Andy and the rest of the team.

Their hearts raced as they followed Khalil’s gaze, their eyes falling upon a young boy, his fragile body lying motionless amidst a pool of blood. Beads of sweat glistened on his closed eyelids, his lips moving in a feverish mumble. The clear signs of infection glowing along his arm.

Andy’s hand gently tapped Khalil’s shoulder, drawing his attention. Through a series of hand signals, he conveyed the urgency to proceed cautiously, to be ready for whatever lay ahead. The team silently advanced. The corridor led them to a grand wooden door adorned with intricate engravings of woodland creatures.

It stood as a gateway to the Enclave, a sanctuary where the remnants of humanity sought solace - a reminder of what life on Earth offered. Andy gracefully lowered himself to a knee, the cold floor seeping through his protective gear. With his laser rifle resting on the ground, he raised his hands in front of his visor, signaling to Kahn, their tech expert.

“We’ve reached the dome.” Andy signed with precision. “Can you get a read on anything?”

Kahn’s voice crackled in their earpieces, breaking the silence that enveloped them. “Give me just one more minute,” he responded. “I’m attempting to access the sensor network.”

Time seemed to stretch as the team held their breath, their senses sharpened, waiting for any sign of movement. Kahn’s voice finally broke through the tension, a mixture of relief and uncertainty in his tone. “You’ve got some movement in there, boss, but I can’t tell if they’re friendlies." His words hung in the air, accompanied by the faint buzzing of the earpieces that connected them all.

“Thank you. We’re headed in. Keep close eyes on all the visuals.” Andy Acknowledged, face filled with determination.

Khan, a man of few words, muttered a soft “Za.” He spent months teaching the team the dying mongolian language his mother spoke, to Clarke’s chagrin.

As they approached the doors, Khalil and Andy positioned themselves on either side, their rifles at the ready. With a synchronized motion, they pushed open the heavy doors, allowing a flood of blinding light to invade the room. The brightness momentarily overwhelmed their senses, forcing them to squint and shield their eyes. Blinking away the disorientation, they surveyed their surroundings.

The scene before them came into focus, revealing a landscape dotted with clusters of trees, a winding bike path hugging the edges, and a colorful playground nestled in the corner. The smell of freshly cut grass mingled with the faint scent of flowers in the air, and the chirping of birds, a stark contrast to the devastation they just witnessed.

Andy’s gaze swept over the area, his attention drawn to the peculiar lumps scattered near the playground. He averted his eyes, not daring to investigate further. Each team member maintained a vigilant watch, their senses heightened as they navigated the unfamiliar terrain. The map indicated that the pavilion lay beyond the treeline. Andy urged them to keep their distance from the lumps littering the ground.

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However, Elliot’s whispered exclamation shattered their focused composure. “Oh, Fuck. Worthington, it’s a baby,” he uttered, his voice filled with a mix of shock and horror. Just across the bike-path was a fallen stroller, one used for jogging. The words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken questions. The team was trained to prioritize the mission, to ignore the fallen, including civilians. Yet, the sight of a helpless child tugged at their hearts, reminding them of the fragility of life.

Clarke’s plea broke the silence, her voice laced with desperation. “Worthington, please?” Andy’s mind wrestled with conflicting emotions, torn between duty and compassion.

In a hushed tone, he made his decision known. “Haiden, Elliot, you two approach. We’ll cover you.” The relief that washed over Elliot’s face was unmistakable, a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness of their mission.

Andy turned his gaze towards the dense woods, his senses heightened as he awaited any signs of danger. Time seemed to stretch as the two team members cautiously approached the upturned stroller. After what felt like an eternity, the sound of a soft coo reached his ears, causing his heart to skip a beat. He swiftly turned his head, eyes widening in astonishment.

Clarke, sensing the urgency, offered to take the infant. However, Andy intervened, his voice firm. “No. Give him to Owen. Clarke, stay close to them.” She nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. Elliot carefully passed the tiny bundle, no more than three months old, to Owen’s waiting arms. “Let’s hurry,” Andy urged, a renewed determination in his voice. The team pressed on, their steps quickened by the presence of newfound responsibility.

Once they emerged from the dense tree-line, their eyes were met with the sight of a dilapidated gray pavilion. It resembled a forgotten snack bar made of worn-out cement, with an overhang and picnic tables nestled underneath. The air carried the faint scent of damp earth and freshly cut grass from the adjacent baseball field and soccer field. The sound of the infant’s laughter echoed through the air, causing Andy to turn his head sharply towards Owen, his glare piercing. Andy hissed, “Keep the kid quiet.” Facing the rest of the team, he instructed, “look around, the entrance hatch should be here somewhere.”

Andy moved towards the soccer field area. Frustration coursed through his body, its weight tangible as he stomped lightly on the ground, hoping to uncover the hidden hatch beneath the soil. The weight of countless lives lost weighed heavily on his mind, amplifying his determination to find a way to defend against the Crek.

He didn’t make it far before Haiden’s voice crackled through their communication devices; he found it. Andy retraced his steps, but as he approached the side of the pavilion, he observed bodies huddled around a closed entrance, the stench of blood mingling with the surrounding scents.

Khalil’s voice, laced with curiosity, questioned, “What is it?”

“It’s an entrance to a cellar,” Andy replied. “My family used to have one back on Earth.”

“Worthington?” Thomas, crouched beside one of the fallen men, clenched his jaw and struggled to utter words. “They were Fucking shot.”

Owen’s voice, laced with bewilderment, stammered, “Wait, I thought Crek didn’t use projectiles. ”

“They don’t,” Thomas growled, his eyes blazing with fury. “These men look like they were desperate to get into the safe room.” Everyone stared at the rickety cellar door, their faces grim, and Andy knew exactly what they were all thinking.

Andy questioned into his com, the crackling sound drowning out the eerie silence around him. “Khan, you got the knock sequence? ” Khan’s voice, tinged with static, immediately replied, “Za, boss.” He quickly relayed the sequence to Haiden, who, with a sense of anticipation hanging in the air, knocked on the entrance. No response, no sound, no movement.

Haiden tried again. The echo of his knuckles against the door reverberated through the desolate space, despite that, no response, no sound, no movement. The heavy silence weighed on their shoulders, a constant reminder of the stakes at hand.

Undeterred by the lack of reaction, Haiden summoned his determination, knowing the importance of persistence. The horror stories of an IST squad who left civilians to suffocate to death because the civilians didn’t hear the first knock were well known amongst the various military establishments.

For a third and final try, he knocked, the sound echoing like a distant drumbeat. And then, a subtle sound emerged from within the cellar, the clinking of chains sending shivers down Andy’s spine.

Haiden shifted his position, positioning himself strategically so that the occupants inside could catch a glimpse of his face through the opening door. As the door creaked open, the musty scent of dampness and confinement wafted out, mingling with the scent of fear.

“Thank the Vrondrul’s you’re here,” spoke a male voice, filled with a mix of relief and desperation.

Andy couldn’t help but roll his eyes at the mention of the Vrondruls, their zealous beliefs permeating the air like a suffocating incense. The thoughts of their doctrine, promising health and prosperity to some at the expense of others, left a bitter taste in his mouth. If Andy could despise any system of thought, it would be this ideology, as repugnant as the stench of decay.

Haiden extended his hand, offering assistance to the three scientists, their white smocks stained with dirt and sweat. As they emerged from the darkness of the cellar, a chorus of sighs mingled with the sound of shuffling feet. Andy’s gaze swept over his team, their eyes alternating between the survivors and the lifeless bodies scattered around them.

The unsaid words hung heavy in the air, stifled by the tension and the glances exchanged. Andy knew his team well enough to understand that their thoughts were far from pleasant, and the mutual disdain between them and the bundle in Owen’s hands was clear.

Suppressing the rising discomfort, Andy confirmed the identities of the three men, his voice calm yet laced with urgency. Gesturing for them to move towards the center, where his team could provide protection from all sides, Andy’s senses heightened. The scent of pine and earth enveloped them as they retreated, their footsteps muffled by the soft soil beneath their feet. Andy’s focus was solely on getting out of there as soon as possible, a desire that consumed his every thought.

Lost in his determination, Andy failed to notice the subtle rustling above until a body plummeted from the branches, breaking the silence with a thud. The sudden intrusion of movement startled Khalil, his eyes widening as they locked onto the bright green eyes of the unexpected visitor.

A shriek escaped one of the scientists, his voice piercing the air and startling the infant in Owen’s arms, who responded with a cry that echoed through the surrounding trees.

The Crek’s proximity rendered their rifles ineffective, as they were too close for a clean shot. With a swift motion, Haiden dropped his rifle, its strap preventing it from clattering to the ground, as he yanked his laser Sabor free from its holster and launched himself forward.

The pungent smell of earth mixed with the burn from the laser hung in the air as the Crek revealed its own weapon - a dark, obsidian-like blade made from an unknown biological substance. Scientists referred to it as Zeqits, a name that sent fear through the hearts of many species.