Flickering Lights

The squad proceeded stealthily down the corridor. Captain Thorn led the way, Tatsuki lingering at the rear. As they approached a closed door, the faint hum transformed into distant murmurs. Captain Thorn signaled for everyone to halt.

Thorn: (whispering) "Lights off. Move quietly."

Silently, each member turned Off their lights. Tanaka, eager to speak before engaging with whatever is in the room, began,

Tanaka: "Captain, I think someone's mi—"

Captain Thorn swiftly hushed him, a stern look keeping the squad in check. The door creaked open, revealing an armed squad within, their Mi'ro PD Patches shining in the dimness.

Thorn: (softly and confused) "What are you doing here?"

Officer 1: "I ask you that same question. We were sent to investigate the facility."

Officer 2: "We've got orders from Mi'ro's Headquarters. Also, scientist Monoka is also helping with the investigation."

Thorn: (skeptical) "A scientist? In a place like this? Something's not right."

The officers showed some paperwork, explaining their mission, but the mood shifted when another Officer came to the room agitated,

Officer 3: "Monoka" Said out of breath, "Is Missing."

Captain Thorn, examining the documents, sensed the trap.

Thorn: "I knew it. Sending a scientist and basic officers to a place like this? This is a setup."

Panic swept over the officers as they grappled with the reality of the scientist's disappearance.

Officer 1 "But, how did it happen?! You were supposed to stay with her at all times!"

Officer 3: "That's the thing, she was walking towards the basement when she told me to wait for her and ordered me not to follow her and by the time I reached for the radio to notify you, she disappeared. Obviously afterwards I came running." responded the Officer with a weight of fault over his shoulders.

Officer 2: "Damn it!" Spit freaked out, "We messed up." Added with a weak trembling voice.

Captain Thorn, remaining calm, suggested,

Thorn: "Let's stick together and look for her. You said the last time you saw her was near the basement right?" asked Thorn to Officer 2.

The Officer nodded.

Thorn: "OK guys, this seems really suspicious…Obviously. This team was not supposed to be here. This just turned into a rescue mission, so everyone, stay alert."

"Roger" Answered the team before the captain added

Thorn: "I don't know who, or why someone would ask Dr. Makoto to be here, but this is no good. Kuznetsov, I need you to be in the back of the formation. Let's advance towards the basement."

As the Captain leads the way to the basement, the Squad and the officers closely, lights off except for the Captain and Kuznetsov.

***

Mi'ro's Research Basement

In the dimly lit basement, Tatsuki noticed flickering lights. A discreet touch to Tanaka and an alert glance to Captain Thorn redirected their path. The squad and officers, tension palpable, followed Captain Thorn towards the basement.

As they reached the basement's depths, flickering lights unveiled an eerie chamber. The squad, and officers stood at the threshold of a mystery that surpassed the missing sun particle—a mystery entangled with the shadows lurking in the facility's hidden recesses.

Thorn: (whispering) "Stay close. We don't know what we're dealing with. Tanaka, any insights?"

Tanaka: "One of my scanners is getting life signals, two of them, to be exact. Both standing still."

The Captain lifted his hand as a signal for the team to stop walking. "Two life signals?!" Thorn asked in surprised whispers, turning his face to Tanaka who was behind him.

Tanaka Nodded.

Tanaka: "One signal seems to be weaker than the other." The Tech pointed out.

Thorn: "Officers" Started the captain, "Were there any other officers with you?"

"No." Answered Officer 1 while Officer 2 shook his head as a negative answer.

Captain Thorn knew something was wrong the minute he saw the squad in the other room. Now that he knows there could be a threat in the room he is in, he is trying to figure out a plan to intercept both signals. One of them has to be Monoka, but what could be the other?

After a brief moment Dr. Simmons suggested,

Simmons: "The weaker signal could be someone hurt or it could be just an animal. But by analyzing the situation Dr. Monoka could've been hurt. So I suggest approaching the weak signal first just in case I have to provide any assistance."

Thorn: "Good thinking. Tanaka, I want you to keep an eye on that other life signal while we approach the weak one. Make sure to relay any information regarding that signal." ordered Thorn.

Tanaka: "Roger that captain," said Tanaka, keeping his eyes on the signal.

The squad, now fully attuned to the enigmatic aura surrounding them, advanced cautiously into the depths of the facility's basement. As the squad approached the mysterious chamber, the ethereal flickering lights unveiled a gruesome scene—the scientist's body sprawled on the floor, bearing the harrowing aftermath of an unknown force. Her face, etched with horror, revealed severe burns that seemed to have seared beyond the surface. A gaping hole in the center of her chest left a macabre sight—her insides were in a state of grotesque disarray, melting away, yet her heart was still beating and eerily untouched. She was alive!

Simmons: (rushing forward) "This is not good."

Dr. Simmons, faced with a scene both baffling and horrific, knelt beside the scientist's contorted body, her medical expertise grappling with the inexplicable nature of the injuries. The air thickened with an unsettling tension that the squad felt in the presence of the tragedy.

Marlow: (examining the test tube on a rack in front of the body) "Captain, take a look at this. Test tubes filled with different components. She is also holding one. It's as if she knew they held some significance. This seems to be similar to the ones Simmons found in the Laboratory. "

Lieutenant Marlow meticulously inspected the test tubes, each containing a concoction of viscous substances.

As Marlow and Simmons immersed themselves in their respective tasks, Tanaka approached Captain Thorn with an urgent whisper.

Tanaka: "Captain, the life signal is moving, but barely."

Captain Thorn surveyed the room, his gaze shifting between the gruesome injuries inflicted upon the scientist and the flickering lights that hinted at a presence on the opposite side of the room.

Thorn: "Stay vigilant. Officers, Hot, stay here with Marlow and Simmons. Kuznetzov, Tanaka, follow me." The captain turns on the flashlight attached to his plasma rifle before adding, "I'll lead, Tanaka you'll be in the center and Kuz cover from back, ok?" Both of them nodded, and Thorn continued, "Tanaka, keep your eyes on that scanner, if it moves, I want you to shout "Move" and I want everyone running towards the life signal." They nodded once more. "Ok, let's move."

The squad, now divided between providing medical assistance, analyzing the test tubes, and engaging the life signal, stood amidst the mystery that surrounded them.

As the captain approached the signal, Dr. Simmons' voice started resonating through the room.

Simmons: "Everything will be alright Monoka, you are doing good."

Thorn, trying to remain calm and focused on the matters at hand, he keeps advancing towards the signal. Midway to their destination a scream was heard,

"Captain, Wait!"

It was Harlow's voice which took over the chamber with a resonating echo that startled the captain, a second after Tanaka shouts

Tanaka: "MOVE!"

The group started running towards the life signal. When Thorn turned around the corner, he felt like everything stopped and everything went blank.