Universe Undone

Chapter 12: Revelations

Lynne and the girls, having survived on their own all this time, unexpectedly run into another survivor from their city, while also coming across a very startling discovery.

Meanwhile, Scott and his growing band of freedom fighters have finally made it to the coast, and without a single Invid encounter for days. Many questions are raised as to why that is, as well as, what could have possibly happened to them. Now desperate for answers, Scott and his team decide to investigate the matter.

Struggling with who she is, as well as what she's meant to do, Marlene/Ariel tries to emotionally distance herself from her new family, but ends up forming a strong connection with someone she wasn't expecting. Victoria also appears to be struggling, but for very different reasons.

Elsewhere, Morane tries to bond with Daniel Wellington, and even proposes they work together and start something big. Daniel surprisingly goes along with it.

Later on, Scott and his team encounter an entirely different kind of alien enemy, and one who claims to have the other half of Annie's mysterious amulet.

Chapter 12: Revelations

Even though they'd been given a map, as well as advised to head back towards the river and follow it to the mainland, Lynne and the four young women had decided to head into the deserted city instead, and see what supplies they could come by before daring to venture out on their own again. It seemed like the smartest thing to do, and they'd all come to a unanimous agreement beforehand. But unfortunately there wasn't much to find once they got there. They did find Invid activity of course, but because none of the women were carrying any weapons on them, or acting as a threat they were ignored.

So far, they had spent a total of two days holed up in an abandoned house; gathering up whatever they could before heading back out. Their plan now, was to check every single vehicle that was still in one piece, in hopes that one of them might still be functional. The only problem with that plan was the fact they kept getting the same result every time: none of the engines would start up. And after testing out the third or fourth car, the situation was beginning to look very bleak, if not completely hopeless. With the way things were looking, they either needed to come up with a new plan, or just keep trying their luck.

By now, everyone in the small group had grown very frustrated, wondering just how they were going to get themselves out of this place without any working transportation. For the time being, they were lazily seated on the ground next to vehicle number five. It was some sort of blazer; a combination of rust and left over red paint, and with a cracked windshield to boot. Still, despite all its visible eyesores they decided to try their luck anyway.

Lynne, frustrated as could be, suddenly leapt up and pried open the driver's side, where she instantly began her search around inside the front of the vehicle for the keys. Lucy, Mipsy, and Grace had watched her briefly before they also got up and did their part to join in the search; checking the back seats. They were going to find those keys and start this vehicle up even if it killed them.

Alley meanwhile, stood off to the side smoking a cigarette, looking as though she didn't have a single damn left to give. She'd already given up on any kind of hope a long time ago, and instead of trying to grasp at whatever inkling of faith she had left, had instead chosen to accept the harsh reality of the situation; the reality that they were probably stuck here for good.

Even back home Alley had always been kind of a pessimist, but now she actually had a reason to be. And while they might have gotten lucky in making out of that harsh jungle environment, that still didn't change the fact that they were practically stranded, and without transportation the map Justin had given them was pretty much useless. There was no way they could make it to the coast all the way on foot. In fact, there was a good possibility they'd end up dead before they ever made it out of this city. That's what Alley had already accepted as a fact.