The Seventh | A Dark Matter Fanfiction | Two (Portia Lin)

Chapter 6

Nassan led them down the stairs and into the facility that housed the fusion reactor. "It's a Mark Four fusion reactor. Standard equipment for a mining community... about fifty years ago. Nowadays, we can hardly find spare parts to keep it running."

One's brow furrowed as he absorbed the information. "It's the perfect cover... outdated technology, ill-equipped miners who don't know what they're doing. It's an accident waiting to happen."

Six nodded grimly. "We'll never be able to hold this position. Not for long, anyways."

"At least we'll die fighting," Four added, his voice resolute.

With the knowledge of the impending threat weighing heavily on them, they spent the next couple of hours preparing for the imminent attack. They taught the residents basic fighting techniques and how to handle a gun, knowing that every bit of preparation could make a difference in the coming battle.

As they worked tirelessly to arm the residents with the skills they needed to defend themselves, Seven joined the effort, his expertise in medical care proving invaluable. He provided instructions on what to do in case of injury, ensuring that everyone was as prepared as possible for the dangers ahead.

Together, they stood united, determined to face whatever came their way with courage and resilience. In the face of overwhelming odds, they found strength in each other, ready to stand firm against the threat looming on the horizon.

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Six gathered the crew for a serious discussion, his expression grave as he addressed them.

"I've been thinking," Six began, his tone laden with uncertainty.

"Yeah?" Three prompted, exchanging a glance with  Seven

Six nodded, his gaze flickering between them. "You're right. Both of you. We're doomed."

Three scoffed, but Six continued, undeterred. "It doesn't matter how good our defenses are. At the end of the day, they've got an endless supply of bodies and bullets. We don't. Eventually, they'll wear us down."

One interjected, seeking clarity. "Okay, and what was I right about?"

"There might be a way to win this, but it's a long shot," Six explained. "We've got to hit them where it hurts most... their bottom line."

Three's eyes widened in realization. "You saying we take out their ship?"

Six nodded. "Exactly. Ferrous Corp doesn't care about their men. They'll just get more. But ships? Those are a lot harder to come by."

One mulled over the plan. "How do we get it down here?"

"We don't. We go up there after it," Six replied. "I'll target their drive in the Marauder. Set off a chain of secondary explosions that'll rip that ship apart."

Seven frowned, "And you with it."

"Maybe not," Six countered. "If I punch the Marauder's engines and get clear of the blast radius..."

One shook his head. "That's crazy. They'll take you down before you're anywhere near them."

"Oh, they can try," Six said with a determined glint in his eye.

Four stepped forward, his tone solemn. "We stand together and we die together."

"We can't let you do this," Seven insisted.

Three interjected, siding with Six. "What? Hear the guy out."

"I know you don't like it, believe me, I like it even less," Six admitted. "But if we show we're crazy enough to take out one of their ships, Ferrous Corp will be less inclined to risk another one around here. Think about it, you know I'm right."