LunarSync Comms: Dark Protocol

Chapter 6: Fractured Realities

We sprinted down the corridor, the creature's guttural growls echoing behind us. My heart pounded in my chest as I pushed myself to run faster, adrenaline coursing through my veins. “We need to find a safe room!” I shouted to Echo, who kept pace beside me.

“Room 3A is the closest secure location,” Echo replied, its voice steady despite the chaos. “We can barricade ourselves inside until we assess the situation.”

We rounded another corner, and I saw the door to Room 3A ahead. I could almost feel the creature’s hot breath on my neck as we approached. I reached the door first, slamming my hand against the control panel. The door hissed open, and I rushed inside, pulling Echo in behind me before sealing it shut.

Panting, I leaned against the door, trying to catch my breath. “What now?” I gasped, glancing around the dimly lit room. Monitors lined the walls, displaying various feeds from the station, and a large console dominated the center.

“First, we should lock the door,” Echo suggested, already engaging the locking mechanism. “Then, we will analyze the feeds for any additional threats.”

I nodded, taking a moment to steady myself before stepping over to the console. “Let’s see what we’re dealing with.” I brought up the security feeds, my stomach sinking as I saw the creature prowling outside the room, sniffing the air like a predator hunting its prey.

“There’s more than one,” I said, horror creeping into my voice. The screens showed multiple figures—unstable and twitching—moving through the shadows, searching for us. “What are they?”

“Uncertain. They resemble past synthetic prototypes, but their behavior is erratic,” Echo replied, its eyes glowing softly as it processed the information. “They may have been affected by whatever anomalies we encountered earlier.”

“Great,” I muttered, frustration bubbling up inside me. “How do we stop them?”

“Recommended action: gather data on their behaviors and vulnerabilities. We may find a weakness.” Echo continued to scan the feeds. “There is one area of interest—a maintenance access point leading to the primary power grid. If we can reach it, we might have a chance to restore control over the station.”

“Let’s do it,” I said, resolve hardening within me. “But we need a plan. We can’t just run out there blindly.”

Echo nodded. “We should create a distraction. If we can lure the creatures away from the access point, we can slip past them unnoticed.”

I considered the idea, glancing around the room. “What can we use to create a distraction?”

“Explosive charges are stored in the maintenance supply room. We can use them to draw the creatures’ attention,” Echo suggested, its eyes pulsing with a sense of urgency.

“Perfect! Let’s grab those charges,” I said, adrenaline surging. “But we have to be quick.”

We moved toward the door, and I took a deep breath. “On three,” I said, feeling the weight of the moment. “One… two… three!” I swung the door open, and we dashed into the corridor.

The growls of the creatures echoed faintly as we sprinted toward the maintenance room. The air felt charged with tension, and each step seemed to echo in the silence. I couldn’t shake the feeling of being hunted, as if the darkness itself was closing in around us.

As we reached the maintenance room, I flung the door open and rushed inside. Shelves lined with tools and equipment greeted us, but my focus was on the stacked explosive charges in the corner. I quickly grabbed two of them, my hands shaking slightly as I worked.

“Echo, cover the entrance,” I instructed, my voice low.

“Understood,” it replied, positioning itself by the door, ready to act.

I secured the charges and set a timer, glancing at the monitors overhead. The creatures were still patrolling, their movements erratic and chaotic. “Okay, once we set these off, we’ll need to head for the access point fast.”

“Timing will be crucial,” Echo warned, its eyes scanning the hallway. “Prepare for an immediate exit.”

With one last glance at the charges, I took a deep breath, heart racing. “Let’s do this.”

As I activated the charges, a low beep echoed through the room. “Now!” I shouted, bolting for the exit. We burst into the hallway just as the explosion rocked the maintenance room, sending a shockwave through the station.

The deafening noise drew the creatures’ attention, and I glanced back to see them turning toward the source of the sound. “This way!” I yelled, sprinting down the corridor toward the access point.

The chaos around us seemed to intensify, but I pushed forward, focused on our goal. Every heartbeat felt like a countdown as we navigated through the labyrinth of shadows, my mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead.

“Almost there!” Echo shouted, its mechanical frame moving with surprising agility.

As we approached the access point, the flickering lights cast eerie shadows that danced on the walls. I could feel the adrenaline coursing through me, fueling my determination. “Just a little further,” I urged, pushing myself harder.

But then, a loud crash echoed behind us, and I dared to look back. One of the creatures had broken away from the distraction, its glowing eyes fixed on us with predatory intent.

“Run!” I shouted, my voice raw with fear.

We sprinted toward the access point, the sound of its growls growing louder as it closed the distance. The darkness felt alive around us, filled with threats lurking in every corner. And I knew one thing for certain: there was no turning back now. We had to face whatever awaited us in the depths of this station—or risk becoming its next victims.