Survival plot || H.S.

Chapter 13: Preparation

As dawn broke, the first rays of sunlight filtered through the grimy windows of the old factory, casting long shadows that danced across the cluttered floor. The air was thick with the smell of rust and oil, remnants of a once-thriving industrial space now transformed into a makeshift lab for Ava and her team. It was a far cry from the sterile environments they once worked in, but it was their sanctuary now—a place where they could gather their thoughts and plan their next move.

Ava stood at the center of the chaos, surrounded by a hodgepodge of equipment—scattered research notes, half-empty toolboxes, and salvaged tech from various suppliers. The tension in the air was palpable as she surveyed her team, each member lost in their own thoughts yet bound by a shared goal. Tom was crouched in one corner, meticulously checking the weapons they had salvaged from a nearby military surplus store. His fingers moved with a practiced precision as he cleaned and loaded rifles, a serious expression etched on his face that spoke volumes about the gravity of their mission.

Maya was at a makeshift workstation, her laptop’s glow illuminating her focused features as she scoured the internet for any recent information about the creature’s activity. She typed furiously, her brows knitted in concentration, a testament to her determination to find anything that could give them an edge. On the other side of the room, Lena was at a whiteboard, her brow furrowed as she sketched out a detailed plan of their approach. The lines and arrows illustrated potential routes, entry points, and escape paths, each marked with notes about the creature’s behavior and the landscape of its lair.

“Alright, team,” Ava began, her voice steady despite the anxiety churning in her stomach. “We need to go over our strategy one more time before we head out.”

Tom looked up, a rifle cradled in his arms, his brow furrowed. “We should hit it hard and fast, catch it off guard. We’ve seen how adaptable it is; if we let it know we’re coming, it’ll be ready for us.”

“Exactly,” Lena chimed in, nodding. “We need to approach from the east side where it’s less fortified. I’ve marked the best points on the map. There are a few spots that could serve as good vantage points for us.”

She pointed to the sketch on the whiteboard, highlighting areas of high ground and potential hiding spots. “If we can position ourselves here and here, we’ll have the upper hand. We’ll be able to see its movements without being detected.”

Ava felt a mix of anxiety and admiration for her team. They were grappling with the enormity of what lay ahead, yet their focus was unwavering. “Let’s also discuss the weapons,” Maya interjected, her voice firm. “We have a limited supply, and we need to make every shot count. The last thing we want is to run out of ammo in the middle of a fight.”

“Good point,” Ava replied, her heart racing at the thought of the creature they were about to face. “We’ll only engage if absolutely necessary. Our main goal is to gather data on the creature’s behavior and find a way to exploit its weaknesses without drawing too much attention.”

The gravity of their situation settled heavily on them, the reality of what they were about to do sinking in. Ava could feel the weight of their lives resting on her shoulders, the responsibility of having created the creature looming over her like a dark cloud.

Tom exchanged glances with Maya and Lena, gauging their reactions. “So we’re really doing this? We’re going in there, facing that thing head-on?”

“Yes,” Ava affirmed, her voice steady. “But we’re not just charging in blindly. We stick to the plan. We scout first, gather intel, and then make our move. If we find ourselves in danger, we retreat. No heroics.”

Maya hesitated, her expression filled with uncertainty. “And if we do encounter it? What’s our backup plan?”

“Lena, you’ve been working on that distraction device, right?” Ava asked, turning to her. “Can we deploy it quickly if needed?”