Apocalypse: Insurgence

Chapter 09: The Red Tide

In the dimly lit laboratory, shadows danced as overhead lights flickered sporadically, casting an eerie glow over scattered beakers and petri dishes. A lone scientist leaned over her microscope, brow furrowed in concentration. Her eyes widened in shock as she observed the algae sample beneath the lens.

The green strands pulsed unnaturally, twisting and writhing as if alive in a way that defied logic. Tiny, appendage-like structures formed and shifted within the sample, moving with an unsettling fluidity.

"Parasites..." she whispered, the realization settling over her like a cold wave. This was no longer a simple algal bloom. She grabbed her notepad, the word "parasites" scrawled across it repeatedly in a shaky hand. The implications were chilling-if this organism infiltrated the dome, it could change everything.

---

Months had passed since the relocation began, but training never ceased. The dome's artificial lights were no match for the natural sun, and what had once been clean, safe air now felt stifling under a growing, unspoken dread. Xammy stood by the weapons rack, her fingers brushing over the cold metal of the gun they'd issued her. It felt foreign in her hands-heavier than expected, yet strangely unavoidable.

Nearby, Malik loaded his rifle with practiced ease. "Why guns? I thought we were just supposed to survive algae. Why prepare us for combat?"

Xammy shook her head, keeping her gaze fixed on her weapon. "I don't know. Every day it feels like they're bracing us for something... worse."

Across from them, Jenna sat huddled with her knees pulled to her chest, looking pale. "Maybe they're hiding something from us," she whispered, her wide eyes revealing her fear. "What if it's more than just algae?"

Xammy shared Jenna's suspicions but kept them to herself. Algae blooms outside the dome had grown more aggressive, overtaking landscapes and coastal boundaries. News hinted at disasters-tsunamis, earthquakes, glaciers collapsing into the ocean. And yet, it felt as if there was more, something the government wasn't saying.

Their thoughts were interrupted by the dome's alarm blaring, loud and jarring. The red emergency lights flickered, casting an ominous glow over the training room. Xammy, Malik, and Jenna exchanged anxious glances.

"Is this it?" Malik's voice was tight with apprehension.

A booming voice echoed over the dome's PA system. "All combat-trained personnel, report to the central briefing hall immediately. This is not a drill."

Heart pounding, Xammy grabbed her rifle and sprinted toward the briefing hall, Malik and Jenna close behind. They joined a growing stream of teenagers flooding the corridors, all sharing the same expression of dread. The once-orderly dome now felt like a pressure cooker ready to burst.

In the packed briefing hall, Commander Bryce raised his hand, silencing the murmurs. "We're facing a critical emergency." His voice rang out with authority, cutting through the tense silence. "Listen up! Team Alpha, secure the east perimeter. Team Bravo, take the west. Charlie, you're on the north side, and Delta, hold the south. Stay alert, keep your eyes sharp, and remember-if you see anything that moves, don't hesitate. Protect the dome at all costs."

As the volunteers absorbed his words, team leaders organized them into smaller units, assigning each group to specific sections along the dome's perimeter. Xammy found herself grouped with Malik and Jenna, each gripping their weapons with anxious anticipation.

As they neared their designated positions, a tense silence settled over the volunteers. Xammy's heartbeat pounded in her ears as she scanned the darkened surroundings, her hands slick with sweat. Then, out of the shadows, they saw it.