The elevator hit the bottom with a low clank, and the Gears hopped down into the mine. Dust clung to the air, and the damp, claustrophobic darkness surrounded them.

"Damn," Dom muttered, scanning the murky depths.

"Stinks down here," Baird grumbled. "There's Kryll shit everywhere."

"You don't exactly smell like roses yourself, princess," Maverick shot back.

"Alright, enough," Marcus snapped. "Let's get this done and get out of here before the Kryll come back."

"I heard that," Cole added, falling into step behind them.

Anthony suddenly tensed. His eyes locked upward, catching a faint glow flickering in the shadows above. A second later, a piercing screech ripped through the cavern.

"Ah, shit! More Lambent Wretches!" Anthony shouted.

The Gears instinctively snapped their weapons up as the sound of claws against stone echoed above. Wretches rained down from the ceiling, their glowing maws stretching open as they swarmed the squad.

Chaos erupted in an instant—shotguns barked, Lancers spat hot lead, and the tight confines filled with muzzle flashes and snarling death. Through the frenzy, Maverick held back just long enough, eyes darting across the battlefield, waiting for the right moment. Then he moved—precise and deadly.

Finally, Marcus delivered the killing shot to the last Wretch, its twisted body crumpling to the floor. Smoke curled from his weapon's barrel as he surveyed the aftermath, then gave the squad a curt nod.

"Okay. We can't take any chances with the Resonator," he said. "Cole, Baird, Anthony—you three stay here and guard the merchandise."

"Hey, don't have to tell me twice," Baird replied with a shrug.

"We'll radio when it's all clear," Maverick added.

Cole offered a lazy salute. "See ya."

Marcus, Dom, and Maverick moved out, sticking close to the centre of the path to avoid the ledge's unstable edge.

"Man, I don't know about this," Dom muttered, glancing around warily.

"We're just gonna go in, plant the Resonator, and then we're gonna leave," Marcus replied. "Easy."

"Easy?" Maverick scoffed. "When has it ever been easy?"

"Mav's got a point," Dom said under his breath.

The trio pushed forward, eventually reaching what looked like a jagged waterfall cutting through the rock wall.

"Watch out!" Dom shouted.

He tried to warn them, but the ground gave way before the words finished leaving his mouth. The earth crumbled beneath them, and all three slid down a steep incline. Marcus and Dom hit the bottom hard, landing flat on their backs with bone-jarring thuds.

Maverick, coming in last, managed to control his descent. He landed solidly on his feet, absorbing the impact with practiced ease. Straightening up, he looked down at the other two with a smirk.

"You two need to work on your landings."

Marcus grunted, brushing himself off before tapping his comms. "Baird. We ran into a problem. You, Cole, and Carmine are gonna have to find another route."

"Roger that," Baird replied with an audible sigh. "We're moving."

They pressed forward. Each step sent subtle tremors through the cavern floor. The walls groaned under unseen weight, and the ceiling shed dust like a warning. With every minute, the path became more unstable.

To make things worse, Locust forces lurked behind every turn, firing from cover and retreating into the darkness. The firefights were constant, progress slow and bloody. Then the tremors surged into a full quake. Rocks rained down, and the ceiling cracked open.

Dust and rubble swallowed the space ahead—and out of that swirling chaos, a massive shadow lumbered into view.

A Boomer.

It stomped into the open, towering above the squad, each step pounding the ground like a drumbeat of doom.

It growled low, primal and deliberate.

"Boom."

"Fuck! I don't have anything to use, and if I fire the damn Torque Bow, we're dead!" Maverick shouted, backing up against the shifting rock.

"We don't have a choice, Mav—just use it!" Dom snapped.

"Fuck!"

Gritting his teeth, Maverick yanked the Torque Bow from his back and raised it. He loosed an arrow, the projectile thudding into the Boomer's thick hide before detonating with a deafening roar. The explosion ripped through the massive creature, tearing it apart in a violent red mist. Body parts scattered across the cavern as the shockwave rocked the unstable walls.

"We should move before this whole place comes down," Marcus said, already stepping forward.

"I second that," Dom added.

"Agreed," Maverick muttered, reloading quickly.

The trio pressed on, moving cautiously as dim light cast long, twitching shadows across the mine's jagged walls. Every step dislodged loose pebbles that clattered into unseen depths. The air was thick with dust, and the groans of shifting stone echoed all around them.

Then—crack.

The ground beneath their boots gave way with no warning. All three shouted as the floor collapsed, dropping them into the black void below. The fall ended with a brutal crash, their bodies slamming into the rocky ground.

Dazed but alive, they groaned and rolled over, slowly pushing themselves upright. Their surroundings were darker, quieter—more uncertain than before.

Marcus and Dom coughed as dust settled around them, while Maverick groaned, rolling his shoulders before cracking his neck.

Dom grabbed his Lancer and grunted. "Okay, enough with the falling down already!"

"I second that," Maverick muttered, stretching his arms out.

Marcus tapped his comms. "Baird, what's your status?"

"Still en route," came Baird's voice, crackling through the headset. "Who the hell knows where we are."

"We're off-route too. We'll keep moving. If you get to the pumping station first, guide us in. Deal?"

"Deal."

Before they could take another step, a Lambent Wretch screeched from the shadows, its glowing body casting eerie flickers across the cavern walls.

"Shut the fuck up," Maverick growled, raising his Lancer and firing.

The creature exploded on impact, clearing a small path through the rubble with a burst of flame and ichor.

The team pressed forward until they reached a massive crossing where the cavern split into two separate paths, each stretching nearly a mile in opposite directions.

"It's gonna be morning soon," Maverick said, scanning the gloom.

"Okay, we're running out of time," Marcus replied. "We need to split up and find that station. Maverick, take the right. Dom and I will head left."

"Sure thing, boss man."

Without hesitation, they split, each heading down their assigned path at a steady jog.

As Maverick moved deeper into the mine alone, he muttered to himself, "Damn. I hope I picked the right way."

"I hope we all did," Marcus's voice echoed faintly through the comms.

Maverick pressed on, eventually stepping into a dimly lit cave. The air was damp and thick, the faint sound of dripping water echoing through the tunnel. As he advanced, something caught his attention—an unusual formation of jagged stalagmites. Their twisted shapes looked too deliberate, almost unnatural.

"Hey, you guys ever seen stalagmites like this?" he asked, voice low.

He reached out and brushed the surface with his fingers—only for it to move.

A pair of massive, gleaming eyes snapped open within the rock formation.

"Corpser!" Maverick shouted, stumbling backward just as the creature let out a deafening roar.

The monster retreated into the stone, its movement shaking the earth and sending huge chunks of the cavern ceiling crashing down where it had been.

"Baird! We've got a Corpser!" Marcus barked over comms.

"Damn, that explains all the earthquakes!" Baird replied. "Alright—we're on our way!"

Marcus, Dom, and Maverick regrouped, continuing forward until they stepped into a wide clearing. The silence was eerie—unnatural. Then came the sound. A deep, rhythmic thumping echoed through the hollow space.

Their movements slowed as they exchanged wary glances—then, they slowly looked up.

"Where the fuck do Locust get these things?" Maverick yelled over the noise. "Is there a goddamn breeding factory somewhere?!"

The Corpser let out a thunderous roar and dropped down in front of them. Its massive legs slammed into the ground, shaking the earth and blocking their path. Instinctively, the trio opened fire, but their bullets ricocheted harmlessly off the creature's thick armored limbs.

"Now what?" Dom asked, stepping back as another round of fire bounced off the hide.

Maverick's eyes locked onto the beast, tracking its movements. He quickly noted the vulnerable areas—the exposed underbelly and the gaping maw.

"Marcus! We gotta aim for the belly and the face!" he called out.

"Alright, Dom, you heard him!" Marcus shouted. "Aim for the belly! Wait for it to strike!"

The three held their ground, dodging as the Corpser lashed out with its claws. With each swipe, they retaliated with concentrated fire, forcing the creature back one heavy step at a time. Dust and debris filled the air, but the pressure didn't let up.

As they advanced, Maverick spotted a large platform just behind the creature's position.

"Quick! Get it onto the platform!"

They opened up with everything they had, the hail of bullets relentless. The Corpser roared in frustration, backing up from the assault until its weight shifted onto the metal platform behind it. Its claws dug into the surface, but it was too late.

"Hit the couplings!" Marcus barked.

With precision, the trio shifted their aim. Sparks burst from the bolts as their rounds struck home. One by one, the platform's supports gave way with sharp metallic groans.

With a final screech, the floor beneath the Corpser collapsed. The creature plunged into the glowing pool of Emulsion below. Its massive legs thrashed violently, sending ripples of toxic liquid across the chamber. For a brief moment, it struggled—then, with one last, agonised roar, it sank beneath the surface and was gone.

Maverick looked down at the Emulsion pool and let out a rough laugh before turning away.

"Mav!" Marcus and Dom shouted in unison.

He barely had time to react. One of the Corpser's massive legs lashed out toward him, but with a swift sidestep, he dodged it effortlessly. A maniacal grin spread across his face as he revved his Lancer. Without hesitation, he brought the chainsaw down, tearing through the thick limb in a brutal spray of ichor.

The Corpser let out a final, deafening roar as its massive body teetered. A second later, it plunged into the Emulsion below, its grotesque form swallowed whole by the glowing liquid. Ripples spread across the surface—and then, silence.

"Stupid cunt," Maverick muttered, spitting to the side. "Never mess with a fucking Stroud."

At the far end of the Emulsion pool, Baird, Cole, and Anthony emerged at a jog.

"Ah, just in time," Baird quipped.

"Yeah," Dom muttered, "just in time to kiss my ass."

"I can't believe we missed this!" Cole said, grinning wide.

"Cole," Marcus called out, "you still got the Resonator?"

Cole slapped his pack. "Booted, suited, and ready to get executed."

Marcus nodded. "And the time?"

Maverick checked his watch. "Five-fifteen."

"Sun's coming up soon. Let's move."

As they marched forward, Anthony gave one last glance back at the Emulsion pit, shaking his head.

"Man, you guys took down a Corpser."

"Yeah," Maverick said, cracking a smile. "We fucking did."

The squad of six continued up the winding path until the silhouette of the pumping station came into view.

"Finally!" Dom exhaled in relief. "There it is."

"Okay, here's the plan," Marcus said, voice firm. "Dom, Maverick—we're going straight in. Cole, Baird, you take Carmine and flank right. Provide support. Above all, protect that Resonator. Got it?"

"Got it," Baird nodded.

"You got it," Cole echoed with a laugh.

"Understood," Anthony added, saluting sharply.

Marcus, Dom, and Maverick advanced toward the station. As they moved, an eerie hissing sound crept through the air.

"You hear that?" Dom asked, scanning the shadows. "What the hell's that sound?"

"It's just the wind," Marcus replied.

Maverick raised a brow. "Marcus, we're literally underground. What fucking wind?"

"Yeah," Dom muttered, eyes narrowing. "And when's the last time the wind said 'hostiles' to you?"

They slowed their pace, instincts kicking in. Ahead, at the edge of the station's perimeter, a hulking, armored Locust stepped into view—Torque Bow in hand, eyes locked on them.

Dom narrowed his eyes at the advancing figures. "Uh... those aren't Drones."

Marcus let out a low groan. "Ah, shit. Looks like they upgraded."

"They're called Theron Guards," Baird said, raising his Lancer slightly.

Maverick caught sight of one of them wielding a familiar weapon. "Ooh. They've got my toy too."

"You think they know what we're doing?" Dom asked, his voice tense.

Marcus didn't break stride. "Well, we're not here to sell cookies. So yeah—they know something's up."

"You heard the boss man," Maverick said with a grin. "Shoot and dodge!"

The squad split into their designated flanks, moving swiftly but cautiously up the ramps. As they reached the top, they ducked behind crumbling cover, weapons at the ready.

One of the Theron Guards raised its Torque Bow. A split second later, the explosive arrow screamed through the air and slammed dead centre into their barricade.

BOOM!

The blast tore through their cover, sending debris flying in every direction. Smoke and dust filled the air as Marcus, Dom, and Maverick instinctively shielded themselves from the impact. Across the field, the Theron nocked another arrow.

"Shit!" Dom hissed, peeking out to return fire.

"Screw this!" Maverick growled. "Cole, let's get 'em!"

"Whoo! The train's coming for your bitch asses!" Cole roared, charging into the fray.

"Covering fire!" Marcus barked, laying down suppressive rounds.

Maverick surged forward with ruthless precision, the rev of his Lancer's chainsaw echoing across the battlefield. He tore through the Theron Guards like a man possessed, their guttural cries cut short as his blade ripped through armour and flesh alike. One by one, their bodies fell to the ground, twitching and lifeless.

Nearby, Cole unleashed a torrent of suppressive fire. His bullets tore through a charging Grenadier, dropping him on the spot. With a grunt, he delivered a devastating kick to another Locust, sending the creature tumbling headfirst into the glowing Emulsion pit below.

As the last Locust fell, a brief silence settled over the scorched battlefield. Dust drifted through the air like ash. Then Baird, ever the opportunist, stood from cover with a smirk plastered across his face.

"Oh my God," he said. "I can't believe it. We did it!"

"Nice job," Marcus replied. "Okay, time to go home. Baird, get the Resonator set up. We'll get the elevator back online."

The squad began to regroup, moving toward the elevator. As they walked, Cole nudged Maverick with his elbow.

"Yo, Maverick. You got some moves, man. We would've made one hell of a duo on the field."

Maverick smirked, brushing some blood off his armour. "Maybe in another life... or after this war, Cole."

As Baird hoisted the Resonator off Cole's back, he set it down and began working on the deployment. His fingers moved fast, each step executed with practised ease.

Marcus spotted the elevator ahead. "Baird! Let's go!" he shouted.

Without hesitation, Baird yanked the switch to activate the mechanism, then bolted after the rest of the squad, grabbing a Geobot on his way out. The elevator groaned to life and shot upward, carrying the six Gears toward the surface.

As soon as the doors slid open, they sprinted out of the facility, urgency driving every step. The ground rumbled beneath their boots, and the air felt heavy—like the world itself was holding its breath.

Then—BOOM!

A massive blue pulse wave exploded behind them, ripping through the air with the force of a shockwave. The sheer impact slammed into the squad, launching them off their feet like ragdolls. The world spun—dirt, light, noise, chaos—blurring into a disorienting swirl.

They hit the ground hard. Dust and debris rained down, and for a brief moment, all was silent—except for the piercing ring in their ears and the crushing weight of the impact that blanketed everything.

Marcus groaned as he sat up, tapping his comms with a sore hand. "Control, this is Delta. We're clear. Resonator has been detonated."

Anya's voice came through with a mix of relief and urgency. "You did it, Marcus. Stand by—King Ravens are en route."

Cole yawned, stretching his arms as he sat up. "So... are we going back to base?"

"I guess so," Marcus muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Good," Cole chuckled, flopping onto his back. "'Cause I'm done."

"Food, man," Dom added, licking his lips. "Hot food. All day long."

Before anyone could relax, Hoffman's voice crackled over the comms, tense and abrupt.

"Delta—bad news. It didn't work."

Marcus frowned and sat up straighter. "What do you mean it didn't work?"

"I mean that lousy Resonator didn't deliver the goods," Hoffman snapped. "According to Anya, we're missing data on—hell, I don't know—most of the network!"

Anthony let out a frustrated groan and tossed his Lancer to the ground. "You've gotta be fucking kidding me!"

"We'd need a hundred Resonators to map these tunnels," Hoffman added, the irritation clear in his voice.

Baird scoffed, reaching into his gear. "So what?" he said, tossing a small device to Marcus. "We'll use this instead."

Dom shot him a glare. "I'll use it to smash your teeth in, how 'bout that?"

"Shut the hell up and look at it," Maverick cut in. "Baird and I found something."

Marcus pressed a button on the device—a Geobot—and a glowing projection flickered to life before them. The hologram displayed a massive network of sprawling underground tunnels, branching out like veins beneath the surface.

"Those are Locust tunnels, Fenix," Baird said. "Every last one of them."

"And you know we're right," Maverick added, arms crossed, his expression confident.

Dom blinked, stunned. "Where the hell did you two find this?"

"It popped up when I hacked in," Baird explained. "The files were just sitting there, waiting."

Maverick stepped forward, grabbing the Geobot and handing it to Jack. The bot immediately began transmitting the data to Anya.

"Fenix, report!" Hoffman barked over comms.

"Anya, are you seeing this?" Marcus asked.

"Affirmative," she replied. "My brother and Private Baird are correct."

Maverick and Baird exchanged a knowing look, then bumped fists.

"That Geobot is showing more tunnel data than the Resonator ever could," Anya confirmed.

"This is bullshit," Cole muttered, still flat on the ground.

"You mean to tell me we went through all that for nothing?" Anthony said, shaking his head.

"Give me a zero point on that data," Hoffman demanded.

"Well... it came from East Barricade Academy," Anya answered. "Specifically, from his father's house."

A heavy silence fell over the squad.

"Whose father?" Hoffman asked.

"Sergeant Fenix, sir."

The pause that followed was long and thick with tension.

"You think you can still find your way back home, Fenix?" Hoffman asked.

"Yes, sir," Marcus replied without hesitation.

"Re-route those choppers, Lieutenant," Hoffman ordered. "They're taking Delta to EBA—immediately."

Maverick smirked and turned to Baird. "You know what, Princess? We actually make a pretty good team."

"I'm inclined to agree, asshat," Baird said with a grin.