Chapter 13 - First Mission (II)

Jako scans the command center cautiously, his eyes darting around the room as he assesses the situation. From the looks of the damages, there seem to be a firefight and then an explosion device was set off in this room. The elevator to the labs is on the other side of the room and luckily it look like it had not taken much damage.

Suddenly, the power comes back, the lights illuminating the room and casting harsh shadows on the walls. Observing the various control panels, blinking screens and hologram booting up, Jako hears a ominous whirring noise from the door they just squeeze in from.

"Shit, we've got company!" Astrid hisses, realizing too late that they have accidentally reactivated the station's intruder drones. Before Jako could response, Astrid lets out a cry of pain as she is hit by a blaster bolt.

Without thinking Jako quickly rushes to her side, trying to shield her with his body as they seek cover behind the consoles. Astrid clutches her own weapon tightly, fear etched on her face but determination in her eyes. "That got me good, what do we do now?" her voice trembling from the pain.

Jako steadies his weapon hand, ready to protect them both. His heart is racing as the whirring of the two intruder drones gets louder, the drones are slowly approach their hiding spot. "Put some pressure on that." Jako takes a quick look at Astrid wound. "We stick together, take these drones out and then we get the hell out of here."

"Boss, what is happening there. I heard gun shots being fired, we are rushing to you now. ETA five minutes." the brothers could be heard panting over the comms.

"Just hurry, Astrid have been shot.", Jako shouts as his muscles tense before quickly moving out of cover to takes aim at the drones. He fires, the sound of blaster fire echoing through the station. The first drone is hit, sparks flying as it tumbles to the ground.

Apparently the drones was already badly damaged, it spray it shots inaccurately around the space the duo is hiding. "Looks like the shot that got you was a lucky shot. I'll try flank around the drone for a better position, just keep yourself hidden." Jako said before charging out to another cover.

"You worry for yourself. I can still squeeze the trigger.", Astrid shouted as she ignore Jako's word and continue providing covering fire, distracting the second drone. Moving from cover to cover Jako finally found a good angle to put a well placed shot on the drone. Shortly after, the room falls silent, the only sounds the crackling of sparks and the heavy breathing of Jako and Astrid. They both let out a sigh of relief as they realize the danger has passed.

Looking at the destroyed drones, the Jako count themselves luck as they would have been in a lot more trouble if the two drones wasn't damaged and was functioning at it's full capacity. Quickly moving back to Astrid side, Jako check on her injury. Astrid arm is bleeding profusely, searching his suit, he grabs the emergency hemostatic spray and begin to tend to her wounds. Confirming the bleeding have slowed, he applies a pressure bandage on her arm and also give her a shot of painkiller.

Astrid winces as Jako tightens the bandage, but she manages to grin through the pain. "Thanks, Captain." she says, her voice shaking slightly. "Luckily, you're a good shot."

Jako shrugs, trying to hide his relief. "I have a good amount of practice, the adrenaline rush is starting to wear off. You will feel more tired and pain soon, so talk less and rest." he says gruffly. Taking a moment to assess the situation, Jako make sure that the area was clear of any more danger. He checked the systems and made sure that all of the power was stabilized and that there were no other automated systems that could cause harm.

Once he was confident that they were safe, he turned his attention back to Astrid. The two sit in silence for a moment, seemingly enjoying the peace and quiet. Jako can feel his heart rate slowing, and he takes a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves. Remembering the brothers, he try to raise them on the comms, "Not to rush you but are you two coming soon?"

Just as Jako said that, the Brother arrived at the command center. Using brute force to pull open the mechanical door, they burst into the command center, weapons drawn and ready for action. They are panting heavily, having rushed to the center as soon as they heard the sounds of blaster fire.

Jako chuckles as he look at the two, "Party is over, come earlier next time." standing up, Jako points towards Astrid, "You two get her back to the ship." he asks Ping and Pong to escort Astrid back to their ship for proper medical attention.

"What about you boss?" Ping ask Jako looking confused. "I know by now, all of you have suspicion about the mission and it isn't what it seems. I promise to give you all answers later, for now I've come too far to turn back. The backup power isn't going to last, I'll finish what I came here to do alone, and then I'll join you back at the ship."

Ping and Pong look at each other before reluctantly agreeing to their Captain's order, they knew Jako well enough to understand his stubbornness. "Just be careful, there might be more surprises waiting for you." Ping warned. "We will be on comms and will come running if you need us."

"You guys be careful also, if you do not hear from me after 30 minute just call in to the administration. Do not come finding me on your own, got it?", Jako harden his resolve.

After helping Astrid to her feet, the team share a quick nod and begin to head back to the ship. Jako couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt as he watch Astrid being escorted out of the command center. He know he had failed to protect his team, and he couldn't help but feel responsible for Astrid's injuries. Along with the fact that he is acutely aware that the station holds some top level secrets research, he decide to send the brothers away instead of having them accompany him further into the station.

He turns back to the task at hand, approaching the elevator, his heart start racing again as he thought about what he might find inside.

"IRIS, time for you to work. Chloe mention you will get the door open for me.", Jako impatiently look at the biometric keypad.

"I have access into the system date and update your profile. You now have special bypass right to the lab facilities. Please place you hand on the keypad for authentication." Jako does as instructed and waits anxiously for the doors to unlock. Finally, with a soft beep, the elevator doors slid open, and he stepped inside.

As the elevator began its descent to the labs, he realize the lab is a separate structure from the base above it. "Now I understand why the lab on the blueprint feels bigger then the station.", Jako start getting curious of the advanced technology that surrounded him. "IRIS, so what the type of research they are doing out in the middle of nowhere?", His mind working to piece together the story of what might have taken place within these walls.

"Host does not have to access rights to that information. Please focus on your mission without delays." IRIS said in a commanding tone.

The elevator start slowly down and come to a stop 30 seconds later. The communication signal has been disconnected halfway and he is now truly isolated. "Kind of hostile today ain't you IRIS? It's now just me and you. Never thought I say this, but I glad you are here."

"You say that now, but soon you will ask me to shut up, again." IRIS complains.

The labs were deserted, there wasn't even corpse around unlike the first floor. The staff should have fled the facility before the hull breach. Jako is grateful for this, as he is able to explore without the additional dread of dead people in every corner. He quickly follow the path indicated on the blue print to the main research lab. The console to extract the central data core and the emergency data purge can be easily accessed after keying of the bypass code. "Please follow input the following sequences into the console, the data will be transfer the the data stick there and the data purge will begin automatically. It will take five minutes to complete" IRIS shows Jako the instructions in an overlay.

However he have been given access to the lab as part of his mission. He is not going to let the opportunity to find out more above the organization he is working for to slip through his fingers.

"IRIS, I think I will explore a bit before completing my task." Jako left the console and move deeper into the lab.