Chapter 8: Echoes in the Ash

The faint distress signal pulsed steadily on Kael's HUD, its marker glowing softly on the map overlay. He sat at his workbench, absently tapping a wrench against his knuckles as he weighed his options.

It could be a trap.

The wasteland wasn't kind, and survivors often turned desperate. A fake distress signal could easily lure the unwary into an ambush. But the marker's location was several miles west, far from any known settlement. That made it less likely to be a bandit's ploy and more intriguing by the minute.

Kael leaned back, staring at the flickering interface. His gut told him to check it out. Whatever the signal was, it was different—and "different" might mean answers.

Finally, he stood and grabbed his gear. "Guess I'm going west."

Kael wasn't about to leave unprepared. His scavenging trip to Ashridge Outpost had been tense enough, and he doubted this expedition would be any easier.

He took stock of his inventory:

[Shotgun (Repaired): Fully loaded with six shells.

Rusted Pipe: Still a reliable melee option.

Food Packs: Three pouches, enough for the day.

Water Canister: Half-full, enough for a short trip.]

The system chimed softly as Kael packed his satchel.

[Recommendation: Construct Emergency Beacon.

Description: A portable device to signal the settlement in case of distress.

Cost: 3 Wire Coils, 2 Steel Units.]

Kael raised an eyebrow. "Emergency beacon? Now you tell me this is an option?"

The system, unsurprisingly, didn't answer. Kael shrugged and followed the blueprint. The beacon was a compact device, no larger than a flashlight, with a glowing blue core that pulsed faintly once activated. If something went wrong, he could activate it to send a signal back to the settlement—assuming anyone or anything would be there to respond.

Satisfied, Kael set out through the north gate.

The wasteland stretched endlessly before Kael, a barren expanse of ash and rubble broken only by the occasional ruin or twisted tree. The faint crunch of his boots on the cracked ground was the only sound, and even that felt too loud in the oppressive silence.

The signal's marker blinked steadily on his HUD, leading him toward a distant ridge. As Kael walked, he kept his eyes on the horizon, scanning for movement. The Necrostorm might have passed, but the creatures it stirred up often lingered long after the skies cleared.

He passed the remains of a small settlement—little more than a collection of burned-out shacks and rusted vehicles. Kael paused to investigate, rifling through the debris for anything useful.

[Scavenged Resources:

2 Steel Units.

1 Wire Coil.]

It wasn't much, but every little bit helped.

After two hours of walking, Kael reached the ridge. Beyond it lay the ruins of an old industrial complex, its crumbling smokestacks reaching skyward like skeletal fingers. The signal was stronger now, its rhythmic pulse accompanied by a faint hum that Kael could almost feel in his chest.

He crouched behind a broken wall, surveying the area. The complex was vast, with several buildings in various states of decay. The signal appeared to be coming from the largest structure—a central warehouse with a partially collapsed roof.

The system flagged movement near the building's entrance:

[Detected Hostiles: 4 (Standard Zombies).]

Kael grimaced, gripping the rusted pipe strapped to his belt. He didn't have the ammunition to waste on a fight, so stealth was his best option.

Kael slipped through a gap in the fence, moving cautiously toward the warehouse. The zombies near the entrance were slow and aimless, their groans low and guttural as they shuffled through the ash.

He waited for an opening, then darted past them, slipping through a side door that hung crooked on its hinges.

Inside, the warehouse was dark and cavernous, its air heavy with dust and decay. Shafts of light filtered through holes in the roof, illuminating stacks of rusted machinery and crates that had long since been picked clean.

The hum of the signal was louder now, almost vibrating in Kael's skull. He followed it deeper into the building, his HUD guiding him toward a back corner where a faint blue glow pulsed like a heartbeat.

Kael rounded a corner and stopped in his tracks.

In the center of the room stood a terminal, its screen flickering faintly. The blue glow emanated from a cylindrical device mounted on top—a strange, intricate piece of machinery covered in glowing runes.

The system chimed:

[Artifact Detected: Beacon Core (Prototype).

Description: An experimental device designed to enhance signal transmission and energy output. Origin: Unknown.

Status: Active. Functionality Limited.]

Kael approached cautiously, his eyes scanning the room for any sign of a trap. The beacon core pulsed softly as he drew near, and the terminal displayed a single line of text:

[Access Restricted. Authorization Required.]

"Authorization?" Kael muttered, frowning. "What are you, a locked save file?"

The system offered a prompt:

[Attempt Override? Yes/No]

Kael hesitated. Overriding an unknown device didn't seem like the safest idea, but curiosity won out. He selected "Yes."

The terminal buzzed, its screen flickering erratically as the beacon core's glow intensified. For a moment, Kael thought he'd made a terrible mistake. Then the screen stabilized, displaying a new message:

[Override Successful. Beacon Core Synced to System.

Enhancement Unlocked: Signal Array.]

Kael's HUD updated instantly, displaying a new feature in his interface.

[Signal Array:

Function: Extends detection range for hostiles, resources, and environmental hazards.

Range: 5 Miles.

Power Consumption: Minimal.]

Kael let out a low whistle. "Now that's what I call an upgrade."

The moment of triumph was short-lived.

Kael heard the shuffling of feet and the low groans of the zombies before he saw them. The noise was growing louder, echoing through the warehouse as the creatures closed in on his position.

He cursed under his breath, gripping the shotgun slung over his shoulder. The zombies must have heard the commotion from the beacon core activation.

The HUD flagged the hostiles:

[Detected Hostiles: 8 (Standard Zombies). Threat Level: Low.]

"Low doesn't mean easy," Kael muttered.

He moved quickly, positioning himself behind a stack of crates near the terminal. The first zombie rounded the corner, its milky eyes locking onto him.

Kael raised the shotgun and fired, the blast echoing through the room. The zombie's head snapped back, its body crumpling to the ground.

The others surged forward, their groans growing louder. Kael fired again, the recoil slamming into his shoulder as another zombie fell.

Despite the shotgun's effectiveness, Kael knew he couldn't hold the position for long. The zombies were relentless, and his ammunition was limited.

He grabbed the beacon core, detaching it from the terminal with a hiss of released pressure. The device was heavier than it looked, its glowing runes pulsing faintly in his hands.

"Time to go," Kael muttered, slinging the device into his satchel.

He bolted for the side door, dodging past a lunging zombie as he sprinted into the open air. The sunlight was blinding after the dimness of the warehouse, but Kael didn't stop.

The zombies followed, their guttural cries echoing behind him as he weaved through the ruins. He reached the ridge and slid down the slope, his boots kicking up ash as he put distance between himself and the outpost.

By the time Kael reached the settlement, his lungs burned, and his legs felt like lead. He stumbled through the north gate, slamming it shut behind him before collapsing against the wall.

The HUD displayed a new notification:

[Mission Complete: Beacon Core Acquired. Settlement Signal Array Enhanced.]

Kael let out a shaky laugh, staring up at the sky. The beacon core was a game-changer, but the journey had taken its toll. His body ached, and his mind swirled with exhaustion and adrenaline.

Still, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of pride. The wasteland had thrown another challenge his way, and he'd survived.

For now, that was enough.