Chapter 20: The Road to Delta

The armored transport rumbled steadily through the wasteland, its reinforced tires crunching over jagged rocks and ash-covered earth. Inside, Kael, Elara, and Jonas sat in tense silence as the faint hum of the vehicle's upgraded systems filled the air. The mission to [Research Facility Delta] felt different—heavier, as if the wasteland itself was holding its breath.

Kael's HUD displayed the map overlay, the facility's marker glowing faintly on the horizon. The system tracked every mile, highlighting potential hazards and scavenging opportunities, but Kael ignored them. This wasn't the time for distractions.

Jonas broke the silence, fidgeting with his pistol. "What do you think we'll find there?"

"Trouble," Elara said bluntly, her machete resting across her lap.

Kael kept his eyes on the road. "Hopefully answers. But we'll handle whatever comes our way."

The journey to the facility took them deeper into the wasteland than Kael had ever been. The terrain grew more treacherous, the ruins of old cities rising like skeletal fingers against the gray sky.

At one point, they passed the remnants of a collapsed skyscraper, its once-glass exterior now a jagged husk. The system flagged faint energy signatures inside, but Kael decided against stopping.

"We'll mark it for later," he said. "Right now, Delta's the priority."

As they pressed on, the wind picked up, carrying the faint stench of decay. Kael adjusted the transport's filters, and the vehicle's air system hummed softly as it purified the air.

About ten miles from the facility, the transport's proximity sensors lit up, and the system chimed with an alert.

[Detected Hostiles: 20 (Mixed Types). Threat Level: Moderate.]

Kael brought the transport to a halt, the group peering out through the narrow windows. Ahead, a horde of zombies and smaller mutant creatures blocked the road, scavenging among the ruins of a derelict convoy.

"Looks like they're feasting on something," Elara said, her voice calm but sharp.

Kael switched to the transport's turret controls, the targeting system locking onto the horde. "We'll clear a path. Elara, cover me from the side window. Jonas, stay in the back and watch our six."

Jonas nodded, his grip tightening on his pistol. "Got it."

Kael fired the turret, the heavy rounds ripping through the zombies with brutal efficiency. The creatures screeched and turned toward the transport, their decayed faces twisted with rage.

Elara leaned out the side window, her machete slicing through the smaller mutants that skittered too close. Kael focused on the larger targets, the turret's automated targeting assisting with precision shots.

Jonas, to his credit, fired at any stragglers approaching from the rear. Though his hands trembled, he landed enough shots to keep the transport safe.

Within minutes, the road was clear.

"Good work," Kael said, driving the transport forward.

Elara sheathed her machete and smirked. "This thing makes it almost too easy."

Kael's expression remained grim. "Don't get comfortable. We're just getting started."

As they drew closer to the facility, the terrain shifted again. The ground became uneven, dotted with jagged craters and patches of glowing moss that pulsed faintly with energy.

The system flagged these patches as remnants of anomalies, warning Kael to avoid direct contact. He steered the transport carefully, weaving between the glowing hazards.

Finally, the facility came into view—a massive structure built into the side of a cliff, its steel walls battered but intact. The faint hum of machinery could be heard even from a distance, and Kael's HUD flagged several energy sources inside.

[Facility Status:

Power Systems: Active (Partial).

Security Systems: Offline.

Detected Hostiles: Unknown.]

Jonas let out a low whistle. "That place looks like it's been through hell."

Kael nodded, his jaw tightening. "Stay sharp. We don't know what we're walking into."

The group parked the transport near the entrance, Kael ensuring the vehicle's systems remained on standby in case they needed a quick escape.

The facility's main doors were sealed, but the system flagged a nearby maintenance hatch as an alternative entry point. Kael pried it open with the [Gauntlet of Ascension], its runes flaring briefly as the metal groaned and gave way.

Inside, the air was stale, the faint scent of ozone mingling with decay. The facility's interior was a maze of dark corridors, flickering lights, and debris-strewn floors. Kael activated his flashlight, the beam cutting through the gloom.

"System, map the layout," Kael murmured.

[Mapping in Progress.]

The HUD displayed a rough schematic of the facility, marking key areas of interest:

Control Room: Potential source of the signal.

Storage Bay: Scavenging opportunity.

Lab Wing: High energy readings detected.

As they moved deeper into the facility, Kael's Enhanced Perception flagged faint sounds—shuffling, scraping, the occasional low growl. The system confirmed movement ahead:

[Detected Hostiles: 8 (Mutated Creatures).]

Kael motioned for the group to stop, his voice low. "We've got company."

The creatures emerged from the shadows moments later, their twisted forms barely recognizable as once-human. They were faster than standard zombies, their elongated limbs propelling them forward with alarming speed.

"Take them down!" Kael shouted, raising his shotgun.

Elara moved with lethal precision, her machete cutting through the first creature in a spray of dark ichor. Jonas fired wildly, his shots connecting just enough to slow another mutant.

Kael activated the [Shockwave Pulse], the concussive blast throwing two of the creatures into a nearby wall. He followed up with a charged strike, the gauntlet's energy sparking as it connected with the nearest target.

When the last creature fell, the group stood in silence, their breathing heavy.

"Anyone hurt?" Kael asked, scanning them quickly.

Jonas shook his head, though his hands were still trembling. "I'm good."

"Let's keep moving," Elara said, wiping her blade on her sleeve.

The control room was the first major point of interest, its shattered consoles and flickering monitors a testament to the chaos that had unfolded here.

Kael approached the main terminal, the system syncing with it automatically. A series of logs and video files appeared on the screen, along with a single message:

[WARNING: GRIDFALL IMMINENT. CORE CONTAINMENT BREACHED. EVACUATE ALL PERSONNEL.]

"What the hell is Gridfall?" Elara asked, reading over Kael's shoulder.

Kael accessed one of the video files, the screen displaying grainy footage of scientists scrambling through the facility. Behind them, a glowing rift pulsed with unstable energy, and a monstrous figure could be seen emerging from the chaos.

"This isn't just about anomalies," Kael muttered. "Something's triggering them—something big."

The system flagged a new objective: Investigate the Lab Wing.

The group moved toward the lab wing, their steps cautious as the sounds of distant growls echoed through the facility. Kael's mind raced as he processed the data from the control room.

Gridfall wasn't just a warning. It was an event—something catastrophic tied to the anomalies. If the containment breach was spreading, it could destabilize the entire region.

As they reached the lab wing, Kael's HUD flagged a massive energy source behind the sealed doors. His gauntlet flared to life, syncing with the door's locking mechanism.

"Ready?" he asked, glancing back at the group.

Elara nodded, her grip on her machete tightening. "Let's do this."

Kael activated the door, and it slid open with a low hiss.

Inside, the glow of the anomaly pulsed like a heartbeat, casting eerie shadows across the walls.

And in the center of the room, something moved.