The underground tunnel reeked of rot, damp air making each breath heavy. The faint beam of their flashlight barely cut through the thick darkness.
"Creepy as hell," Rex muttered. "Hope there's nothing nasty lurking down here."
Adrian remained silent, focused on the AI's real-time scans.
"Heat signatures detected behind. Hostiles approaching."
"Move. They're on us," Adrian whispered.
They picked up the pace, but the narrow, slippery tunnel made full-speed running impossible.
Whirr—
A mechanical buzz echoed through the darkness. Adrian spun around just as a crimson laser pierced the black—a drone had entered the tunnel!
"Son of a bitch, they really won't quit!" Rex growled.
The drone's mounted gun hummed to life. In an instant, Adrian tackled Rex to the ground as bullets shredded through the space where they'd stood, splashing water and concrete debris everywhere.
"Recommendation: Use tunnel structure to create obstacles."
Adrian's eyes darted around and landed on a rusted pipe. He fired at the joint, and pressurized water burst out, flooding the tunnel and obscuring visibility.
"Go!" Adrian yanked Rex up. Using the water as cover, they sprinted toward the exit.
Ahead, a half-open iron door led to a stairwell.
With every ounce of energy, they bolted forward. Adrian turned mid-run and fired again, hitting the drone's sensors. Its targeting system flickered.
They crashed through the door, slammed it shut, and—
BANG—
Bullets clashed against the metal, sparks flying, but the door held.
Panting, Rex leaned against the wall, grinning. "Damn, your AI just saved our asses."
Adrian stared at the door, voice steady. "We're not out yet."
"200 meters ahead, detected ground-level exit."
"Keep moving," Adrian ordered, leading the charge up the stairs.