Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle

The twenty-meter limit was clearly going to be a problem.

Shane looked farther down the corridor, where the darkness swallowed everything beyond the range of their detection abilities.

The First Citadel was far larger than what they could currently perceive, and there was no telling how many defensive systems were still active deeper inside.

”We’ll have to move carefully,” Shane said. ”If Cloud finds a terminal, we’ll use it to expand our access to the facility.”

Tieria nodded.

”If we can establish even a temporary connection to the internal network, Cloud might be able to use the facility’s own systems to map the surrounding area.”

”That’s the plan...”

Just like that, the group continued forward.

They moved slowly, with Sylas scouting ahead while Minerva remained close enough to warn them of any danger her combat precognition could detect.

Tieria continuously examined the walls and floor with his mechanical eye, while Shane kept Cloud connected to the reconnaissance units outside.

”This team is really nice...” Travis muttered as he saw how organized the team was.

”Heh... As if your team wasn’t as good as this.” Shane muttered as he recalled Travis’ elite Survivors.

Travis could only laugh at that as he knew that his Level 60 friends were indeed good teammates in such situations.

In any case, for several minutes, nothing happened.

The corridor remained completely silent and that silence was almost more unsettling than the battles they had already fought.

Eventually, Tieria stopped.

”Wait.”

Everyone immediately halted.

He pointed toward the wall.

”There.”

A small section of the metallic wall looked different from the surrounding surface. It wasn’t a door, and there were no obvious markings indicating its purpose. However, Tieria’s mechanical eye had detected a faint energy signature behind it.

Shane approached carefully.

”Terminal?”

It was something that Cloud even failed to detect! However, it made sense since it might be blocked with Mana or Spirit Energy!

Cloud was merely a machine and had limitations.

Still, Cloud immediately began scanning the structure. This time, despite failing to notice it at first, now that it had the direction, Cloud could at least assess the images and analyse them.

[ Confirmed. There is a concealed control terminal behind the panel. It appears to be connected to one of the facility’s internal systems. ]

”Can you access it?” Shane asked.

[ I can attempt to establish a connection once the terminal is exposed. ]

”Let’s do it.”

With a plan made, Tieria stepped forward and carefully opened the outer panel.

A small metallic interface was revealed.

Unlike modern terminals, it contained no screen, keyboard, or recognizable control mechanism. Instead, several strange symbols were embedded into its surface.

Cloud immediately connected to it through Shane’s wristwatch.

For several seconds, nothing happened.

Then the symbols began glowing.

[ Connection established. ]

Shane’s expression changed slightly.

”How much access do you have?”

[ Limited access. I am currently attempting to bypass the terminal’s security protocols. ]

Tieria watched the symbols change.

”This might actually work.”

Nobody noticed the faint line of light that suddenly appeared beneath their feet.

Still, Minerva did and her expression changed instantly.

”Everyone, move!”

Her warning came so suddenly that several members instinctively reacted without even knowing why.

Clank!

The floor beneath them opened!

A deep gap appeared across the corridor, separating the group into two sections!

”Jump!”

Shane leaped backward as the floor beneath him disappeared.

Tundra, Natalie, Travis, Max, Jillian, and Lyra managed to reach the other side.

But Tieria and Sandara were caught on the opposite side with Sylas.

The gap continued widening.

”Shane!”

Jillian’s voice echoed through the corridor.

Shane immediately turned.

”Everyone stay where you are!”

The warning came too late as the walls suddenly shifted.

Massive metallic barriers dropped from the ceiling and slammed into the corridor between the two groups.

BOOM!

The impact shook the entire structure and just like that, the groups were now completely separated.

”Shane!”

Tundra immediately rushed toward the barrier and placed his hand against it, it it wasn’t budging at all.

”This isn’t moving.”

Max appeared beside him and struck the barrier with his mechanical fist.

BOOM!

The impact produced a metallic sound, but the barrier barely moved.

”That’s some serious material.”

On the opposite side, Tieria’s mechanical eye immediately scanned the barrier.

”Don’t waste your strength. It’s connected to the facility.”

Meanwhile, Cloud’s voice came through Shane’s wristwatch.

[ Warning. ]

”What happened?”

[ The terminal has detected an unauthorized access attempt. The facility has activated a defensive protocol. ]

A terrible realization passed through Shane’s mind.

”Can you shut it down?”

There was a brief pause.

[ I am attempting to do so. ]

The corridor suddenly changed again... Several sections of the ceiling opened and mechanical weapons emerged.

Everyone immediately looked upward.

”Get down!”

A barrage of energy beams erupted from the ceiling.

The group scattered as the beams struck the floor with enough force to vaporize sections of the ancient metal, forcing everyone to move continuously to avoid being hit.

Shane raised his arm and summoned a defensive barrier, protecting Jillian and Travis as several beams struck it.

The barrier trembled violently.

”This is much stronger than the previous defenses!”

Tundra gritted his teeth.

He reached toward the ceiling.

”I can destroy them.”

”Don’t!” Shane immediately shouted.

Tundra stopped as Shane’s expression was serious.

”If they’re connected to the facility, destroying them might trigger something worse.”

Before Tundra could answer, Minerva suddenly grabbed Shane’s arm.

”Move!”

They barely escaped as a beam tore through the position where Shane had been standing.

The attack struck the wall behind them and continued through the metal as though it were paper.

Shane’s expression became cold.

That attack could have killed him!

***

Meanwhile, on the other side of the barrier, things were even worse.

A section of the floor beneath Sandara suddenly opened.

She dropped several meters before Sylas caught her wrist.

”Got you!”

Sylas pulled her back onto solid ground just as another series of weapons emerged from the walls.

Sandara’s face became pale.

”Thanks.”

Sylas didn’t answer as his eyes were fixed on the surrounding walls.

”There are more.”

Tieria’s mechanical eye rapidly scanned the area.

”Not just more. They’re surrounding us.”

Just as he said this, the walls opened and dozens of narrow mechanical devices emerged!