Chapter 18: The First Battle
The underground base thrummed with tension. Every screen in the command center displayed shifting red blips—enemy entities moving beneath the Martian surface. Ethan stood at the forefront, eyes locked on the largest monitor as the proximity alarms continued their haunting wails.
"EPS, confirm enemy approach vector," Ethan ordered.
[Confirmed: Multiple hostile entities advancing from three underground entry points. Estimated breach in five minutes.]
Laura's fingers danced over the holographic interface, pulling up defensive parameters. "They're not moving like a mindless swarm. This is coordinated."
Michael, standing beside her, let out a slow breath. "Then we don't just have enemies. We have tacticians."
Ethan tightened his grip on his rifle. They had prepared for this, but knowing an attack was coming didn't make facing it any easier.
A Calculated Defense
The base was built to withstand Mars's harsh environment, but now, it had to withstand an entirely different kind of threat. Defensive drones hummed to life along the corridors, their reinforced exoskeletons gleaming under the artificial lights. Turrets adjusted their angles, targeting systems running at full capacity.
Ethan turned to his team. "We have one objective: Survive. Let's make them regret ever setting their sights on us."
Michael cracked his knuckles. "I like that plan."
Laura checked her weapon. "We hold our ground."
[WARNING: Breach detected at Tunnel Sector C. Hostiles incoming.]
"Positions!" Ethan shouted.
The Invasion Begins
The first creature burst through the reinforced entryway, its metallic limbs slicing through the air like blades. Its glowing blue eyes locked onto Ethan. Without hesitation, he pulled the trigger.
A blast of plasma struck the entity's chest, sending it staggering back, but not down. It recalibrated, adapting, its body shifting to absorb the next attack.
"Damn it," Michael muttered. "They're tougher than we thought."
Laura fired two precise shots at the creature's legs, forcing it to collapse. A defense drone swooped in, unleashing an electrified pulse, frying the entity's inner circuits. It convulsed before falling still.
"First one down," Ethan said. "But there's more coming."
And he was right. More figures emerged, moving swiftly, dodging the automated defenses. Their adaptability was terrifying.
Michael activated an auxiliary defense protocol. "Deploying shockwave emitters!"
A pulse rippled through the tunnel, knocking several creatures off balance, but they recovered almost instantly.
"Not enough," Laura growled.
Holding the Line
The battle raged on. Ethan and his team used every tactic they had. Drones fired controlled bursts, turrets released concentrated energy shots, and electromagnetic pulses slowed the enemy's advance. But the creatures kept coming, as if testing their limits.
"EPS, analyze enemy patterns," Ethan commanded between shots.
[Analysis complete. Entities exhibit adaptive resistance to energy-based weaponry. Recommendation: Incorporate kinetic impact strategies.]
"Switch to concussive rounds," Ethan barked.
The team adjusted their weapons. This time, when Michael fired, his round struck the nearest creature with a sonic boom, sending it crashing into the tunnel wall. It shrieked—an unearthly sound—before falling still.
"They feel that!" Laura exclaimed.
Ethan nodded. "Keep it up. We might just make it out of this."
The Turning Point
As the battle reached its peak, a sudden tremor shook the entire base. Red emergency lights bathed the room in an eerie glow.
[WARNING: Seismic activity detected. Unknown energy signature approaching.]
Ethan froze. "What now?"
A new figure emerged from the tunnel. Larger. More armored. Its blue eyes burned brighter than the others, and unlike the previous ones, it spoke.
"Human," it rasped, voice metallic yet unmistakably intelligent. "This world is not yours to take."
Silence gripped the team. This wasn't just an attack.
This was a declaration of war.
Hello,everyone.
There might be some problem,but I will fix it soon