The morning sun never reached Black Ridge.
A dark fog loomed over the jagged mountains like a permanent shadow. The air was thick, stale, and unnatural—like even the wind was afraid to whisper too loud.
Franco tightened the strap on his gloves as the group crouched behind a cluster of boulders. In the distance, the Zakrota facility stood like a steel fortress embedded into the side of the mountain. Red surveillance drones floated silently around the perimeter.
Marco (pointing to a gap):
"There's a security blind spot on the north wall. Lucchini, you'll disable the cameras. Savio, you're with me on the door. Franco—this is your first stealth run. You sure you're ready?"
Franco (nods):
"I have to be."
Rocco (whispering):
"Reminder: if anyone gets caught, don't scream my name. I have zero loyalty under pressure."
Lucchini:
"Noted. You'd sell us out for a protein bar."
Rocco:
"...Depends on the flavor."
They split into two teams.
---
North Wall – Security Sector
Lucchini tapped rapidly on his wrist console, lines of code flashing across his visor.
Lucchini:
"Camera loop's running. You've got 45 seconds before it resets."
Savio:
"Opening panel now—whoa, this tech's decades ahead of what we've seen."
Marco:
"Zakrota always hides their best toys. Keep moving."
Franco slipped through the vent duct behind them, dropping silently into a storage room. Crates marked with strange glowing symbols lined the walls.
He approached one crate, wiping off the dust.
Franco (to himself):
"What the Project Helix?"
Suddenly, a faint voice crackled through his earpiece.
Caruso (via comms):
"Franco… get out of there. That facility isn't just a lab—it's a vault. If they catch you inside, they'll erase you."
Franco (whispering):
"Too late. I found something."
---
Main Hall – Inner Lab Facility
The team regrouped inside a long, metallic corridor, flickering lights above.
Marco:
"Lucchini, scan for life signs."
Lucchini (confused):
"There are... dozens. But they're not moving. No heartbeat. Nothing. Just heat signatures."
They entered a chamber and froze.
Inside were glass pods, lined up like tombs. Each one contained a figure—half-human, half-machine.
Clones.
One of the pods had Franco's face.
Franco (staggering):
"No… what is this?"
Savio (reading from a tablet):
"They were replicating you. Genetic templates... accelerated growth. All failed versions. You're the only one who survived."
Marco:
"Zakrota wasn't just experimenting. They were trying to build the perfect soldier."
Suddenly, alarms blared.
Lucchini:
"We're compromised!"
Rocco (over comms):
"Guys! Company inbound! Big, stompy, and mad!"
Through the metal walls, the team heard a familiar mechanical voice.
???:
"Welcome, prototype. Your return was expected."
Franco (whispers):
"Napol…"
---
Combat Begins – Lower Halls
A section of the wall exploded inward, sending shrapnel flying. Napol descended through the smoke, his black armor glowing red with heat. His bull-shaped mask shimmered.
Napol:
"You are the last of your line, Franco. But not for long."
Marco:
"Scatter!"
The room erupted into chaos—bullets flying, drones swarming in. Franco charged forward, dodging Napol's plasma blade. He ducked under the swing and punched the side of Napol's helmet, cracking part of the mask.
Franco:
"You took everything from me! My father! My home!"
Napol (calmly):
"And soon, your freedom."
Lucchini hacked a nearby panel and triggered an EMP burst, frying half the drones. Rocco swung from the ceiling, dropping a grenade down Napol's back.
Rocco:
"Surprise delivery! With love and sarcasm!"
BOOM!
Napol staggered, but didn't fall.
Napol:
"You are amusing. But your fight ends now."
Just as Napol was about to strike Franco down, a massive energy beam cut through the wall, slamming into Napol and sending him flying through a column.
Everyone turned in shock.
A figure stood in the opening. Long coat. Grey visor. Holding a glowing blade.
New Voice:
"Took you long enough to wake up, Franco."
Franco:
"…Dad?"