Chapter 7: The Echoing Threat and the Secret of the Container
The sound of metallic scraping and the high-pitched Chitauri buzzing from the end of the corridor alerted all of Kael and Aslan's senses. What emerged from the shadows was neither a repaired drone nor a simple trap. Rather, it was a four-legged, spider-like construct assembled from scrap metal, wires, and glowing blue Chitauri energy cells. It shook the floor with every step, its single, large, red optical sensor scanning the corridor. Borok had created a watchdog, the product of his own twisted engineering genius (or madness) that even Roric had not been aware of. Kael doubted that standard rounds could penetrate this armored shell.
"Back!" Kael whispered, pushing Aslan toward the nearest recess. The spider-bot seemed to sense their presence; its red sensor locked directly onto them, and a modified Chitauri weapon on the end of one of its front legs began to gather energy.
Time seemed to slow down. Kael's mind scanned the possibilities in seconds. A direct attack would be suicide. He had to find a weak point. His eyes scanned the robot's joints, exposed wiring, and especially the energy cells crudely mounted on its body, emitting a flickering blue light. Among the echoes he absorbed from Roric was a glimmer of information that these makeshift weapons could be unstable. Perhaps a precise strike on its power source…
The Lion took advantage of Kael's hesitation to leap out of the alcove with incredible agility and dash for a vent on the other side of the corridor. "I'll distract you!" he shouted. The robot's optical sensor swung to track the moving target and aimed its weapon at the Lion.
This was the moment Kael needed. His mind locked onto the robot's unstable energy cell. He placed his hand on one of the several specially hardened alloy balls he had brought with him for the operation. He held his breath, directing all his concentration to its target. The ball flew from his fingers like an invisible laser beam. The distance, the angle, the robot's slight movement—all had been factored into the perfect equation in Kael's mind.
The ball hit the very center of the energy cell, at the point where its protective casing was thinnest. For a moment, nothing happened. Then the cell began to crack, a blue light flickered, and then a small but violent burst of energy. The robot staggered, sparks flying from its joints, and its optical sensors flickered and went out. The machine made several spasmodic movements before toppling over onto its side with a crash.
At that moment, Roric appeared from the other end of the corridor. His face was full of fear and surprise. "That… I didn't know that thing worked! Borok was only holding it to scare it!" he shouted. The man's voice held genuine panic, and Kael felt the echo of loyalty flowing through him—albeit mixed with fear—still there. Roric had chosen his side, at least for now.
"To the container!" Kael commanded, dashing past the overturned robot. Roric and Aslan, who had emerged from his hiding place, followed. Finally, they reached the large area where the Chitauri container was located. Using the codes he had learned from Borok (codes Kael confirmed through the echoes in his mind), Roric opened the container's heavy door.
The interior was beyond expectation. Not only were there piles of scrap metal, but also partially damaged but potentially repairable Chitauri energy rifles, several intact pieces of armor, plates of unidentified alloys, and most importantly, a palm-sized spherical Chitauri power core that still hummed softly in the center. This small sphere was probably the most valuable item in the entire warehouse; in the right hands, it could be an incredible source of energy.
"We can't take it all," Kael said quickly. "Aslan, take as many of those rifles and the armor pieces as you can. Roric, you collect those plates. I'll take the power core."
The team worked quickly and silently, gathering the most valuable and portable items. But just as they were finishing their work and preparing to exit the container, shouts and gunfire were heard from outside. The chaos of the overturned robot, and perhaps Roric's absence, had alerted the Iron Fists.
"Damn it! They've spotted us!" Roric said, his face turning pale.
"Exit plan!" Kael said firmly. "Roric, show us the quickest route to the emergency exit at the back. Aslan, protect us!"
With the valuable but heavy alien technology on their backs, they must now escape through the depths of the storage complex. Footsteps and angry shouts echoed through the corridors, signaling the start of the hunt. The danger they had just overcome had now given way to a deadly chase.