NOVEL WEB Chapter 28: Stalker.
September 2184 – Facility 7: Main Hallway
Jason stepped out of the makeshift lab, his sharp gaze scanning the dimly lit hallway. The air was heavy with silence, broken only by the faint hum of machinery in the distance. His eyes darted to every corner, searching for anomalies—an open door, a misplaced object—anything that might signal a threat. So far, the corridor was clear, but Jason knew better than to trust appearances. Their destination lay beyond the tunnels, but before they descended into that shadowed labyrinth, there was one unanswered question he needed to address.
The SEAF and Ministry of Science team had their orders to catalog the data and secure the area. Their current orders were straightforward: recover what information they could find, analyze the behavior of the bugs, and chart a path through the tunnels.
Jason turned to the group and issued his instructions with military precision.
"Alright, listen up. V and J, you're behind me. Uzi, Doll, Lizzy—you're in the middle. N, take the rear. Keep your eyes sharp and your weapons ready. No mistakes."
The team fell into formation, but the tension among them was palpable. Uzi's shoulders sagged under an invisible weight, her expression betraying a storm of emotions she fought to suppress. Doll mirrored her unease, her usual stoic demeanor faltering. Jason observed them for a moment before speaking again, his voice steady yet probing.
"Before we go any further, I need to know more about the day Nori disappeared. We didn't get to that back in the lab. Any details could be crucial, especially before we hit the tunnels."
The question hung in the air like a stone dropped into still water.
V was the first to respond, her tone clinical yet tinged with something akin to regret. "That's… complicated. None of us thought it would happen. Nori was a good mother, from what I've seen. But…" She paused, her sentence trailing off. It was clear that, as a first-generation Combat Drone, this kind of loss was beyond her programming to fully grasp. "J, N, and I were created before the colony started mass-producing new drones, so we didn't experience it the same way."
Uzi's voice broke through with a sharp edge. "Can we not talk about this right now?" Her words were laden with bitterness and a pain she wasn't ready to share.
Jason stopped walking, turning to face her. His expression softened slightly, though his eyes retained their intensity.
"I get it, Uzi. I know it hurts. But anything you can tell me—anything—might help us in the long run. We have the resources: ships, scanners, and tech that can search farther than you'd think possible. But I need a starting point."
Uzi's eyes flashed with anger. "You get it? Really? Did your mom just up and run out on you too?" Her voice cracked as the bitterness spilled over, her anger a thin veil for her grief.
Before Jason could respond, Doll placed a hand on Uzi's shoulder, her quiet presence attempting to calm her down. From the rear, N chimed in, her voice measured but firm.
"Uzi, he's trying to help. Give him a chance."
Jason inhaled slowly, holding her gaze. When he spoke, his voice carried a weight that silenced the hallway.
"She didn't run out. She died. Heart attack, in her sleep. I was twelve. I left for school that morning, and by the time I got home, she was gone. It was just me and my dad after that. Now…" He hesitated briefly, his tone softening. "Now he's old, barely holding on. I know what it feels like to lose someone, Uzi. I know the kind of hole it leaves."
His words settled over the group like a shroud. For a moment, even the hum of the facility seemed to fade as his admission hung in the air.
The others exchanged glances, their own griefs and memories reflected in their eyes. Jason's vulnerability had bridged a gap between them—a reminder that, for all their differences, loss was a language they all spoke.
Uzi shifted uncomfortably, her anger dulled by the weight of Jason's confession. Slowly, she glanced at Doll, then back to Jason.
2180 – Bunker 00: NightThe wind howled through the frozen wasteland, whipping snow across the desolate surface of Bunker 00. Darkness swallowed the structure as the last of the flickering lights outside gave up their struggle, leaving only shadows and silence. Inside, the drones had long been recalled, securing themselves in outposts or smaller colonies for the night.
Within the bunker, the atmosphere shifted between uneasy calm and quiet reflection. Patrols of combat drones moved methodically through the corridors, scanning for anything amiss. Others huddled in sparse rooms, sharing brief moments of camaraderie or escaping into memories of the time before the bombs drove them underground.
Leaning against the edge of an open doorway, N stared into a room lost to time. Once, it had belonged to the last human to live among them. Now, it was a hollow space, the light fixtures dead for years. The dim glow of corridor lights barely reached inside, casting long, eerie shadows across the cold floor.
"Tessa… I wish you were still here," N murmured, his voice heavy with a century's worth of grief. "And you too, Loric." Their faces—long gone—still haunted his mind, playing in fragments of memory when the nights were too quiet.
"N, there you are. We've been looking for you," came V's voice from behind. She approached alongside J, both assigned to the night's lookout.
"You know what he's doing here," J interjected, peering into the room. Her tone softened as she glanced at N. "He can't stay away, just like the rest of us."
N stepped aside, offering a faint, bittersweet smile to his companions. "Need an extra hand tonight? I was just… remembering happier times. Before everything fell apart."
"We wouldn't mind the help," V replied, gesturing down the corridor. "We're heading to the main entrance before wrapping up for the night. The reports have been quiet. Should be another calm shift, though I wouldn't mind some sleep. Martin's been running us ragged."
"Tell me about it," J muttered, stretching her shoulders. "Nonstop missions. I get we need the resources, but the last few days have been brutal."
"Martin's under pressure, just like the rest of us," V countered. "We've dug through most of the ruins near the bunker. Expanding our range is the only option left."
The three continued down the dim corridor, the faint hum of failing systems their only companion. Worker drones labored tirelessly to keep the bunker operational, but everyone knew the truth: the systems were dying. It was only a matter of time before the last light flickered out, and the thought gnawed at the edge of their minds.
As they neared the entrance, something stopped them in their tracks. The heavy inner door was ajar. A frigid gust of wind seeped through, carrying snowflakes into the dimly lit corridor.
"Why is the door open?" V's voice wavered, her usual calm replaced by unease.
J scanned the floor, her claws shifting instinctively into place. "No signs of anyone coming in… which means someone went out."
N shifted uncomfortably, his voice breaking the silence. "Alright, I'm officially creeped out now."
V stepped forward, gripping the edge of the door. With a sharp pull, she opened it fully, revealing the scene beyond.
The main blast door was wide open. Snow had drifted in, forming small mounds along the floor. The icy wind roared through the breach, its unrelenting force a chilling reminder of the hostile world outside.
"Clear out here too," J muttered, scanning the walls and floor for any signs of movement. "Who in their right mind would go out at a time like this?"
"N, go find Martin. He needs to know what's happened," J ordered.
Before N could respond, a figure rushed into the corridor, panting and frantic. It was Khan, his optics flickering with fear.
"Have you seen her?" he demanded, his gaze darting between the trio and the open door.
"Who?" V asked, her voice sharp.
"Nori!" Khan's voice cracked with desperation. "I was about to turn in for the night when I found our room trashed—stuff thrown everywhere, things broken… but no sign of her. I've looked everywhere. She's gone."
"Why would Nori leave?" J asked, her tone skeptical. "She has a husband, a daughter—she wouldn't just abandon them."
"I don't know! It doesn't make—" Khan shot back before turning his attention to the open door. "Why is the blast door wide open?"
The trio exchanged uneasy glances, the reality sinking in like the bitter cold around them.
There was only one explanation. For reasons none of them could yet understand, Nori had left the bunker.
September 2184. Facility 7. Main HallwayTheir steps echoed in the dim corridor as they approached the door leading to the tunnels. The air felt heavy with unease, thickened by the knowledge that these tunnels were connected to the bug hive—a revelation brought to light by Uzi, Doll, and Lizzy.
"We searched for weeks after she vanished," V began, her voice low but tinged with lingering frustration. "Nothing was taken—no weapons, no supplies. Like J said, she just left. No note, no explanation. It's haunted us ever since. And now, finding traces of her here, only to discover she left again… it doesn't add up. Why come here of all places?"
The dim glow of her optics reflected off the steel walls, her tone betraying the unease this facility brought. The black choker they'd found in the lab was evidence that Nori arrived well after the atrocities committed here, but it offered no answers.
Jason, standing at the threshold, nodded solemnly. "It's a mystery we'll need to unravel later. For now, we focus on the task ahead. The tunnel awaits." He placed a gloved hand on the door handle, easing it open. The beam of his flashlight cut through the darkness, illuminating the stairwell descending into the earth. No sounds—none of the telltale chittering of bugs—rose to meet them.
A burst of static crackled through the comm in his helmet, followed by a voice.
"Helldiver Jason, this is SEAF Team One, along with the Ministry of Science unit. We're at the facility entrance. Can you explain why the main door is functional? The panel's operational too. This place shouldn't even have power." Confusion laced the speaker's tone.
"That's priority one for the Ministry team," Jason replied, his voice steady. "We're just as baffled. Some areas are in inexplicably good condition. Keep us updated—we're moving into the tunnel. Report any anomalies immediately."
As he turned back to his group, the tension was palpable. V, N, and J—combat drones built for scenarios like this—looked uneasy. Uzi, Doll, and Lizzy, unarmed and inexperienced in such conditions, were clearly terrified.
Jason addressed them with calm authority. "Here's how we'll do this: V, N, J, and I will clear the tunnel first. If it's safe, we'll signal for you to follow. If not, you stay behind this door until we neutralize any threats."
Lizzy took a step closer to Doll, her fear evident. "Why can't you just escort us to the SEAF team and come back for the tunnel?"
Jason softened his tone, trying to reassure her. "I know this is frightening, but there's no need to worry. We'll take care of any threats and regroup at the bunker."
Lizzy didn't look convinced. Uzi crossed her arms, her voice sharp. "Easy for you to say. You've got an arsenal, and we've got nothing."
Jason's eyes met hers. Without a word, he reached to his side, unholstering his P-4 Senator. He approached Uzi and held it out to her. "You handled yourself well in the warehouse against the Steel Terror. It's not much, but the Senator packs a punch."
Uzi hesitated before taking the weapon. Her expression shifted from surprise to satisfaction as she inspected it. A smile tugged at her lips, but her gaze fell on something etched along the barrel.
"'Remember the Creek,'" she read aloud, looking up at Jason. "What does that mean?"
Jason froze mid-step, his body rigid as the words hit him. A heavy silence hung in the air, his breath deepening before he turned, his movements deliberate.
"A story for another time," he said, his voice thick with an unspoken weight. "Let's move."
With that, he descended the stairs, the rest of the group following him in reluctant silence. The tunnel stretched out ahead, its dark mouth swallowing the light from their flashlights.
As they neared the bottom, Jason's eyes scanned the steel door, noting the dents in its frame left by the Bugs' earlier attempts to break through. He moved closer, his hand steady as he gripped the door handle, slowly easing it open. He peered through the crack, scanning the space beyond. No immediate threats, but that didn't mean it was safe.
"They seem to move off once they sense you're not here," Jason muttered, keeping his voice low. "Alright, you three stay here. We'll go ahead and check the tunnel. If it's clear in a few minutes, I'll call you through. If not… stay put until you hear nothing but gunfire."
Uzi, Doll, and Lizzy looked at each other nervously, their unease evident.
"I still don't like this," J spoke up, her voice tight with tension. "But I trust you to get us through."
Jason nodded, his expression hard. "Just follow my orders, and we'll be fine. I'll go first, you follow, and close the door behind us. If you hear my voice—or the gunfire stop—then come through."
With that, he opened the door fully and stepped through, his flashlight cutting through the dark. His eyes roamed the tunnel, noting the signs of the Bugs' presence: the hole in the ceiling, the detritus scattered across the floor. The Bugs had made themselves at home here, but the real question remained—why hadn't they spread to Bunker 00?
Pushing the thought aside for the moment, Jason motioned for V, N, and J to follow. J stayed behind to shut the door securely.
"Alright, rule one when dealing with Bugs," Jason said, voice steady but low. "Once one spots you, it'll call for reinforcements—lots of them. The Terminids work the same way. We need to be ready for anything. Keep your corners covered and open fire at the first chance."
The tension in the air thickened as they moved further into the tunnel, each of them on edge, weapons ready. Jason's light scanned the shadows, always alert, his mind calculating their every move. But unknown to them, something was already watching them—moving silently along the ceiling, its skin blending with the tunnel's colors. It waited, patient, watching for the perfect moment to strike.
"Think they're all gone?" N asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Shh…" Jason hissed, scanning the area once more. His flashlight flicked across the ceiling, catching something odd—a dark patch in the coloration above them.
Before he could even raise the alarm, the Bug reacted, sensing its cover had been blown. It lunged toward V, its claws extended. Without hesitation, Jason threw himself at her, knocking them both out of the way just in time. The Bug hissed in fury, its eyes locking onto them as J and N opened fire. The powerful AR-23P rounds ripped through its thin carapace, and in seconds, the creature crumpled to the ground in a bloody heap.
"That was too close..." N muttered, wide-eyed. "Sweet Liberty, they can turn invisible?"
Jason gave the fallen creature a grim look. "We've been lucky with the ones outside… Are you two alright?" J asked, helping V to her feet.
"Yeah… That was a close one." V's voice wavered slightly as she glanced at the Stalker's corpse. "What the hell is this thing?"
Jason moved toward the body, his flashlight casting long shadows over its grotesque form. "It's a Stalker. Highly evolved ambush Bug with camouflage skin and unnervingly high intelligence. There's a variant like it among the Terminids, but these ones attack from the shadows. That is both good and bad news. If there's one of these, it means we've got a sizable nest nearby. That also means more—possibly worse—bugs."
He stood over the body, his mind racing. "We need to move fast. If this was a scout, then the rest of the hive is likely already on the way."
Jason turned to the door, opening it slowly. The moment the door cracked, Uzi was already there, weapon in hand, eyes locked on him as Doll and Lizzy stood behind her, tense and silent.
"It's me. Friendly two legs," Jason called out, stepping into view. "We've got to move. We've encountered one, but more are coming. And I'd rather not be here when they do."
Uzi was the first to step through, her eyes flicking to the Stalker's corpse. Lizzy snapped a picture, muttering under her breath.
"That's one ugly creature," she said, putting her phone away.
"Are you all alright?" Doll asked, concern creeping into her voice as she looked at V, N, and J.
"We're fine," V said, her voice steadier now. She gestured toward the left. "That's the way you came from, right? We're headed out through there?"
"Yeah, that's the way," Uzi confirmed, her tone decisive. "It should be clear, and it's a straight shot home."
Jason nodded. "Alright, everyone. You three head up front. I'll be at the rear. If any Bugs show, keep moving. I'll catch up after I deal with them."
There was a beat of silence as his words sank in. N was the first to speak up, confusion and concern clear in his voice.
"Why put yourself at risk for us? We can handle ourselves. You don't need to put your life on the line."
Jason met his gaze, a hardened look in his eyes. "It's part of the job. I've been through worse. Keeping you all safe, getting you back to the bunker—that's my priority."
He glanced around at them. "Now, let's go. Uzi, Doll, Lizzy—you lead the way. The rest of you stay close behind, and I'll bring up the rear. Let's get out of here in one piece."
They didn't like the idea of Jason putting himself at risk, but they fell into formation nonetheless. They had no choice but to trust him. As they moved through the tunnel, Doll couldn't shake the thought that she had to get back to her mother, to tell her what they had found.
For the first set of dominoes were about to fall for all of them and bring about both chaos and change across Copper 9.
Edited thanks to ELE73CH.