NOVEL WEB Chapter 7: Into the Abyss
The team entered the facility through a small maintenance hatch at the base. The inside of Atlantis-One was cold and sterile, the walls lined with pipes and dimly lit by flickering overhead lights. It was eerily quiet, the hum of the machinery the only sound echoing through the narrow corridors.
Lila had successfully hacked into the facility’s security system, allowing them temporary access without triggering alarms, but they knew their window of opportunity was small.
Raul led the way, navigating them through the maze-like structure. “The lab where they’re developing the virus is located in the heart of the facility. It’s deep within the structure, near the primary reactor. That’s where we need to go.”
As they moved deeper into the facility, they passed several locked doors and security checkpoints. The tension mounted with each step. If they were discovered, it would be nearly impossible to escape.
They reached the lab’s outer corridor, only to be met by a heavily secured door. Lila got to work on the access panel, trying to bypass the advanced security system. As she worked, Mira’s gaze drifted to the windows on the side of the corridor. Beyond the thick glass, she could see the dark waters of the ocean, pressing against the facility. It felt as though the sea itself was watching them, waiting for something to go wrong.
“We’re in,” Lila whispered, as the door slid open.
Inside the lab, they were met with a chilling sight. Dozens of containment chambers lined the walls, each holding vials of a glowing, green liquid. In the center of the room was a massive control console, surrounded by monitors displaying live data feeds.
“This is it,” Raul said grimly. “This is where they’re developing the virus.”
Victor approached the console. “We need to destroy it all.”
But before they could act, an alarm blared. The facility had detected their presence.