The resistance strike team spent the night inside a destroyed underground tunnel complex in the southern sector of Megacity 2, North America Grid.
The events of the previous day had left them with little choice. The battle against the implant dealers had been uneven from the start. Their informants had warned them the cartel knew the resistance would attempt a raid on one of their implant and prosthetics labs.
The objective had been clear: eliminate those operating inside, seize the equipment, and repurpose it for the resistance. But things are never that simple. Across every megacity, in every Grid, the resistance does not only fight the Rulers it also stands against the vast network of Tech Cartels. These organizations manufacture and distribute implants and prosthetics designed to create dependency, much like the narcotics and addictions of the old world, before the Grids were imposed.
The team had been fully equipped, armed with both gear and intelligence to neutralize the facility. But the moment the cartel was tipped off, the terms of the engagement shifted. What was meant to be an assault turned into a deadly ambush. Out of the twelve fighters who entered the operation, only four survived and one of them was badly wounded. They managed to transmit a distress signal before retreating. In response, the resistance forces of Megacity 2 mobilized an intervention unit.
Their mission: eliminate the cartel lab and ensure the safe extraction of the surviving fighters.
“Eric… Rob is losing blood,” Scot said, his voice strained.
“He’s barely conscious. I can clean the wound, give him water but that’s it. The life support units were on the surface… and they’re probably gone.”
“I know,” Eric replied. “I’ve already informed command. But it’ll take time for them to assemble a unit and get here. And while the fight is happening above us… there’s nothing we can do.”
“We have to do something,” Scot insisted. “He won’t make it. I’m thinking of going deeper into the tunnels there might be something useful. Some old facility, even damaged.”
The two men glanced at Rob, lying pale and motionless. Nearby, Mark was attempting to establish a network connection with the resistance drones that patrolled the megacities across the Grids. If he could access them, he might get a view of the surface.
“No signal,” Mark said finally. “Either the drones in this sector are down… or something else is blocking access.”
“You think the Rulers intervened?” Scot asked. “If there’s a barrier active here… we don’t have many chances.”
“For a cartel skirmish?” Eric frowned. “They’ve always known about the cartels. If they wanted them gone, they’d be gone. Why now?”
With what little strength he had left, Rob spoke: “For us… They want prisoners.”
Silence fell. Eric, Scot, and Mark exchanged looks.
“He’s right,” Eric said quietly. “They could have monitored the battle… tracked us down here.”
“If that’s true,” Mark added, tension rising in his voice, “then we have no way to warn the incoming team.”
“Scot, stay with Rob,” Eric decided. “Mark, you’re with me. We move deeper into the tunnels. He might be right there could be something. Sitting here won’t save him.”
Before Eric could finish, Mark was already moving gear on, weapon ready.
“Come on, Eric,” he said, glancing back. “They’ll hold. Let’s find a way out of this.”
Eric followed him into the darkness. Scot remained behind, sitting next to Rob. The survival of the four now depended on too many unknowns.
Had the Rulers activated a barrier to capture them?
Would the incoming resistance unit realize what awaited them?
Would Eric and Mark’s descent into the tunnels lead to salvation… or something worse?
No resistance fighter can ever be certain of the next day. And that is something every member of the resistance understands across every megacity, in every Grid. It is the price they accept… in their endless fight for freedom.
Innate Trigger : No signal
Release date : 23 – 4 – 2026
Music by : Innate Trigger
