As the squad witnessed the catastrophic event, Captain Thorn quickly ordered them back into the vehicle. With a sense of urgency, he took control of the wheel, accelerating toward the Mars North Pole Military Base. Tanaka, still dumbfounded by the event, voiced his concern.

Tanaka: "What are you gonna do?"

Captain Thorn, his gaze fixed on the road, responded with unwavering determination.

Captain Thorn: "We're going to look for survivors."

Marlow, her eyes reflecting the gravity of the situation, questioned the likelihood of anyone surviving the devastating explosion.

Marlow: "You think someone survived that explosion?"

Captain Thorn, steering through the tense atmosphere, acknowledged the uncertainty.

Captain Thorn: "I don't know. That's what we're going to find out."

The engine's roar echoed the urgency as the captain drove the team toward the base, the weight of the unknown pressing upon them.

***

Mars North Pole Military Base

Under the ominous glow of burning wreckage, the squad arrived at the devastated Military Base. The air carried the pungent scent of destruction, and the remnants of what was once an organized facility now lay in chaotic disarray.

Marlow, unable to contain the horror, bends over and empties her stomach onto the scorched ground. Tanaka, frozen in disbelief at the immense loss of life, stood motionless, his eyes wide with shock.

Kuznetsov, placing a reassuring hand on Tanaka's shoulder, offered words of solace, 

Kuznetsov: "It's hard to see, kid, but we need to keep moving. We might find survivors or the particle."

Meanwhile Captain Thorn, his gaze scanning the wreckage, grimly declared, 

Thorn: "We need to be prepared for anything. Grab your gear."

The squad retrieved their equipment from the vehicle. Tanaka, visibly shaken, pulled out a plasma handgun. Marlow, wiping her mouth, followed suit, retrieving her own plasma handgun. Kuznetsov, now with a solemn expression, took a plasma rifle, and Captain Thorn, his jaw clenched, opted for the same weapon Kuznetsov had.

Captain Thorn surveyed the grim scene and addressed the team, 

Thorn: "Stay close, stay vigilant, and keep your eyes open for anything unusual."

Under the frightening glow of the flames, the squad moved forward, the remnants of the once-active Military Base serving as a haunting backdrop to their somber mission.

***

The flames of the Military Base danced ominously as the team, faces shrouded in the glow, combed the rooms in search of survivors. Desperation hung heavy in the air as the team moved through the wreckage, their efforts proving fruitless.

Marlow: (exhausted) “This is pointless.”

Deep within the inferno, the team pressed on, their mission growing increasingly futile. The searing heat and billowing smoke obscured their vision, making each step more treacherous than the last.

Kuznetsov: “This is insane.” said while coughing. 

With a heavy heart, the team gathered, acknowledging the grim reality before them. It was time to call for emergency responders.

Captain Thorn: “I guess that's that. Let's get out of here. Marlow, call the emergency responders. Tanaka, call Tatsuki and Simmons. Keep them updated.”

As Tanaka fumbled with his communicator, a mysterious sound echoed through the devastation. The captain, drawn toward the noise, walks through what was a hidden corridor and stumbles upon a stairwell leading down into the darkness.

Before he could descend, a feeble hand reached out, grasping at the captain's shoes. There, amidst the debris, lay Admiral Malik, her body pinned beneath the wreckage.

Blood seeped from her injuries, painting a grim picture as she continues,

Admiral Malik:“The first in command... in the basement. I saw someone else go down there as well not long ago.”

Thorn: “Kuznetsov! Get over here!”

After a short moment the Sargent appears in the scene, he rushes to help her but the Admiral stops him from doing so.

Admiral Malik: “Don't... don't move it. I might... die if you do.”

Kuznetsov: “Help is on the way.”

The team gathered around, and Tanaka reported no response from Tatsuki and Simmons.

Tanaka: “Captain Dr. Simmons and Tatsuki are not responding.”

Captain Thorn: ”They're probably still mad about the situation. Marlow, stay here with Admiral Malik until . We're going downstairs to find Okomo Shio.”

With a nod from Lieutenant Marlow, the captain and the remaining team, armed and ready, descended into the depths of the basement.

***

In the dimly lit basement, the trio—Tanaka, Kuznetsov, and Thorn—found themselves traversing a long, foreboding corridor. The echoes of their footsteps reverberated, creating an eerie symphony in the desolate space. As they continued their brisk walk, a door emerged on the right, interrupting the seemingly endless passage. Kuznetsov turned to the captain, questioning their next move.

Kuznetsov: "What do we do?" he inquired, a sense of uncertainty in his voice. 

While Kuznetsov sought guidance, Tanaka, ever focused, activated his device to scan for any signs of life. The results were disheartening—no life signals detected. The captain, contemplating their options, decided it was worth investigating further.

Entering the room, they were met with a haunting scene. Numerous scientists lay sprawled across the floor, mirroring the injuries inflicted upon Lead Scientist Monoka. Their chests bore the same perforation, and their hearts were melting. Tanaka, standing by the door, averted his gaze or fixated on his device. Kuznetsov, examining the lifeless bodies, deduced that the tragedy had unfolded not too long ago.

Kuznetsov: "Their hearts are just melting. This happened recently," grimly reported.

The captain's eyes were drawn to a colossal machine—the weapon they had been constructing. As realization dawned, he surmised that this weapon was likely the cause of the relentless attacks. Inquiring about the first in command, Kuznetsov discovered that no one had seen Commander Shio among the fallen scientists.

Kuznetsov: "Commander Shio isn't here," announced the Sargent.

Resigned to the absence of their superior, the captain, leading the way, uttered a solemn directive. 

Thorn: "Let's go. The Commander isn't here," 

And with that, the trio left the room, leaving the macabre scene behind.

***

The corridor echoed with the distant sounds of flickering flames as the team approached a door, hints of fiery chaos seeping through the cracks. Tanaka's radio suddenly crackled with static, an attempt at communication. The captain swiftly pulled up the life signal holographic display on Tanaka's device, revealing two signals, one stronger than the other.

Thorn: "Tanaka, keep moving. We need to reach those life signals."

As Tanaka moved forward, captivated by the static voice trying to break through the radio, Simmons' voice struggled to pierce the interference.

Simmons (through static): "-s ---suki"

Tanaka: "Can you repeat?"

Simmons (more static): "Is--- --ki"

Reaching the door, the captain took charge, opening it slowly.

Simmons (clearly now): "Is Tatsuki."

The team watched in shock as Tatsuki was revealed, lifting Okomo Shio by her neck amidst the flames. Tatsuki turned, locking eyes with his teammates.

Hot: "Kell Thorn... Yuri Kuznetsov... Aiko Tanaka." He paused, a sinister welcome lingering in the air. "Welcome."