John’s Hot take - Part 2

John walked up the staircase. Sure enough, there was a map posted on the wall of the stairwell.

Focus, he said in his mind.

<<<>>>

[Focus activated.]

<<<>>>

Analyze, map.

<<<>>>

[Analyzing... Map Scanned.]

<<<>>>

The AI highlighted the entire layout of the volcano base. John studied it intently.

Show me where the holding cells are, he thought. She’s probably being kept there.

The focus AI highlighted the area labeled 'Holding Cells'.

Great, John thought. Now, locate an escape route and find the central command center. That’s where Laz and my sister are likely to be. Then, I need to find the best place to leave. Is there, like, an escape pod section or something?

<<<>>>

[Analyzing...]

[No known escape routes beyond the aircraft hangar you entered from.]

[The command center is located on the third level.]

<<<>>>>

John frowned. So what are you saying?

<<<>>>

[Suggestion: Connect all three locations.]

[Holding Cells → Command Center → Hangar Exit]

<<<>>>

The map was updated, drawing a glowing line that connected each destination.

<<<>>>

[Suggested Path: Rescue Mango → Intercept Jade and Laz → Retrieve Satellite Codes → Escape via Aircraft Hangar]

<<<>>>

Simple enough. Focus, how do I open the hangar doors from inside a plane?

<<<>>>

[Answer: Unknown.]

<<<>>>

“Great,” he said, stepping out of the stairwell.

John found himself in a corridor lined with large glass windows overlooking various experiment rooms. Scientists inside were mixing volatile chemicals, melting materials, and triggering small-scale explosions. The entire place was much more alive than he had expected it to be.

He moved down the hall, marveling as glowing objects were tested behind sealed chambers. The facility reminded him of places his father used to bring him. He used to take him to all kinds of classified labs that tested next-gen weaponry.

<<<>>>

[Now activating Talent: Underworld Legacy.]

<<<>>>

John inhaled sharply. He knew what that meant. The system had kicked in automatically. It also meant that there was some sign of trouble.

No one had really pressed him yet. He needed to act like he belonged so he wouldn't blow his cover. Being around tough guys his whole life, he gave off that demeanor, anyway. Still, best to be on his toes.

He exited the hallway and stepped into a large, open section of the volcano base. Tests continued here too, with lab subjects and devices humming on workbenches. He spotted a track railing overhead with small pods moving along it, ferrying personnel between different sections.

<<<>>>

[Underworld Legacy.]

[Suggestion.]

[Ride pod to base of facility.]

<<<>>>

Sweat gathered on John's forehead. If someone recognized him, it was game over.

He descended a side staircase onto the open floor. Scientists stared. His airport flight crew disguise stood out like a sore thumb among lab coats and tactical vests. A few armed guards started eyeing him. Still, he moved with purpose, and no one seemed to stop him. Besides, what were the chances that someone sneaking into a secret volcano base?

One of the four-seater pods stopped nearby, letting off a few passengers. He made his move toward it. Just as he was about to step inside, a firm hand grabbed his shoulder.

"Hey there," said a voice.

Fuck, John thought. Tons of people around, and I’m already caught.

Three guards wearing tactical equipment were behind him. They were blacked out and armed to the teeth. If he fought them now, they would shoot and kill him from this distance, and if they didn't, one of the many other people around would. He had to play it cool.

"Where are you from?" asked the guard, squinting his eyes at him.

One of the other guards looked him up and down. "You look like you’re from the airport hangar."

“I am,” John lied. “I just need to go back. Got turned around. Figured this was the fastest way.”

The first guard studied him for a moment… then broke into a grin. He patted John on the shoulder, and the other two laughed.

"I’m just messing with you, dude," he said. "Mind if the three of us ride with you?"

“Sure,” John said, his heart going back to its normal pace with a wave of relief. He scooted over to the passenger side of the small pod.

The guard waved over the two other armed men.

One of the guards tapped the central touchscreen console. The pod took off in an instant.

"Mind if we stop by the prison section first?" he asked. "We’ve got some prep to do."

“Oh, yeah?” John asked. “For who exactly?”

The guard shrugged. “Dunno. Some blonde bitch up in command. Just in case she gets too squirrelly.”

Mango, John thought. It has to be her.

His real dilemma now was figuring out how to take down three armed guards and rescue Mango at the same time. Maybe use the darts? But he's already used one, and he didn't want to waste them so early.

The railing came up to a fork, and the lead guard tapped a few buttons on the pod’s console. The transport vehicle began to move to the right. The men inside laughed and chatted like coworkers on break. Talking about things they hate about their jobs, kids, dreams of when they "make it out". Meanwhile, John sweated silently, avoiding eye contact to keep his disguise intact.

One of the guards behind him leaned forward and clapped him on the shoulder. John jumped slightly as he was lost in thought.

“You’re kinda quiet, huh?”

“Sorry,” John said. “Just nervous. It’s my first week here.”

All three guards chuckled.

“Don’t sweat it,” one said. “There're tons of money to be made around here. We’re stuck here for a while, but might as well enjoy it. Way better than being on an oil rig, shootin pirates. Did you hear about the air hockey table in the break room?”

“You joining the comms tournament roster?” asked another.

John's face twisted. A tournament? These people talked as if they worked at a normal office job. So casual. So comfortable in a place built on death and terror. Were they just numb? Oblivious, maybe?

“Only if there’s real competition,” John said.

The guards laughed again and slapped him on the back. “That’s the spirit!”

The pod stopped. They had arrived at the jail block. All three guards stepped out. One waved at John. “See you later, dude!”

John jumped out with them. “Actually…” he said, scrambling for a reason to stay, “I had something to ask.”

His mind went a thousand miles a minute. He needed a reason for them to open the cell.

“Yeah?” said one guard. “Thought you had to get back to the air hangar?”

“Well,” John said, “truth is, I’m hoping to transfer to security. I was wondering if I could tag along to learn a few things.”

The guards exchanged skeptical looks. “Security, huh?”

“Why didn’t you sign up for it then?” asked another.

“I don’t really have the experience,” John said. “Didn’t think I’d qualify.”

One guard narrowed his eyes. “But you have experience with people in the underworld? That’s weird.”

Focus, John thought.

<<<>>>

[Focus activated.]

<<<>>>

Give me something to say!

<<<>>>

[Persuasion Skill: Not Installed.]

[You lack soft skills.]

<<<>>>

Damn!

“I- uh... never got to serve,” John said, “not officially anyway. I wanted to be more than just background, but she only wanted vets.”

The guards stared him down. One walked up, face inches from John’s, scanning him for any sign of a lie. John held his glare. He had to prevent it from looking like he was faltering in any aspect.

After a moment, the guard nodded. “Alright. We’ll show you a few things.”

“Yeah,” said another. “What do you want to know?”

“Well…” John said, glancing toward the holding cell, “You said something about prepping this cell. Shouldn’t it already be ready? I mean… no way someone could escape, right?”

All three guards laughed.

“You’d be surprised. I heard a top agent from the CIA once broke out of one of these,” one said. “We always double-check. Gotta make sure there’s no junk lying around. No escape tools. Basic procedure.”

"He means Agent Eagle," said the second.

"He's not real," said the third. "He was made up to 'spook' people. No way there's a spy that good.”

"The fact that you think he's a rumor means he is that good," said the first guard. He walked up and unlocked the door, swinging it open wide. Inside was a simple cot and bare slab walls, lit by harsh white light.

“See? Nothing special,” the guard said. All three guards, along with John, stepped inside.

This was his chance. If he can get all three stuck in here, he will finally be rid of them. Especially now that he sees Mango isn't inside.

Focus, John thought again.

<<<>>>

[Focus activated.]

<<<>>>

Activate skill: Combat… increase with Underworld Legacy.

<<<>>>

[Skill Engaged. Combat Boosted.]

[Underworld Legacy Active.]

[Underworld Legacy Increasing...]

[Combat Level Upgraded: 2 → 4]

<<<>>>

John instinctively reached for his gun but froze. If he fired now, he’d risk a firefight, alerting the entire base. Instead, he slowly pulled out his blow dart pen.

<<<>>>

[Warning.]

[Blow darts are not advised.]

[Target incapacitation would alert the remaining guards.]

<<<>>>

Not the greatest of plans either then..., John thought.

Clearing his throat, he tried a different tactic. “Hey… is this the only holding cell we have?” asked John.

One of the guards nodded. “This is the main one. If someone important's getting locked up, it’s here.”

John’s stomach sank. Mango isn’t in a cell... but her tracker’s still active. She’s somewhere here in the base, and he had no clue where.

His eyes looked around at the guards. They were distracted, looking around the cell. He noticed their rifles were slung lazily at their sides.

“Hey,” John said, “why don’t you let me hold your weapons while you look around? If one of them accidentally fires in here, someone could get hurt.”

They exchanged looks.

One shrugged. “Sure.” He handed John his gun.

John reached his hand out to the other two. But one of them shook his head. “Wait. That doesn’t really make sense. We could just flip on our safeties.”

“Oh yeah,” said the first guard, reaching for his weapon. “Give it back.”

John’s heart pounded. He only had one disarmed.

Fuck it.

He raised the weapon.

Pop!

He fired and shot a guard in the chest.

The first guard dropped instantly against the wall. The others backed up, startled.

“What the hell are you doing!?” one of the others screamed.

John quickly fired again at the other guards. Bullets ricochet inside the small cell. One guard went down, and another screamed as a shot pierced his vest. The chaos was deafening.

Then John felt a sharp pain in his arm. A stray bullet grazed John’s left arm. He dropped the gun with a yelp. It clattered on the floor, discharging another round before falling silent. He checked his arm. He was bleeding.

He heard footsteps echoing outside.

Shit. Reinforcements. This place will be crawling with people soon! How am I gonna explain these bodies? Think, John, think!

John’s mind moved a million times a minute. He tried to focus on a plan, but he was too stressed. Three guards, dead. Me, alone. They’ll never believe I’m not the shooter.

Then his eyes widened. He quickly dropped to the ground, gripping his bleeding arm and rocking in feigned panic.

Four guards burst in.

“Oh thank God,” John gasped, voice trembling. “Someone came in and shot everyone! You have to help me! He was dressed like us!”

One guard crouched beside him. “Jesus, you're lucky to be alive by the looks of it! What is a hangar guy even doing here? Who was it?”

John grimaced. “He held me at gunpoint! There was nothing I could do. White guy. Blonde hair. Blue eyes. ”

A second guard tapped his comrade’s shoulder. “That sounds like Agent Eagle.”

“Shit,” muttered the first. “If he’s here, we’ve got a serious problem.”

“We need to confirm before we sound the alarm,” another said.

John clutched his arm. “I need to get to Med Bay!”

“Can you walk?” one asked.

He nodded. As they rushed away to search, John slipped off in the opposite direction, nursing his wound.

Just as I suspected, the very mention of Agent Eagle gets people scared. That's impressive. Seriously though, what the hell did I just do? I just told them someone infiltrated the base, and it’s me! Great job, genius!

Crunch!

He stepped on something. He looked down. It was his tracker watch, still blinking and pulsing. He turned it off immediately.

If my tracker’s here, he thought, then Mango was here too. Why move her?

FOCUS then spoke to him in his mind.

<<<>>>

[If she was taken, it’s likely due to importance.]

<<<>>>

John sighed hard. It was because of Jade. Or Laz. It had to be one of them.

They wouldn’t leave loose ends. Plus, Mango wasn’t just bait. She was leverage. He turned and called after one of the departing guards.

“Hey! Shouldn’t I come with you? I’m the only one who saw him! I should talk to Jade directly.”

The guard paused. “Yeah. That makes sense. Come on.”

They boarded a silver pod attached to the rail system. The guard punched in some code, and it zipped forward.

<<<>>>

[Warning.]

[This is ill-advised.]

[Face-changer will not fool Jade. She will recognize you. Mission failure highly probable.]

<<<>>>

I know, John thought. But it’s the only way to know where Mango is or, for that matter, where the codes are for that matter.

<<<>>>

[You do not have a full plan.]

<<<>>>

I know that too, but because I’m acting irrationally… maybe she won’t see it coming.

He wiped sweat from his brow. The silver pod carried him toward Jade's command center.