Jin pushed himself off the supply cabinet, his injured left leg buckling under his weight. He sucked a sharp breath through clenched teeth, jaw set with determination. Pointing the pipe in his right hand toward the door, he watched as it hissed open to reveal the dim auxiliary path beyond the Med Bay: main lights dead, emergency lamps pulsing dully to mark the way.
"The shortest route to Emergency Stairwell Beta remains unchanged," Asha reported clinically. "However—with widespread power failure, visibility is near zero in several upcoming segments. My remote sensor range is severely restricted. We'll be navigating significantly blind."
Jin nodded, forcing his eyes to adjust to the oppressive darkness. Each cautious step sent fresh agony through his wounded leg. Warnings flitted across his HUD like persistent ghosts.
---
[CRITICAL MISSION TIMER ACTIVE]
Stasis Pod Integrity Failure In: 00:13:08
As Jin moved deeper into the shadows, a new notification pinged softly on his HUD.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
> New directive incoming…
---
"I'm detecting an opportunity within this crisis," Asha continued. "The Phoenix Core's visual sensors can amplify far beyond baseline human sight. But the protocol requires initial calibration and focused sensory input—performed under stress—to integrate with your neural pathways."
---
[NEW QUEST AVAILABLE — OPTIONAL]
Quest: Eyes in the Dark
Description: Unlock an advanced Night Vision protocol. Navigate the next 100 meters of near-total darkness using Asha's auditory guidance and your developing senses while avoiding direct engagement with detected threats. Success permanently integrates Night Vision.
Time Constraint: Complete before Stairwell Beta or within 00:05:00.
Difficulty: High (current injuries, low visibility, unknown threats)
Rewards (Potential):
• Skill: Night Vision (Passive Lv.1 — low-light amplification)
• Skill: Stealth (Passive Lv.1 — quieter movement, reduced detectability)
• PER +0.1 (Sensory acuity)
• Minor system energy recovery
Failure: No Night Vision integration; increased ambush/injury risk.
---
Jin squinted into the oppressive dark. Night Vision sounded like a lifeline. The alternative—navigating blind—sounded like suicide.
"Oh—and you get Stealth, too," Asha added, a hint of dry amusement in her tone. "Because nothing says 'less noticeable' like stumbling loudly through pitch-black corridors."
"Initiate calibration," Jin commanded, his voice firm despite the pain. "Guide me through this. I won't fail."
"Rely on other senses and my auditory cues," Asha instructed. "I'll map residual heat signatures and use echo pings sparingly—excessive pings may attract unwanted attention. Move slowly. Listen. Trust faint inputs."
Jin inhaled deeply, focusing past the throbbing pain in his leg and burning arm. He gripped the pipe like an extension of his will and moved into the blackness, one hand trailing the cold metal wall for guidance.
"Three meters ahead—slight incline."
"Debris underfoot to your left."
"Metal grating loose; step right."
"Faint air currents from a vent above—may harbor mutated vermin; maintain silence."
"Pressure plate detected; likely inactive, but avoid the central corridor."
Jin moved with deliberate precision, each step carefully placed. Twice he froze as faint skittering sounded closed in. His HUD flashed urgently: [Threat Proximity: HIGH — Unknown biologicals].
Asha's direction became surgical. "Press your back into the corner. Hold your breath. Two signatures approaching from your left."
Jin complied, pressing himself flat against the cold metal wall. He held his breath as unseen creatures skittered past, their chittering sounds making his skin crawl. Asha's precise instructions told him when to shift his weight, when to remain perfectly still, and where to press against the wall to avoid detection.
"They're passing now," Asha whispered in his mind. "Wait three seconds before moving."
Jin counted silently in his head, heart pounding against his ribs. When he reached three, he moved forward again, each step more confident than the last.
He stumbled briefly on uneven flooring but caught himself, fighting through the pain. With each successful, guided step, he began to map the darkness in his mind. Faint outlines formed where there had been only black.
[Night Vision Calibration: 35%… 57%… 78%…]
"Approaching Stairwell Beta," Asha reported. "Calibration nearing completion. One final obstruction: a partially collapsed ceiling section. The gap is too narrow for you to crawl."
Jin dropped to hands and knees without hesitation. The opening was ragged, with conduits jammed at odd angles and jagged metal scraping his palms. Damp earth and something metallic choked his breath. He squeezed through, lungs burning, the timer ticking down to the final seconds.
[Night Vision Calibration: 99%…]
He popped out into a slightly wider area at the stairwell landing. The emergency stair plunged deeper into blackness.
---
[QUEST COMPLETE — Eyes in the Dark]
Rewards:
• Night Vision (Passive Lv.1 — low-light amplification; minor energy drain when active)
• Stealth (Passive Lv.1 — reduced detectability; quieter movement)
• PER +0.1 (Now PER 4.30 — debuffs still active)
• System energy recovered +3% (Now 53%)
---
Jin blinked, and the world transformed. The stairwell no longer swallowed him in absolute black. Steps, railing rust, and the metallic wall texture appeared in dull greys and faint, greenish tones.
"Asha… I can—I can see," he said, awe softening his voice despite the tension.
"Night Vision protocol integrated," Asha confirmed, her dry wit returning. "Your zero-light perception is enhanced roughly 75% above baseline. This will be… advantageous. And dramatically less embarrassing for you to navigate."
Jin looked down the stairwell toward Sub-Level Engineering. It was still terrifying—deeper, darker, and now further away—but at least he wouldn't be blind. The faint green illumination revealed details he'd missed before: scuff marks on the steps, a discarded tool in the corner, the faint outline of maintenance panels along the walls.
"Threat assessment," Jin ordered, his voice now carrying more authority. "What's waiting for us down there?"
"Multiple heat signatures detected below," Asha reported. "At least three larger biologicals. Possible Alpha-class mutants. Recommend extreme caution."
The stasis timer blinked relentlessly: [STASIS PODS OFFLINE IN: 00:07:55]
The little victory of seeing in the dark had bought him minutes—and the minutes kept draining away. Fourteen lives depended on what happened next.
"Stealth mode engaged," Jin whispered, adjusting his grip on the pipe. "Lead the way, Asha. We're not done yet."
Jin descended the emergency stairwell, each step sending jolts of pain through his injured leg. His newly acquired night vision transformed the oppressive darkness into a landscape of muted greens and grays, revealing details that would have been invisible moments before.
"Stealth mode holding steady," Asha reported. "Movement noise is reduced by 10%.."
He paused to catch his breath, the stasis timer blinking relentlessly in his peripheral vision: [STASIS PODS OFFLINE IN: 00:07:12]. "Status on the fusion core?"
"Power output stable at minimal levels. The auxiliary systems are functioning but barely," Asha replied. "We have approximately seven minutes before critical failure."
The metal stairs groaned under his weight. The air grew colder as he descended deeper into the facility, carrying the distinct smell of ozone and something else—something organic and decayed.
Jin wrinkled his nose. "What is that smell? It's getting stronger."
"Detecting elevated biological decay signatures mixed with electrical arcing," Asha reported clinically. "Likely the result of system failures and... previous inhabitants."
The stairwell ended at a heavy metal door marked "SUB-LEVEL ENGINEERING - AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY." Jin pushed against it, but it refused to budge.
"Of course it's locked," he sighed, running his hands along the door frame. "Please tell me there's a manual override."
"Searching," Asha replied. "Manual override panel located to your right. Warning: forcing the door may trigger security protocols or attract unwanted attention. And possibly electrocute you. I'd rather not have to find a new host in the next seven minutes."
"Your concern is touching," Jin said dryly, finding the panel and prying it open with his pipe, revealing a tangle of wires. "Which ones do I cross?"
"Blue and red wires. Third from the left and second from the right," Asha instructed. "And try not to electrocute yourself. I've grown rather attached to this neural interface."
Jin carefully crossed the specified wires. Sparks flew, and the door hissed open, revealing a vast chamber filled with dormant machinery. The sub-level stretched out before him, a maze of catwalks, conduits, and massive machines shrouded in darkness.
"The fusion core control room is located approximately 200 meters northeast of your current position," Asha reported, highlighting a path on Jin's HUD. "Recommend following the main maintenance corridor."
Jin stepped into the sub-level, his night vision revealing details that made his skin crawl. Dark stains covered the floor in places, and discarded equipment lay scattered as if abandoned in haste. The silence was broken only by the distant hum of machinery and the occasional drip of water from overhead pipes.
"Movement detected," Asha warned suddenly. "Fifteen meters ahead. Multiple signatures."
Jin froze, pressing himself against a nearby console. His night vision picked out movement in the shadows ahead—shambling figures moving with jerky, unnatural motions.
His breath caught in his throat. "How many?"
"At least four. Possibly more," Asha replied. "They appear to be patrolling the area. Recommend alternative route."
Jin scanned his surroundings, his enhanced perception picking out details his normal vision would have missed. A maintenance hatch was visible in the ceiling approximately ten meters away.
"There," he whispered, pointing. "The maintenance tunnels. Will they lead to the control room?"
"Affirmative," Asha confirmed. "Maintenance tunnel B-7 connects directly to the fusion core control room. However, the tunnels may contain their own hazards. Structural integrity is questionable in some sections. And possibly more things that want to eat you."
"Better than facing a pack of monsters head-on," Jin decided. "How do I get up there?"
"Service ladder located behind the large coolant tank to your left," Asha directed. "Move quietly. The mutants are moving away from your position."
Jin slipped through the shadows, his Stealth skill minimizing the sound of his movements despite his injured leg. He reached the coolant tank and found the service ladder, its metal rungs cold to the touch.
"Clear," Asha reported. "Climb quickly but quietly. And try not to make too much noise. I know that's asking a lot, given your current condition."
"Ha ha, very funny," Jin muttered, beginning his ascent. Each movement sent fresh waves of pain through his body, but he pushed through it. He reached the maintenance hatch and pried it open, revealing a narrow tunnel filled with pipes and conduits.
"Proceed with caution," Asha warned. "Structural integrity is at 67% in this section. Some sections may be unstable.."
Jin crawled into the tunnel. His night vision illuminated the cramped space. The air was thick with dust and the smell of rust.
As Jin moved forward, the tunnel began to vibrate, and small pieces of debris rained down from above. "I think something's wrong," he said, picking up his pace.
"Tunnel stability decreasing," Asha reported. "Recommend increased speed. And possibly a change of pants."