"Yes …." Drex suddenly said in a low voice filled with something strange. It was almost like he was happy even in their current situation. "It worked. It worked. The armor worked."
Tony was so shocked that he stood frozen glaring at him, he lowered his weapon as he processed the words he just heard.
"W-what d-did you say?"
Drex took a step closer, he nodded firmly and he pulled up his shirt, Tony's eyes widen as he looked at the chest plate. Across Drex's chest were black scorch marks burned deep into the plating, the armor looked cracked, scorched, very ugly. But overall it was still intact and his skin was untouched.
Tony clenched his jaws, his brain clicked almost instantly, years of leading the last of the resistance flashing through his mind. "Wait a second…. Drex…. Do you realize what this means?"
His voice shook as he spoke but it was not from fear this time around. No, it was hope. "If we can replicate that armor, if we can multi produce it for others then…. We might actually stand a chance. We could fight machines Drex. We could really save our race."
Drex gave him a faint grin, though his eyes were heavy. He nodded once saying nothing at first.
Tony stepped forward quickly, gripping Drex's shoulder with both hands. His voice was full of sudden excitement. "You tell them Drex. The moment you reconnect with the mothership, the moment you get up there, tell your mother and everyone else. You tell them what you just showed me. This could change everything. Do you understand? This could be the key."
Drex nodded again, more firmly this time.
Tony swallowed hard, forcing himself to calm down then he gestured toward the side hallway. "Now go. The pod's still waiting, and I promised your mother I'd send you right after them. Don't waste time, kid. They're out there waiting for you."
Drex hesitated, he then took a step forward.
Tony frowned. "What are you doing?"
Drex lifted his eyes. "One last hug."
Tony blinked. His lips parted then he gave a quiet chuckle. "You sentimental brat." He dropped one of his rifles to the ground, opening his arms. The two embrace in the silence.
For Tony the moment was heavy. He watched Drex grow from a boy who cried over scraped knees into a man standing against monsters. He had raised him after Liam, Drex's father died, and in his heart Drex was more than a soldier, he was family. Tony squeezed him tightly, his throat tight. "I wish… I wish I could've seen you all safe with my own eyes. Just promise me you'll protect them, Drex. Promise me you'll make it count."
Drex's lips were near his ear now. His voice was soft. Almost broken. "I'm sorry, old man."
Tony was confused. "For what?"
Then the pain came.
A sharp brutal pain kicked in at the back of his skull, his vision blurred, his knees gave out. He realized what Drex had done but it was too late to stop him. The heavy gun butt had connected to the back of his head, his hearing dimmed and his sight darkened as seconds went. He leaned helplessly in Drex's arms, right now the only emotion on his face was pure confusion.
It wasn't that he couldn't believe what Drex was doing, it was that he couldn't understand what he was doing. "w-why?"
The last thing he heard before darkness took him was Drex's voice, whispering in his ear, "Take care of my family."
And then silence.
Tony collapsed unconscious.
Drex stood over him, his chest rising and falling in deep pain. He winced as he knelt and gripped Tony by the shoulder. He then dragged his limp body all through the hallway, there was only one destination in his head as he pulled through the pain and dragged Tony, the pod.
The small steel door hissed as he opened it. Inside, the cramped pod glowed faintly with a dim blue light, it was not exactly built for comfort, just meant for survival. Drex clenched his jaws as he bent down and pulled Tony in. He layed him down gently on the padded seat and strapped him in tightly.
He reached down and placed the weapons he had taked from the enforces inside with him. He placed them beside Tony, piling them up.
Looking at the pod he felt saddened, he would have followed if it meant a seeing his family even one more time. Saying goodbye to his mother. Swinging his brothers in his arms one more time.
He placed his hand on Tony's shoulder and it stayed there for a moment, his throat felt dry as he whispered his last words to him, "This is the best I can do for you guys, I hope you survive out there. I hope you find somewhere safe."
He pressed the launch sequence as the pod came alive. Lights flickering in insides as the walls sealed. A hologram projection appeared on the inner glass panel showing its trajectory being locked.
It synced, a faint line connected to the path the mothership had taken. Even underground the ground beneath it opened up as the pod went down slowly, passing the same hidden escape route the mothership passed.
The pod jolted, then disappeared into the earth.
Drex stepped back as the ground shook softly beneath him. The hatch sealed itself, the floor sliding back into place, leaving nothing but smooth metal again. As if nothing had been there at all.
The underground was quiet once more. Too quiet.
Drex stood there, his fists clenched at his sides, staring at the spot where Tony had vanished.
Alone again.
And this time, there was no one left to hug goodbye.