With Violet's grip tightening on my arm, I hastily pulled out my radio, the only link to Saylor in the maze of Horizon Industries' towering complex. The radio crackled to life, Saylor's voice piercing the tense silence.

 

"Rin, what's your status?" Saylor's tone was firm, a reflection of the high stakes at play.

 

"We're two floors shy of the target," I whispered, keenly aware of the patrols intensifying around us. "There's something here, something beyond Doctor Morishita Nao Gina and Doctor Vincent Blair. Director Helms must be guarding a critical asset."

 

Saylor's response was immediate. "Understood. Taylor and I are working on an alternate route to evade Helms's men."

 

I glanced at Violet, her eyes betraying a mix of fear and resolve. "We've encountered patients here, likely the ones Helms is desperately searching for," I informed Saylor, trying to keep my voice steady despite the growing danger.

 

Taylor's voice suddenly interjected, disbelief evident in his tone. "Patients? Are you serious?"

 

Affirming his query, I pressed on. "We'll brief you later. Right now, our priority is reaching those doctors."

 

"Head down the corridor, take two lefts and two rights. You'll find an access point to the next floor," Saylor directed her voice a guiding beacon amidst the encroaching peril.

 

"We'll notify you upon reaching the next floor," I replied, ending the transmission.

 

Schafer and I proceeded cautiously, along with Violet, Annabelle, Aubriana, and Evie. It was a game of cat and mouse in the dimly lit corridors of the Horizon Industries underground lab. There was a distinct feeling this lab was more like a labyrinth than a corporate building. Each turn was a calculated risk, every shadow a potential threat. The first left, then a second, our steps as silent as the grave.

 

A sudden noise halted us in our tracks. Footsteps echoed down the hall, growing louder with each passing second. We pressed against the wall, barely daring to breathe as the patrol passed. These soldiers were hell-bent on finding whatever secrets this lab held.

 

Once the danger had subsided, we continued our cautious advance. Following Saylor's instructions, we finally found the access point – a narrow staircase veiled in shadows, promising passage to our objective.

 

As we descended, the air grew heavier, charged with an unspoken threat. The floor above was eerily similar to the last, yet each step felt increasingly perilous. We were deep in the heart of Helms's territory now, every corner potentially hiding unseen dangers.

 

The access point was there, just as Saylor said. A maintenance hatchet that went into the walls of the underground laboratory. We made our way down to the next floor easy enough. I noticed the other women we found gravitating toward Schafer and me, and the more dangerous things became. It was clear they feared Director Helms. We had to keep them safe at all costs and get everyone in need of help to safety.

 

"Saylor, we're on the next level," I informed.

 

"Good, now go right, then take three lefts, two rights, and you'll reach the vault door that separates the Doctors from Director Helms's forces. It's a secert access that only the Doctors can use," Saylor advised.

 

"From there, you have a unguarded route to the Doctors," Taylor said.

 

"Alright, we'll moving out. Wish us luck," I said.

 

"Good Luck Rin, Vaughn," Saylor and Taylor said in unison.

 

In the process of approaching the reinforced vault door, my heart started pounding in my chest. The path leading up to it was littered with debris, overturned tables, and broken equipment, which made it challenging to move forward. I could see Helms's soldiers all around the laboratory, busily searching every corner of it as if they were looking for something that could change the course of history. Their conversations were hushed, filled with coded language that made no sense to me. It was like a jigsaw puzzle but with half of the pieces missing. As I took each step, I felt like I was walking on thin ice. The sound of my footsteps echoed throughout the room, making me feel like I was announcing my presence to the entire world. The sense of danger was palpable, and I couldn't help but wonder if my life was in danger.

 

"Saylor, Taylor, we're here at the vault door," I said.

 

"The code is 6783," Taylor revealed.

 

As we cautiously walked down the dimly lit corridor, we stumbled upon a door that was cleverly concealed. The wall seemed ordinary, but upon closer inspection, we noticed an unobtrusive lever that triggered the wall to move, revealing a massive vault door. It was evident that Helms had gone to great lengths to find this secret location. Doctor Blair and Doctor Morishita were his ultimate targets at this point. I quickly found the keypad and entered the code while Vaughn kept watch over the other female patients and me. They were trembling with fear, and I could not blame them. The sound of heavy footsteps echoed down the hallway, signaling that Helms's goons were closing in on us. With trembling hands, I punched in the code, and to my surprise, I had to confirm it a second time. With a sense of urgency, I entered the code once again, and the massive, reinforced bulk doors started to creak open slowly, revealing the secrets that lay beyond.

 

I led the others in, with Vaughn taking up the rear. No sooner had we entered than the vault door slid back into place like it never had opened. Vaughn and I let out a sigh of relief.

 

"Should be sooth sailor from here," Schafer stated.

 

"Alright, let's get going," I countered.

 

Approaching the doctors' supposed location, muffled voices reached our ears. We took cover behind a stack of crates, listening intently. The conversation revealed more than we anticipated – talks of a 'key' that Helms was desperate to secure, something far more significant than we had imagined.

 

Our mission had just become exponentially more complicated. The decision was clear yet daunting – rescue the doctors or unravel the mystery of this 'key.' Time was not on our side, and with each passing moment, our window of opportunity was closing.

 

This had to be the Doctors we were looking for and their people. Vaughn looked at me and nodded. 

 

"Rin," Schafert's voice was a hushed whisper, "I'll go ahead and make contact. If those voices are the doctors. Stay here and remain in cover."

 

Hesitation gripped me for a moment. Splitting up was risky, but it might be our only chance to unravel Helms's plans and complete our mission. With a heavy nod, I agreed, the weight of our decision settling in. "Stay safe," I whispered.

 

Schafer parted ways, delving deeper into the corporate maze. While I waited with the women, I made contact with Saylor and Taylor. "We've gained access beyond the vault doors. Schafer went ahead to confirm Doctor Blair and Doctor Morishita are here," I stated.

 

The secured door to the Doctor's location loomed just ahead of me, but soon Schafer returned with two figures. Inside, the dim light revealed Doctor Morishita Nao Gina and Doctor Vincent Blair. Their eyes, filled with a mix of fear and hope, met mine.

 

Blair, a man in his fifties, had a distinguished appearance with his thick and shiny grey hair, which was neatly combed. His face was striking with an oval shape, and he had a sun-kissed complexion that hinted at his love for outdoor activities. Blair had stubby eyebrows that were perfectly trimmed, hazel eyes that sparkled with intelligence, thin lips, round and prominent cheekbones, and a bulky nose that gave him a confident look. 

 

He was a tall and robust man, resembling a classic Papa Bear or Santa Claus look-alike, who exuded authority and confidence. Blair wore a white lab coat, which was immaculately clean, with tan trousers that had a perfect fit and a light blue dress shirt that accentuated his broad shoulders. He completed his look with polished brown loafers that clacked against the shiny floor, adding to his overall confident demeanor. Blair's long legs, which were almost like tree trunks, hinted at a more athletic build, making him tall and in shape for his age, which was evident from his perfect posture and confident walk.

 

I immediately noticed Doctor Morishita. She looked much younger than I had expected, with her youthful appearance and glowing skin. Her long, jet-black hair was genuinely mesmerizing as it flowed down to her ankles, adding to the allure of her already striking ashen skin tone.

 

Nao Gina, who was also in the room, had her hair styled in a long, straight ponytail that accentuated her delicate facial features. Her beautiful oval face had vivid green eyes, straight eyebrows, a dainty nose, heart-shaped lips, and slanted cheekbones. Her well-proportioned body was further enhanced by her voluptuous bust, matching bounteous bottom, childbearing and shapely hips and thighs, and long, willowy, and lithe legs.

 

Nao Gina's choice of attire was impeccable. She wore a white blouse, which contrasted nicely with her black high-waisted pencil dress. The black sheer pantyhose and red slingback high heels, which had been cleverly chosen to match the dress, added a touch of elegance to her already stunning appearance.

 

"Who are you? Are you the team that Director Momota sent?" Doctor Blair's voice was weak but filled with gratitude.

 

"Yes, We're here to rescue you," I said, extending my hand. "We need to leave now."

 

We can't leave yet," Doctor Morishita revealed. "Director Helms is looking for the pinnacle of our work. The key – it's not what you thought. It's a person, a child, an extraordinary child. We need to reach her before his men do."

 

"It's why this mes happened to begin with. The release of the contagion was just a cover to reach her. But it failed since we've already released the anti-virus; those infected will return to normal if they aren't too wounded," Blair said.

 

"How do we find this girl?" Vaughn asked.

 

"The women here can take you to her,"  Doctor Morishita stated. "They have a connection to her."

 

"Alright, Rin, I'll take the Doctor's back with me. You take them and find that girl,"  Vaughn stated.

 

I wanted to disagree, but he was right. Someone had to lead the women to find that girl. She was the key that Director Helms was looking for. The implications were staggering, and deep inside, I knew our mission had just taken a turn into uncharted waters. "We're on our way," I replied.

 

A child? The implications were staggering, and deep inside, I knew our mission had just taken a turn into uncharted waters. "We're on our way," I replied.