Infiltration

Night had draped the city beneath a vast black velvet blanket. Though they were still some distance from the AIM secret base, the air already carried an unsettling tension, like the oppressive stillness before a storm. The three rode modified electric bikes slowly along the rugged path, the crunch of tires over gravel especially distinct in the silent night.

Gwen's back was taut, her hands clenched around the handlebars so tightly that her knuckles had turned white. The radar scanner at the front of the bike flashed blue, making her gaze seem especially sharp. Every so often, she glanced at the readings on the dashboard, ears pricked for any sound around them.

Li huddled in the middle, the Mechanical Flower in his arms faintly hot as if it had sensed danger, sending chills through him. He pressed his lips together, struggling to suppress his fear. Cold sweat continually beaded on his forehead, soaking his collar, while his hands hugged the Mechanical Flower tightly enough for his knuckles to pale. Wanda sat at the back, scarlet energy endlessly flowing through her palms as she maintained the wavering concealment barrier. Her lips were pressed into a thin line, her brow tightly furrowed. Every second she held the barrier felt like a grueling tug-of-war against an invisible force, yet she still kept glancing at Li, her eyes filled with concern.

"Five hundred meters left." Gwen lowered her voice. The moment she spoke, the indicator on the Mechanical Flower began flashing wildly, its red light jumping frantically like an urgent warning. Li's face changed abruptly, turning as white as paper. His body trembled slightly as he said hoarsely, "This is bad! There's an energy detection net around the base. Our concealment barrier won't hold much longer! We need to think of something, or we'll be spotted before we even get close!"

No sooner had he finished than the ground let out a teeth-grinding crack. Then dozens of Mechanical Spiders burst from the earth. Each was twice the size of an ordinary tarantula, its metal shell gleaming coldly beneath the moonlight. Corrosive liquid sprayed from their opening mandibles, hissing against the ground and sending up plumes of white smoke. "Li, take cover!" Wanda shouted, yanking him in front of her. Scarlet energy surged like a raging tide and instantly formed a shield, barely blocking the liquid attack. The tremendous impact forced her back half a step, making her face even paler.

Gwen slammed on the accelerator, and the electric bike shot forward like an arrow loosed from a bow. Dodging the spiders' attacks, she shouted, "Wanda, disrupt their movements! Li, get the Mechanical Flower's sonic device ready!" Wanda's hands flew, scarlet energy from her fingertips turning into countless threads that wrapped around several spiders' joints, slowing them down. But more spiders swarmed in, dense as a black sea. Li took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down as he rapidly operated the Mechanical Flower. His fingers still trembled, but he pressed the button accurately.

"Don't panic, we've got you!" Gwen freed one hand and gave Li's shoulder a firm pat. "Stay steady!" She expertly maneuvered the electric bike, ramming the spider swarm with the electromagnetic disruptor mounted on its rear. Sparks flew as several spiders belched smoke and collapsed. But it was only a drop in the bucket. More spiders poured in from all directions, surrounding them completely.

Sweat covered Wanda's forehead, and the arm maintaining the energy began trembling uncontrollably. "I can't... My magic is almost drained! Li, hold on tight!" One spider seized the opportunity to break through the defense, its claws shooting straight for Li's throat. At the critical moment, Gwen sharply twisted the bike around and used her own body to shield Li. The bike nearly tipped over as she smashed the spider with the upgraded sonic emitter. The clash of metal was ear-splitting in the quiet night. The spider's claws carved a long bloody gash across Gwen's arm, blood streaming down, but she did not even turn around as she shouted, "Li, are you okay?"

"We can't drag this out any longer!" Li gritted out, his eyes full of both fear and resolve. "Charge straight for the ventilation shaft! It's our only chance!" Gwen nodded, and the electric bike roared toward the base's outer wall. Wanda exhausted the last trace of her strength, thrusting both hands forward. Her magic became a dazzling red flash that blasted apart the iron grate over the ventilation shaft. All three, bike and all, rushed into the duct, jolting violently inside. Li was battered dizzy, his head slamming hard against the duct wall, but he endured the pain without making a sound.

The duct was filled with a pungent stench of rot mixed with the oily smell of machine parts, enough to make anyone nauseous. Li frowned, forcing himself to adjust to the awful odor. Gwen pulled out a handkerchief and covered her mouth and nose, then handed one to Li. "Take it. It'll block some of it, at least." Her joke eased the tension slightly. Li forced himself to stay alert and shone a tiny flashlight ahead. The beam seemed especially feeble in the dim duct. "According to what I remember, if we follow this duct straight ahead, we can reach the underground laboratory. But we need to be careful. This place must be packed with traps."

The three crawled forward cautiously. Suddenly, Wanda grabbed Li by the collar and yanked him back. A laser shot past the tips of his hair, leaving a charred mark on the duct. The air filled with the smell of burned hair. "There's an automated defense system!" Wanda panted, her voice carrying lingering fear as she held Li securely behind her. "Li, stay close to me!" Gwen pulled out her tools and swiftly dismantled the surveillance probe beside the duct. "These guys are pretty careful. But don't worry, we're here!" Before she finished, dense footsteps sounded overhead. The base guards were on patrol. The three held their breath. Li's body stiffened as he pressed close to Wanda, doing his best not to make a sound. Wanda gently patted his hand, signaling him not to be afraid, her eyes full of reassurance.

After narrowly avoiding the guards, they reached a fork in the passage. Li looked at the map in his memory, his brow furrowed as he said with a slight tremor in his voice, "The left side leads to the laboratory. The right side... might be a warehouse for dangerous experimental materials. Both routes are dangerous. We need to choose carefully." Gwen wrapped an arm around his shoulders and gave him a firm hug. "Listen to us. Let's check the warehouse first. Maybe we'll find something useful!" Wanda added gently, "Yes. We're together. Whatever trouble comes up, we can handle it." Looking at his two companions' resolute eyes, Li felt a warm current rise in his heart. He nodded. "Okay. I'll follow you."

The three turned into the duct on the right. The farther they crawled, the colder it became. The chill slipped through the gaps in their clothes, making them shiver involuntarily. Li trembled slightly. Noticing, Gwen immediately took off her jacket and draped it over him. "Don't freeze. We still need you!" Li managed a smile, though his heart felt warm. With these two companions beside him, he did not seem quite so afraid.

When they finally reached the warehouse entrance, Wanda's magic sensed a powerful energy fluctuation. It carried an unsettling presence, like a beast of darkness sleeping within. "There's something inside... something very dangerous." Her expression grew grave. "But it could also be the key we need." Gwen clenched her fists. "Then we're going in! The three of us can do this! Li, stay in the middle. Don't leave our side!" Li took a deep breath. Though he was still afraid, the firm gazes of his two companions replaced his original fear with warmth. He straightened his back and said, "Okay, together!" The three exchanged a look, their eyes filled with resolve, then slowly pushed open the warehouse doors.