departure
It's 7:20 AM of the day 200. Only 40 minutes remain until the mission departs. Kazimir was the first to arrive to the elevator, or so he thought.
A girl was already there, sitting on one of two chairs in the corner. He had seen her before, though he couldn't catch the name. There were no interaction between the two of them. It was not needed. He walked silently another corner sat on the floor.
7:26 AM. The next person to come was Professor kastner. He saw the girl, not kazimir in the shadows
He approached her. Rising from the chair, she spoke firmly, "You can't stop me from doing this. If you love me, you won't stop me."
"I know I can't stop you." He said. "I'm going with you.".
"Why?" she asked.
"Marc couldn't make it."
"Thank you." she said quietly.
Then they sat down on the two chairs and talked for a while.
7:32 AM. Laurenz Wagner arrived with Steffi Strobel, and Abi Gorman. Wagner greeted Kastner. The others nodded. Monica's eyes met abi and steffi's. It didn't last long.
7:36 AM. Alfred arrived. He saw the group of five together, gave a small nod, then noticed kazimir, alone in the shadows. His aura screamed "I'm batman".
"I had a feeling that you'd be here," Alfred said, crossing towards him.
"I'm not letting you go alone." kazimir replied.
"so we're both going."
"looks like it."
Alfred sat besides him on the floor.
7:42 AM. Egon arrived with Charlotte, holding a control tablet in his hand. Charlotte greeted everyone, wishing them a lucky and prosperous mission, before joining the seated group of five. Egon crossed to Alfred and kazimir, dropped down beside them, and rested his tablet next to him.
"What do you make of these faces?" Egon said, while surveying the assembled members. "Do they look ready?"
After a brief pause, Alfred responded, "They look... useful, they could serve a purpose."
"A little short, don't you think? I expected at least 12."
"Well, we still have a few minutes. If no one else comes, that's all we've got." Alfred said.
A few minutes have passed, no one showed up showed up.
7:50. Egon stood, picked up the control tablet, and closed the elevator doors.
"Time to go." He addressed the people. he told them to put their luggage onto the cargo trucks facing the main gate of the elevator and put on the protective suits stored in the first truck. "Charlotte, Alfred, and I will drive 3 of the trucks. Who can take the other two?"
Wagner and kastner volunteered.
They climbed into the trucks, placed their bags in the back of the cargo trucks, except for Kazimir, he kept his with him inside the truck's peak.
7:57 AM. Everyone was in place. All ready to leave. Kazimir and Alfred shared a truck, Monica rode with her dad, Wagner with abi and Steffi, and Charlotte and Egon each drove alone.
workshop
Egon gave the command and the vehicle's elevator started a slow descent.
A breathtaking view unfolded before them. On either side, towering panels of bulletproof glass stretched from the sixth level down to the first, unveiling the colossal workshop in all its scale.
The space was open from floor to ceiling—six levels of uninterrupted height, each floor with twelve meters. Without partitions or overhead barriers, the view spilled across the entire industrial expanse: gantries, suspended walkways, and colossal assembly frames bathed in the glow of work lights. The glass walls enclosed them in a secure yet transparent capsule, giving them a flawless view into the hive of machinery beyond.
As they descended past the fourth level, a sudden eruption echoed through the vast space. The vibrations rattled the trucks and sent a shiver through the air. A mix of fear and anticipation filled the air. It was almost tangible.
Egon, displayed a calming demeanour. Speaking into his comm, he told them he would reach the people above. He tried. No reply came. Another try. Nothing. Silence.
Attempts to reach Erdmann and Alina were met the same emptiness.
Egon stayed calm and addressed the growing concern. "There's no turning back now," he said.
Charlotte agreed. "We have to keep pushing forward, but we'll keep trying to contact them."
The elevator settled at the ground floor. With a groan and a slow sweep, the 12 meter gate began to rise, letting the outside world slide into view.