The core of the higher security measures stood before them like a monumental structure, covered with flashing panels and pulsating wires. Kael felt the artifact vibrate in rhythm with the station, signaling new threats.
Zara went first, rifles at the ready. "It looks like the heart of the whole station. And something tells me we're not the first ones here."
Rex glanced at the security drone readings. "Old technology, new traps. If someone was here before, they left their mark. And it didn't look friendly."
Kael nodded. "We stay together. The artifact and synchronization are our advantages, but we must be vigilant. Every step in this place could be our last."
Lira immediately began analyzing the system. "The core is active. Energy patterns indicate the presence of previous users—or intruders who tried to access the artifact."
Taro connected the terminal, monitoring the core's pulses. "The artifact's echo is responding differently than before. Someone or something has interfered with the system. We must be careful."
Kael felt a slight vibration under his feet, pulsing in rhythm with the artifact. "Be careful. Each pulse is a warning."
Zara rolled her eyes as she jumped over the wires. "We came for the artifact, and now we have ghosts from the past waiting for us. Great."
Rex raised his rifle, ready for any threat. "I don't know if they're ghosts or traps, but one thing is certain—we can't ignore them."
Kael led the way, guiding the team through the core corridors. The artifact's pulse grew stronger, revealing more potential threats. Every second required concentration and synchronization from all team members.
Lira moved her fingers across the panels, blocking dangerous pulses and opening the way to the central chamber. "Not everything can be predicted, but I can create a temporary protective barrier."
Taro moved the cables aside and adjusted the terminal settings. "The artifact reacts to every change in the system. If someone interfered with the core, we'll see traces of it."
The shadow from the previous encounter was still trapped in the energy grid, but its presence seemed to affect the station's new pulses. Kael felt that the artifact's echo was now warning them not only of it, but of something even greater, hidden deeper.
Zara fired a series of shots at the security drones, blocking their passage. Rex supported her with rifle fire, and Kael led the team, using each pulse of the artifact to anticipate threats.
"It's not just a shadow. What lies in the core is older than the station," Kael said, feeling the tension grow with every passing second.
The team pressed forward, the artifact's echo pulsing stronger, each step bringing them closer to the central chamber of the higher security core. Danger lay ahead, and the past waited to reveal its secrets.
The corridors of the core's central section were filled with flashing panels and wires that pulsed with red light, responding to the artifact's echo. Kael felt each step becoming more difficult—the station itself was choosing which paths to open and which to block.
Zara jumped over a gap in the floor, rifles at the ready. "This looks like a maze designed by someone who really didn't like visitors."
Rex looked around carefully, blocking the flank. "We can't ignore any clues. The old technology here is more dangerous than anything we've encountered before."
Kael took a deep breath and let the artifact's pulse synchronize their steps. "The artifact's echo is our guide. Every movement must be synchronized with its rhythm. We can't make a mistake."
Lira slid her fingers across the panels, creating more energy barriers. "The system is detecting movement in the core. Someone has interfered with its structure—either to hide the artifact or to protect something else."
Taro connected the terminal, watching the readings. "The artifact's pulse is irregular. Someone or something has manipulated the station's energy. If we don't maintain synchronization, it could separate us."
Zara rolled her eyes. "The station's past doesn't seem friendly. But we have the advantage if we keep up the pace."
Rex pointed to the side corridor. "There are traces of drones that weren't active during our first mission. It looks like someone was testing our response."
Kael nodded. "We can't ignore them. The artifact's echo will help us predict their movements, but any false move could cost us our lives."
The shadow from the previous encounter tugged at the energy grid, reacting to the artifact's pulse. Kael felt its energy still affecting the station, though now the artifact's echo was becoming their advantage.
Zara fired a series of shots, blocking the drones' paths. Rex supported her fire, and Kael led the team in rhythm with the artifact's pulses, synchronizing every move with its beats.
Lira activated additional sensors, monitoring all paths. "We can't predict everything, but I can delay new pulses if we stay in sync."
Taro moved the cables aside and adjusted the terminal settings. "If the artifact holds out, we'll reach the central chamber. But the dangers aren't over. Someone or something is watching our every move."
Kael felt the artifact's pulse throughout his body. "Good. We've stopped the shadow; now we have to reach the core and discover what the station hides. This is the moment that could change everything."
The team moved forward, the echo of the artifact pulsing stronger and stronger, each step bringing them closer to the central chamber. The metallic floors shook, and the past waited to reveal its secrets.
The central chamber of the core appeared suddenly, filled with flashing panels and swirling wires that pulsed with red light in time with the artifact. Kael felt that each pulse could shift the metallic walls, changing the layout of the entire space.
Zara jumped over the protruding cables, guns at the ready. "This looks like the heart of the station... and it looks like someone doesn't want us here."
Rex surveyed the surroundings, blocking possible entrances. "Old security systems with the artifact's new energy. We don't know what awaits us here, but it won't be pleasant."
Kael nodded and let the artifact's pulse synchronize the team's movements. "The artifact's echo is our guide. Every step must be synchronized, or we'll get separated."
Lira activated the control panels, creating a protective energy barrier. "The system is detecting movements from past intruders. Someone or something interfered with the core. The artifact will help us predict these pulses, but we have to be quick."
Taro watched the terminal readings. "The artifact's pulse is irregular. If something new awakens, we must react immediately. Every second is precious."
The shadow from the previous clash struggled in the energy net, trying to break through the barriers. Kael felt its energy, but the artifact's pulse gave them the advantage. "It's not over yet. Someone or something in the core is watching our every move."
Zara fired a series of shots at the drones that were still trying to block them. Rex supported her with rifle fire, and Kael led the team, synchronizing every step with the artifact's pulses.
The metallic floors shook harder and harder. The echo of the artifact filled the entire chamber, bouncing off the walls and wires, warning them of every potential danger. Kael felt they had the advantage, but they still didn't know what the station's core held.
Lira ran her fingers across the panels, blocking the pulses that could separate them. "New pulses are rising, but I can control them enough for us to reach the core of the artifact."
Taro adjusted the terminal settings. "If the synchronization holds until the end, the artifact will show us the hidden passages. But we must be ready for anything."
Kael looked at the team. "Good. We've stopped the shadow, we're synchronized with the artifact. Now we have to discover what the core hides. Each of us must be ready for anything."
The team moved forward, the echo of the artifact pulsing stronger and stronger, leading them through a maze of metal walls and wires. Each step brought them closer to the station's secret, and danger was right there, ready to strike at any moment.
The columns of energy spinning in the artifact's chamber pulsed faster and faster, filling the space with light and tremors that penetrated the metal walls. Kael felt a rush of adrenaline in his stomach—any false move could end in tragedy.
Zara, still in motion, jumped over the high-voltage cable, her guns flashing in time with the pulsing energy. Kael watched her movements—chaotic, unpredictable, but incredibly effective. "The artifact clearly likes chaos," she muttered, taking out another drone that had popped out of a side chamber.
Rex moved toward the columns, which were beginning to fire discharges at the team. Kael felt the tension in the air rise. "Stay close to the rhythm," he shouted. "Any false move could cost us our lives."
Lira and Taro synchronized their protective fields, trying to maintain stability in the chamber. "The core reacts to everything—our movements, emotions, heart rates. If anyone hesitates, the columns will destroy part of the station or us," Lira said, clutching the terminal.
The shadow they had been watching earlier reappeared, moving like a shadow in rhythm with the energy. Its movements were fast, inhuman. Kael immediately gave the command: "Don't let it surprise us! Every accurate shot now saves a life!"
Zara rolled in the air, dodging the discharge, and in one fluid sequence, she shot at the drones, eliminating them one by one. "I feel like the artifact is watching us," she said, landing next to Rex. "And I think it likes us."
Rex moved closer to the last column, his rifle pulsing in rhythm with the energy. "The artifact is responding to our actions and emotions. If we lose synchronization, everything will collapse," he said, blocking the flank.
Kael looked at the artifact's pulse in his helmet and knew the climax had arrived. "We stick together," he said aloud. "We don't stray from the rhythm. The artifact shows us the way we follow."
The walls shook harder and harder, the columns sending out discharges of increasing intensity. The team began to move in sync—every step, every shot, every movement matched the rhythm of the artifact. The pulse of energy began to penetrate their bodies, increasing their reflexes, concentration, and adrenaline.
Zara jumped toward the central core, dodging the discharge. "The artifact hasn't said its last word yet," she said, her voice cold, her eyes shining in the light of the energy.
Rex and Lira secured the flank, Taro controlled the terminals, and Kael led the entire group. The artifact pulsed like a living organism, and the team moved as one – perfectly synchronized with the rhythm of the energy.
Suddenly, the core of the artifact exploded with light, revealing a crystal structure filled with energy. Kael sensed that not everything had been revealed. The artifact had its own consciousness, and its mission was only the beginning of something much bigger.
Zara stood up, looking at the crystal core. "This is just the beginning," she said. "And if you thought you'd seen everything... you're wrong."
Rex assessed the situation. "We need to get back to the ship and prepare for more threats. The artifact hasn't shown its full power yet."
Kael nodded, looking at the pulsating energy. "This is the end of this mission... but the story is just beginning."