GREEN RAGE AND RED RAGE

The faint glow of natural light ahead spurred the group onward, their steps quickening despite the weariness gnawing at their bodies. The Hive's oppressive presence still lingered in the air, a reminder that escape wasn't guaranteed.

Jester jogged alongside Luther, his usual smirk replaced by a focused expression. "So, what's the over-under on us actually making it topside in one piece?"

Luther didn't respond immediately. His glowing green eyes scanned the path ahead, his claws still extended in readiness. "We will make it," he said simply, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

Behind them, the Resistance leader clutched a weapon tightly, their eyes darting toward the shadows. The Hive might have been momentarily disoriented, but they wouldn't stay that way for long.

---

The tunnel narrowed, its walls tightening like a throat closing around them. Organic growths pulsed faintly, their crimson glow casting eerie shadows. Jester nudged one with his blade, grimacing.

"Man, this place just gets cozier and cozier," he muttered.

The Resistance leader ignored him, their focus on the path ahead. "The surface isn't far. Once we're out, we can signal for extraction."

"And then what?" Jester asked. "We get to sit around and hope the Hive doesn't follow us topside?"

The leader's jaw tightened. "One problem at a time."

---

The faint hum of Hive energy grew louder, and the walls seemed to tremble. Luther's pace slowed, his claws flexing instinctively.

"They're regrouping," he said.

The leader nodded grimly. "We need to move faster."

Jester rolled his eyes. "Great plan. I'll just go ahead and outrun the angry alien hive that's trying to kill us. No problem."

Despite his sarcasm, he quickened his steps, his sharp gaze flicking between the shadows.

---

The tunnel opened into a small cavern, its ceiling dotted with cracks that let in thin beams of daylight. The Resistance fighters let out audible sighs of relief, but Luther remained tense.

"Don't let your guard down," he growled.

Jester glanced upward, shielding his eyes from the light. "Finally, some sun. Starting to forget what it looked like down here."

The leader stepped into the center of the cavern, pulling out a small device. They pressed a button, and a beacon began to pulse faintly, its signal reaching skyward.

"Extraction team will pick this up," they said. "Now we just have to hold this position."

---

The Hive, however, had other plans. The walls began to shift, the organic growths pulsating more violently. Drones poured into the cavern, their skeletal forms gleaming in the dim light.

Jester sighed, drawing his blades. "Of course. Why would they make this easy?"

Luther stepped forward, his massive frame shielding the group. "We hold the line."

The Resistance fighters formed a defensive circle, their weapons trained on the advancing drones.

---

The first wave hit hard, the drones attacking with relentless precision. Luther tore through them, his claws leaving trails of green energy in their wake. Each strike was devastating, but the drones kept coming.

Jester darted between them, his movements fluid and unpredictable. "So, leader," he called out, "how long until that extraction shows up? Asking for a friend."

The leader fired at a drone, their tone clipped. "Soon. Just hold them off."

"Soon's a bit vague," Jester muttered, slashing through another drone.

---

The cavern shook, and a new figure emerged—a Hive enforcer, its towering form bristling with weaponry. Its crimson eyes locked onto the group, and it roared, the sound reverberating through the space.

"Big one's back," Jester said, flipping his blades. "You want him, Luther, or should I take this dance?"

Luther growled, stepping forward. "Together."

Jester grinned. "Teamwork makes the dream work."

---

The enforcer charged, its massive limbs smashing into the ground with enough force to send shockwaves through the cavern. Luther leapt onto its arm, his claws digging into the armor.

Jester followed, darting around its legs and slashing at the joints. "Nice teamwork," he said, grinning.

The enforcer swatted at Luther, but he dodged, driving his claws into its shoulder. The creature roared in pain, its movements growing more erratic.

---

The leader fired at the enforcer, their shots aimed at exposed circuits. "Focus on its core!" they shouted.

Jester nodded, flipping onto the enforcer's back. He drove one blade into its neck, using the other to pry open a panel. "Core's exposed! Hit it!"

Luther didn't hesitate. He surged forward, his claws glowing brighter as he drove them into the core.

The enforcer let out a final, guttural scream before collapsing, its massive form crumbling to the ground.

---

The cavern fell silent, save for the hum of the beacon. The Resistance fighters lowered their weapons, their breaths coming in ragged gasps.

The leader checked the beacon, their expression tense. "Extraction is inbound. We just need to hold out a little longer."

Jester wiped sweat from his brow, smirking. "No big deal. We've got this."

Luther turned toward the tunnel, his glowing eyes narrowing. "The Hive won't stop. Be ready."

---

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