GREEN RAGE AND RED RAGE

The Resistance outpost bustled with activity as the team returned, the artifact carefully secured in a reinforced containment unit. Jester still looked a bit pale from his interaction with the strange device, but his trademark grin was back.

"I don't know about you," he said, leaning against the containment unit, "but I feel like I just stared into the abyss, and it winked at me."

The leader ignored him, their focus on the holo-map in the command center. The artifact's data had revealed the Hive's central hub—a sprawling, fortress-like structure hidden deep within an uncharted jungle.

"This is it," the leader said, pointing to the glowing coordinates. "The heart of their operation. And if Jester's visions are accurate, their queen is there."

---

Luther loomed over the table, his green eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. "How do we know this isn't a trap? The Hive could have planted that map to lure us in."

"We don't," the leader admitted. "But it's our only lead. If we don't take this chance, the Hive will overrun us. You've seen what they're capable of."

Jester smirked. "Besides, what's life without a little risk? Worst case, we die horribly. Best case, we save the world. No pressure."

Luther growled but said nothing.

---

Preparations for the mission began immediately. The leader called for reinforcements, assembling a strike force of the Resistance's best soldiers. Weapons were checked, supplies were packed, and the team prepared for what could be their final mission.

In the armory, Luther inspected his claws, sharpening them with methodical precision. Jester lounged nearby, tossing a knife in the air and catching it with practiced ease.

"You ready for this?" Jester asked.

Luther didn't look up. "Always."

Jester chuckled. "You're a real ray of sunshine, you know that?"

---

The strike team departed at dawn, their transport ship cutting through the clouds as it headed for the uncharted jungle. The tension was palpable, but no one spoke. They all knew the stakes.

As the ship approached the Hive's central hub, the jungle below came into view. It was an alien, twisted landscape, the trees and vegetation fused with Hive structures. The air seemed to shimmer with energy, and the distant hum of Hive activity was almost deafening.

The leader stood at the front of the cabin, addressing the team. "This is it. We go in, neutralize the Hive queen, and get out. Stay sharp, and watch each other's backs."

---

The ship landed in a clearing just outside the Hive's central hub. The team disembarked, their weapons at the ready. The jungle was eerily silent, the air thick with tension.

"This place gives me the creeps," Jester muttered.

"Stay focused," the leader said. "We're not alone here."

As they moved deeper into the jungle, the path ahead was blocked by a massive Hive gate. Its surface pulsed with energy, and strange symbols glowed faintly in the dim light.

"How do we get past that?" Jester asked, eyeing the gate warily.

Luther stepped forward, his claws sparking with energy. "Leave it to me."

---

With a powerful strike, Luther tore into the gate, sending shards of organic metal flying. The gate shuddered and collapsed, revealing a dark, winding tunnel leading into the heart of the Hive.

"This just keeps getting better," Jester said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

The team entered the tunnel, their footsteps echoing in the silence. The walls seemed to pulse with a life of their own, and the air grew colder with each step.

"We're close," the leader said. "Stay alert."

---

As they neared the Hive queen's chamber, the tunnel opened into a massive cavern. The team froze, their eyes widening at the sight before them.

The queen's chamber was a grotesque cathedral of alien architecture, its walls lined with pulsating tendrils and glowing symbols. In the center of the room stood the Hive queen herself, a towering, nightmarish figure with multiple limbs and glowing, insect-like eyes.

"She's… bigger than I expected," Jester whispered.

The queen turned her gaze toward the team, her voice a chilling hiss that echoed through the chamber. "You dare enter my domain? Foolish creatures."

Luther stepped forward, his claws gleaming. "We're not here to talk."

---

The battle began with a deafening roar as the queen unleashed a wave of energy, sending the team scrambling for cover. Hive drones poured into the chamber, their shrill cries adding to the chaos.

Luther charged at the queen, his claws slashing through the drones that stood in his way. Jester darted through the chaos, his blades flashing as he took down enemies with surgical precision.

The leader fired precise shots at the queen, aiming for her vulnerable spots. "Focus on her limbs! We need to bring her down!"

---

The queen retaliated with a ferocity that shook the cavern. Her limbs lashed out, striking the ground with enough force to send shockwaves through the chamber.

"We can't keep this up!" Jester shouted, dodging a massive limb.

The leader's mind raced. They needed to find a way to turn the tide. Their eyes fell on the glowing symbols lining the walls.

"Those symbols," the leader said. "They're feeding her power. We need to destroy them!"

---

Luther and Jester nodded, splitting off to target the symbols. Each strike against the glowing runes sent a ripple of energy through the chamber, and the queen's movements became more erratic.

"You're weakening her!" the leader shouted. "Keep going!"

As the last symbol shattered, the queen let out a piercing scream, her body convulsing as her energy faltered.

"This is our chance!" Luther roared, leaping at the queen with all his strength.

---

The final blow was a combined effort. Luther's claws tore through the queen's chest, while Jester's blades struck her vulnerable neck. The leader fired a precision shot that pierced her head, and with a deafening roar, the queen collapsed.

The chamber shook as the Hive's energy network began to collapse.

"Time to go!" the leader shouted.

The team fled the collapsing chamber, the ground crumbling beneath their feet. As they emerged into the jungle, the Hive's central hub erupted in a blinding explosion, sending a shockwave that flattened the surrounding trees.

---

Breathing heavily, the team watched as the Hive's fortress burned.

"It's over," the leader said, their voice filled with both relief and exhaustion.

"For now," Luther muttered.

Jester grinned. "We just killed a queen. I think we earned a vacation."

The leader nodded, a faint smile on their face. "Let's go home."

---

To be continued...

_________________________________________

Visit out patreon for more episodes. Exclusive only on patreon

https://patreon.com/YOGAGANESH_2103