The ship's vibrations grew more intense as they made their way up the stairs. Grimm could feel the rumble in his bones, a low hum that seemed to reverberate throughout the metal structure. It wasn't just the engine. Something else was at play here—something he couldn't quite put his finger on.
He glanced over at Volkova, her face set in a mask of concentration as she checked their six. Every step, every movement felt deliberate. They both knew that the moment they reached the upper deck, the odds would be against them. But they didn't have a choice. If they stayed below deck much longer, the ship would seal them in, and they'd be sitting ducks.
They reached the top of the stairs, only to be greeted by the sound of gunfire—the sharp crack of suppressed rounds punctuated by the low growl of distant engines. Grimm's eyes narrowed.
"They're on to us," he muttered, pulling his rifle tighter into his chest.
"Not for long," Volkova replied, her voice cold and confident.
They dashed into the corridor leading to the upper deck, where the main doors were already being sealed. It was a trap. They'd known it was coming, but the speed with which Helix had locked down the ship was a different level of efficiency. Grimm's mind raced, calculating their options.
"We need to break through before they lock us in," Grimm said. "This ship's a fortress, but we can still make it out."
Volkova's gaze was already scanning the area, assessing the best way to breach the door. She motioned to a nearby maintenance hatch. "There's a secondary access point. We can bypass the lockdown if we get to the engine room."
Grimm nodded, his fingers tightening around his weapon. "Lead the way."
They sprinted down the corridor, avoiding the main entryways. The low hum of the engines below them was getting louder, more urgent. It wasn't just the ship that was accelerating. The mercenaries were, too. Grimm could hear their footsteps closing in from behind.
Volkova reached the hatch first, and with a quick motion, she yanked it open. The narrow space beneath the floor was cramped, dark, and smelled of rust and old oil, but it was their best chance. She crawled through first, with Grimm right behind her.
The tight space felt like a tomb, and as they made their way deeper into the bowels of the ship, the sounds of pursuit seemed to grow further away. They could hear the faint chatter of voices above them, but no one was close enough to notice their movements—yet.
"Almost there," Volkova said, her voice a whisper.
Grimm glanced over at her. His mind was still racing, trying to piece together what they had uncovered. The map, the coordinates, the mysterious device—it all pointed to something bigger, something far beyond this ship.
"What do you think it is?" he asked quietly, his breath forming a cloud in the cold, damp air.
Volkova's face was lit by the soft glow of her flashlight as she surveyed the next section of the crawlspace. "I don't know. But whatever it is, it's worth killing for. That's all I'm certain of."
Grimm grunted in agreement, but he couldn't shake the feeling that they were getting in deeper than they ever intended. The ship's layout was a maze of tight corridors, dark rooms, and hidden access points. But the deeper they went, the more they realized the danger of getting trapped in this floating fortress.
The low rumble of the engines echoed beneath them as they finally reached a metal door. Volkova went straight to work, pulling out a set of tools, cutting through the electronic lock with practiced precision. Grimm kept watch, ears straining for any sound that would indicate they weren't alone.
When the door finally clicked open, they were greeted by a long corridor that led directly into the engine room. But the sight that met them made Grimm's blood run cold.
Helix enforcers stood in position along the corridor, their weapons raised and aimed at the doorway. They had anticipated this move. Their positions were well-planned, blocking off any route of escape.
"Shit," Grimm muttered. "They're waiting for us."
Volkova looked at him, her expression cold. "We're not running."
Grimm smiled grimly. "I wasn't planning on it."
Without a second thought, Grimm lunged forward, taking the first enforcer off guard with a swift shot to the chest. The others fired in unison, but Grimm was already moving—he ducked behind a nearby crate and returned fire. The sound of gunshots echoed through the hall, punctuated by the thud of bullets hitting their targets.
Volkova was right behind him, moving with speed and precision, her rifle sending rounds into the mercenaries with lethal accuracy. She cleared the first two enforcers with a quick series of shots, but the remaining soldiers were no slouches. They were well-trained, but they weren't prepared for the fury that Grimm and Volkova unleashed.
"We don't have much time," Grimm shouted, his voice filled with urgency. "We need to get to the bridge and take control of the ship before it's too late!"
"Agreed," Volkova said, her tone unwavering as she continued to cover their flank. "Let's move."
They made a quick push toward the engine room door, but as Grimm stepped into the open, a bullet grazed his arm. He gritted his teeth and kept moving, adrenaline flooding his system. The pain was a dull ache, a reminder of how much they still had to survive.
Volkova was right behind him, her rifle at the ready. She fired a shot, taking down another enforcer. They were almost there. The bridge was just ahead—if they could make it, they could seize control and turn the tables on Helix.
As they reached the engine room, a massive explosion rocked the ship. The blast sent them both sprawling to the ground, the air filled with smoke and debris. Grimm's vision blurred, but his instincts kicked in. He pushed through the disorientation, grabbing Volkova by the arm and pulling her to her feet.
"Get up!" he shouted, his voice hoarse.
Volkova nodded, shaking off the dizziness as she moved to the nearby control panel. The ship was shaking more violently now, as if it were on the brink of breaking apart.
"We don't have much time," she said, tapping rapidly at the panel. "But I can slow them down."
Grimm glanced at the door, the sound of footsteps growing louder. "Do it. Now."
And with that, they set their sights on the final confrontation. The bridge was just ahead, but Helix's grip on the ship was tightening with every passing second. Time was running out.