Screams from the Abyss

Containment

The core room was a maelstrom of flashing lights and blaring alarms. Jaden burst through the doors, his team close behind, only to be met with a scene of utter chaos. Scientists and technicians scrambled in panic, their faces masks of terror.

"Where's the release point?" Jaden shouted over the cacophony, grabbing the nearest lab-coated figure.

The man's eyes were wide, unfocused. "The... the central chamber," he stammered, pointing to a sealed containment unit at the room's center. "But it's too late. The failsafes... they're not responding."

Jaden released him, turning to his team. "Mei, Tara, secure the exits. No one leaves until we know they're clean. The rest of you, round up any personnel who look like they might know what the hell is going on."

As the others moved to comply, Jaden approached the containment unit. He could feel... something... pulsing within. His shadow sense recoiled from it, as if the very darkness itself found the contents abhorrent.

Closing his eyes, Jaden ex