(Malek's POV)

  The cold, sterile corridors of the Syndicate facility seemed endless. Malek led the group of survivors through the twisting passageways, moving as quickly as possible. The sound of Syndicate boots echoed behind them, growing closer by the sed. Every twist and turn brought the looming threat of being overtaken. His rifle felt heavier with each step, but his focus remained razor-sharp.

  Ahead, the facility exit glimmered like a distant bea. They were almost there. But even as they ran, Malek couldn't shake the nagging thought that Ethan was still trapped somewhere inside, likely fighting for his life against Raeth's forces. He had tried to establish unication with Ethan, but their s had been jammed for what felt like hours.

  "Move, move!" Malek barked, urging the survivors to keep up the pace.

  Behind him, a female survivor named Khera stumbled, and her partner, Arrox, stopped to help her up. Their desperation alpable. Malek's heart ched, he could feel their exhaustion, their fear, and the overwhelmi of loss hanging in the air.

  Suddenly, bster fire erupted from behind them. The unmistakable hum of energy ons reverberated through the corridor, followed by the sound of Arr out in pain.

  "No!" Khera screamed, watg in horror as her partner fell. Arrox clutched his side, blood p from the wound, his face torted in agony.

  Malek turned just in time to see Arrox weakly motion for them to keep moving. "Go... I'll hold them off," Arrox rasped. His trembling hand reached for a broken pipe on the ground, a desperate on against the Syndicate soldiers closing in on them.

  "Arrox, don't!" Khera sobbed, but it was too te. Arrox had already made his decision.

  He staggered to his feet and, with one final scream, charged toward the approag soldiers. It eless act of defiance, but it bought them precious seds. Malek grabbed Khera, pulling her forward even as tears streamed down her face.

  "Keep moving!" Malek urged, his voice gruff as he forced himself not to look back. Arrox's sacrifice burned in his mind, but he couldn't let it be in vain.

  They rounded a er and reached the facility's exit. Relief flooded Malek's chest, but as they approached, a chilling sight greeted them: outside, a squad of Syndicate soldiers was already waiting for them, ons raised and ready to fire.

  They were trapped. Again.

  The survivors huddled close behind Malek, their despair weighing down the air. Khera's sobs grew quieter as she g to one of the other survivors. Malek's mind raced, searg for any possible way out, but the odds were stacked against them. Outnumbered and surrouhe end seemed iable.

  The lead Syndicate soldier stepped forward, his voice a cold, meical hiss through the helmet. "Surrender now, and we'll make it quick."

  Malek ched his jaw, raising his rifle slightly, though he k was futile. He couldn't fight them all. Not with the survivors to protect. His grip tightened, his mind searg for options, but the soldiers closed in, ready to pull the trigger.

  Then, just as hope seemed lost, a sudden burst of gunfire echoed through the air from outside the facility. fusion rippled through the Syndicate forces as bster fire rained down upon them from behind.

  "Take cover!" Malek shouted to the survivors as Syndicate soldiers scrambled troup, caught off guard by the ued attack.

  Through the alek spotted movement. A group of armed figures advang through the dust. Their shots were precise, cutting down Syndicate soldiers one by ohe guards from the outpost! And leading them was Derek, the mahan and Malek had left behind earlier. His face was set with grim determination as he guided the outpost guards forward.

  Malek's heart leaped. Derek had brought help.

  Derek rushed to Malek's side, dug behind cover as he caught his breath. "We couldn't leave you hanging," he said, a faint smile crossing his face despite the tension in the air. "Ethan's still in there, right?"

  Malek nodded, his thoughts immediately fshing to Ethan, still battling through the facility. "Yeah. We have to go back for him."

  The guards tiheir assault, pushing back the remaining Syndicate soldiers. In moments, the courtyard outside the facility was clear, though more reinforts could arrive at any moment.

  Derek looked at the group of survivors, and his expression softened. "We get these people to safety, but you and I… we've got to get Ethan out of there."

  Malek's jaw tightened. "Let's move."

  With the courtyard secured, Malek and Derek led the survivors to a safe point just beyond the facility's perimeter. Khera, still shaken by the loss of Arrox, looked at Malek with red-rimmed eyes. "Thank you," she whispered. "For everything."

  Malek he weight of her words pressing down on him. He wished he could have done more.

  "Stay with the guards," Derek said to the survivors. "We'll brihan back."

  As Malek and Derek prepared to head baside, a sudden, ominous rumble echoed from within the facility. Malek's gut tightened. Something was happening inside, and whatever it was, it wasn't good.

  They had to get Ethan, and fast.