"What the fuck happened there?" Lucas was shocked to see the effect the rifle in Vance's hands had. It was better than anything he had ever seen.
"I have no idea." Vance stared at the rifle as if he was staring at something miraculous. He was usually an indifferent man. Very few things astonished him. But now, he was stunned speechless.
What kind of the divine weapon did he chance upon?
Ryker was equally stunned. But he didn't lose himself to the shock and lowered the chopper a little, allowing Dave to reach the rope ladder.
Dave had never expected to join his friends again. He had already sent them a farewell message in his mind, assuming that he'd never be meeting them again. He had never been more relieved and joyous to see his friends, and his eyes welled up in relief.
"Thank you, guys. Thank you so much," Dave knew that while he fought the robot down, Lucas and Vance had fought from above and it was Vance who saved him. He was eternally gratefully and indebted to him.
"Hey, don't. If you thank me again, I'm going to charge you," Vance said graciously, still staring at the rifle in his hands. Suddenly, he felt powerful, as if he was the mightiest person alive.
"Enough of the adventure. We're going home!" Ryker shouted, his voice filled with excitement and relief.
"Home," Dave sighed, his nerves calming down gradually. "I missed it more than ever. I thought I wouldn't ever return to Velomore."
"What the hell happened down there and what are those things?" Ryker asked, intrigued to learn what had transpired in the lab and how they had provoked such deadly things.
Lucas and Vance looked at each and pursed their lips. Even Dave became serious, his expression grave yet unfathomable.
"Guys?" Ryker sensed the tension in the air and glanced at Dave, who was sitting beside him. "What happened?"
"Lucas was right," Vance said after a few seconds of sorting his thoughts. "Wren and Jackson, who the lab belongs to, were experimenting on humans. It was they who created the monsters."
"Fuck!" Lucas smacked his head all of a sudden, startling the three men.
Vance even jolted in shock, his eyes widening in alarm when he saw Lucas's regretful expression.
"What's wrong, Lucas?"
"I forgot to bring the experiment files with me. In a hurry to escape from the robots, I completely forgot about it."
It had been on his mind when he had taken a look at the files, but the thought had slipped his mind completely when he was being chased by the robots.
"Do you really need those files?" Ryker asked, looking down for a moment.
"It will be helpful to create a better tranquilizer. Maybe we can even find something that could reverse the experimental effect and save the humans who turned to monsters." Lucas wasn't confident. But it was worth a try. Since the files had all the information they needed, it would help with their experiment.
Everyone went silent, convinced by Lucas. They were still in Aslan. It would take them a few minutes at most to return to the laboratory.
However, it was the danger that lay within the lab that perturbed them. What if they were chased by robots again? They were lucky once. Would they be lucky another time?
Lucas knew the consequence of going to the lab again and he was unwilling to put his friends' lives at risk again. So, he shook away the thought of going back immediately.
But the other three didn't think so. They were already in Aslan and since they had found something that could protect them from the monsters, they had to try their best.
What was the use of going back when they had no way of protecting themselves? They were willing to take the risk if that meant they could prolong their lives even for a day.
"Ryker, let's go back," Vance ordered. Since he was the oldest among the four, he was in command.
"Vance, are you sure? It could be dangerous," Lucas warned, not convinced by him.
"I am, and don't worry, I have this." Vance raised his rifle, making Lucas smile. Yet, he wasn't that convinced.
"Lucas, if we don't go back today, we don't know if we can return in the future. What if the monsters mutate again and we all end up becoming its food?"
Lucas shivered at the mere thought. He didn't want to get his limbs torn or become a monster's food.
"Fine. But we're leaving at the first signs of danger," Lucas relented, and Vance nodded.
"I'll go with you guys," Ryker said suddenly.
"What? Why?" Vance looked at him, displeased.
What was this kid trying to do? Does he think we are going to a party?
"I want to see what's inside the lab. After listening to you guys, my curiosity is at its peak."
"Oh, trust me, you don't want to go there. It's a nightmare." Lucas still felt chills whenever he recalled all that he had seen inside the laboratory. He was damn sure he wouldn't be getting any good sleep for the next few days.
"I wouldn't recommend it as well. It's horrifying and traumatic," Dave too tried to convince the man, explaining to him all that they had seen.
Finally, after a lot of persuasion, Ryker didn't remain stubborn anymore. It was decided only Lucas and Vance would go to the lab.
Ryker hovered the chopper above the laboratory, surveying the area down like a hawk. Since it was already morning, he could see everything clearly.
When he was absolutely sure that there was no danger, he lowered the chopper until they were a mere inches away from the ground.
Lucas and Vance were quick. They clutched their rifles tight, not caring about the machine guns. The rifle in Vance's hands could melt robots. Could anything else survive?
Lucas sprinted inside the laboratory while Vance followed him, keeping a vigilant eye around him.
Luckily, there wasn't danger, and they reached the room where Lucas had stumbled upon the files. Without wasting time, he picked up all the files on the desk. They were enough.
Lucas showed a thumbs up to Vance and they started retracing their footsteps immediately, desperate to get out of the place soon.
Neither Lucas nor Vance noticed a pair of eyes watching their every move secretly.