Last chapter. The Heaven's Wing

Is everyone but Corbin loading the power plant parts?

Also, if there are terminals nearby, Hank will try to find if there is any security cameras he can tap into. I figure the power plant was for the gateway, not the entire area, so we should have operable systems to use. But we need some eyes on the noise. Remote eyes are best.

Yes — everyone but Corbin was focused on loading the power plant parts onto the grav-sleds. So far, Corbin was the only one at the hyperdrive, untangling and freeing it with careful, precise movements.

Hank, thinking quickly, broke away for a moment and scanned the nearby terminals. His hope was that maybe he could tap into security cameras, get a look at what was causing the commotion without sending someone directly into danger. He quickly realized, though, that the entire lab’s main power grid was completely offline. Only the emergency systems — the red lights and basic life support — were still running.

Whatever was causing the gunfire, they would have to face it with their own eyes — or not at all.

Working swiftly, the team finished loading the last of the power plant parts onto the grav-sleds. Mercer and Douklan secured the heavy components in place while Hank, still on edge from the earlier noise, kept glancing toward the shadowy corridors beyond the lab. Erin, pale and wounded but stubborn, leaned against the sled, her laser rifle still clutched tightly in one hand. Maya hovered near her, ready to offer support if needed.

Once the sleds were ready, they maneuvered them back toward the sensor lab, where Corbin was continuing his work around the now-dormant wormhole machinery.

As the group gathered around Corbin, preparing to discuss their next move, a clattering sound from the northeast entrance snapped their attention toward it. Emerging from the gloom came a security robot — a humanoid model, battered but still functional. Its voice crackled from a damaged speaker:

"Requesting armed human assistance. Automated security procedures unable to contain the creatures. Immediate intervention required."

Its optical sensors flickered, and it turned its chassis slightly, almost urgently, as if beckoning them to follow.

"Question: what is the proximity of the creatures?" Douklan asks the robot, snatching up his weapon once more.

Without taking his eyes off of his work, "Somebody plant some explosives..."

The security robot paused, its optical sensors flashing a dull orange as it processed. Its metallic voice responded:

"Proximity: Close. Multiple hostiles, including a huge one, approaching. Cause of breach: containment failure and ongoing power shortage."

"Directive: All self-powered units must respond. Humans included. Assistance is mandatory under station protocols."

Without further ceremony, the robot swiveled and stomped away, moving toward the animal testing labs.

Sounds like there is a threat. If we could leave this second I would say we leave, but since we can't let's take care of it.
But I am worried about fighting here, where we may shoot into those fuel tanks. Let's setup right past them.
I don't want to chase the creatures I totally the lab, too many enterenaces. Mercer marks where he is talking about on our map.

"We can't plant explosives as the risk to the fuel tanks is too great. We have to fight them the old fashioned way. Unfortunately.

"How much longer do you need, Corbin?"

I assume we all reload before starting the new fight.

Mercer will take south.
(I assume I couldn't have gotten any more healing in the meanwhile?)
I think we need our best shot south as well.
Also we may want to set up some sort of basic barrier, even if it's a metal table turned over

Douklan will follow the damaged robot through the north door.

Hank says, "We currently only have four possible combatants: Douklan, Corbin, Mercer, and Hank. Erin is basically out of the fight except in a 'final confrontation'; Maya is similar in that she is only there for a 'final confrontation' type conflict. So, that's two per door assuming we pull Corbin from his task. Otherwise it is only three total available.

"So, first question: Is Corbin joining the fight?

"If not, there are only three. In that case, it is probably Mercer and I on one door and Douklan on the other (since he is the best we have). We can position Erin and Maya in the center to back up whichever door needs support the most.

"If so, then we have four. In this case, the best split is probably Douklan and Mercer on one door, and Corbin and I on the other door, with Erin and Maya still in reserve."