[h2][color=gray]Underwater Cave, Ruins[/color][/h2]
[@Lexisheeps]

[hr]

[i][b]"Yeah, but are you sure it's ancient?"[/b][/i]

There was a pause, almost as if there was a slight hesitation, before the assistant spoke again. [b]"My records indicate the preliminary scans suggest this site shows evidence of civilization from 4700 BC. But, if you see anything that doesn't fit that model of thinking, I would kindly ask that you [i]disregard it[/i]."[/b]

She seemed to be hiding something, but it was uncertain as to what she didn't want Nick to question further.

[i][b]"I thought you said I was down here alone."[/b][/i]

The sounds of whirring and alarms could be heard from the assistant as silver and white drones sped towards the tower. [b]"No, no, that's impossible."[/b] Was her soft reply, mumbling to herself in disbelief.[b] "I checked, I swore it- Argh. I'm sending drones to the site, don't-"[/b]

But Nick was already moving towards the tower. The assistant quickly chimed in. [b]"Don't risk yourself to save it, I'm telling you right now-"[/b]

As Nick lined his sights and took the shot, the hollow thump as the body of the wolf-like creature fell was the only tell-tale sign that the bullets had struck true. The girl tore her arm from the jaws of the beast, the flesh torn and bloodied. Her brilliant eyes locked on her rescuer immediately, a mixture of trepidation and gratitude emanating from them.

But the peace wouldn't last. 


[hr]
[h2][color=gray]Underwater Cave, Tower[/color][/h2]
[@Lexisheeps], [@WhiteAngel25]

[hr]

Howls of anguish echoed from all around the ruins as the pack of wolf-like creatures circled, mourning their loss. There was a gnash of teeth and a new scent, foreign yet familiar with the way of ancient ruins, that mingled with the other two scents. The dark wolves acted quickly, one branch splitting off from the pack to herd Stella off from going beyond the tower. If they were successful, the scene would unfold as thus: three strangers, Nick, Stella, and the small girl, staring at the circling, growling masses as the wolves drew closer to their prey.

Two drones watched from afar, taking in the scene. Back at the HiveMind headquarters, the live feed of a new unknown, Stella, brought with it cause for alarm within the room. 

[b]"Who the hell is that?"

"I don't know, sir."

"Not the answer I'm looking for, Brenda. You're fired."[/b]

A pause.[b] "Yes sir."[/b]

The lead researcher continued, his voice bellowing through the headquarters of HiveMind. [b]"I want details on this new explorer stat. If we can use them to further our own ends on this site, good. If they're from a rival researcher, we will have to guard our secrets very, very closely."[/b]

Back at the tower, the small girl seemed to hold back a whimper, pulling herself off the ground and withdrawing a [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mask_from_Provadia#/media/File:Alien-mask-02.jpg]small artifact[/url] from her pocket. She held it up, eyes briefly flashing before a beam of concentrated dark energy fired from the artifact, vaporizing the nearest wolf-like creature. In response, the wolves howled, bearing their teeth and preparing to pounce as a collective.

[b]"Quick, the rope!"[/b] She said, her voice high and whispery, her hand outstretched to the crumbled entrance to the tower. If Nick and Stella looked, they would see within the tower was a dangling bit of rope that was attached to a rock outcropping 20 feet up, a place they could get away from the wolves if they didn't feel confident enough to take on the remaining ten or so monsters circling like ravens.