The elevator cabin slowly moved upwards through the lift shaft, swaying gently. Inside, the four occupants maintained a tense silence, each preparing for the unknown. The soft white light of the cabin reflected strangely off the visors of the RIG helmets, denying Marie a view of their faces. Irina, standing to her right, turned and gave Marie a short nod of reassurance, but kept quiet.
Marie looked up at the elevator's indicator panel, watching the marker of green light steadily creep across it. Two levels left. Marie's gut tightened in anticipation.
"Nicholas, Marie, take the left. Irina, you're with me on the right," Captain Samson's voice hoarse voice came through the RIG's comm systems, and the crew moved to obey. Marie took a stance closest to the doors with Nicholas behind her, the pilot doing all he could to squeeze himself into the scant cover provided by rounded corner of the elevator.
The cabin's motion slowed as it coasted to a gentle stop at the requested floor. "NOW ARRIVING ON THE BRIDGE LEVEL. PREPARE YOUR AUTHORIZATION FOR INSPECTION. HAVE A PLEASANT DAY."
The doors slid open smoothly, and the four occupants of the elevator dashed out onto the Bridge deck. Marie took the lead on the left, her blade held at the ready and Nicholas followed, clutching his rifle to his shoulder.
Marie quickly scanned the T-junction of hallways in front of the elevator, and let out a breath of relief - there was no immediate sign of the monstrous creatures.
"L-looks clear, captain," Nicholas' nervous voice crackled in Marie's ear.
Samson grunted in acknowledgement, then waved his hand toward the wider hallway leading directly away from the elevator doors. "Main bridge section should be this way. We'll check it first. Stack the supplies here, we'll come back for them."
The crew moved to carry out his instructions, hauling out the containers they had loaded up below and roughly stacking them in front of the elevator bank. The task done, Samson turned back to the main hallway. He led the way forward, Irina shadowing him closely. The medic held a pulse pistol in both hands, taking care not to point the weapon at her captain as she covered his back. Marie and Nicholas followed the other pair down the hallway.
A few dozen feet down the hallway the path took a slight turn to the right. Captain Samson carefully approached the corner, then paused his steps, and lowered his rifle to the his side with an audible sigh. "Well, it figures."
Marie and the rest of the crew stepped up to join their captain. Immediately beyond the turn the hallway was blocked by a massive metal door. Large white block lettering stood out against its painted surface, helpfully spelling spelled out "MAIN BRIDGE ENTRANCE". An access terminal was embedded in the bulkhead to the left of the door, some sort of notification flashing across its surface.
"Let me see if I can get it open," Marie stepped up to terminal, fingers tapping at the screen.
"Work fast Marie," Samson grumbled, looking back toward the elevator, "I don't like being stuck here."
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