In space, where silence is louder than screams, the Falcon-07 was approaching its target: the giant Korones satellite, which looked like a demonic eye spying on Venus from the sky.
Korones's outer shell was slowly rotating, emitting green flashes, each flash a surveillance, each spin a death scorpion.
Inside the craft...
Marco (looking out the window):
"It looks like a giant metal cake... only tasteless, and loaded with cannons."
Savio (lightly handling his weapon):
"Is that what we're going to blow up? I hope it has a kill switch, or at least a user manual."
Colombo (typing commands into the control panel):
"No switch... and no mercy. This thing is designed to survive even the end of the world."
Franco (looking at the screen):
"The magnetic field is increasing. We'll stop at 800 meters and use the grenade launcher."
Irina (seriously):
"Who's going to move in?"
Lucchini (coldly):
"Who said we need a volunteer? Let's send Marco, he loves desperate adventures."
Marco (raises an eyebrow):
"I'll only go if there's a break room and a minibar."
Rocco (advancing):
"I'll go. I have a clean record of sneaking into impossible places... and my heart isn't afraid anymore."
Franco (puts his hand on Rocco's shoulder):
"You're not going alone."
Daniel (looking at them):
"Nor you. This mission belongs to me... I started the chaos, and it's time to finish it."
**
Moments later...
The pressure is mounting, the lights are dimmed, and Rocco, Daniel, and Franco are wearing their special pressure suits, standing at the door of the hand launcher.
Irina (looking at them):
"You'll only have 15 minutes inside Coronus before full-wave broadcasting begins. After that, all human code will be erased."
Colombo (smirking):
"I've put a temporary jamming device in your bags... Don't touch it, don't sing to it, just press the red button when you arrive."
Savio (looking at them seriously):
"And if we fail?"
Franco:
"Let's leave them something to regret."
Marco (raising his fist):
"And if we succeed... I'll retire and open a pizzeria, and I'll call it 'Coronus Pizza - Taste That Explodes.'"
**
The launcher launches...
A few seconds later, the distance turns from a void into an abyss. The light increases, the launcher wobbles, until it slams into the wall of Coronus. The door slowly opens, and they are greeted by... darkness.
Inside Coronus...
Cold corridors, electronic hissing sounds, and robotic eyes blinking from the walls.
Rocco (walking slowly):
"I feel like we're in the stomach of an alien monster."
Daniel (watching a holographic map):
"The reactor's in the middle. But the defense systems are connected to the main nerves."
Franco:
"We need to cut off the power... before we plant the bomb."
Suddenly, the alarms go off. Red light floods the room. The sounds of robotic footsteps quickly approach.
Rocco (getting ready):
"It's time to strike, no kidding."
Franco (smiling):
"I hate this part... and I love it."
**
A Fierce Firefight
Every bullet rang out like a scream, and every wrong move could mean the end of someone. Franco lunges at a massive robot and destroys it with an electric sword. Daniel covers his back with a smart weapon that fires electromagnetic pulses.
Rocco (smoothly firing):
"Did I mention I hate tight spaces?!"
**
After a few terrifying moments...
They arrived at the heart of Coronus. A huge transparent chamber, with a glowing core inside, surrounded by robotic sentinels.
Franco (kneeling to place the bomb):
"Only three minutes... No room for error."
Daniel (breathing heavily):
"You look like your father now... Don't say you don't see it."
Franco (looking at him calmly):
"I see him... and I see you."
**
A robotic voice suddenly rises...
Coronus (in a synthesized voice):
"Franco Batu... identified. Level 1 threat. Destruction in 90 seconds."
Rocco (looking through the glass):
"No time. Get out, I'll finish the job."
Franco (refuses):
"We're not here to sacrifice, we're here to finish the game together."
**
Mild explosions begin at the edges of the room...
Daniel (aiming at the cooling tank):
"If we blow this up, the nerves will be off, and the bomb could work."
Franco:
"Are you sure?"
Daniel (smiling sadly):
"I'm the father... and this is my last job."
Rocco (looking at them):
"You lunatics... don't die without me."
**
Final shots, voices lowering... then:
Franco (pressing the button):
"Bomb planted..."
Coronus (in a distorted voice):
"Reboot... System error... Unknown identity... Franco... Franco..."
**
Franco looks at the cracked core...
Franco (whispering):
"Time to sleep, monster."