The vast expanse of desert stretched out under a blazing sun, a stark contrast to the ruins of the undercity in the distance. Hector, the half-man, half-robot scientist, stood alongside Mara, Matilda, Cassandra, and Sakura. His metallic frame reflected the sunlight, his human features weathered but smiling.
Behind them, the crumbled remains of Area 52—the once-thriving hive of the undercity—lay in absolute desolation. The ground was cracked, buildings reduced to rubble, and the faint echoes of chaos hung in the air.
Hector turned to the group, his gratitude etched deeply into his voice. "I don't even have the words to thank you," he began. "For so many years, the undercity has been a prison. A hellhole. And today... today, you've given us all a chance to truly be free."
Matilda placed a comforting hand on his metallic shoulder. "You deserve it, Hector. You and the others have been through enough."