Apocalyptic Rebirth: With a repairman system space, she rises again.

Hades remained behind until the last vehicle left and then he sent everyone out and sealed the tunnel. It was guarded by three iron doors, and the very last one was like the door of a bank vault.

He hated sealing it, but Sunshine had insisted that he do so. If anything other than the team came from the other side, it would have to be suppressed and killed in the tunnel before it ever found a way into the base.

His head was lowered as he returned to the command center and joined others that were on monitoring duty, keeping an eye on the skies and forest.

"The watchers left." Morris told him.

Hades nodded. He had already noticed that the birds were gone, and the bubble was claw free and undisturbed like it was when the watchers were playing around on it.

Rori entered the command center with the boys and White. Normally, she was seen carrying Leo or Castiel but tonight, White had taken their place. She had even dressed the bear in a jacket and a blanket. He was suckling on an almost empty bottle of milk.

Castiel was in Warren's arms, appearing to be asleep as he had his thumb in his mouth.

"Why are you all here?" He asked, ruffling Castiel's hair.

"Cass has a fever." Rori told him. "White is also hot, I don't know if it's a fever or something else. He won't let me put him down or allow someone else touch him. I am taking them to the medic bay, and I need you to go with us."

Hades clenched his jaw and his eyes looked back at the monitor. With Sunshine out there, his most important mission was to keep an eye on the cameras. At the same time, the health of the children mattered.

"I have got this boss." Owen told him.

"Trust me, she would want you to prioritize this." Rori told him.

None of them wanted to say more and alert the children to the fact that their mother had gone outside. The last thing Rori wanted was a sick Castiel throwing a tantrum.

He picked up Castiel and nodded at Owen. "Stay awake and sharp, if anything goes wrong, call me immediately."

Hades followed his mother to the medic bay, but half of his soul remained in the command center.

****

The vehicles in the tunnel moved speedily as there was not a moment to waste. They were quiet, like thieves in the night and so were those who were going on the mission. No one spoke and not even the radios made a crackle.

The only sounds seeping into the ears of everyone was the controlled breathing of their neighbors. And it was nervous breathing. Only Sunshine seemed calm enough to control her breathing and even close her eyes and relax.

"The trucks cannot go any further." Sunshine said out of the blue and she opened her eyes.

Elio stopped the car, and she stepped out. The exit of the tunnel had another vault door which needed her fingerprints to be opened. She did so quickly, and cold air rushed inside. The snowflakes were like tourists, eager to visit new territory.

Elio stepped outside first; the faint glow of the moonlight revealed the sharp edges of his face. His eyes narrowed as his sight stretched beyond the human range. His gaze swept the ground lingering on the broken trees, the scattered vines, searching for enemies both animal and human.

He turned his eyes skyward next, scanning the heavens for watchers. There was nothing, not even a slight sight of them yet he had seen them take off as they left. So, where were they hiding?

"All clear," Elio's voice carried with certainty, lightly tapping each truck.

The first thing Sunshine did was stare upward. And she had the same question as Elio. "Where the hell are these damn birds." The last thing she wanted was a surprise attack.

The others descended in silence. Their boots hit the ground with a measured thud of trained men. Each man shouldered his dragonoid or gun, hands tense but disciplined, though unease gnawed at them as the bitter cold hit their faces.

Sunshine moved to the front, her presence commanding as she raised her voice, steady and firm. "We are entering the forest now. Your night vision goggles are not ordinary. They will help you identify some of the mutated plants but not all. Do not grow complacent. Watch your steps, even roots can be lethal.

Do not touch anything that looks appealing like flowers or touch the leaves. Most importantly I do not expect you to drink anything. Just because the acid rain stopped does not mean the water outside is clean. I know that you are all aware that it is poisonous, but I must still mention it.

You have survival kits each with water specially made in such a way that only a few drops will hydrate you. If you run out of energy, pop a coconut bean and keep moving. In fact, eat some now before we move."

They nodded. "Yes ma'am."

The soldiers moved with efficiency, taking sips of water and stuffing coconut beans into their mouths. At the back, one man touched his mask awkwardly. His face was a little pale, sheen of sweat visible even in the cold and his eyes darted around. He was not doing what others were doing.

"You there, is anything the matter?" Sunshine asked, voice firm but kind. "If you do not feel well, stay back and wait because we won't have time to carry you around."

"I am fine," he said too quickly. His throat bobbed as he swallowed, eyes refusing to meet hers.

She stared at him longer, the doubt trickling at her spine, but she didn't press.

"Keep your masks on, " Sunshine reminded them again, her voice slightly muffled by her own. "There is a mist in this forest, it could be thin, invisible, maybe even harmless but who knows? Let's Move." Sunshine ordered.

Elio took his place at her side and so did Hadrian as Hades had given him the task of protecting his wife.

As Elio scanned for which path was safe to take, Sunshine swept the snow out of their way.

The forest seemed to be more alive than ever with leaves pulsing like they were breathing, moving roots and glowing, twisting branches that seemed discolored.

There boots crunched lightly on the snow carpet, some vines recoiling when stepped on jerking back in the ground as though in pain.

Hadrian arched a brow. "Did you see that?"

"Some will attach or attack so be more careful." Sunshine answered.

The team moved with precision despite the heavy load that they carried.

It was all perfect in the beginning but then came a scream, low but loud. The whole team froze, hearts hammering. Sunshine spun, sprinting towards the back of the group.

A man had collapsed, the same one that caught her eye right before they set off. His body convulsed in the heavy snow. Hadrian crouched over him; hands pressed uselessly against the man's chest.

White foam poured from the fallen man's mouth, bubbling, chocking him as he writhed. His eyes rolled back, limbs jerking with unnatural spasms, then he stilled.

"He is dead." Sunshine declared.

"What? Just like that? Why?" Tommy took a few steps back, scared.

Sunshine let out a long sigh. "This is what happens when you do not listen. I said keep your masks on and he took his off for some stupid reason. Let's move."

"We cannot leave our comrade behind!" One man said.

Sunshine paused mid-step and replied coldly. "We will bury him after dealing with the bugs, for now we move before they sense us. Anyone that is afraid should turn back now."