Apocalypse Architect: A Tower Defense LitRPG

Chapter 139: Infiltrating the Family Lab

Armed with the map and defense data, Jax immediately began formulating a strategy for The Sprawl.

His primary tactic relied on aggression management. His own Bastion walls had a unique property: they were practically invisible to the swarm unless provoked, causing the monsters to prioritize other targets. If the walls of The Sprawl could be modified to do the opposite—to funnel the aggression into kill zones—they might stand a chance.

However, the reality was grim. Even if Jax provided the blueprints for advanced walls and the Energy Shards to power them, the construction time was prohibitive. They didn’t have weeks; they had hours.

Jax paced the room, then turned to Sawyer. “Can you control the [Defense Tower R&D Center]?”

Sawyer shook his head, frustration etched on his face. “If I could, I would have already deployed the prototypes. That lab is the key to everything, but it’s locked down.”

“Is everything offline?”

“Director Kaine locked the system,” Sawyer explained. “He’s loyal to my older brother, Slade. Even though Kaine and I are on good terms, he won’t defy the patriarch’s orders. The lab is sealed tight.”

Jax thought for a moment. “Then I need to go there personally.”

Sawyer blinked. “Brother, no offense, but if they won’t open the door for me, why would they listen to you?”

“Because Dr. Aris owes me a favor,” Jax grinned. “Remember the tower blueprints I sold him?”

Sawyer slapped his forehead. “Right! I completely forgot about your connection with Aris. He’s the lead researcher! If he helps us, we can bypass Kaine entirely.”

“Exactly,” Jax said. “We need to go. Now.”

“Butler!” Sawyer shouted. “Prepare the car!”

But Sawyer was too impatient to wait for the driver. He grabbed the keys himself, practically dragging Jax into the armored sedan. They tore out of the compound, engine roaring.

Sawyer drove like a man possessed. He treated the debris-strewn streets of The Sprawl like a rallycross track, smashing through barricades and drifting around corners.

“Slow down!” Jax yelled, gripping the safety handle as they narrowly missed a burning dumpster. “The city is small; we don’t need to break the sound barrier!”

“You don’t understand!” Sawyer shouted over the engine, eyes manic. “This city is my life’s work! If I lose it, I have to go back to Redrock and… inherit my family’s fortune!”

Jax stared at him. “You poor thing. That sounds terrible.”

“It is!” Sawyer insisted, swerving to avoid a pedestrian and scraping the paint off the door against a wall. “I want to build something of my own!”

Jax sighed. “Just keep your eyes on the road, rich boy.”

They screeched to a halt in front of the Defense Tower R&D Center. The facility was a fortress, surrounded by high walls and sealed by a massive blast gate. Guards patrolled the perimeter, looking nervous.

“We can’t get in through the front,” Sawyer cursed, slamming the steering wheel. “Kaine has it on total lockdown.”

He scanned the area, his eyes landing on a dilapidated building adjacent to the lab’s rear wall.

“There,” Sawyer pointed. “We caught a thief trying to break in from that roof last month. It overlooks the loading yard.”

They abandoned the car and entered the ruined building. It was occupied by a group of terrified refugees huddling in the shadows.

Sawyer didn’t hesitate. He pulled a handful of [Tier 2 Cores] from his pocket and tossed them onto the floor.

“This building is requisitioned,” Sawyer announced. “Take the money and find a safer hole.”

The refugees scrambled for the valuable crystals, fighting each other as they fled the premises.

Sawyer led Jax to the roof. From there, they could see into the R&D compound. The yard was crawling with guards, far more than usual.

“That’s a lot of guns,” Jax noted.

“Doesn’t matter,” Sawyer said, adjusting his ruined suit. “We just need to get inside. Once we’re in, they can’t shoot me. I’m still a Sun.”

Jax looked at the gap between the buildings. It was a 10-meter jump.

“Can you make that?” Jax asked skeptically. “You’re not exactly built for parkour.”

“Watch me,” Sawyer said, stepping back to get a running start. “I might not be an Awakener, but I didn’t skip cardio.”

He sprinted and launched himself into the air. It wasn’t graceful, flailing his arms like a windmill, but he cleared the gap, landing heavily on the lab’s roof. He rolled, coming up with a grimace, favoring his ankle.

“I’m good!” Sawyer wheezed, waving.

Jax shook his head and leaped effortlessly, landing silently beside him.

“Let’s go,” Jax said, supporting Sawyer as they limped toward the roof access door.

They barely made it 10 steps before a spotlight hit them.

“Halt! Hands in the air!”

A squad of guards had them surrounded, rifles leveled.

“Don’t shoot!” Sawyer shouted, raising his hands. “It’s me! Sawyer!”

The captain of the guard squinted, lowering his weapon slightly. “Second Young Master? What the hell are you doing on the roof?”

Sawyer dusted off his suit, trying to regain his dignity. “Do you think I wanted to break in? You locked the front door! I need to see Dr. Aris immediately.”

“Dr. Aris?” The captain looked confused. “He’s in the secure wing. But Director Kaine ordered—”

“I don’t care what Kaine ordered!” Sawyer barked. “Take me to Aris. Now!”