As they followed Elias deeper into the bunker, he explained that he was part of a small group of survivors who had escaped the Tet's drones and hidden underground during the war. They had been living in isolation ever since, unable to confirm if anyone else had survived.
"We've been monitoring the planet," Elias said. "Looking for signs of life. When we detected your settlement, we decided to take the risk and broadcast."
Julia glanced at Jack. "Why now? After all this time?"
Elias's expression darkened. "Because something's happening. The Tet's destruction didn't wipe out all its remnants. There's… activity. Signals. Drones we haven't seen before. We think… we think it left something behind."
Jack felt a chill run down his spine. He had suspected as much. The Tet had been vast, its technology incomprehensibly advanced. It was unlikely that destroying its core had completely eradicated its influence.
"We need your help," Elias said, his gaze pleading. "You're the only one who knows their technology. You're the only one who can stop it."
Jack looked at Julia. He saw the fear in her eyes, but also the determination. They had fought too hard to reclaim their lives to let the shadow of the Tet linger.
"We'll help," Jack said, his voice steady. "But we do this together."