ANMELDENNew Haven did not hold Evelyn and Stella’s hearing in secret because Aaron refused. Their betrayal had endangered the city, and the evidence needed to be handled like a crime against New Haven rather than a private argument between people connected through failed relationships. The leadership chamber was full when Natasha arrived. Aaron sat at the head of the table. Victor and Rowan occupied places near him, with Marcus, Ryker and Claire representing military and security leadership. Liora sat beside a secure terminal because she had reconstructed the digital trail from Stella’s communication access and Eden’s response. Nyra remained near the rear with two security officers. Josh was also present. Natasha took her usual seat near Aaron. Dax, Silas and Garrick did not need to sit through the full hearing. Victor had kept them on military readiness with the rest of Natasha’s field team. That felt more natural than forcing everyone into one room simply because they mattered to Nata
The next morning, Caleb and Leon had become the most discussed subjects in New Haven. People had not seen them directly, but rumors travelled faster than official reports. Two superior Cerberus commanders had followed Natasha home from Eden. One had carried her during the escape. Both obeyed her. Neither had attacked anyone. Victor solved the immediate problem by moving them to a secured military training compound away from the residential districts. Claire approved the choice. “If we treat them like animals, we will get animal responses.” Victor looked at her. “And if we treat them like soldiers?” “We find out whether there are soldiers left.” That was exactly what Natasha wanted to know. When she arrived at the training compound, her entire team was already there. Rowan stood with Victor near the observation table. Nyra had taken position on an elevated platform with her rifle, not because she intended to shoot but because she wanted a clear view of everything. Dax stood besi
Aaron did not release Natasha until the medical team reached them. Even then, his arms tightened before he finally allowed the doctors to transfer her onto a stretcher. Natasha was exhausted, but she was conscious enough to notice how hard his jaw had become. He had barely said anything since taking her from Caleb’s arms, and that silence worried her more than shouting would have. “I can walk,” she murmured. “You were being carried by a Cerberus five minutes ago. You can survive being pushed on a stretcher.” Natasha almost smiled, but his expression stopped her. A few feet away, Victor was already turning the chaotic arrival into an organized military operation. Arsenal soldiers secured the road while Ryker directed New Haven troops toward the returning convoy. Evelyn and Stella were placed under armed escort immediately, and Rowan moved toward the stolen Omega equipment with Elias. Then Natasha heard a familiar voice. “Lieutenant.” She turned her head. Nyra was running toward
The first security team lasted less than thirty seconds. Prime One hit the front guard hard enough to throw him across the corridor. Prime Two used the Stabilizer module in one arm while catching another soldier’s rifle with the other hand. Metal bent beneath his fingers. Natasha moved behind them. “Do not kill!” Prime One caught a man by the chest, then he stopped. For one frightening second, Natasha thought the command had come too late. Then he dropped the soldier alive and turned toward her. Natasha nodded. “Good.” The Cerberus commander moved again, then they reached the elevator. It was locked. Prime Two placed the Omega module down. Natasha tried Prime authorization. ACCESS DENIED. “Adrian changed it.” Prime One struck the door. Nothing happened. He did again. The metal dented. Natasha looked toward the service corridor. “No. We don’t have time.” She remembered Evelyn’s information. Lower west route, Level seventeen or eighteen. They were currently on the fourteen
Adrian came to Natasha personally the next morning, and that told her everything she needed to know. He believed she was close to cooperating and accepting him. And of becoming useful on his terms. But Natasha intended to let him enjoy that belief for a little longer. “I made a decision,” she said. Adrian stopped. “What decision?” “I’ll help you test the Omega interface.” His expression barely changed. But Natasha saw the satisfaction. “And Cerberus?” “One thing at a time.” “You want conditions.” “Yes.” “I expected that.” Natasha stood. “I want full access to the Omega research while we work.” “Supervised.” “Fine.” “I want continued biological monitoring.” “Fine.” “And I want your cooperation with Prime command testing.” Natasha pretended to consider it. “As long as you stop using pain frequencies on them.” Adrian smiled slightly. “Agreed.” He thought he had won. Natasha almost admired how easy pride made intelligent people to manipulate. *** The Prime commanders
Aaron stood over the tactical table while Victor watched him move the same marker for the third time. “Can you stop doing that?” Aaron looked up. “What?” “Trying to turn uncertainty into a map.” Aaron straightened. “I am looking at possible surface exits.” “You looked at them ten minutes ago.” “And now I’m looking again.” Victor folded his arms. And Rowan stood nearby. Elias continued monitoring the communication system. No one had heard from Natasha. That silence had lasted too long and Aaron hated it. He looked toward Hargrove. “You’re sure these service exits existed?” “Years ago.” “That is not what I asked.” “Eden changed continuously. I cannot promise they still exist.” Aaron’s jaw tightened. Victor stepped closer. “You need sleep.” “I slept enough while she was drugging me.” The room went quiet. But Victor did not react. “Fine. Then eat.” “I’m not hungry.” “Ross.” Aaron turned, and Victor held his gaze. “If Doctor Reese gets herself out of that place, you had
The air in the dining room was heavy from the moment breakfast began. No one said anything at first. Plates were set, food was served, and chairs scraped lightly against the floor as everyone ate. It looked like a normal morning, but it did not feel like one. Natasha sat quietly, her hands resting
Virginia (2040) Natasha Reese woke up to a banging headache that made it hard to breathe. The pain sat heavy behind her eyes and pressed against her skull, she gasped, fighting through the sleepy fog until her lungs filled with air again. Sweat covered her skin, making her black tank top stick to
The morning air felt cold. Josh paced along the porch, his eyes fixed on the heavy iron gates. Natasha had been taken away for the past twenty-four hours, and there was nothing he could do to bring her back. The weight of it sat deep in his chest. “She’s gone, Josh,” Martha said as she sipped her
“Wait… don’t tell me you’re infected?” Martha said, her voice rising in panic. “Stop, Mom. What are you talking about?” Josh cut in quickly, trying to shut her down. Even as he spoke, he understood what she meant, and that made his chest tighten. Natasha forced herself to stay calm. “I don’t know







