LOGINChristy stared at the words. She had wondered when the system would offer something beyond tasks and points. She focused on the notification, and a simple list opened in her vision. The available items were limited: a basic trauma kit, a portable water filter, and emergency ration packs. Each had a price listed beside it. There were no weapons, miracle cures, or magical solutions to the problems waiting outside the bunker. She examined the trauma kit first. Bandages, dressings, antiseptic wipes, and basic wound-care supplies. It could be useful, especially with Franc’s injury, but it wouldn’t cure a Burrower infection. The portable filter might come in handy if they ever had to abandon their shelter, though their existing water system was still functioning. The ration packs were practical, but food wasn’t their most urgent problem at the moment. She had fifteen points. Buying the trauma kit and a filter would leave her with nothing, and she didn’t know when she’d earn more. After
In the corridor, a soldier directed her toward the reception area. She followed the signs until she reached a junction where two medical staff members stood beside a trolley.One of them was speaking to a man in ordinary clothes. He looked around forty, with a bandage wrapped around his forearm. His face was pale, and he kept glancing toward a locked door.“You told us this was a voluntary screening,” he said.“It was,” the female staff member replied. “You signed the consent form.”“I agreed to a blood test. I didn’t agree to being kept here.” His voice rose slightly, and he looked toward the guard standing nearby. “I want to see my wife. She doesn’t even know where I am.”“Please lower your voice,” the woman said, keeping her tone measured.“Then tell me what’s happening!”The guard stepped forward and took the man’s arm.The man immediately pulled away. “Don’t touch me. I’m not going anywhere until someone explains what’s going on.”The guard caught his arm again, this time holding
The lift carried her to another floor. When the doors opened, she found herself in a quieter section of the compound. The corridor was clean, the lights bright, and the doors marked with identification numbers rather than department names.Warren led her to an office at the end.A woman seated behind a desk looked up and gave a brief nod. She checked Christy’s identification band before opening the inner door.“Director’s office,” she announced.Christy stepped inside.The room was larger than she expected, with a desk, several chairs, and a wall of windows overlooking the compound’s rear perimeter. A man in his late fifties stood beside the desk, speaking to someone whose back was turned toward the door.Jace.His shoulders were rigid, and his hands were clasped behind him. He looked toward Christy as she entered, but he said nothing.The director turned.“Ah, Ms. Knox. Thank you for coming.”He had an easy smile, the sort that might have been reassuring in another setting. He gestur
For the next several minutes, nothing happened. Then a group of soldiers crossed the courtyard below. Two of them were escorting a familiar figure. Jace. His dark cloak was gone, though the black mask still covered his face. He wore a plain dark shirt, and his hands were held loosely in front of him. There were no visible restraints, but the soldiers walked close enough to make it clear that he wasn’t free to wander. Christy rose from the chair. “That’s him,” she said. Shedrack came to stand beside her. Jace looked up briefly. Their eyes met through the distance, and Christy saw something in his posture change. He didn’t wave or call out. He simply lowered his gaze and continued walking. The soldiers led him through a door on the far side of the courtyard, one marked with a red identification strip. Christy tried to memorise the location. A moment later, another soldier entered the room without knocking. He glanced between them before addressing Christy. “Captain Warren req
Christy wanted to refuse, but she had fifteen additional survivors depending on her decisions, along with Shedrack and Cal. Picking a fight with the captain before understanding the compound would accomplish nothing. “Fine,” she said. “But I want confirmation that our serum and research notes are intact. I also want to speak to whoever is examining them.” Warren nodded. “I’ll make the necessary arrangements.” “Not tomorrow. Not whenever it’s convenient. As soon as possible.” “I’ll pass on your request.” He walked away before she could respond. Christy watched him go, her jaw tightening. “He’s very good at answering questions without answering them,” she muttered. Shedrack gave a tired sigh. “At least we’re alive, and the serum made it here.” “We don’t know what condition it’s in.” “They said it arrived safely.” “They also said they’d let us speak to the medical staff. Have they?” He fell silent. She knew he wanted to believe that the facility could give them what they nee
For a moment, Christy thought he was going to resist. His shoulders tightened beneath his dark cloak, and his fingers curled at his sides. The soldier nearest him shifted his stance, ready to grab him if necessary. Then Jace relaxed. “Fine,” he said. The answer came so quickly that Christy frowned. A few seconds earlier, he had looked ready to fight anyone who came near him. Now he was cooperating as though he had already considered every possible outcome and decided that resistance would only make things worse. One of the soldiers gestured toward the corridor. Jace followed without asking another question. Christy stepped forward. “Wait. Where exactly are you taking him?” “It’s an internal matter,” the officer replied. “He came here with us. If you have questions for him, you can ask them in front of us.” Jace glanced back at her. Even with the mask hiding most of his face, she could tell he wasn’t pleased. “Don’t,” he said quietly. Christy stared at him. “Don’t what?” “Ge







