The eastern sky was still glowing from the last traces of the setting sun when Commander Aldren stormed through the medical wing. His boots struck the metal floor hard enough to make the nearby trainee doctors turn. Nobody stopped him. Nobody dared. The medical wing was unusually quiet.Too quiet.Usually, the return of a patrol or the disappearance of a lieutenant would have filled the corridors with questions, reports, footsteps, and shouted orders. Tonight there was only the low hum of electrical equipment. And somewhere deeper inside the medical wing. A machine beeped.Once. Twice. Then stopped.Aldren followed the sound. "Elias."No answer. He pushed open the laboratory door."Doctor Elias!"Still nothing. Aldren stepped inside. Then stopped. Dr. Elias was standing with his back toward the door. His white coat was stained. Not with ordinary blood.The sleeves had been rolled almost to his elbows. His left hand rested beneath a bright examination lamp. Tiny puncture marks covered
Last Updated : 2026-08-08
