In the middle of the ocean, tens of kilometers away from any land, the horizon formed an endless watery circle, surrounding Kyle and Brian from all sides. The waves crashed rhythmically, threateningly, and the cold sea wind slapped their faces, carrying with it the heavy scent of salt. They had nothing but the gray sky and the mercilessly stretching water, waiting for the promised rescue team.
Hours passed slowly, as if the hands of time had sunk into the depths of the sea. Suddenly, the silence was torn by a faint vibration in the air, a tingling sensation crawling over the skin, as if the very void itself had begun to crack. Kyle raised his gaze, seeing nothing… until the horizon lines bent and warped as if the light itself were forced to curve, revealing a massive helicopter that seemed to emerge from nothing, peeling away the invisibility cloak that concealed it.
Its hull was covered with a dark layer of nanocrystals connected in a delicate etheric network, absorbing thermal, audio, and optical signals and scattering them, rendering it undetectable even to advanced sensors. Scientists had named it the "Shadow Veil," an unannounced upgrade to the seventh-generation stealth system, said to have been exclusive to elite forces.
The roar of the rotors filled the air, sending sharp gusts that splintered the water surface like shards of crystal. Thick rescue ropes descended from the belly of the helicopter, swaying with the wind.
Kyle said, staring at the machine with a mixture of awe and suspicion:
"Every time I see the new stealth system, I'm more impressed… except for my sister's M16, I've never encountered technology my senses couldn't detect. But… this? This is a whole other level."
A faint smile crossed his face, though inside, questions blazed: Who built it? Did Lia have a hand in this? And what's the real reason for sending such advanced equipment to save them?
The rescue baskets were thrown toward them. They climbed in amidst the rotor's tearing wind, the sea receding beneath their feet.
Once inside the cabin, the smell of oil and metal mixed with medical disinfectants grabbed their attention. The dim white lights swayed with the helicopter's vibration, and the sounds of machinery filled the space.
There, on the side seat, sat Chloe receiving treatment. An oxygen mask covered half her face, and ether tubes ran from her wrist to a device beside the medic.
Kyle, with a sharp tone tinged with frustration:
"Do we really have to wait this long… just because you went to her first? And where's '09'?"
The pilot's assistant glanced from the control panel, replying in a dry tone:
"I think he reached the city earlier. Another helicopter had already gone there some time ago."
Chloe clenched her jaw, jealousy gnawing at her, while Brian noticed her discomfort and tried to ease the tension:
"It's natural… '09' carried the mission objective. He must be treated or interrogated immediately since he doesn't have much time."
But Brian's words did nothing to extinguish the fire in Kyle's heart—they only fueled it, deepening his resentment. How could Chloe get so upset? How could she envy the one who saved her, the one who sacrificed himself for her repeatedly?
Outside the windows, the pilot gave brief commands, and the cabin lights dimmed. The helicopter began to disappear gradually, melting into the sky, departing toward the city like a phantom leaving only echoes behind.
The helicopter landed on the military base platform, rotor echoes fading gradually. The three – Kyle, Brian, and Chloe – disembarked, followed by the watchful eyes of stationed soldiers. The air was heavy with the scent of fuel and iron, and military orders echoed through the area.
As they headed toward Moathan's office, Kyle noticed his sister Lia a few steps ahead, walking between two soldiers, with a man in shackles behind her. Tall and lean, his muscles taut under pale, nearly gray skin, veins dark and twisted across his neck and arms like a network of black ink. His eyes were unnatural… deep irises bisected by a luminous plus sign, as if etched into the very core of his gaze. Each flicker of the mark left an unsettling impression—a mix of danger and sick fascination. A hybrid—genetically modified in his mother's womb, a being caught between human and beast.
Kyle's breath quickened as he approached her, gripping her arm and pulling her away from the guards watching the prisoner. He leaned in, whispering with a pale, tense face:
"What are you going to do with him?… Tear him apart for experiments?"
Lia – whispering coldly:
"Yes… that's exactly what we'll do."
Kyle – sharply:
"When did you start participating in these things?"
Lia – bursting into laughter, her gaze provocative:
"We're only conducting normal experiments, nothing dangerous. He's a criminal. Without experiments, he would have been executed long ago."
Kyle – rubbing his head anxiously:
"Are you sure about that? I don't want to hear you doing things like those… monsters."
Lia – side-smile:
"It's the same experiments we do with you, testing him. As for the other experiments… they stopped long ago—they were no longer useful."
Kyle – leaning closer, lowering his voice with a warning:
"Don't let your tongue slip. I don't want anyone to see me as… a freak."
Lia – coldly:
"When did you start caring what people think?… You're in the army; it will be revealed sooner or later."
Kyle continued to stare into her eyes, while the two soldiers dragged the shackled hybrid down the dark corridor leading to the underground labs, chains clanking with their heavy steps, his glowing eye mark fading into darkness, as if mocking him silently.
Kyle approached Moathan's office and entered as usual, without knocking. Chloe shouted at him angrily:
Chloe: "Do you think this is a farm? How dare you enter without permission?!"
Moathan smiled calmly, trying to ease the tension:
Moathan: "No problem, don't be so rigid."
Kyle, sarcastically: "Your response wasn't like last time… Is he asleep?"
Moathan feigned ignorance, smiling: "Who are you talking about?"
Kyle gave a slight grin: "Nothing."
Brian, ignoring the tense atmosphere, said: "I've finished my report, so I'll be leaving."
Moathan raised an eyebrow coldly, planning the next mission:
Moathan: "Wait… you must catch up with '09' for the execution ceremony of that parasite. I also need you and Chloe after I finish with our little failure."
Kyle, grinding his teeth angrily: "Are you calling me the little failure?"
Moathan, with a mocking smile: "Yes… this is your second consecutive failure. You scored disgracefully on both missions."
Kyle, arrogantly: "And my score?"
Moathan, sternly: "First mission 0/10, second 4/10. Improve, or I'll have to get rid of you. I gave you advantages others didn't have, yet you've shown no merit."
Kyle, frustrated, sighed and shouted: "It's just bad luck! Next time, you'll see who I am."
Moathan, smiling: "That's the spirit. Go catch up with '09', and don't start the ceremony until Chloe and Brian join."
Kyle left, irritated by Moathan's words, knowing inside that his performance had been inadequate and things were not going smoothly.
Moathan raised his voice again: "You know we need resources for Blue Salt and the injections. The Caleros continent mission will launch in 15 days. I've decided the City and Abyss Battalions will cooperate to protect Zeronth City."
Chloe, curious: "Why? Is there an attack coming?"
Moathan: "No, but I'll create one."
Brian, angrily: "Why would you do that?"
Moathan, coldly: "For training, and to select the mission crew."
Brian, incredulous: "Will we destroy our infrastructure there and kill thousands for mere drills?"
Moathan, shouting: "Lack of experience leads to mission failures! Your task is to contain the disaster with minimal damage. What's the point of succeeding in a trivial training without knowing how to protect the city?"
Chloe, excited: "I'm always ready, Captain!"
Moathan, shouting at her: "You're the leader for the Caleros mission, as I cannot go with you. But if your performance disappoints me, Brian will replace you."
Brian, surprised: "It's an external mission…"
Moathan winked: "Quiet… and so what?"
Chloe, burning with anger, jumped from her seat and left the office, leaving the echoes of tension behind.