The journey took longer than expected.
After travelling through the outskirts of Aurelis, the group eventually arrived at a private government dock. Several boats were stationed along the harbour, with armed personnel monitoring everyone entering and leaving the area.
Beyond the water, an island could be seen in the distance.
Vesper Island.
A government-owned island that housed one of its most heavily guarded research facilities.
A few minutes later, their boat reached the island.
As soon as they stepped onto the dock, several armed soldiers approached them.
"Identification," one of the soldiers demanded.
Sky stepped forward and presented his credentials. The soldier scanned them before turning his attention to the others.
One by one, their identities were checked.
After completing the background checks, the soldiers returned their documents and motioned for them to follow.
"Everything checks out. You may proceed."
The group followed the soldiers through the facility's main entrance.
The structure was enormous.
From the outside, it looked less like a research facility and more like a massive prison. Its towering walls, reinforced gates and security systems gave it an intimidating appearance.
Nick stared at the building.
"Oh my God. Is this some kind of prison?"
One of the soldiers walking beside them answered without turning around.
"No. It's a research facility."
Nick looked at the building again.
"Right..."
Void said nothing. He simply continued walking, his hands tucked into his pockets.
They were escorted through a long corridor, with several armed guards following closely behind.
On both sides of the hallway were rows of reinforced doors.
Some had small observation windows, while others were completely sealed. Beyond the glass, Nick could make out what appeared to be individual cells.
The atmosphere was strangely quiet.
Every few metres, another security camera followed their movements.
Nick glanced from one side of the corridor to the other.
"Seriously, what kind of research facility has cells?"
Nobody answered.
Eventually, they reached a large office at the end of the corridor.
The soldiers opened the door and allowed them inside.
"Wait here. The director will be with you shortly."
The door closed behind them.
A few minutes passed.
Then the door opened again.
Director Halden Krowe walked into the room.
"Welcome, gentlemen."
His eyes briefly moved across the room before settling on Bat and Nick.
Void was sitting in a corner, looking rather uninterested in everything around him.
Sky stood near the door.
"I'm going outside for a moment," Sky announced.
He turned towards the exit.
"Yeah, me too," Void casually added, getting up from his seat.
Sky glanced at him.
"No. You stay here."
Void paused.
He stared at Sky for a moment before slowly sitting back down.
"...Whatever."
Sky opened the door and walked out.
Halden watched him leave before taking a seat opposite Bat and Nick.
For a few seconds, nobody spoke.
Then he leaned back slightly.
"So, tell me. What exactly are you two?"
Bat raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
Halden looked directly at him.
"You know exactly what I mean. How did the two of you manage to survive in that forest?"
Bat leaned back in his chair.
"We don't know what you're talking about. We're just normal citizens, like everyone else. We were staying at a hotel until some guy showed up and tried to arrest us for absolutely no reason."
Halden stared at him.
"Oh? Is that so?"
"Yeah."
Nick glanced between them.
"Actually, speaking of hotels..."
He paused.
"I'm hungry."
Void, who had been sitting quietly, suddenly spoke.
"Yeah, I'm hungry too."
Bat slowly turned towards him.
"...What?"
"I'm hungry," Nick repeated.
Bat stared at both of them for a moment before looking back at Halden.
"Actually, wait a second. I haven't eaten either."
Halden remained silent for a brief moment.
Then he brought his hands together and clapped.
"Ah! Where are my manners?"
He turned towards the door.
"Could someone escort our guests to the dining area? Make sure they get something to eat."
Almost immediately, two officers entered the room.
"Yes, Director."
They motioned for Bat and Nick to follow.
Nick practically jumped out of his seat.
"Finally!"
Bat, however, remained cautious. His eyes briefly moved around the office before he followed the officers.
Void watched them leave.
A few minutes later, Bat and Nick were escorted to the facility's dining area.
It was a spacious room with several tables, food counters and personnel moving around.
For the first time in what felt like forever, Nick had a proper meal in front of him.
He wasted no time digging in.
Bat sat opposite him, eating quietly while occasionally observing the people around them.
A little later, Void approached their table and pulled out a chair.
"Well, look who's enjoying himself."
Bat glanced up.
"Shouldn't you be somewhere getting experimented on?"
Void looked at him.
"Funny."
Bat continued eating.
"Just saying. You seem like the kind of guy they'd want to keep in a laboratory."
Void rested his arm on the table.
"Coming from you?"
Bat smirked.
"At least I don't get blown up and thrown through an entire building."
Void slowly turned his head towards him.
"What do you mean?"
Bat swallowed his food.
"I saw what happened at the hotel. You went straight through several floors and landed on the ground. There was a massive crater where you fell."
He paused.
"I'm honestly surprised you're still alive."
Void stared at him for a moment, looking completely unimpressed.
"Well, since we apparently have the same stuff, why don't you tell me?"
Bat frowned.
"What do you mean, we have the same stuff? We're not the same."
Void shrugged.
"Sure."
Bat leaned back slightly.
"And what makes you think that?"
Void looked around the dining area.
"Well, if we're not the same, then you should have nothing to worry about. This place is pretty secure."
He paused.
"Trust me. You're safe here."
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
Suddenly, a loud alarm erupted throughout the facility.
The lights began flashing as an automated announcement echoed through the building.
Everyone inside the dining area stopped what they were doing.
Nick looked around, confused.
Bat slowly turned towards Void.
"...You said we were safe?"
Void glanced around the room.
For the first time, even he seemed slightly confused.
He looked towards the ceiling.
Then towards the entrance.
"It's probably nothing."
TO BE CONTINUED...