Morning broke over Biotope Enclave 5, as the artificial daylight gradually intensified according to its programmed cycle.
People began streaming out of their living quarters, heading toward their assigned routines. Amid the constant hum of activity, the sound of life resetting itself inside a gilded cage, public display screens mounted at key points broadcasted an endless rotation of content: sports updates, entertainment news, political debates, technological advancements, and carefully crafted propaganda promoting the improved quality of life within the dome.
Inside the Public Security Command Center, where officers stood stationed in strict formation, Dr. Nicolas sat before a live broadcast panel, delivering an official statement regarding the recent incident.
"Regarding the incident that occurred earlier, I would like to extend my deepest apologies to all residents of Biotope 5."
Dr. Nicolas addressed the press with a firm, composed tone.
"During the operation to apprehend the intruders involved in the research facility case, we executed our plan to the fullest extent. However, certain individuals within the dome chose to cooperate with the perpetrators, significantly hindering our efforts. As of now... the suspects remain at large."
"We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the officers who made the ultimate sacrifice. We will ensure that they receive appropriate support and compensation to the fullest extent."
"As for those injured in this incident, they have been admitted under special care. All medical expenses will be fully covered until they have made a full recovery and are able to return to duty."
Dr. Nicolas continued, his tone softening slightly to convey sympathy before the cameras.
The press hall fell into complete silence. Only the rapid clicking of camera shutters echoed through the room, capturing every movement of the research director.
"Regarding the damage to the outbound checkpoint gate, our engineering teams have already been deployed to carry out repairs in accordance with standard procedures. We expect all systems and structural components to be fully restored and operational within 48 hours."
With that, he concluded his statement. He gave a slight bow to the audience before stepping down from the stage, as flashes continued to burst relentlessly around him.
A female reporter quickly raised her hand, her voice pressing sharply into the tension that had begun to thicken in the room.
"And what about the P-Type unit you take such pride in? Right now, many citizens are criticizing them for failing to carry out their duties. What is your response to that?"
"As I have already stated,"
Dr. Nicolas replied, his expression calm, though his gaze remained firm.
"Due to certain individuals within the dome providing assistance to the perpetrators, our operation did not proceed as originally planned. For that, I sincerely apologize."
Camera flashes continued to burst as another reporter immediately cut in.
"What actions will be taken moving forward?"
"At this moment, I am awaiting official authorization to deploy the P-Type unit for proactive operations within the Outlands."
Dr. Nicolas paused briefly, sweeping his gaze across the cameras.
"Once approval is granted, they will be dispatched to the field without delay."
As his statement concluded, murmurs spread rapidly across the hall, reporters exchanging hushed reactions to the decisive measures about to unfold beyond the dome's walls.
"In addition, we have already apprehended one of the suspects involved in the research facility case."
"However, due to the suspect resisting arrest and assaulting our officers, we were left with no choice but to neutralize him at the scene."
Dr. Nicolas continued, his voice cold and devoid of emotion.
He raised a control device and made a slight movement with his fingers. Instantly, the massive holographic display behind him flared to life.
"This is the individual we neutralized earlier. His name is Benjamin Wagner, 42 years old."
A front-facing image of Benjamin appeared prominently on the screen, an official photograph that felt eerily lifeless.
Dr. Nicolas swept his gaze toward the cameras once more.
"At this time, we can confirm that 18 suspects remain at large. Each of them possesses abilities comparable to our P-Type unit."
The display shifted rapidly, forming a structured grid that showcased the faces of all eighteen individuals in full detail.
"As for the primary instigators behind the recent disturbance, they are these two."
The images on the screen enlarged, revealing two men in sharp clarity.
"The first is Drago Armstrong, a suspect in the research facility case. The second... Edward Allcroft, a resident of the dome who provided assistance."
A wave of murmurs rippled through the reporters the moment the face of the young accomplice appeared.
"We are offering a bounty of two million credits for Edward Allcroft, and fifty million credits for Drago Armstrong."
"Anyone who encounters them, whether inside or outside the dome, and provides information leading to their successful capture, will receive the stated reward immediately."
Dr. Nicolas concluded with a faint smile at the corner of his lips before stepping down from the stage, leaving the staggering bounty figures glowing brightly against a silence that felt deeply unsettling.
Nicolas returned to the research facility by car, where the constant roar of repair machinery still echoed throughout the complex. He stepped away from the main corridor and made his way deep into the most restricted section of the building, a sealed envelope of classified documents held firmly in his hand.
As the security door slid open, a spacious hall revealed itself before him, meticulously arranged with an air of quiet luxury. Leather sofas, polished wooden tables, a refrigerator, a wine cooler, a fully integrated entertainment system, and even a billiards table standing prominently at the center of the room.
The atmosphere inside felt almost detached from reality, a stark contrast to the tension outside. All seven members of the P-Type unit were present, each spending their downtime in their own way.
Alicia Barnes, a petite and strikingly beautiful young woman, the same one who had previously confronted Edward, sat quietly on the sofa, her brows slightly furrowed as she reviewed a set of documents.
Sophie Clarke, tall with a warm, ever-present smile, was busy baking in the kitchen area. A faint, pleasant aroma drifted gently through the space.
Peter Lewis, a heavily built man with well-defined muscles, was lifting weights in the corner of the room with steady, controlled movements.
Gareth Orchard, tall and lean, stood beside the billiards table with a cue in hand, accompanied by Lloyd Sterling, a smaller man carefully lining up his next shot.
Quinn Roxanne, the youngest and smallest member of the group, moved with remarkable speed, her fingers dancing across the controls of a holographic game displayed through the flickering light of her VR headset.
And finally, 23, whose real name remained unknown. He had just stepped out of the dressing room, his expression as cold and unreadable as ever.
"I have good news."
Nicolas spoke, his voice calm yet commanding enough to silence the movement within the room.
The clack of billiard balls and the rustle of turning pages came to an abrupt halt. Most of the members lifted their attention from what they were doing, except for the flickering glow of Roxanne's holographic game and the steady, unbroken rhythm of Lewis's weightlifting, both continuing undisturbed.
"I have received authorization for all of you to operate freely within the Outlands."
He declared, raising the sealed envelope in his hand.
"Eh... we really have to go into a place filled with that much dust?"
Sophie spoke as she removed her heat-resistant gloves. Her usually warm expression dimmed slightly at the thought of the toxic particles beyond the dome.
"Guess playtime's over."
Lloyd muttered as he leaned in, cue aligned. With a single, precise strike…
Thud!
The cue ball shot forward, crashing cleanly into the cluster of red balls. The force sent them scattering, colliding in rapid succession before dropping into the pockets one after another, clearing the table in an instant.
The same cue ball rolled back and came to a perfect stop within the D-shape, as if it had been placed there by hand.
Clang!
A heavy iron weight slammed against the floor, sending a dull tremor through the room. Lewis released his grip on the barbell and pushed himself up from the bench. His massive frame stretched to full height, imposing and hard to ignore.
"Finally... something to do. I was starting to grow roots waiting around."
He spoke under his breath, his voice low and rough, carrying a gravelly edge that resembled the growl of something far less human.
"When do we start?"
23 asked briefly, his voice colder and more detached than anyone else in the room. His eyes remained fixed on the envelope in Nicolas's hand.
"Whenever you're ready... you can begin."
Nicolas replied, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.
The relaxed atmosphere vanished in an instant, replaced by the presence of hunters stirring awake. Silence spread across the hall as all seven living weapons understood exactly where they were headed next: the Outlands, a place where no rules remained.
"Roxanne, that's enough. Time to get ready, we've got work."
Alicia cut in, her tone gentle, her bright smile clashing strangely with the tension of an impending hunt.
"Hey! I'm not done yet! I'm right at the important part!"
Roxanne protested, her fingers moving rapidly through the air as she continued battling her enemies.
"No. If you keep this up, we'll be late."
Alicia reminded her again, calm as ever.
"No way! Just a little longer!"
The teenage girl refused to give in, still as stubborn as ever.
"Hey, kid... that's enough. Drop the game and get ready."
Lewis growled, his deep, powerful voice cutting through the room. He reached out with a thick hand and tore the VR headset straight off Roxanne's face.
Whoosh!
The holographic display flickered out, plunging the room into a brief, heavy silence. Roxanne's eyes sharpened instantly.
"Hey... I said I'm still playing. Don't you know how to wait?"
Her voice dropped to a chilling low. In an instant, the atmosphere inside the hall shifted. The lights began to flicker rapidly, as if the power itself were faltering.
A low rumble spread outward from her small frame.
Rumble...
A violent force erupted, sending tremors through everything nearby. The heavy barbell on the floor rattled. The thick glass windows vibrated with a strained groan, as though they might shatter under an invisible pressure.
"It's okay, it's okay. You can finish your game first. We'll head out together after that... alright?"
Alicia quickly stepped in, her tone gentle and conciliatory as she raised her hands in a calming gesture.
The moment her words settled, the crushing pressure dissipated. The air returned to normal almost instantly.
Roxanne snatched the VR headset back from Lewis, who stood there unmoving.
"And you... don't even think those low-level parasites could ever get into my body. I'm not as stupid as that human from the news."
Her voice was cold as she finished speaking, already slipping the headset back on as she sank once more into the holographic world, leaving the room in silence again.
"That's enough. Get ready. Once you're prepared, regroup."
23 cut in, his voice flat, completely devoid of emotion.
With that, the oppressive tension in the hall began to ease. One by one, the members dispersed, heading back to their private quarters to prepare their gear for the coming operation in the Outlands. Heavy footsteps echoed along the silent metal corridors.
Only Roxanne remained, still immersed in her virtual world, her fingers moving frantically as she pushed to finish her game on her own terms. And Sophie, who continued to stand calmly by the oven, watching over her baking. The warm aroma of pastries nearing completion lingered in the air, clashing faintly with the lingering trace of violence that had only just faded.
Thud... Thud...
Nicolas watched the backs of the living weapons he had created, his gaze filled with quiet anticipation. He then placed the envelope containing the profiles of Edward and Drago onto the table at the center of the room.
.....
Deep within the underground base beyond the dome, Edward slowly opened his eyes beneath the dim, simulated light of late morning.
The lingering grogginess from what felt like his first truly restful sleep in over a year was abruptly replaced by a sharp jolt as full awareness returned.
His gaze swept across the unfamiliar room. It was a compact space, remarkably clean and quiet. His backpack rested safely beside the bed, while the carbon fiber mask he had spent nearly everything to acquire sat prominently on a nearby wooden table. This was the first time in his life he had awakened in a place he did not recognize.
Edward remained still, closing his eyes again as he retraced the chaos he had endured. The escape. The breach of the dome. The overwhelming power displayed by the P-Type.
Whoosh...
Fragments of memory that had once been suppressed by the parasite began to surface, piece by piece, like shards of glass slowly being reassembled.
The image of Alicia approaching him in the ruins resurfaced. And with it, the truth that she had tried to erase his very existence. His heart began to pound as the realization sank in. His humanity had nearly been taken from him entirely.
"You're awake."
Drago walked into the room, greeting him with an easy, relaxed demeanor.
"You really just walk in and out of other people's rooms whenever you feel like it, huh?"
Edward replied, rubbing his eyes as he tried to shake himself fully awake.
"Actually, this is my room."
Drago shrugged, leaning casually against the doorframe.
"They didn't have time to prepare a place for you, so I told them to put you here for now."
Edward paused for a moment before slowly pushing himself up into a seated position.
"Feels like my memories are starting to come back."
"Good... then we can finally get each other up to speed."
Drago's tone shifted, growing more serious. Silence settled over the room. Edward could feel it, the weight of the truth that was about to spill from the mouth of the man standing before him.