The control room stretched wide and sterile, a cathedral of metal and cold light. Silver walls reflected the glow of drifting holographic displays, each one alive with data. At the center stood President Caius Dalthar, posture rigid, gaze fixed on the largest screen in the chamber.
Aelina lay inside a transparent capsule, suspended in dim light. Dozens of cables trailed from her head, spine, and chest, forming a web of circuitry tied directly into a humming quantum core beside her.
A scientist stepped forward, holding a floating tablet. "Mr. President. Subject Aiko has arrived. DNA extraction and data upload protocols are ready."
Caius didn't blink. His eyes stayed locked on the screen, hungry and unyielding. "Good. Begin. We're already behind schedule."
The room snapped into motion. Hands flew across holographic panels, activating conduits and neural links. Energy surged through thick cables with a low, rising hum. Aelina remained motionless, her face peaceful—yet her mind churned beneath the surface.
Beside her, another capsule came to life. Its surface displayed a bold label:
CODENAME: EUDORA
Inside floated the silhouette of a woman—pale, ethereal, long silver hair drifting like smoke in the suspension fluid.
"Eudora is our pinnacle," one scientist whispered with awe. "Second-generation hybrid soldier. Flawless in design. Limitless in potential."
Another approached Caius. "Data transfer protocol ready. Linking Aiko and Eudora to the quantum system now."
"Proceed," Caius said. "No errors. No interruptions."
The moment the command executed, Aelina's cables brightened. Streams of glowing data flowed from her body into the quantum core, then branched into Eudora's capsule.
A progress bar materialized on the main display.
"Data transfer initiated," a technician reported. "Estimated completion: seventy-two hours."
The room vibrated with tension—then an alarm pierced the air.
"Warning," a scientist shouted. "Subject Aiko is resisting the transfer. Her neural activity is spiking."
Caius turned sharply. "Resisting? She's unconscious."
"Even so," the scientist said, adjusting the monitor, "her neural pathways are actively pushing back. She's slowing the transfer by nearly fifteen percent."
Caius' jaw tightened. "Unacceptable. Increase the neural connection power."
"Sir, forcing the link risks permanent—"
"I said increase it," Caius snapped. "Aiko is a vessel. The data is all that matters."
The technician complied. The cables pulsed brighter, and the quantum core's hum deepened into a throbbing drone.
Inside the capsule, Aelina's fingers twitched. Her expression tightened, like someone trapped inside a suffocating dream.
"She's reacting," a scientist murmured. "But the transfer rate is stabilizing."
On the adjacent monitor, Eudora's brainwaves flickered alive—mirroring Aelina's patterns with eerie precision.
"Synchronization is starting," the technician confirmed. "Eudora is receiving the data."
A hush fell over the room as the readings climbed. Some of the scientists stared with a reverence bordering on fanaticism.
"Incredible… the transfer protocol is more adaptive than projected," one whispered. "This might be the breakthrough we've been waiting for."
But then—another alarm blared.
"Mr. President," a technician said in rising panic, "we're detecting an external signal attempting to access Subject Aiko's data stream."
Caius' expression darkened. "External? From where?"
"We're tracing it now. It resembles old-generation tracking tech. Possibly pre-Edena."
"Block it," Caius ordered. "Shut down every external line. No one interferes at this stage."
Technicians scrambled, killing connections and sealing off every channel.
Caius stared at Aelina's capsule, eyes sharp with cold determination.
"Whoever is trying to reach her…" he muttered, "they're already too late."
***
Kaelar's ship tore into Kaelion's atmosphere, flames licking across the cockpit glass. Inside, the tension was thick enough to choke on. Kaelar stood at the front, eyes fixed on the shifting holographic map.
"We'll land in a town called Theros," he said, voice steady. "It's just outside the capital, Aurion. A forgotten place. No strategic value, no government eyes."
Kirana frowned. "And safe?"
"As safe as anything on Kaelion," Kaelar replied. "Ex-military live there. People who turned their backs on Caius. Some of them used to be my allies."
Lyra tapped through streams of data behind them. "Even with help, Erevos won't be easy. It's one of Edena's most secure facilities."
Zephyr crossed his arms. "Then we find a way. We don't have much choice."
The ship hit the ground with a soft thud at the outskirts of Theros. Dust rose around them as they stepped out into a settlement of cracked roads and rusting structures. Children played among ruins. Adults watched with wary eyes.
Kaelar motioned for them to stay close. "Keep your heads down. Not everyone here hates the government."
Kirana pulled her hood over her head. "So this is Kaelion… not what I pictured."
Kaelar gave a humorless smile. "Aurion shines because towns like this were drained dry."
He led them to a half-collapsed building. Inside, a hidden stairway took them to a basement stocked with old military gear and survival supplies.
"This will be our base," Kaelar said. "Velaria, Vega—set up your systems."
Velaria had already unloaded half her equipment. Vega, pale but determined, joined her.
Kaelar handed simple clothing to Lyra, Kirana, and Zephyr. "Wear these. Blending in is more important than comfort."
Zephyr held up the plain brown shirt. "These are aggressively boring."
"That's the point," Kaelar said with a faint snort.
Night fell quickly. Kaelar geared up, Draven joining him.
"You're visiting old allies?" Draven asked.
"If they'll still call themselves that," Kaelar said. "I need manpower. We can't storm Erevos alone."
Draven loaded his weapon. "Then I'm coming. Someone has to watch your back."
Outside, Kirana and Zephyr walked through the quiet streets.
Zephyr looked up at the stars. "All I can think about is Aelina. And whether we're already too late."
Kirana's voice wavered. "If I lose her again… no. I won't let it happen."
Zephyr took her hand gently. "You're the core of this team. You're why we keep fighting."
Back in the hideout, Velaria projected a massive holographic model of Erevos. Walls, guard towers, drone networks—every part was precision military design.
"Security's airtight," Velaria said. "You'll be spotted before you even reach the outer fence."
Vega leaned in, eyes narrowed. "Systems like these always have flaws. And we're going to find one."
Lyra opened her tools. "I'll breach their network. If I'm lucky, I can pinpoint Aelina's exact location."
Velaria shot her a warning look. "If they notice the intrusion, they'll accelerate their project. And then it's over."
Lyra didn't blink. "I know. But we have no time left."
Morning arrived with a heavy stillness. Everyone gathered around the schematics floating in the air.
Kaelar pointed at the deepest section of the model. "This is the isolation block. High-priority subjects are kept here. That's likely where Aelina is."
Draven tightened the straps on his gear. "Kirana, Zephyr, and I will infiltrate from the lower sector. Fast in, fast out."
Kirana nodded. "We find her. No matter what."
Kaelar studied them all. "This mission gives us only one shot. If we fail, Edena completes their project. And Aelina is gone."
Zephyr twirled his spear-chain. "Then we don't fail."
Lyra holstered her hacking tools. "I'll take down the drones. But once I do, you'll have only minutes before they bring reinforcements."
As night settled again, they boarded the ship. Kaelar flew low and silent toward Erevos. Lyra tracked the web of drones closing in on the facility.
The team sat in absolute silence.
The mission had begun.