When Nova came to, her entire body felt weak and sluggish.

The last thing she clearly remembered was the sharp sting in her neck, a needle piercing her skin, followed by the sudden, overwhelming sensation of losing all strength.

In the fog of her consciousness, she heard a familiar voice cutting through the haze. "Nova, wake up. Come on, wake up."

With great effort, Nova forced her heavy eyelids open. She found herself lying face down on a dirty, cold concrete floor. Beside ...