Underground Lab – Spindle Core Facility

The woman collapsed forward, her body limp with the weight of suspended life suddenly returned. Emma caught her, the chill of her skin seeping through Emma’s gloves like an echo from the void. The woman’s breath was shallow, each inhale a fragile thread tethering her to the world. Her pulse—weak, but present.

Jack stepped forward, his rifle lowered but ready, scanning the shadows for threats. “Is she stable?”

Emma nodded slightly, helping ...