Trisha awoke with a dull throb in her chest, the ache feeling more pronounced than usual, as if something vital had been torn from her. The heaviness weighed her down as she reached across the bed, her hand touching the cold, empty space beside her where Axel should have been. Her heart sank deeper, a chill settling in her bones.
"Where are you, Axel?" she murmured, her voice barely a whisper in the quiet room.
Reluctantly, she forced herself out of bed. She felt hollow inside, like a piece of her had gone missing overnight. Every step toward the bathroom felt like a struggle, as if her body refused to cooperate with the day ahead. The warm water from the shower did little to wash away the suffocating dread creeping through her mind.
With a deep breath, she donned her uniform, trying to shake off the weight in her chest. There was no time for weakness now—not when Commander Asher had summoned everyone to a meeting.
As she walked through the hallways, she spotted Thor headed in the same direction. His normally commanding presence seemed muted, his steps heavy, his expression distant.
"Good morning," Trisha offered weakly, her attempt at a smile faltering. It felt wrong to pretend everything was fine.
"There's nothing good about this morning," Thor grunted, his voice rough, his eyes dark with frustration. "Loki and the others still haven't been found. No trace of them... nothing."
Trisha swallowed hard, the urge to comfort him bubbling up. She knew the odds. The grim reality loomed over them, suffocating their hope. But still, she clung to a fragile sliver of optimism. "We... we have to stay strong, Thor.
Earth is depending on us. People are depending on us."
Thor's jaw clenched, but he nodded, his voice barely audible. "I just hope Loki's still out there, alive."
Together, they entered the meeting room, a large, lavish space bathed in dim purple and red lighting, casting eerie shadows that made the atmosphere feel more like a sinister dinner party than a war council. The round table was already set with dishes, the smell of the meal doing little to stir anyone's appetite.
Seated around the table were Haze, Andre, Sarah, and Captain Asher, all with equally grim expressions. Trisha and Thor took their places, the tension in the room so thick it felt like it could suffocate them all. Moments later, Williams and Colby arrived, their footsteps heavy as they entered. They sat apart from each other, the weight of unspoken thoughts pressing down on the room.
Minutes ticked by like hours, the silence dragging on until Commander Asher finally spoke, his voice cutting through the stillness like a blade. "Enjoy your meal. Today will be your last on Earth before you embark on the mission to Rika Zero. Your goal: to retrieve the blueprints and materials for the weapon. A Ryoma scientist will accompany you.
Once alone in his quarters, Williams made his way into the small bathroom, closing the door behind him. His breath came in shallow gasps as he leaned over the sink, gripping the porcelain with white-knuckled hands.
"You're early with your report," a voice sneered from the mouth that had formed on his left hand, the grotesque face twisted in a mocking grin.
Williams gritted his teeth. "Just give me the update. I don't have time for your games. The commander probably has cameras watching my every move."
As he moved around the bathroom, pretending to search for something, the mouth began to speak, its tone dripping with sadistic glee. "The signal's been sent, just as you requested. The Fatek commander has received it. He commends you for your work."
Williams exhaled sharply, relief washing over him. "And what about the facility? Is he going to make his move?"
The mouth let out a low chuckle. "The fleet is already on its way. Soon, this planet and everything on it will be under Fatek control. The experiments, the weapons—all of it will belong to us."
Williams smirked, his heart racing with the thrill of betrayal. "Good. Soon, Rika will fall, and the Fatek will reign supreme."
He straightened up, glancing at his reflection in the mirror, a dangerous glint in his eyes. After Rika, Earth's days were numbered, and soon, nothing would be the same again.
***Author's note***
The immense typing speed has been brought down drastically, as it has become more stressful and difficult to type. The planning is also a big piece to my slow typing as we are dealing with a universe and can't really rush things here. All I hope is that it's to your liking and you are enjoying the story fairly m If you have any ideas or addition that can be useful you can also comment.
It's been long since I dropped am Author's note as I usually did thanks to all the stress of life which my parents did not tell me I'll have to deal with before dragging me down to this planet but here is a message I would like to carry out.
Thank you Josh Roark! Lotusin and omega yellow for your follow up and gifting.
It's not been an easy journey so far especially when starting this month without features up till now. I hope you keep all having a great time reading... I'll be watching you all.
And please encourage me through supports. I am slacking off too much because I feel no one is following. And that murders Author's inspiration.
Thank you.