Ten hours later, Anastasia's eyes snapped open. The energy from the serum had been fully absorbed. A sharp, predatory light gleamed in their depths.
She sat up in a single, silent motion. Her body felt impossibly light, powerful. She felt like she could punch a hole straight through the titanium wall.
She immediately noticed the absence of the large, brooding figure who had been guarding her. The air held only the faint, lingering scent of cold pine and snow.
HOST'S PHYSICAL FUNCTIONS RESTORED TO 120% OF PEAK CONDITION, Blue's interface appeared in her vision. CURRENT ZONE IS SECURE. TARGET INDIVIDUAL DEPARTED TWO HOURS AGO.
Anastasia's gaze fell on a silver, insulated food container placed neatly beside the mat. On top of it was an electronic note bearing a military crest.
She picked it up. Evander's handwriting was strong and decisive.
I have been summoned to headquarters for an urgent military briefing. The food is in the container. It is absolutely safe. Wait for me to return. I will handle everything.
Anastasia's lips curved into a cold, mocking smile at the last sentence. I will handle everything. As if she were a pet to be managed.
She opened the container. Inside was a meticulously prepared nutrient-rich meal and a glass of warm, sweet milk. She ate quickly and efficiently, replenishing her carbohydrates.
Finished, she stood up. It was time to leave. She needed to gather intelligence on this world and find more clues about the longevity gene.
She walked to the massive chamber door.
WARNING, T518's mechanical voice chirped. COMMANDER HAS ISSUED A HIGHEST-LEVEL SILENT DIRECTIVE. ACCESS DENIED. ANY ATTEMPT TO FORCE ENTRY WILL INITIATE SELF-DESTRUCT SEQUENCE.
Anastasia raised an eyebrow. "Blue, how long to take control of this antique?"
Blue's light pulsed once. CRACKING LOW-DIMENSION SECURITY SYSTEM. ESTIMATED TIME: 3.5 SECONDS.
Less than four seconds later, T518's red alarm light switched to a soft, welcoming green. Its voice, now sycophantic, purred, YOUR WISH IS MY COMMAND, HIGHEST AUTHORITY.
Anastasia snapped her fingers in satisfaction. The door slid open without a sound, revealing an empty military corridor.
To avoid surveillance, she materialized a dark gray tactical cloak from her system space. It was woven with optical camouflage fibers.
She draped it over her shoulders, the large hood completely obscuring her stunning face, leaving only the sharp, determined line of her chin visible.
Anticipating that the military might use scent-tracking beasts, she had Blue release a neutralizing agent, completely masking the faint, Omega-like scent she projected.
She moved like a ghost through the Admiral's residence, using the real-time surveillance map provided by Blue to slip through the blind spots of every patrolling mechanical guard.
She reached a service exit where several hovercrafts used for transporting supplies were parked.
She expertly pried open a maintenance hatch on the underbelly of one vehicle and slipped inside, concealing herself within the complex chassis.
Ten minutes later, a logistics officer drove the hovercraft out of the heavily fortified residence, passing through multiple security checkpoints without a single alarm.
The vehicle merged into the bustling sky-lanes of the Imperial Capital, a sprawling metropolis of cyberpunk towers and brutalist architecture.
From her hiding spot, Anastasia watched the alien city through a micro-probe.
When the hovercraft slowed for a traffic light, she made her move. She dropped silently from the chassis, landing behind a massive holographic billboard.
She slid down a maintenance ladder and melted into the throng of people on the street below.
The crowd was a chaotic mix of semi-humanoids. Some had feline ears, others had patches of scales on their skin. Anastasia pulled her hood lower, becoming just another shadow in the urban jungle.
To completely sever any chance of being tracked, she had Blue send several false location pings to the military network, flooding their system with junk data.
HOST, WE CURRENTLY LACK LOCAL CURRENCY AND IDENTIFICATION, Blue advised. IT IS RECOMMENDED TO PROCEED TO AN AREA WITH MINIMAL SURVEILLANCE TO ACQUIRE INTELLIGENCE.
Anastasia looked up, her gaze drawn to the deepest, darkest part of the city-a chaotic tangle of neon lights, filth, and violence.
"The Abyss," she murmured, reading the flickering sign. "Perfect."
She turned and walked toward the darkness.
