Samira

SAMIRA

I slumped against the console, my muscles quivering from exhaustion. The last drone buzzed out of sight, carrying its precious cargo of the counteragent.

We’d done it. The mind-control crop would soon be neutralized.

A series of muffled explosions outside jolted me back to reality. Arkon was still out there, battling the bounty hunters. My chest tightened. I wanted nothing more than to run to him, to make sure he was safe. But I had to trust in his skills, his strength. He’d promised to protect me, and so far, he’d kept that vow.

One last task remained. I pushed myself away from the console and stumbled towards the server room. The data had to be destroyed. We couldn’t risk anyone recreating this research.

The door to the server room slid open with a soft hiss. I blinked, my eyes adjusting to the dim light within. And then I saw him.

Dr. Zhen’la.

My mentor. My savior. The one who’d plucked me from obscurity in that wretched labor camp and nurtured my talents.

“Dr. Zhen’la?” I breathed, hardly daring to believe it. “You’re here. You came to help us?”

His mandibles clicked together, a sound I’d once found comforting. Now, it sent a chill through my veins.

He laughed, the sound grating and harsh. “Oh, . My brilliant, foolish . How could you be so stupid?”

I took a step back, confusion warring with a growing sense of dread. “What do you mean?”

“I’m disappointed in you, child.” His antennae twitched, betraying his agitation. “I found you. I trained you. I owned you. And this is how you repay me? By destroying years of work?”

The truth dawned on me. “You... you’re with the Consortium?”

“Of course I am!” He gesticulated wildly with his four arms. “With the Consortium backing me, we could have ushered in an age of peace. Imagine what we could have accomplished without people making stupid choices, starting trouble.”

Horror dawned as I realized the full implications of his words. “You mean... controlling everyone’s minds? That’s not peace. It’s slavery!”

Dr. Zhen’la’s mandibles clicked in a dismissive gesture. “They would be happy. Or at least, they wouldn’t know any better. Imagine the scientific progress that could be made.”

His words chilled me to the bone. The mentor I’d once revered now stood before me, advocating for the enslavement of billions. My stomach churned with disgust and betrayal.

Dr. Zhen’la advanced, his massive form looming over me. I stumbled back, my heart hammering against my ribs. The server room suddenly felt claustrophobic, the walls closing in around us.

A flicker of pride sparked within me. “I’ve stopped you,” I said, tilting my chin up. Sure, it was false bravado, but it was all I had. “I’ve protected countless lives from your twisted idea of peace.”

Dr. Zhen’la’s laughter was grating and painful. “Oh, you foolish child. Do you really think this is the end? I have powerful backers. This isn’t the end.”

His words sent a fresh wave of fear through me, but I clung to my resolve. Even if I couldn’t stop him forever, I’d bought time. Time for others to prepare, to fight back.

“But I have no use for little humans who don’t behave,” Dr. Zhen’la continued, his voice dropping to a menacing growl.

I saw my chance. The terminal was just a few steps away. If I could delete the last of the data, it might slow him down, even if only by a little. I had to try.

I lunged for the console, typing as fast as I could. The final command appeared on the screen. Just one more keystroke and?—

Pain exploded across my body as Dr. Zhen’la’s massive arm connected with my torso. The world spun as I flew through the air. I crashed into a bank of servers, the impact driving the air from my lungs.

Dazed, I struggled to push myself up. My vision swam, and I tasted blood in my mouth. Dr. Zhen’la’s towering form advanced on me, his clawed hands flexing with murderous intent.

Suddenly, a figure burst through the doorway as Arkon stormed into the room. He was battered and bruised, evidence of the fierce battle he’d fought outside. But as he took in the scene before him, a terrifying snarl ripped from his throat.

Arkon’s gaze locked onto Dr. Zhen’la, and I saw murder in those crimson depths. Without hesitation, he charged forward, his powerful form coiled for attack.

I knew, with bone-deep certainty, that Arkon would kill Dr. Zhen’la.

As Arkon charged towards Dr. Zhen’la, a traitorous thought flashed through my mind. Part of me still clung to the image of my mentor, the brilliant scientist who’d given me a chance at a better life. But I knew I had to let go of that illusion. It was time to grow up and face the harsh reality.

Dr. Zhen’la’s upper arms moved with lightning speed. He produced a strange-looking weapon, sleek and somehow making me shiver, just looking at it.

Arkon skidded to a halt, his eyes widening in recognition.

“You recognize this, don’t you, Vinduthi?” Dr. Zhen’la’s mandibles clicked in amusement. “I let those fools play with it earlier, but they still couldn’t stop you. No matter. I’ve made some... improvements.”

Arkon snarled, his muscles coiling to spring. “You bastard. You’re the one behind all of this.”

“Clever boy.” Dr. Zhen’la aimed the weapon. “Let’s see how you handle the upgrades.”

A brilliant pulse of energy erupted from the barrel. Arkon tried to dodge, but the beam caught him in the shoulder. He stumbled, his face contorting in pain.

“Arkon!” I cried out, struggling to my feet.

Dr. Zhen’la fired again and again, each shot connecting with brutal precision. Arkon’s movements grew sluggish, his Vinduthi speed and strength clearly compromised. He staggered forward, determination etched on his face.

“Stay... back... ,” Arkon growled between labored breaths.

I couldn’t just watch. I had to do something. As Arkon collapsed to one knee, I lunged forward, desperate to reach him.

“Foolish girl,” Dr. Zhen’la hissed.

I felt a searing pain across my back as the weapon’s energy slammed into me. My vision swam, darkness creeping in at the edges. The last thing I saw was Arkon’s face, twisted in anguish and fury, before everything went black.