The faint glow of the console bathed the room in a pale light, its static hum the only sound as the group gathered around it. The words "Project Genesis: Phase One Complete" lingered on the screen, cryptic and foreboding. “What do you think it means?” Kara asked, her voice a hushed whisper.

Jake crossed his arms, his expression hard. “Whatever it is, it’s not good. ‘Phase One Complete’? That doesn’t sound like they were just making coffee.”

Claire stepped forward, her fingers brushing the dusty keyboard. “If this console still has power, maybe there’s more we can find.”

The system’s presence flared in Evan’s mind as he studied the screen.

“Console Interface Detected. Access Possible. Proceed? Y/N.”

He hesitated. Every time he interacted with the system, he felt its grip on his life tighten. But the answers they needed were here—he could feel it.

“Yes,” he thought, and the system buzzed in response.

Claire typed on the keyboard, but the system’s presence overlaid her actions. A flood of data streamed across Evan’s vision, and a soft click echoed as a hidden menu appeared on the screen.

“Access Granted: Restricted Files Available.”

Claire frowned, her brow furrowing. “How did I—?”

“Don’t question it,” Evan interrupted. “Just open the files.”

She nodded, her fingers moving swiftly as she navigated the interface. A series of folders appeared, each labeled with cold, clinical precision:

* Subject Data

* Facility Reports

* Genesis Protocols

* Anomalous Research

“Genesis Protocols,” Claire said, clicking the folder.

The screen filled with text, diagrams, and video logs. A voice recording began to play, the speaker’s tone detached and professional.

“Project Genesis, Log Entry #324. Phase One has been initiated successfully. The integration of Anomalous Energy into biological hosts has shown promising results. However, the instability of the subjects remains a significant challenge. Further iterations are required to ensure compliance and sustainability.”

“The Catalyst Cores have proven instrumental in amplifying host capabilities, but their power is volatile. Only through synchronization with a suitable host can we hope to harness their full potential. Testing will continue until we achieve Phase Two: Controlled Evolution.”

The recording ended, leaving a heavy silence in its wake.

“Controlled evolution?” Lila said, her voice trembling. “They were... experimenting on people?”

Claire’s jaw tightened. “This wasn’t just some rogue lab. This was organized. Funded.”

“They caused this,” Jake growled, slamming his fist against the console. “The apocalypse. The zombies. All of it—it’s their fault.”

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Evan stared at the screen, the words “Catalyst Cores” lingering in his mind. He clenched his fists, feeling the faint thrum of energy from the fragment now integrated into his system.

“They were trying to make people stronger,” he said, his voice low. “To survive whatever was coming. But they didn’t care about the cost.”

Kara shook her head. “And now we’re living with their failures.”

Evan’s system buzzed again, drawing his focus.

“Mission Update: Catalyst Integration Progressing. Genesis Protocol Discovered. Potential Host Role Confirmed.”

Host role? The words sent a chill through him.

“Evan,” Claire said, snapping him out of his thoughts. “Do you know something you’re not telling us?”

He hesitated, the weight of the system’s secrets pressing down on him. “Not everything,” he admitted. “But I know this isn’t random. These fragments, the creatures—they’re all connected to whatever this Genesis project was.”

Claire’s eyes narrowed. “And how do you know that?”

“I just... do,” Evan said, avoiding her gaze.

Before anyone could press further, the ground shook violently, and alarms blared throughout the facility. Red emergency lights flickered on, casting eerie shadows on the walls.

“What now?” Jake shouted over the noise.

The console screen glitched, replaced by a new message:

“Containment Breach Detected. Initiating Purge Protocols.”

“Purge protocols?” Lila repeated, panic creeping into her voice.

“We’ve got to move!” Claire shouted. “Now!”

The group sprinted back the way they’d come, the facility shaking around them. Pipes burst, spewing steam and water into the halls, while the sound of mechanical grinding grew louder. As they reached the main chamber, Evan felt the system buzz sharply.

“Hostile Entities Detected. Prepare for Engagement.”

Two massive, humanoid machines emerged from hidden alcoves in the walls, their metallic frames gleaming in the red light. Each was armed with a rotating blade on one arm and a cannon-like weapon on the other.

“Sentinels,” Claire said grimly, raising her crossbow.

“Why does this place have killer robots?!” Jake yelled, firing his pistol at the nearest one.

The bullets ricocheted harmlessly off its armor.

“Because it wasn’t built for us,” Evan said, stepping forward.

The system buzzed in his mind.

“Combat Analysis Complete. Weak Points Identified: Power Core and Joint Structures.”

He relayed the information quickly. “Aim for the joints or the core on their chests!”

The group spread out, each focusing on one of the machines. Claire fired a bolt at the first Sentinel’s knee joint, causing it to stumble. Kara and Jake concentrated their fire on the second Sentinel’s power core, but the machine’s cannon fired back, forcing them to dive for cover.

Evan activated Catalyst Burst, energy surging through him as the system enhanced his speed and strength. He dodged the first Sentinel’s blade, closing the distance and slamming his crowbar into its knee joint. The blow cracked the armor, and a second strike shattered it entirely, sending the machine crashing to one knee.

“Keep it down!” Claire shouted, firing another bolt at its chest.

The second Sentinel advanced on Kara and Jake, its cannon charging. Evan sprinted toward it, leaping onto its back and slamming his crowbar into the base of its head. Sparks flew as the machine flailed, trying to shake him off. “Now!” he shouted.

Kara and Jake fired simultaneously, their bullets striking the exposed core. The Sentinel’s movements slowed, and with a final groan of machinery, it collapsed.

The remaining Sentinel tried to rise, but Claire’s bolt struck its power core, and it fell still. The group didn’t wait to see if more enemies would appear. They ran, the facility shaking violently as the purge protocols continued.

As they reached the exit, Evan glanced back, the weight of what they’d discovered pressing down on him.

“Evan, let’s go!” Claire shouted, pulling him forward. They emerged into the open air just as the facility collapsed behind them, the ground swallowing it whole. The group stood in silence, catching their breath as the dust settled.

“So,” Jake said, breaking the quiet, “what now?”

Claire looked at Evan. “We keep moving. But now we know what we’re looking for. This ‘Project Genesis’... whatever they started, we need to finish it.”

Evan nodded, determination hardening his resolve. The system buzzed faintly, its presence a constant reminder of the path ahead.

They didn’t just have to survive—they had to uncover the truth. And that truth would change everything.