Following the successful nest operation in France, the three deployed MTF teams had returned to Ramstein Air Base. The tension among the teams had not lessened in the days since, as Captain Alex Mercer prepared to debrief his superiors in the GRRA, alongside other MTF team leaders. This wasn’t going to be just a routine update. Mercer knew this briefing was a turning point—a call to action that would shape their future engagements.
Standing before a room full of gathered officers, scientists, engineers, and MTF personnel, Mercer’s eyes flicked to the large screen behind him. It displayed footage captured during the mission in Provence. His stomach churned as he prepared to recount the operation’s successes and failures. He took a steadying breath, hiding the tension that coiled inside him.
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being here,” Mercer began, his voice steady despite the weight of what he was about to share. “I’ll start with a summary of our mission to clear the alien nest in Provence, France. MTF 1 successfully neutralized the threats and secured the nest. However, we encountered several challenges that demand immediate attention and adaptation.”
He clicked to the first slide, which showed high-resolution images of the dense alien flora they had encountered deep inside the nest. The glowing, pulsating plants seemed almost alive. “First, we need to develop a reliable wireless communication system that works inside these nests. The interference from the anomaly rendered our radios useless, severely hindering coordination. Without proper communication, we’re operating blind. I recommend immediate research into a system capable of bypassing or withstanding this interference.”
Mercer pressed another button, bringing up an image of a massive, crab-like creature with a spiked tail, identified as the Pincerworm. “Second, we encountered creatures capable of launching what seem like magical projectiles. This particular creature, the Pincerworm, launched a fireball that severely injured Specialist Müller. Our current gear couldn’t fully protect her from the heat and force. We need to equip our soldiers with shields that can absorb or deflect these kinds of attacks more effectively.”
The next image displayed a monstrous, insect-like creature hovering in midair, identified as the Midge. Its sharp wings and glistening exoskeleton were highlighted by the flickering light in the nest. “This second creature,” Mercer continued, “was capable of air-based attacks. The Midge created razor-sharp vacuum blades that cut through armor and caused significant injuries to exposed parts of my body. We need armor upgrades that can withstand this kind of attack, as well as faster response protocols for treating lacerations. Quick reaction times are the difference between life and death.”
Mercer glanced at the faces of the gathered personnel, letting the gravity of his words sink in before clicking to the next slide. The screen filled with images of a grotesque creature resembling a leech with long, snake-like tendrils, identified as the Shade Leech. “Next, we encountered Shade Leeches, creatures that are nearly invisible to the naked eye, blending into their environment with disturbing efficiency. These creatures latch onto their victims with tendrils, draining energy while causing extreme disorientation through some means. They rendered one of my team members nearly unconscious before we managed to drive them off. A better detection system for cloaked enemies is critical to prevent ambushes like this.”
The room grew tenser as Mercer advanced to the next slide. The image now showed a pond lit by glowing ripples, highlighting the Crawlers, segmented, insect-like creatures that had ambushed Eagle Eye’s team. “The Crawlers presented a different kind of threat. They are completely invisible to the naked eye, using natural camouflage to hide even in close proximity. The only reason we were able to detect and defeat them was due to the glowing water inside the nest. The Crawlers’ movements disturbed the pond, leaving trails of bioluminescence that briefly revealed their location. Without this environmental advantage, we would have been hard-pressed to deal with them. We have yet to see if standard night-vision or infrared equipment will work against these creatures. We need to develop specialized detection systems capable of tracking enemies that remain unseen.”
Mercer moved to the final slide, displaying the imposing figure of what was left of the Brute Giant, a towering bipedal crab-like creature. “Lastly, during our initial assault on the nest entrance, we encountered the Brute Giant. It was heavily armored with scales, and its claws were capable of tearing through human flesh and armor with ease. It also possessed what we call a water shield, which deflected our bullets until we overloaded it with sustained fire. We need to develop new kinds of ammunition specifically designed to disrupt the shields the alien creatures has as standard high caliber rounds are not efficient enough despite being a step up compared to other firearms, prolonged engagements will only increase casualties with this thing.”
He paused, scanning the room again as his words settled over the audience. The weight of the new threats was clear on their faces.
“Additionally,” he continued, “every team member must be equipped with advanced first-aid skills for burns, lacerations.. The nests are full of unpredictable hazards, and we can’t always rely on medics to be available in the thick of combat. We need to be ready to handle these injuries on the fly.”
He clicked off the final slide and looked around the room, locking eyes with several MTF leaders and researchers. The intensity in his gaze reflected the urgency of his message.
“In conclusion, while MTF 1 was successful in clearing the nest, it’s clear that we need to adapt quickly. The enemies are evolving, and our current equipment is no longer sufficient. We need upgrades across the board—armor, weapons, communication, and medical training. Without these improvements, the survival of future operations is at serious risk. Thank you.”
Mercer stepped back from the podium, feeling the weight of his words settle over the room. The silence that followed was thick with tension, as the gravity of the situation became all too clear. General Hayes, sitting at the head of the room, nodded solemnly. There was no denying it—the challenges ahead would require more than just resilience; they would need innovation and swift action.
Next up was Dr. Emily Carter, one of the lead scientists on the GRRA research team. Her usually calm and composed demeanor was more somber than usual, reflecting the gravity of what she had to share.
“Thank you, Captain Mercer,” she began, her expression tight with concern. “In our follow-up studies, we’ve discovered something deeply disturbing.” She paused, letting the tension in the room grow. All eyes were on her. “The nests and rifts emit high levels of what we’re now calling ‘psi radiation.’ This radiation doesn’t just interfere with electronics—it affects living organisms, including humans.”
The screen behind her flickered to life, displaying a graph with rapidly rising radiation levels. The atmosphere in the room grew heavier as several attendees shifted in their seats, murmurs of concern echoing softly.
“In several cases,” Dr. Carter continued, her voice steady despite the growing unease, “individuals exposed to psi radiation have developed abilities similar to the alien creatures’ energy attacks. These individuals have been classified as ‘psions.’”
A murmur spread through the room, low and anxious. Psi radiation was already a major concern, but the revelation that humans could develop similar abilities to the alien threats made the situation feel far more personal—and dangerous.
“Most psions,” Dr. Carter added, “appear randomly, and their abilities are highly unstable. We’ve seen violent outbursts, and containment has proven difficult. Unfortunately, once exposure to psi radiation reaches a certain threshold, there’s no way to reverse its effects.”
Mercer shifted in his seat, his mind racing. This was more than just a scientific anomaly—this was an entirely new kind of threat. What happens if soldiers—if civilians—start becoming psions uncontrollably?
Dr. Carter clicked to the next slide, revealing a disturbing image—the queen organism they had encountered in the French nest. The alien queen loomed large on the screen, its grotesque features casting an unsettling aura across the room.
“We’ve also recorded strong psi disturbances during invasive procedures on the alien queen. When her brain’s vital signs deteriorated, the entire nest entrance collapsed, and we lost contact with the research team that was inside.”
The room fell silent. Losing an entire research team sent a shockwave of unease through the gathered personnel. Mercer’s mind wandered back to the nest, remembering the oppressive energy that seemed to radiate from every surface. He had felt it too—the heavy, almost suffocating presence that seemed to pulse in time with the nest itself.
Dr. Carter’s voice broke through his thoughts. “We believe the queen acts as a conduit or generator of psi energy, sustaining the creatures and plants in the nest. Her vital connection to the nest itself is unlike anything we’ve ever encountered.”
She clicked to another slide—this time, an image of the strange, crystal-like objects they had recovered from the alien bodies. The room seemed to lean in, intrigued.
“We’ve made a significant breakthrough in stabilizing the rifts. By using solid, crystal-like objects recovered from dead alien creatures that emit psi radiation, we’ve discovered that applying electric pulses to these crystals can induce resonance. This resonance occurs when a fixed psi radiation frequency aligns with the rift’s frequency, causing them to synchronize. This leads to oscillations that stabilize the rift, allowing safe passage.”
The murmurs in the room shifted from concern to a cautious sense of optimism. The idea of stabilizing the rifts for exploration was a monumental discovery.
“However,” Carter cautioned, her voice darkening, “the crystal psi energies are not unlimited. They deplete like a battery, which could severely limit their long-term use. We are also developing kits that field investigators can wear, which will allow them to pass through the rifts in ways similar to the alien creatures. These kits could enable us to explore the other side and gather vital data.”
General Hayes, seated at the head of the table, leaned forward. His grizzled features were tense, his voice deep with authority. “What are the risks of these kits?”
Dr. Carter took a deep breath, clearly aware of the stakes. “The kits will expose field agents to psi radiation directly. Since they’ll carry an additional source of psi radiation, prolonged exposure could accelerate the process of turning them into psions. And as of now, we have yet to discover a material capable of blocking psi radiation.”
Mercer’s pulse quickened. The idea of soldiers turning into psions while on a mission—or worse, mid-battle—was terrifying. There was no way to predict how these abilities might manifest or control the volatility of those affected.
The room seemed to collectively hold its breath as Major Elena Ivanov took the podium. Her hardened expression reflected the escalating severity of the situation. “There’s more,” she said, her voice steady but grim. “In New York and Brazil, we’ve encountered two new classes of enemies: Savages and Invaders.”
The screen shifted to display grim battle footage—cities under siege, law enforcement overwhelmed, bodies scattered among burning wreckage.
“The Savages,” Ivanov continued, “are goblin-like creatures. They’re primitive but highly intelligent and dangerously efficient in close combat. Their overwhelming numbers decimated local law enforcement.”
The footage displayed goblin-like creatures tearing through soldiers and civilians alike with horrifying efficiency. The devastation was unlike anything Mercer had seen before.
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“The Invaders,” Ivanov went on, “are even more concerning. They appear human but possess elemental powers—fire, water, wind—enhancing their medieval weapons. We’ve confirmed that the group encountered in Brazil speaks an archaic form of German and uses scrolls and amulets to enhance their abilities.”
She gestured toward the screen, which displayed captured images of scrolls, amulets, and enchanted weaponry taken from the field.
“Their use of elemental magic puts us at a severe disadvantage,” Ivanov added. “We need live captures to study their culture, language, and technology. Without understanding how they use these powers, we’ll continue to be at their mercy.”
As Ivanov finished, General Hayes stood, commanding the attention of everyone in the room. His voice carried the weight of a man who knew the situation was slipping beyond their control. “Thank you, Major. It’s clear that we’re facing unprecedented threats. We’ve been testing prototypes of acoustic mesh network nodes for use around rifts and nest operations, but we’ve hit significant roadblocks due to interference.”
Before Hayes could continue, a technician hurried into the room, his face pale and tight with urgency. He whispered into the General’s ear, and Hayes’ expression darkened instantly.
“We’ve just received alarming news,” Hayes announced, his voice tight with barely contained anger. “The base’s computer system has been hacked. All of our research data—particularly our rift stabilization research—has been leaked.”
The room buzzed with shock and alarm. Mercer felt a chill spread through his veins. Rift stabilization technology was at the cutting edge of their work—information that, in the wrong hands, could lead to unspeakable consequences.
“We’ve traced the breach,” Hayes continued, his voice cold and stern. “It came from one of our own.”
A wave of murmurs spread through the gathered personnel. Mercer’s mind reeled. An insider?
“The breach came from Specialist Ingrid Müller’s terminal,” the technician confirmed.
Mercer’s heart dropped. Gadget? His team’s technical expert, someone he had trusted implicitly. The weight of the revelation hit him like a blow to the chest.
“Bring her in for questioning,” Hayes ordered, his voice icy with authority. “Immediately.”
The Interrogation
The interrogation room was cold and sterile, designed to strip the person sitting in the hot seat of any comfort. Gadget sat across from Mercer and General Hayes, her hands cuffed to the table. Her face, usually full of life, was drained of color, her eyes flickering between guilt and defiance.
Mercer stood behind the table, his heart pounding in his chest. He hadn’t spoken since entering the room. It wasn’t just anger holding him back—it was disbelief. Why, Gadget? He kept running the question over in his mind, looking at her as if some unspoken answer might appear on her face.
Had it been his fault? Did he miss something during their time in the field? During training? He thought back to all the times Gadget had proven herself, her resourcefulness and dedication making her an indispensable part of the team. That same drive, that need to prove herself, had somehow twisted into this.
General Hayes leaned forward, his tone hard. "Specialist Müller, we’ve traced the breach in our systems back to your terminal. Critical data, particularly our research on rift stabilization, has been leaked. Data that could lead to catastrophic global consequences. Who did you give it to? Why?"
Gadget remained silent, staring at the table. Her hands trembled slightly in the cuffs. Finally, she looked up, her voice low but steady. "I wasn’t trying to betray anyone. I did it because... because that knowledge should not belong to GRRA alone."
Mercer’s eyes narrowed, the disbelief giving way to a simmering anger. "What do you mean, Ingrid? You leaked classified information—technology that could destabilize everything we’ve fought for. How can you justify that?"
Gadget’s lips pressed together before she answered, her defiance reappearing. "GRRA shouldn’t be the only organization with the power to stabilize the rifts. Think about it, Captain. What if other nations—other groups—had this information? They could fight back. They wouldn’t have to rely on GRRA to protect them."
"You’re playing with fire," Mercer snapped. His voice was rising, the betrayal biting deeper. "The world is already on the edge of chaos. Giving unstable factions access to this tech could push us past the point of no return. Did you even think about the consequences?"
Gadget lifted her chin, meeting his gaze. There was a strange glint in her eyes—something unreadable, almost too calm. "Yes, I did. And I don’t regret it. You’ve seen what’s happening out there. People are dying, Captain, every day, and GRRA is sitting on technology that could save them. But bureaucracy is too slow. By the time we get clearance, by the time research is done... millions more could be dead."
General Hayes leaned closer, his voice cutting through the rising tension. "Who approached you, Müller? Who put you up to this?"
She hesitated for a moment, the first sign of doubt crossing her face. "I... I don’t know his real name. He called himself Johnson. I’m sure it was fake, but he knew things about the rifts. He said GRRA wasn’t the only group working on this tech."
Hayes frowned. "Johnson? And you believed him? You risked everything—betrayed everything—based on the word of someone using a fake name? Did you ever stop to think about who he really was?"
Before Gadget could answer, Mercer cut in, his frustration boiling over. "You don’t know who Johnson is. Hell, you don’t even know who you’re dealing with! He could be anyone—manipulating you, using you as a pawn. How could you be so reckless?"
Gadget’s face flushed red, her voice rising in response. "And how long do you think GRRA will sit on this tech, huh? Weeks? Months? Meanwhile, people are dying out there! You’ve seen it yourself, Captain. What’s reckless is pretending we have time. We don’t!"
Mercer clenched his fists, the pulse of anger making his heart race. "That’s not your decision to make, Ingrid. You’ve handed over data that could destroy everything we’ve fought for, and you don’t even know who you're dealing with."
For the briefest moment, Gadget’s face wavered, but her resolve didn’t break. Her voice cracked, but the defiance remained. "I was trying to help. You know how slow this place is. We have the power to stabilize rifts, to explore what’s on the other side, and you’re telling me that we should hoard that for ourselves? GRRA can’t do this alone. You know that."
General Hayes leaned forward, his eyes hard. "You gave away sensitive information to someone we know nothing about. The consequences could be catastrophic, Müller. Do you understand what you've done? You’ve endangered the entire world."
"I don’t care who he was!" Gadget snapped, her voice shaking but forceful. "I care that people are dying, and we’re not doing enough. Like I said, GRRA is too slow. Other people—other groups—need these tools to fight back too."
Mercer’s stomach twisted at her words. "You don’t even know who those groups are. They could be terrorists. They could be using that data right now to turn the rifts into weapons." His voice grew tight, the weight of her betrayal pressing down on him. "You thought you were helping, but you’ve made everything worse."
Tears formed in Gadget’s eyes, her hands trembling against the restraints. "I thought... I thought I was helping."
A tense silence fell over the room, the weight of her words hanging in the air like a heavy fog. Mercer’s heart ached—torn between the bond he shared with Gadget and the anger seething beneath the surface. How had it come to this?
Finally, Mercer stood, his chest tight as he turned away from the table. His mind swirled with guilt and frustration. He had trusted her. She had been part of his team, and now... she had betrayed them all. He leaned against the cold metal wall outside the interrogation room, running his hands over his face as the questions clawed at him.
Had there been more signs? How many cracks were forming within GRRA that he couldn’t see? What if others were like Gadget, believing GRRA was moving too slowly, too cautiously?
Mercer closed his eyes, the burden of leadership pressing down on him like never before. How many more cracks were forming, just out of sight?
General Hayes entered his private quarters, shutting the door behind him. The soft hum of the secure comms terminal filled the room as the faces of GRRA representatives from around the world flickered into view on the screen—each representing their respective continents, all grappling with the ongoing crises unfolding in their regions.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Hayes began, his voice firm but laced with the gravity of the situation. “I’ve called you here to inform you of a serious breach. Our rift stabilization research has been hacked and leaked.”
The reaction was immediate. Faces on the screen stiffened, eyes widening as they processed the news. A representative from Europe leaned forward, his brow furrowed deeply in concern. “Do we know who’s responsible?”
Hayes exhaled, his voice steady but weary. “It came from within. One of our own—Specialist Ingrid Müller—was manipulated into believing this information should be shared with groups outside of GRRA’s control.”
A GRRA leader from South America cut in sharply, “Who exactly did she share it with? If this technology falls into the wrong hands...”
Hayes’ frustration seeped into his voice as he replied, “She mentioned a man calling himself ‘Johnson,’ but it’s clear that’s an alias. We have no idea who he really is or what group he represents. What we do know is that whoever has this data now could destabilize our entire global effort to secure the rifts. Worse, they might find a way to weaponize it.”
A pause followed, the weight of his words hanging heavy in the air.
A representative from Africa spoke next, his voice tense but deliberate. “This is more than a data leak, Nathaniel. If this technology gets out, rogue factions or even hostile nations could tip the global balance of power. It’s no longer just about containment—it’s a global security risk.”
Hayes gave a grim nod. “Exactly. We’ve already initiated damage control on our end, but it’s imperative that all of you secure your channels and tighten security protocols. We must assume that any of us could be the next target.”
The room fell into a heavy silence as the gravity of the situation sank in. The stakes had risen exponentially, and the very fabric of their global collaboration was now at risk.
“This breach isn’t just a loss of data,” Hayes continued, his voice growing more intense. “It’s a ticking time bomb. If these groups figure out how to stabilize rifts independently, they could potentially open controlled rifts anywhere—our cities, our military bases... nothing would be safe.”
The representative from Asia leaned forward, her face lined with concern. “We need to consider the worst-case scenario. What if these factions start exploring beyond the rifts? They could invite new threats into our world—or worse, provoke something far beyond our understanding.”
Hayes’ expression darkened. “We don’t know for sure what’s on the other side, but we can’t afford to take any chances. That’s why our only option is to secure what we can now and move quickly to develop countermeasures. We’ve already begun working on satellite systems to locate rifts and monitor unauthorized attempts at stabilization, but it’s only a matter of time before someone figures out how to exploit what they’ve stolen.”
A GRRA official from North America spoke up next, his tone urgent. “We’ll need to accelerate our own research. Whatever factions are out there, we need to stay ahead of them—or we’ll be left reacting to threats we never anticipated.”
Dr. Sophia Reyes, calm but visibly worried, chimed in, “Additionally, we are still investigating whether different psi radiation oscillations can be used to keep rifts open longer or even close them entirely. This research holds promise for better control over the rifts—perhaps even allowing us to open one at will.”
Her voice faltered slightly, but she continued, “That kind of power would be unprecedented.”
Dr. Maria Gonzalez, the biologist, was next to speak, her tone measured but deeply serious. “We’ve also observed contamination in local groundwater due to the appearance of alien biomes and plants. These specimens die within hours of the rift’s disappearance, limiting our ability to study them in depth. However, by replicating psi emissions from the queen creature, we believe we can sustain these specimens longer for more thorough research.”
She paused, her eyes narrowing. “But we’ll need a specialized device that can emit the same psi frequencies recorded from the queen’s nest. It would allow us to study their biology more effectively and perhaps unlock ways to manipulate these ecosystems.”
Hayes’ brow furrowed as he considered this. “How soon can we have this device ready?”
Dr. Kenji Tanaka, the engineer, leaned forward with confidence. “We’re already working on prototypes. I’ll be coordinating with labs in Tokyo and Berlin to fast-track the development. We’ll assemble devices that can replicate the psi radiation emissions from the queen’s nest.”
Dr. Raj Patel, his tone grave, added, “There’s more. We’ve detected subsurface instability around several rift zones—sinkholes, structural collapses—all of which pose serious risks to our operations and civilian safety. In some zones, we’ve also recorded extreme temperature fluctuations. If we’re going to send field agents into these areas, they’ll need suits that can withstand these environmental changes while remaining combat-ready.”
Hayes’ eyes hardened as he processed the information. “Patel, reach out to MIT, NASA, and other collaborators. We need to know if any of their space suits can be adapted for our agents. We need protection that doesn’t sacrifice mobility.”
“Yes, General,” Patel replied, his expression resolute. “I’ve already initiated contact with their labs. We’re coordinating now.”
Hayes nodded but remained visibly tense. “Good. Prioritize these tasks immediately. Our ability to control and understand the rift phenomena depends on the success of these initiatives. We’re not just dealing with alien creatures anymore—we’re dealing with each other. This war is getting more complicated by the hour, and we need to be prepared for anything.”
The room fell silent, the weight of his words sinking in. The tension on the call was palpable. The faces of the GRRA representatives faded from the screen one by one, leaving General Hayes alone in his quarters, staring at the black screen. The future of their world had never felt more precarious.