Arthur stepped out of the steamy bathroom, a towel draped around his neck, his damp hair tousled from the quick shower. The chill of the air-conditioned room brushed against his skin, a stark contrast to the warmth of the bath. As he reached for his clothes, the datapad on his desk lit up and began to beep.

Curious after putting on a T-shirt, he walked over and tapped it, activating the holographic display. The familiar figures of Lira and Kael materialized in front of him, their faces filled with concern.

“Arthur!” Lira’s voice was laced with urgency. Her wide eyes scanned his image as if searching for any visible injuries. “What happened out there? We heard bits and pieces, but don’t know the full details.”

Kael, standing beside her, crossed his arms and gave a nod of acknowledgment. His tone was calm but inquisitive. “You alright, rookie? You’ve been making waves, not just in our crew but across the entire network. People are talking about you.”

Arthur offered a small smile, pulling a chair closer to sit down. “I’m fine, just a little banged up. It was... intense out there.”

“Intense?” Lira’s voice rose an octave. “Arthur, they’re saying you took down an entire battalion of Chimerians practically on your own! That’s not ‘intense,’ that’s insane!”

Arthur rubbed the back of his neck, his expression modest. “It wasn’t exactly like that. I had backup, and the situation left me no choice. Besides, they weren’t expecting us to fight back as hard as we did.”

Kael chuckled, shaking his head. “But you’ve got to know, word is spreading fast. Some are calling you a hero, while others...” He paused, his gaze steady. “Well, they’re less thrilled. You’ve ruffled a few feathers.”

Arthur sighed, leaning back in his chair. “Yeah, Admiral Kane already warned me about that. I’ve got a meeting later today with someone higher up. They’ll probably want to poke and prod, see what makes me tick.”

Lira frowned, her hands gripping the edge of her desk in the holographic feed. “Are you sure you’re okay with all this? It’s not fair that they’re putting you under a microscope just because you did what you had to do.”

Arthur met her gaze, his voice steady. “I knew the risks when I acted. If it keeps everyone safe, it’s worth it.”

Kael nodded approvingly. “That’s the Arthur I know. Just don’t let them push you around too much, alright? You’re not some lab rat.”

“Thanks, Kael,” Arthur said with a faint smile. “And Lira, I appreciate the concern. Really. I’ll be careful.”

Lira’s expression softened, but her tone remained firm. “You’d better be. If you need anything, you know we’re here.”

Arthur nodded. “I know. And I’ll reach out if I need to. Thanks, both of you.”

After a few more moments of casual conversation, the call ended, and the holographic display blinked off. Arthur stood, stretching briefly before slipping into his uniform. As he adjusted the cuffs, a knock sounded on his door.

When he opened it, Elena, Leo, and Samir were waiting in the hallway.

“Morning,” Elena greeted with a smile. “You heading anywhere, or are you up for a little R&R?”

Leo leaned against the wall, his usual grin in place. “We’re thinking of checking out the entertainment district. You know, loosen up a bit after surviving our first mission. What do you say?”

Arthur hesitated, glancing back at his room as if weighing his options. “I’d like to, but I can’t. Someone’s supposed to come for me soon. Apparently, I’ve got... other obligations.”

Samir raised an eyebrow, his expression curious. “Obligations? Sounds serious.”

“Yeah, something like that,” Arthur said with a faint smile. “Sorry, but I’ll have to take a rain check. Next time, though.”

Elena nodded understandingly. “Fair enough. Just don’t work too hard, alright?”

“I’ll try,” Arthur replied with a chuckle.

Before they could say more, another knock echoed from the door of their quarter. Arthur opened it to find a soldier standing there, his uniform pristine and his demeanor crisp.

“Arthur Sully?” the soldier asked, his voice formal.

“That’s me,” Arthur replied.

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“You’re requested to follow me immediately,” the soldier said.

Arthur glanced back at his teammates. “Guess this is it. I’ll catch up with you all later.”

Leo gave him a thumbs-up. “Good luck, man. We’ll save a seat for you at the bar.”

As Arthur followed the soldier down the corridor, his teammates watched him go, a mixture of curiosity and concern on their faces.

“What do you think that’s about?” Elena asked, leaning against the wall.

“Could be anything,” Samir replied. “But after what he pulled off out there, it’s probably something big.”

Leo smirked, crossing his arms. “Arthur’s got a knack for getting into the thick of things. Whatever it is, I believe he can handle it.”

The three shared a quiet moment of reflection before heading off toward the entertainment district, leaving the mystery of Arthur’s summons to unfold on its own.

…

The corridors seemed to stretch endlessly as Arthur followed the soldier in silence. The soldier’s pace was brisk, his polished boots clinking rhythmically against the metallic floor.

After a few minutes, they arrived at a heavy door marked with the insignia of the United Federation of Earth (UFE). It slid open with a low hiss, revealing a well-lit office. The room was spacious yet uncluttered, with sleek, modern furniture and walls adorned with strategic maps and holographic displays.

At the center of the room sat a middle-aged man behind a polished metal desk. His uniform was immaculate, the insignia on his chest denoting a high rank. Behind him, several holograms flickered to life, each displaying figures in uniforms adorned with stars and brooches, unmistakably marking them as the top brass of the UFE.

The man looked up as Arthur entered, his sharp eyes studying him with an air of authority. He gestured toward a chair across the desk. “Mr. Arthur Sully, please, take a seat. I am Admiral Viktor Thalberg, commander of this station.”

Arthur saluted respectfully and took the offered seat, feeling the weight of the gathered gazes, both from the Admiral and the holograms.

“Thank you, Admiral Thalberg,” Arthur said evenly, his tone polite but firm.

The Admiral leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled as he regarded Arthur. “You’ve made quite an impression, Sully. What you accomplished on the battlefield was nothing short of extraordinary. But with extraordinary actions comes extraordinary attention.”

Arthur nodded, meeting the Admiral’s gaze. “I understand, sir. I was just doing what I thought was necessary to protect my team and complete the mission.”

One of the holographic figures, a stern-looking middle aged woman with silver hair, leaned forward slightly. “Necessary, yes. But your actions revealed capabilities far beyond those of any soldier we produce. We need to understand how you achieved what you did.”

Arthur resisted the urge to shift uncomfortably in his seat. “I’m willing to cooperate where I can, but my focus has always been on the mission and the safety of those around me.”

Admiral Thalberg’s lips twitched into a faint smile. “A noble answer. But let’s not dance around the subject. Your abilities are a matter of significant interest to the UFE, and we intend to explore them. Of course, this will involve certain protocols and benefits for you, which we’ll discuss in detail.”

Another hologram, this one of a grizzled man with a scar across his cheek, spoke up, his voice gruff. “This isn’t just about understanding your abilities, Sully. It’s about the future of our species. If what you’ve shown can be replicated or even studied, it could give us an edge against the Chimerians we desperately need.”

Arthur’s jaw tightened slightly. Arthur understood these people are like vultures and they would tear him apart if he showed any weakness. “With all due respect, sir, I’m not a lab experiment.”

The room fell silent for a moment, the tension thick in the air.

Admiral Thalberg raised a hand, diffusing the moment. “No one is suggesting you are, Sully. But you must understand the stakes here. We’re not asking for blind obedience. We’re asking for collaboration. Your abilities could save countless lives.”

Arthur considered his words carefully. “I understand the stakes, Admiral. And I want to help. But there are limits to what I can, and will, but I also want something in return if I am going to”

The silver-haired woman’s hologram nodded approvingly. “Fair enough. We’ll respect your boundaries, as long as they don’t compromise our efforts.”

…

The room grew quiet for a moment, the tension palpable as the officials exchanged brief, almost imperceptible glances. Admiral Thalberg finally broke the silence, his voice steady but commanding.

“Let’s start with what we need from you, Sully,” he said, leaning forward. “First, we’ll require periodic blood samples and stem cell extractions. These will allow us to study your genetic and cellular makeup, nothing invasive beyond what’s necessary for research.”

Arthur’s expression remained neutral, though his mind churned at the implications. He nodded slightly. “I assume this is non-negotiable?”

“Correct,” said the silver-haired woman hologram, her tone firm but not hostile. “This is essential for understanding the foundation of your abilities and their potential applications.”

The scarred officer chimed in next. “Second, we’ll need you to be available to respond to high-priority assignments. Given your unique capabilities, your presence on the field could turn the tide in critical engagements. Until we are able to replicate your abilities.”

Arthur leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “You want me on call like a weapon to be deployed at your convenience?”

“Not a weapon, Sully,” Thalberg corrected, his gaze sharp. “An asset. But, yes, we expect you to prioritize these calls.”

Arthur’s gaze flicked between the faces present. He could see they were accustomed to giving orders, expecting compliance without question. But that wasn’t who he was.

When the officials paused, signaling the end of their demands, Arthur spoke up, his tone measured but resolute. “If you want my cooperation, I have conditions of my own.”

Thalberg raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Go on.”

Arthur leaned forward slightly, his posture confident. “I want access to every piece of military technology and research up to date, no redacted files, no restricted systems.”

***