Director Mercer's voice sharpened. "Don't look at the vitals. Look at the patterns."
Sera watched the symbols dance across the wall.
Her creature smiled inside her. Now they know. Your heart obeys you. Not them. Not their machines. Not their fear.
The machine sounded… confused.
Mechanical confused, but still confused.
It pushed again.
The pressure drilled deeper, threading through her torso, sinking toward her spine.
She exhaled.
Just one gentle breath.
The scan blared.
Sparks spat.
The lights went white—too bright, too sudden.
The wall display flickered.
Kearns choked out, "Director, abort—abort—she's destabilizing the entire—"
Mercer didn't respond.
Sera lifted her chin, gazing at the ceiling without fear, without defiance, just interest.
Then—
A voice crackled through the chamber speakers.
It was Director Mercer's.
It was calm.
Even.
Decisive.
"Cycle it again."
