Vatica
Superintendent Jeremy stood at the center desk of his office, a mobile phone in hand, his gaze fixed on the transparent glass display before him. Lines and nodes pulsed faintly across its surface as he interpreted the web of connections forming before his eyes.
A soft knock sounded at the door before an officer barged in.
"Sir," the younger man called, offering a sharp salute.
Without turning, Superintendent Jeremy asked, "What is your report?"
"Another one of the runaways has been spotted at the national correctional facility."
"When?"
"Minutes ago, sir," the officer replied. "An entire troop has been dispatched for immediate arrest."
"Vatica," Jeremy muttered, dragging a line across the display and linking even more dots. He paused, then turned. "Has the culprit been identified?"
"Yes, sir… Valtor Steel."
"Steel?" Jeremy repeated.
"Yes, sir."
Realization dawned, and his expression hardened.
"Send a telecomm to the officers guarding the professor. Tell them to double their defense immediately," he said, moving toward his desk. "We can't afford a break in. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir. I'll do that right away."
"One more thing." Jeremy rummaged through the clutter on his desk before pulling out a small drive and tossing it to the officer. "Give this to the IT officer in charge. Tell him to monitor the runaways at the alien zone. He has full authorization to initiate the detonation protocol— even if it leaves them crawling out injured."
"Yes, sir. Shall I report back?"
"No." Jeremy gathered his belongings briskly. "I'm leaving for an emergency meeting with the council."
He scowled. "This is all a setup. Three of them appearing across two critical locations means the other three will surface soon." His eyes narrowed. "And I have a good idea where."
"They're clever," he added, unimpressed. "But they're council property—and we'll do whatever it takes to reclaim what's ours."
He stopped at the door. "Make sure Steel is retrieved before I return."
"Yes, sir!" The officer snapped a final salute.
....................
National Correctional Facility_ Vatica.
Valtor dashed ahead at full force, ignoring the ache burning through his legs. He glanced back subtly, hoping the officers at the entrance hadn't caught up to him—though they shouldn't have recovered from their injuries so quickly.
Unsure of his exact location, his head snapped left and right as long rows of cell rooms blurred past on either side.
There was no way his father would've been held somewhere this exposed.
A sudden horn blast cracked through the air.
Valtor stopped in his tracks as red lights flared to life, flashing relentlessly along the corridors.
Gritting his teeth, he veered right toward a flight of stairs—only for the thunder of rushing footsteps to force him back. He turned left instead, sprinting straight into another troop of armed soldiers.
He stumbled back, retreating to the center of the hall.
Surrounded.
Officers closed in from both sides, rifles raised, all aimed at him.
Valtor's chest rose and fell as he subtly studied their formation.
"Hands in the air, Steel," one of them ordered.
Slowly, Valtor raised one arm.
"I said both arms," the officer snapped.
Valtor coughed lightly. "I wouldn't do that if I were you."
His glare locked onto an officer standing a short distance away, fingers hovering inches from the trigger, the familiar power- sucking neutralizer balanced in his grip.
The man hesitated.
Too late.
Valtor unleashed a blast of fire, while also engulfing himself in a roaring shield of flames before the others could react. Bullets fired instinctively, their force weakening as they struck the heat barrier.
The targeted officer cried out, clutching his scorched arm as his teammates dragged him back.
"I did warn you," Valtor said coldly.
Other neutralizer-armed officers opened fire again, their waves crashing uselessly against the flames.
With a sharp spread of his arms, spheres of fire exploded outward. Panic rippled through the unit as soldiers dove for cover—some not fast enough.
Still shielded, Valtor pushed forward into the hall, tapping his wristband for directions—
A call intercepted the signal.
"Orea," he said the moment her image flickered onto the screen. "Where are you?"
"I just forced my way into the laboratory," she replied.
"Are you okay?"
"It was a hassle, but I'm fine. What about you—have you found your dad yet?"
"Not yet," Valtor said, jaw set. "But I will."
"Good. I'll see you when I'm done."
"You too," he said softly. "Be careful."
"I will", she smiled. I love you, she added just before the call cut out.
"I love you too", he whispered.
Valtor exhaled once—then ran.
....................
Alone in the vast facility, surrounded by equipment and scattered setups, Orea moved toward a stack of machinery piled in the corner—some still sealed in their packages. Professor Malcolm's video replayed in her mind.
"Council property," she read aloud, her voice tight with disgust as her fingers skimmed the metal casings.
I'll need a huge fire to destroy these.
The doors slammed open.
Heavy boots echoed as half a dozen security guards flooded the room, spreading out with practiced precision. Their movements slow and deliberate.
Orea turned, a little caught of guard.
One of them limped forward, his jaw clenched, eyes burning with restrained fury—the same man she had dropped earlier. The others closed in, cutting off every exit.
"Step away from the machines," the man in front growled. "Now."
She didn't move.
"We were polite once," he continued coldly. "That was a mistake."
He extended a metal rod. Electricity surged violently along its length, snapping and hissing as it touched the air. The others raised theirs in unison, the room filling with a low, dangerous hum—enough power to incapacitate any human.
"Last warning," another guard said. "You stand down peacefully, or we put you down."
Orea exhaled slowly, steadying herself.
"Fine," she said.
Her eyes ignited with grey light.
"I'll play fair," she added calmly. "Electricity versus lightning."
The air seemed to shiver as she spoke. Sparks danced along metal surfaces, the fluorescent lights flickering violently while a low, ominous crackle rolled across the ceiling...