The ground vibrated softly beneath their steps. Every meter brought them closer to the extraction base, yet Matt had never felt this kind of fear.
The metallic structure loomed on the horizon, gray and menacing, standing in stark contrast to Elora’s undulating blue flora. The jungle slowly withdrew around them, as if even nature refused to come near this place.
He held Sehr’mana’s hand.
Her fingers trembled slightly. Not from fear—just apprehension.
A deep rumble echoed. Armored vehicles emerged from behind the gates. Soldiers dismounted, their weapons raised.
"Halt! Identify yourselves immediately!" one of them ordered.
Matt raised his hands but didn’t let go of hers.
"Matt Rogers! I was part of Exploration Mission E-72, Capsule Three. I’m… the only survivor."
Silence. Then murmurs. They were communicating through earpieces. Finally, an officer stepped forward, scrutinizing Matt, then Sehr’mana. His brow furrowed.
"Separate yourselves."
"Wait!" Matt shouted. "She saved me. Without her, I’d be dead. She isn’t hostile."
He didn’t get the chance to say more. In a swift motion, two soldiers pinned him to the ground. Others rushed toward Sehr’mana. She didn’t resist—not to escape, but to help Matt. A sharp electric pulse hit her, paralyzing her muscles. She gasped, her eyes searching for his—panicked.
"Don’t touch her! Stop!"
He struggled, yelled, but they were already binding his wrists. Their names echoed in desperation as they reached for each other. Their fingers brushed—just for a second. A flicker of warmth in the cold air.
Then, they were torn apart.
Matt watched helplessly as she disappeared behind a metal door.
Then, nothing.
The room they locked him in was cold. Too white. Too sterile. Two metallic restraints secured him to a chair bolted to the floor. He had no idea how much time had passed.
Then he entered.
General Ledger.
Matt had seen him before—only in holograms. But in person, the man commanded attention. Rigid stance, silver hair cropped to perfection, eyes like steel. He moved without noise, hands clasped behind his back, as if he were walking through a museum.
"Matt Rogers. You are a legend now. The sole survivor of a crashed capsule. Two months in the jungle of Elora. Alone. No assistance."
"I wasn’t alone," Matt spat. "I survived because of her. Because of Sehr’mana. Let her go."
Ledger didn’t flinch. He stepped closer, studying Matt like a rare specimen.
"You have an admirable sense of loyalty. But… you’re too naïve."
"I promised to help her. Her village was attacked. By Drakomites—armed with human weapons."
The silence that followed was worse than a confession.
Ledger took another step forward.
"We know."
Matt felt his stomach twist. He understood.
"It was you… The base supplied them. Why?"
The general stopped just inches from him, locking eyes.
"The Xénium we extract… it’s killing the planet. The Shivenars know. They want to stop us. But as long as they’re busy fighting the Drakomites, they leave us alone."
Matt lowered his head. The words hit like knives. He had faced poison jungles, fought creatures, outrun death. But this truth—this was worse than all of it.
"You’re making the same mistakes we did on Earth."
"This is different. Here, we have a chance. A second chance for our species. You have to understand, Matt. Sometimes survival means… getting your hands dirty."
Matt clenched his fists, the chains rattled.
"You talk about survival. But this isn’t survival. This is domination. Destruction."
"I talk about preserving our species," Ledger replied smoothly. "You’re just a boy who sees good everywhere. Open your eyes."
"Spending time with those savages has softened your mind," he added with quiet disdain.
Matt stared back, his gaze burning.
"Sehr’mana… in just days, she showed me more humanity than I’ve seen in all my years with you. She healed my wounds, shared her food, risked her life for me. And you want to cage her? To let her people be wiped out?"
"She is an opportunity. Her species is strong. They thrive in the hell that is Elora. If we understand their biology, their connection to Xénium, we can control them."
"You’re monsters," Matt murmured, eyes glossy with tears.
"You’ll be decorated. They’ll call you a hero."
Matt lifted his head, disgusted.
"And Sehr’mana?"
Ledger sighed, as if repeating something obvious to a child.
"She will be studied. For our benefit."
He turned toward the door.
Matt shouted after him:
"I’d rather die than live in a world where she doesn’t. I will do everything to free her!"
The general paused for a brief moment—then continued without reply.
The door closed.
And Matt, alone, lowered his head.
Silent tears fell.
He had only his promise left.
And a burning rage.
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