Serena's lips curved upward.
He certainly knew how to spin a narrative.
Still, she was genuinely thrilled with the arrangement.
Previously, just getting within breathing distance of Specimen Fourteen meant dodging patrols and bypassing lethal security measures.
Now... the very people running the ship were holding the front door open for her.
Why would she ever say no?
"Furthermore, to ensure absolute security during transport, we are implementing a dual-protocol with divided medical and security oversight," Director Kaelen said, shifting his stance to gesture toward the corridor. "You will handle the medical sealing and stabilization, while the external transport, guarding, and perimeter defense will be commanded by Fenris."
At the mention of that name, an imperceptible spark lit up Serena's eyes.
Right on cue, the sharp, synchronized thud of heavy combat boots echoed down the hall.
Leading the strike team was a towering man, his face obscured by tactical gear, leaving only piercing, steel-blue eyes visible.
He was pure, chilling tranquility.
His cold gaze swept over The Apex Bio-Transfer Pod before locking directly onto her.
Their eyes met across the sterile room.
"Captain Fenris," Serena purred, a wicked smile blooming on her crimson lips. "It seems we're tied by fate. I just keep bumping into you, don't I?"
Jerrick Lancaster merely gave her a passing glance. Refusing to take the bait of her teasing, he shifted his focus sharply to the director. "The transport route has been entirely cleared."
"From this point forward, the escort and perimeter defense of Specimen Fourteen belong to my squad. We will maintain control until the final handover at Whitecliffe Harbor. No unauthorized personnel will breach the perimeter. There will be zero mistakes."
Director Kaelen beamed with satisfaction. "Thank you for stepping up, Fenris. With you leading security, the organization can rest easy."
The Panacea managing the medical vitals, and Fenris commanding the transport detail.
Finally, the knot of anxiety that had been strangling Kaelen all night began to loosen. Standing quietly to the side, Serena watched the director's relieved posture, the amusement in her eyes darkening into something almost predatory.
Who could have possibly guessed that the very two people who had secretly orchestrated Specimen Fourteen's appearance on the auction block were now being officially paired up by the hosts themselves?
It was poetic, really.
Now, one held the medical dominion, and the other held the security perimeter.
Identities, clearance levels, and rock-solid justifications for being near Specimen Fourteen-they didn't have to lift a finger to manufacture any of it. Project Zero-Transit had meticulously handed them the keys. to the kingdom.
It was like someone handing them a loaded gun with the safety off.
...
Meanwhile, miles away from the stage, The Raven's bidding terminal chimed with a fresh security update.
His face thunderous, he looked down at the glowing screen.
[Lead Medical Overseer: The Panacea.]
[Lead Security Transport: Fenris.]
The second he processed the latter name, The Raven's fingers clenched in a death grip around the device.
Fenris.
Fenris was heavily involved too!
The exact two phantoms who had conspired to rip Specimen Fourteen out of his
grasp were now guarding the very asset he had bled dry to win back!
And the hosts actually had the sheer
audacity to send him this
notification, expecting him the
buyer who had hemorrhaged $130 billion—to feel reassured?
The Raven stared venomously at the two names, a suffocating wave of rage crushing his lungs.
He had exhausted every resource, paid an apocalyptic price, just to claw Specimen Fourteen back.
And at the end of the day, the asset was right back in the hands of The Panacea and Fenris.
He was ready to burn the entire ocean to the ground.
Back at the pod, Serena meticulously verified the biometric data on Specimen Fourteen and double-checked the independent life-support functionality of The Apex Bio-Transfer Pod. Finally, she handed the signed sealing manifest back to the director. "Exécute according to these protocols. Once the seal is locked absolutely external interfaces are to be
connected. Other than that,
everything is stable."
Director Kaelen nodded eagerly.
Satisfied, Serena extracted The Sanctum Terminal Key, letting the crucial piece of
hardware dangle lazily from her delicate finger.
With a flick of her wrist, she tossed it through the air. "Captain Fenris."