Kael Voss navigated the dense, bioluminescent undergrowth of the Verdant Bio-Dome's outer sector, his enhanced sensory perception—honed by the fourth tier of the Cellular Activation Protocol—painting the twilight in crisp detail. What would have been impenetrable darkness to ordinary eyes was a tapestry of iridescent plant veins and subtle bio-energy signatures, guiding his steps as reliably as daylight.
His vigilance wasn't born of fear for the dome's gene-modified flora—those had long been neutered of predatory instincts by Seven Luminaries' biologists—but of a habit forged in survival. Since escaping Dr. Mordecai Thorne's initial manipulation years ago, Kael had deliberately cultivated this state of constant awareness. In the cutthroat world of the Conglomerate, where betrayal lurked in every lab and factional conflict simmered beneath polished surfaces, staying sharp was the only way to keep danger at bay.
The dome's artificial wind system picked up, sending a low, moaning gust through the engineered canopy of crystal-leafed trees. Kael's auditory receptors—amplified by his genetic enhancements—picked up the rustle of foliage, the distant hum of life-support systems, and… something else.
He froze mid-step, brows furrowing as he focused. Beyond the wind's howl, there were faint, deliberate footfalls—light enough to avoid disturbing the undergrowth, but distinct in their rhythm. Two sets, approaching from the opposite direction, their bio-energy signatures masked but not entirely invisible to his trained perception.
With the agility of a gene-enhanced predator, Kael melted into the shadow of a massive synth-wood tree, his body coiling into a compact silhouette. The tree's thick trunk and cascading vine-like tendrils concealed him completely; from the path, not even a flicker of movement was visible. He slowed his breathing to a near-imperceptible rhythm, activating the energy suppression protocol Dr. Thorne had taught him—though now it served as a shield against detection, not obedience.
This section of the bio-dome was restricted to probationary apprentices and research staff. For two people to traverse it at this hour, when most personnel had retreated to the central habitation pods, was highly irregular. Kael's intuition—sharpened by years of navigating the Conglomerate's political minefields—screamed that whatever they were planning, it wasn't meant to be seen.
He had no desire to stumble into a dangerous altercation, but if curiosity came with no risk, he saw no harm in listening. Secrets were currency in the Seven Luminaries, and even trivial ones could prove valuable.
"…down to the outpost… coordinates locked… Commander's timeline…"
The whispers drifted on the wind, fragmented but clear enough. Kael's pulse quickened. The only figure in the region referred to as "Commander" by the Wolfpack Raiders—their mortal enemies—was Jaxen "Golden Wolf" Solaris, the ruthless leader who'd plagued the Conglomerate's frontier outposts for years. Rumors painted him as a monster with gene-augmented strength and a penchant for brutality, though Ryder Blackwood had once mentioned he was surprisingly slender, his menace rooted in cunning rather than size.
"…the candidate list… must retrieve it before the calibration…"
Another snippet, sharper this time as the pair drew closer. Kael's mind raced. The Seven Luminaries' upcoming Gene Ascension Calibration was weeks away, and the candidate list contained the genetic profiles of every apprentice deemed worthy of advanced augmentation. If the Wolfpack got their hands on it, they could target key candidates—or worse, sabotage the calibration process itself.
He held his breath as the two figures passed his hiding spot. Their forms were obscured by hooded utility suits, but their movements betrayed military-grade training. Their voices dropped to a near-whisper, too low for even Kael's enhanced hearing to decipher, as they discussed the core of their plan. Moments later, their footsteps faded into the distance, their bio-energy signatures receding beyond his detection range.
Kael waited five full minutes, his Cellular Activation Protocol scanning the area to confirm no additional presence. When the all-clear registered, he unfolded his body and stepped back onto the path, his expression grim. He'd narrowly avoided disaster—had he rounded the corner moments earlier, he'd have walked straight into them, and Wolfpack spies didn't leave witnesses.
But what truly stunned him wasn't the close call. It was the realization that one of the voices, beneath its feigned gruffness, was familiar. He searched his enhanced memory—sharpened by the fourth tier's neural boost—and recalled the man who ran the bio-dome's mess hall: a portly, mustachioed supervisor with a penchant for petty theft and selling black-market gene-modified rations, including the synthetic rabbit meat Kael had bought once.
It made perfect sense. A mess hall supervisor had unrestricted access to all sectors of the bio-dome, could move between the central labs and outer outposts without suspicion, and was easily overlooked—exactly the kind of role a spy would occupy. Kael shook his head, a chill running down his spine. In the world of genetic ascension and inter-faction warfare, even the most unremarkable faces could hide the deadliest secrets.
He glanced toward the direction the spies had gone, then turned sharply toward the central habitation pods. Some secrets couldn't be ignored—not when they threatened the safety of everyone in the Verdant Bio-Dome. But who to trust with this information? Dr. Thorne was unpredictable, Ryder was tied to his own forbidden serum, and the Conglomerate's security forces were riddled with factional loyalties.
For now, Kael would bide his time, gathering more details. But one thing was certain: the Wolfpack's plot was already in motion, and the clock was ticking for the Seven Luminaries' candidates.