"Dean, my friend, where have you been?"
Servius was a massive man, a living wall of muscle forged by years of experience and battle. Knife and bullet scars ran across his arms, each one a silent testament to past blows. His eyes, gleaming warmly beneath thick mustaches, carried sincerity. His short-cropped hair and dark complexion gave him a look of both toughness and reliability. When he gripped Dean's shoulder, it was more than a greeting—it was a quiet acknowledgment of a friendship forged over years. Servius was blunt but genuine, like a shield that always takes the first strike in battle to protect the team.
Axel stepped in behind Dean. As the team's second-in-command, he was always calm, calculating, and deliberate.
"Hey, Servius, let the man breathe. If you try to choke him, we'll have problems," he said with a light smile. Then, turning to Dean, he took a deep breath:
"Welcome back, my friend."
The others quickly gathered around Dean, their eyes reflecting both surprise and pent-up longing.
Emre, tall and skinny, usually kept his hood up, blending into the background with his quiet, reserved nature. As the team's sniper, he was always alert.
"Commander, you've gotten even more handsome since I last saw you," he said, teasing but sincere, lightly patting Dean's shoulder.
Alex, the intelligence expert, stood with his beard and ponytail, exuding a distinctive presence. Nostalgia glimmered in his expression as memories of old days surfaced.
"Man… I've missed the old times so much," he said, eyes lighting up as he lightly waved his hands from his pockets.
Bora, the second sniper, was impossible to miss with his booming voice and sharp gaze. His wavy hair looked slightly tousled, and his hawk-like eyes scanned every detail around him.
"Commander, welcome," he said, straightening his posture and squaring his shoulders.
Layla, the hacker and cyber operative, managed the mission's technological infrastructure alone. Relief and exhaustion flickered across her face; Dean's return eased a heavy burden.
"Commander, thank God you made it. I was tired of being stuck here with these blockheads," she said, a teasing smile tugging at her lips.
Cabbar, the team's driver and vehicle expert—whether tank, helicopter, or plane—was unmatched in any mission. His stance and gaze radiated readiness and energy.
"Commander, what's the mission? Are we back at war?" he asked, eyes sparkling, hands planted on his hips.
Alex glanced around with a smirk and a spark in his eyes:
"Hey Layla, who's this blockhead? Don't confuse him with someone as legendary as me."
Layla rolled her eyes, a small smile on her lips. Her voice was sharp, but beneath it, humor peeked through:
"Especially you, Alex. Full-on blockhead."
Axel, standing in front of the commander, tried to keep the peace. Broad-shouldered and serious:
"Hey, kids, no fighting in front of the commander."
Dean watched them, a slight smile on his face. Warmth for his old friends flickered in his eyes:
"Haha, leave it Axel. Seeing them like this… it makes me incredibly happy. So, where's the rest of the team?"
Axel shrugged, a hint of sadness in his voice:
"Commander, the others couldn't make it. Most have built new lives, some overseas. The rest of us… we're the ones who couldn't let go of this life."
Dean took a quiet breath, speaking in a somber tone:
"Alright… everyone, I've gathered you here for a reason."
He turned to Lara, eyes serious, voice sharp:
"Lara, I sent you a clip. Show it to everyone."
Lara opened her laptop with a solemn expression, her tone commanding:
"As you command."
The video appeared. Doctors in white coats examined a body in a cold, sterile laboratory. The harsh fluorescent lights reflected off metal tables and instruments, giving the room a chilling glow. A voice, shaky and mechanical, came from one of them:
---
Day 35
— Subject 0018… No signs of life. Blood flow zero, no movement, organs failing. Observed accelerated decomposition. Drug No. 06 failed. Cell-slowing experiment ineffective.
Day 38
— Subject 0026… The body reacts like the others. Rapid decay; cells almost "gone mad." Subject dies within seconds; body decays quickly. How many more subjects can we use? I don't know…
The team fell silent as the video played. A heavy tension filled the room. Some looked away, while others stared, unable to break focus.
Day 100
— Subject 0526… Over 500 subjects tested with no results. This time, it must work. The body decays rapidly; we cannot stop it. It feels like we're touching forbidden territory. I feel… closer to God now. Perhaps we shouldn't stop this.
Day 159
— Subject 0986… Thousands of subjects now. No solution for decay. Can humans not live longer? Did God set a limit for us? Are we not meant to survive longer? Why…?
A silence fell. Lara clasped her hands together, breathing quietly without looking away from the screen. Alex clenched his teeth, staring at the camera, words stuck in his throat.
Day 172
— Haha… we did it. Cells are regenerating. Slower, yes, but there's hope. Decay continues; we must find a solution.
Day 200
— Whoever sees this… we are done. We should never have done this. The subject was alive… we succeeded, but we created a monster. God punished us. The subject… my friends… all seven of them became like it. I can't… God… forgive me.
At the end of the video, the doctor drew a gun with trembling hands, aimed at his temple, and pulled the trigger. The screen went black. Silence enveloped the room; everyone exhaled deeply.