Sylvk didn’t make it to the infirmary. We were just out the main building when he jerked violently in our arms, his neural port flashing an angry red through his skin. Then he collapsed, huge wracking spasms taking us down with him.
Kerry froze, her face draining of color. “Sylvk?” Her voice broke on his name, high and tight with panic. Her hands hovered uselessly above him as his body convulsed. “Sylvk, what—”
I was as quick to act as I could be, and so was Rob. “Call your mom,” I ordered. No response. Kerry stood paralyzed, tears welling in her eyes as she watched Sylvk’s body betray him. “Kerry!” I shouted. “Call your mom now!”
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Kerry blinked rapidly, her breath coming in short, shallow gasps. I recognized the signs of shock setting in. Then something shifted in her eyes—the scientist taking over, pushing panic aside through sheer force of will. Her eyes glazed a moment later as she accessed her communications. “Med-Evac is already aware. ETA one minute.”
Her hands trembled as she knelt beside Sylvk’s thrashing form. His port continued to flash erratically, the tissue around it turning an alarming shade of black. Kerry pulled a thin metallic band from her wrist.
<
While Sylvk writ??hed, Kerry moved to sit on him, using her weight to slow the spasms. I caught a glimpse of her face—jaw clenched so tight I could see the muscles straining, eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
“I’m sorry, buddy,” she whispered, so tenderly it was almost unrecognizable. She rolled up her sleeves with clinical precision that contrasted with the naked fear in her eyes. “I have to.” Her hand lingered against his cheek for just a moment before she placed her wrist and the wire to the side of his head.
As she connected to his system, a single tear escaped, tracking down her cheek. She didn’t bother to wipe it away, her focus absolute despite the emotion threatening to overwhelm her. The contrast was striking.
She tapped her neural implant, establishing a direct diagnostic link with Sylvk’s system.
I didn’t understand.
The connection caused her to jerk slightly, her own body mirroring his distress as her senses interfaced with his failing physiology. “Nano-toxin,” she muttered. “Progressive neural cascading failure.”
I didn’t understand any of it. What was this? <
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No way? I stared at her, as her eyes greyed out. <
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“He’s—” Kerry started, then stopped, her breath catching. She looked up at us, her professional mask slipping to reveal raw terror.
“What?” Rob asked. “What is it, Kerry?”
“He’s been poisoned.” The words fell between us like stones, each one heavier than the last. Kerry’s hands pressed against Sylvk’s chest as if she could physically hold his failing body together. “Someone did this to him.”
“What?” Rob asked. “How?”
“I don’t know, but his...” Kerry’s composure finally shattered. A sob tore from her throat, the sound so raw and wounded it made my chest ache in response. “His organs are shutting down. One by one.” Her face paled. “I can feel it happening.”
The clinical diagnosis couldn’t hide the intimate horror of what she was experiencing—literally feeling Sylvk’s body betraying him through her medical connection. Her eyes met mine, wide and desperate, silently begging me to have a solution, to fix this like I fixed everything else.
“What can we do?” I asked.
Kerry wiped her face with her sleeve, leaving a smear of dirt across her cheek. The gesture was childlike, incongruous with her usual controlled demeanor. “Get him on his side?” Her voice lifted at the end, uncertain, the doctor in her fighting to resurface through the friend’s panic.
“We’ll try.” I said, looking to Rob, grateful for any action that might help. “Rob?”
“On three,” he replied.
Kerry hopped off, and we got him on his side. “I don’t want to do this,” she said, pulling a translucent medical injector from a pocket, its reservoir filling with a green liquid as it vibrated in her hand. “Hold his head still as you can.”
Kerry placed the injector to the skin on the side of his neck. His neural port flickered from red, to amber, the bio sensors responding to her treatment.
Sylvk writhed again, almost knocking me over. Kerry touched her wrist and activated a paper thin force barrier that flowed over her hands in an instant. Then with care she put her fingers down his’s throat.
Kerry didn’t flinch when his teeth caught her fingers. “Come on,” she urged. “It was a while ago but there’s got to be a ton still in there, you eat so friggin much.” The teasing words contrasted sharply with the naked fear in her eyes, as if maintaining their normal banter could somehow make this horrific situation bearable.
In the next second Sylvk was heaving, then vomited a luminescent toxin all over her arm, it visibly reacted with her shield. Most people would have recoiled, but Kerry leaned in closer, one hand cradling the back of his neck with unexpected tenderness. “There’s more,” she said. “Give it to me.” The command was gentle but firm—refusing to accept loss as a possibility.
Sylvk was moaning now, but with one more heave, there was more of his food out than in. Kerry murmured something too soft for me to hear, her lips close to his ear, her fingers brushing sweat-soaked hair from his forehead with a familiarity that spoke volumes.
The med-evac’s sonic boom announced its arrival before the sleek windowless transport touched down, its thrusters barely moving the grass. The door slid open with a hiss, revealing Doctor Hinada and her tech, both wore advanced scrubs that enhanced their tech. “Good,” she said, assessing the situation with clinical speed.
“Get the nano-flush ready, Thoman. We’ll need to purge his entire system out here.”
Doctor Hinada put a hand on Kerry’s arm, their connection and the transfer of data between them instant. I expected Kerry to step back, to let the more experienced doctor take over, but she remained frozen in place, her body physically shielding Sylvk’s. “We’ve got him,” Doctor Hinada said softly.
Kerry’s eyes, which had remained determinedly dry throughout the emergency, finally misted with tears. Her professional facade crumbled completely, revealing a vulnerability I’d never seen from her before. “Tera,” she pleaded, using her first name, her voice small and broken, “don’t let him die, please?”
The naked emotion in that plea revealed everything Kerry had been trying to hide—not just her fear for a teammate, but the depth of her feelings for Sylvk. In that moment, Kerry wasn’t the brilliant doctor or the competent cadet—she was simply a woman terrified of losing someone she couldn’t bear to lose.
“I promise. His vitals are stabilizing on a molecular level. Use the decon in the back of the transport. That toxin is still reactive on skin.”
Kerry reluctantly broke her diagnostic link, the neural band maintaining its connection to Sylvk as she stepped away. The separation caused her to wince slightly, her system recalibrating to the absence of his biometric data.
Thoman unfolded a translucent intubation device that adjusted its diameter in real-time, conforming perfectly to Sylvk’s airway. The tube appeared almost liquid as it slid down Sylvk’s throat, its microscopic sensors mapping his esophagus. Once in place, it began pulsing with waves of targeted nano-solution, dissolving remaining toxins on contact.
The solution glowed faintly blue as it worked, visible through Sylvk’s skin when he expelled it, the toxins bound to the fluid now rendered inert. With each purge, his neural port’s flashing slowed, gradually shifting from amber to a steadier yellow.
Kerry emerged from the decon chamber, her skin slightly flushed from the rapid-spectrum cleansing. She deployed the auto-stretcher from the transport with a gesture, the medical platform hovering at perfect height, its surface already adjusting to Sylvk’s body temperature and contours.
“Can you two help?” the Doctor asked, indicating the hover-stretcher’s stability handles.
We both nodded, though Sylvk’s solid muscle mass would be a challenge. The stretcher compensated somewhat, its gravitic assistance reducing his effective weight by thirty percent, but it still took all four of us to secure him properly. As we did, the platform’s bio-monitors adhered to his skin, instantly syncing with his neural port and displaying a three-dimensional hologram of his system above him, critical areas highlighted in various colors.
Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
“Liver function at sixty-two percent and climbing,” Kerry noted with relief, reading the holographic data floating above him. “Neural pathways beginning to restabilize.”
Thoman was about to close the door on us. “We’ll follow,” Rob said and hopped out. “Not enough room for everyone.”
Rob stood by my side as they drove off. Not saying a word. Kerry leaned into me and I wrapped her up beside me.
<< Doli?>> I asked.
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Rob turned to me, “What the fuck was that?”
“I don’t know,” I replied. “We’ll find out though.”
Our HUD’s flashed at the same time.
REPORT TO THE LIEUTENANT COLONEL. NOW.
We exchanged looks.
“I’m not in any—” Kerry started.
I cut her off. “—best had.”
We turned to walk back, find a transport. Ahead there was a truck. Then in the next breath it was pulling up before us. Ashley got out, her face pale.
Kerry and Rob stood to attention straight away, I forgot.
“Get in,” she ordered.
“We’ve to report to the LTC.” Rob said.
“Quick detour,” she opened the back door. “I’ll get you there, don’t worry.”
I shot her a confused look but pushed the others to the back of her transport.
Ashley’s detour was back to her apartment block. She parked the transport up and was about to jump out.
“You’re sure?” I asked.
She nodded and palmed the door open biding my friends inside.
Nothing was out of place in her apartment. Rob and Kerry both stood more than lost as I went straight to the kitchen and pulled drinks out of her fridge.
Ashley gathered some things up and stopped before Kerry. “Showers through the first door, you’re about my size for clothes. They’re in the top cabinet.”
Kerry’s eyes had tears. “I—”
“Go,” she said. “We’ll wait.”
“Thank you,” Kerry said, dipped her head to Ashley then to me, and ran off.
I held out a drink for Rob who was hesitant. “What is this?” he asked.
“Water,” I replied.
“No,” he waved the cup to the Major. “This…. Who is Kerry Hinada, if that’s even her real name?”
“That’s her real name. I can’t answer all your questions,” Ashley said.
“She’s fully trained though,” I stated.
“She looks a lot younger than she is,” Rob said.
“Several years,” Ashley confirmed.
“Why?”
“Wrong question.”
Rob drank. “We all have secrets from each other,” he then said.
“You’re older than you look?” I asked.
“Also, several years,” he said. “I flunked out of the academy almost a decade ago.”
He held his wrist out to me, and I tapped mine against his
I had to do a double take on his BMI.
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“Through no fault of your own,” she told Rob.
“That’s classified,” Rob said.
“Welcome to un-classified.”
“Kerry’s mom?”
“Not her mom,” Rob confirmed.
“No, her sister.” Ashley admitted.
“Sylvk?” I asked.
“He’s exactly who he says he is.”
“And Akers?”
“He was pulled from the team for many reasons. Mostly—and Rob saw it too, he became unstable.”
“This team was pre organized.” Rob said. “You wanted us three together.”
“We did,” Ashley said. “We still do.”
Rob looked at me and I was shaking my head, luckily Kerry appeared out the shower. “Ready?”
Rob stepped in toward her, his wrist outstretched. “Ker,” he said.
“What?”
“Access my data.”
“Why?” She was looking at me, then the Major.
“Just do it,” Rob ordered.
Kerry put her wrist to the side of his head, like she had Sylvk and accessed his system. Her hand moved to her mouth. “Your file…. It was encrypted.”
He nodded. “It’s nice to meet you, Kerry Hinada.”
“I’m… I’m sorry,” she stammered out.
“Don’t be,” he said. “But we should move to see the LTC.”
“Sylvk?”
“Perfect in every way,” I said. “I’m sure your sister is looking after him.”
“She will.” Kerry said. “I know she will.”
“Then let’s go,” Ashley said and moved us to the door.
By the time we pulled up at the officers main buildings. I was shaking.
<
When we climbed out, I stared at Ashley. “I’ve never been to see the LTC like this, or any other high end military officer.”
“Just follow their lead,” Ashley said to me.
“Thank you,” I said as I got out and followed the others up through the security guard detail and into the building.
When I looked at the both of them, however, I did finally see something I had been missing. They carried themselves with much more confidence than anyone else in the academy. Now I knew why.
They both stepped inside when the LTC called, and I followed just like Ashley said. Standing to attention before him.
The man was looking over some files. Medical files.
I could see Kerry wanted to go to them.
When the much older man turned, he noted our stance. “At ease, Beta271.”
Rob and Kerry relaxed. I, however, couldn’t. I was… scared for a lot of reasons.
“Cadet Haba is in recovery. We’re scrutinizing the kitchens.”
“Why did they do it?” I asked. Then realized I shouldn’t have spoken. “Sorry, Sir.”
“Apology accepted, you’re not military.”
“We’re still investigating, but we’ll find out.”
“Permission to speak freely,” Rob said.
“Granted.”
“It was a targeted attack,” he said. “It wasn’t meant for Sylvk.”
“That is my initial thought,” the LTC said. “He got the lion’s share of the food before the intended target.”
“Who’s that?”
“Cadet Boutack,” the LTC said and brought up another file.
“Andri’s the target? Why?” Kerry asked.
“His parents,” the LTC said.
Rob was just nodding. “What do you want us to do?”
“Sylvk is out of this afternoons run. You need to complete it on your own.”
“You don’t want this getting out, do you?”
The LTC was shaking his head. “Whoever missed their target will come back for him.”
“We’ll do everything we can,” Rob said. “To help keep him safe.”
“I know, Lieutenant Lynx. Bring your team up to speed after this afternoon’s test.”
“Sylvk, too?”
“He’ll be out of action another day, but yes.”
“Will do, Sir.”
“Dismissed.” The LTC said.
The others were leaving, and I didn’t want to. I had more questions, but he didn’t even look my way.
Once outside and in the clear air. Kerry turned to Rob. “Lieutenant?”
“Doctor?”
Then they both looked at me.
“Hey,” I held up my hands.
“Hey, nothing,” Rob said. “We need to talk.”
“After,” I said.
“No lies,” Kerry added.
“No lies,” we repeated for her.
The tension lingered but had to be pushed aside as the next tests loomed. The first was a high-stakes team exercise, and my heart sank at the word ‘team.’ With Sylvk down, how could this be fair?
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We were briefed quickly: a simulated hostage rescue in a hostile environment packed with unpredictable challenges. Success hinged on clear communication, sharp planning, and rapid adaptability.
Sergeant Major Cotah stood before us, hand on hip. “Beta271 is down a team member and already understaffed. I’m asking for volunteers from the class first. You will run with your team, and then you will go again with them. If no one steps forward, I’ll assign them two members myself.
No one stepped forward. Then…
“No way,” Kerry said.
Andri had moved one step ahead of his team.
“Thank you, Cadet Boutack.” Major Cotah said. “Anyone else?”
Another person stepped forward, I didn’t know them, but Rob was nodding.
“Kim Miller,” Kerry said. “Second in command to Charlie271.”
“Do not think that Beta271 will have an advantage, each simulation is very different. It will respond and react to every decision you make as a team. You cannot make the same choices with them as you did your own team. Forget the previous run.” He was looking at Kim when he said it. “Understood?”
“Yes, Sir.” They replied.
We waited while the first wave went up, and we were held back.
The Sergeant Major came over once they were all situated. “I was surprised when the LTC messaged me saying you were on your way.”
“We’re not letting him down,” I said.
“He’s recovering I believe. An unknown allergy to something he picked up off base.”
Rob nodded.
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Now I was even more worried, and my mind raced while the other teams completed their tests.
Less than forty minutes later and Andri and Kim were coming out from the simulation pods.
Kim didn’t look very happy, but she moved to us straight away. “I’m hoping I can get a few extra points for helping you out.”
“Makes sense,” Rob said. “Didn’t go so well?”
“No,” she replied. “That’s one hell of a simulation.”
When Andri walked over he just smiled. “Piotr will take pilot,” he odered. “Kerry and Kim on guns.”
“And me?” Rob raised an eyebrow at him.
“We need to plan this as soon as we get closer to the target zone,” he said. “Properly.”
Rob actually nodded. “Agreed.”
A moment later and I slipped into my pod. Instantly I stood on the bridge of a ship. A small corvette by the readouts.
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I did not know that. But I grinned. <
Rob and Andri sat next to each other, Andri had let Rob take the command chair and was feeding him every report going. Watching them together was odd. But they actually suited being a team.
“Co-ordinates are in, Cadet Argassa.” Rob said.
“Setting course now, Captain.” I bounced back, and quickly had navigation up and the co-ordinates input. I needed to adjust slightly due to the planet’s atmosphere. But it wasn’t hard math.
It was less than a few more minutes and we were coming into the designated planets area of space.
“We have incoming enemy tags.” I reported as several red dots appeared.