Chapter 40: Betrayal and Blood
The logic sliced through the room like a blade. Rogue Neogens were a threat—Abdu’s rampage had seared that truth into the earth, a scar no one could ignore. Yet the defense corps weren’t faceless villains twirling schemes in the dark. They were soldiers, their hands calloused from battles fought for the helpless, their oaths etched in sweat and sacrifice. My stomach churned as the question gnawed at me: Where did we fit in this shifting uncertain landscape?
“What do you mean, ‘eliminate Level One Neogens’?!” the captain exclaimed, her tone edged with unease. “What are those?”
Malcolm Cole leaned forward, unflinching. “It’s a ranking system based on the serum’s power manifestation: Levels One to Three. Your awakened abilities place all of you at Level Two—except the commander here, who’s reached Level Three.”
The revelation dragged my thoughts back to the chaos of Raspberry Island. That was where we’d first seen Neogens with special abilities unleash their uncanny powers.
The captain inhaled deeply, clinging to her composure. “Alright, you’ve got your ranking system... But what do you mean by ‘eliminate them all’?”
“There are currently sixty-five Level One Neogens in the planetary defense corps,” Malcolm replied, his words clipped and precise. “Dr. Necro’s research shows any one of them could climb to Level Three. After Abdu, we’ve labeled Level Threes as nuclear-grade threats. We can’t afford sixty-five potential time bombs, each one a mental breakdown away from catastrophe.”
The realization sank in, heavy and final: the defense force had chosen its stance.
“But everyone in the corps swore to protect this planet!” the captain protested, her voice rising with a mix of defiance and disbelief. “Abdu was a tragedy, it doesn’t make his actions a pattern!”
“Commander!” William’s shout cut through the room as he turned on John Grey, his chair scraping against the floor. “Those are your men! They have fought besides you for years! Are you just going to sit there and let them die?”
Grey met William’s glare, his expression carved from stone. “The decision’s made—for the country. I follow orders.” His tone was steady, but the trembling fist in his hand betrayed him.
“Then what about us?” The captain’s gaze locked onto Malcolm, unyielding. “Are we the world’s next threat?”
“You’ll be heroes,” Malcolm said, his smile thin and calculated. “The eight of you—you’re the ones who’ll save our world. Dr. Necro will monitor your energy, prevent another disaster like Victor or the commander.”