CHAPTER 94: PRIDE

Theo and the others followed through the viewing hallway, only to be stopped by a reinforced glass wall. Beyond it, Aries was placed on a sterile table as robotic arms and medics in full suits began rapid assessment.

Suddenly, a side door slammed open. Supreme Commander Marlon Pitt entered with two more researchers.

"What’s her current vitals?" he calmly asked through the glass wall.

"Vitals are stabilizing, sir," the med-tech announced, eyes scanning the fluctuating data. "Her temperature is returning to normal, and the mutation markers have... stalled."

Marlon leaned forward, brows knitting. "Stalled? As in... stopped spreading?"

"Yes, sir. The infection isn’t advancing. It’s not gone, but... it’s contained. Her body is reacting to the serum in a way we haven’t seen before."

Theo’s fists clenched by his sides as he stepped closer to the glass. "What does that mean? Will my sister be alright?"

Marlon turned to him, voice calm but serious. "She’s going to make it, for now. The serum worked... but only as a suppressant, not a cure. She’s still human. But the infection hasn’t been eradicated. It’s dormant."

"Dormant?" Theo repeated, his jaw tightening.

"Yes. As long as the serum remains in her system, her body will hold the mutation at bay."

Theo’s jaw clenched. "For how long?"

"A few weeks, at most," Marlon replied. "It’s still experimental. If we don’t monitor her and continue the dosage, she’ll start mutating again, worse this time. Her body’s already changed."

Theo turned to face him fully now, voice cold. "Then give me more. You have the resources. You’re AMSO."

Marlon didn’t flinch. "We do. But only registered AMSO members have clearance to access classified biotech. Especially a serum this sensitive." He met Theo’s glare without backing down. "I can authorize continuous treatment... but I need you inside."

Theo’s fists tightened at his sides. "So this is blackmail?"

"No," Marlon said calmly. "It’s reality. You want to keep her alive? You need us. And we need you, Theo. You’ve proven what you can do out there. Clearing red zones. Rescuing survivors. You’re doing our job better than half our teams."

Theo looked away, trying to control the weight in his chest. "You want to use me."

"I want to work with you," Marlon countered. "You’re already in the fight. But you’re doing it alone and sooner or later, that gets people killed. Like your sister, today."

Theo flinched.

Marlon continued. "You need resources. Weapons. Intel. Protection. We can give you all of that and in return, you give us what you’re already giving: action, results, hope."

He turned his gaze back to Aries. "You think I don’t understand what she means to you? If I were in your shoes, I’d burn the world to keep her breathing. But trust me, Theo. You don’t have to do this alone anymore."

A heavy silence stretched between them.

Theo finally exhaled, his voice rough. "I hate your politics."

"So do I," Marlon said without hesitation. "But I’m still here, fighting inside the system. Because someone has to be."

Theo looked back at his sister, his shoulders tense.

Marlon softened his tone. "Let us help her. Let us help you. Join us, and I’ll personally make sure Aries gets everything she needs. That’s my promise, not as your superior but as someone who knows what it means to lose family."

Theo closed his eyes briefly. Pride was nothing compared to his sister’s life for him.

All this time, he wanted to stay free, unchained from any system or command. But Aries... she was his only family left. The one person who still grounded him in a world that had lost all sense of reason.

He opened his eyes slowly, gaze steady on Marlon.

"If I join," he said quietly, "you’ll guarantee she’ll get the maintenance serum? Regularly. No strings. No delays."

Marlon didn’t hesitate. "You have my word. As long as you’re with us, she’ll have every dose she needs."

Theo gave a small nod, his jaw clenched. "Then I’m in."

Marlon extended a hand, and this time, Theo took it.

"Welcome to AMSO, Theo," Marlon said. "You just made the smartest and most important choice of your life."

Theo didn’t smile. He wasn’t doing this for duty. Not for glory. He was doing it for her.

For Aries.

After a few moments, Theo stood just behind the glass wall, eyes still fixed on Aries. She was sitting upright now on the hospital bed, speaking to the nurse beside her like nothing ever happened. The pale color of her skin was slowly returning, and her pulse had stabilized.

Her leg was bandaged, but the bite wound no longer looked infected.

The serum worked. At least for now.

When she caught sight of him through the glass, Aries gave a weak smile and waved, like she wasn’t on the verge of turning just hour ago.

Theo let out a long breath. Relief washed over him but it was a fragile kind. He knew this wasn’t over.

He stepped into the room, and Aries immediately asked, "Am I... infected? Can I still infect others?"

Theo hesitated. Before he could speak, Marlon entered behind him and answered, "We’re still waiting for the results of your blood test. But so far, there’s no sign of active mutation. The serum is holding back the infection."

"But it’s not a cure," Aries said, quietly.

Marlon nodded. "No. It’s a maintenance serum. We’ll need to give you regular doses to keep the infection suppressed. That’s the only way we can keep it under control."

Aries clenched the bedsheets, glancing down at her bandaged leg. "I shouldn’t be around the kids. What if I... what if I’m a carrier?"

"We’re not sure yet," Marlon said gently. "But for now, it’s safer to isolate you from vulnerable individuals, just until the results are clear. The good news is, you’re stable. That’s more than we hoped for."

Theo remained quiet, jaw tight. He hated seeing her like this... worried, uncertain, questioning if she was still safe to be with the people she loved.

Marlon placed a hand on Theo’s shoulder. "Come. Let me show you around the facility."

Theo glanced back at Aries, who gave him a small nod as if to say, "Go on."

When he stepped outside, he gave Calix a signal to enter and then turned to Kael. "Head back home now. I’m sure everyone is worried," he said with a faint smile.

"Alright. Let’s keep in touch. Call me if there are any problems," Kael replied, and Theo nodded.

Beatrice was no longer around, having been taken away to be treated for her wounds. He owed a lot to Beatrice, if it hadn’t been for her, he might have already lost Aries. He made a mental note to thank her properly later.

He turned to Marlon and said, "Let’s go."

Marlon nodded and led the way. Theo followed Marlon down the corridor, leaving the medical wing behind.

The halls opened up to a vast structure, modern, secure, and buzzing with energy. Soldiers and medics moved through checkpoints. Holographic monitors displayed maps, red zone activity, and mutation risk levels.

"This," Marlon gestured, "is the core of AMSO’s training and development facility. We’ve built this place to train not just soldiers, but individuals like you, AMS with real power."

They passed by a reinforced arena where combatants in full gear were sparring using real weapons and Mutation-enhanced abilities. The sound of metal clashing echoed in the air.

"You’ll train here," Marlon continued. "You’ll be officially assigned your rank after evaluation. And once we process your registration, Aries will be permanently listed as your dependent. She’ll have guaranteed access to the serum."

Theo’s eyes narrowed. "She’ll be protected. No delays. No excuses."

"You have my word," Marlon said. "You’re one of us now."

Theo turned back to the training grounds. He knew this place wasn’t just a facility. It was a battleground of the future. And he was now one of its weapons.

Theo’s eyes darted across the training grounds, scanning his surroundings as Marlon continued explaining the daily operations within the AMSO facility. But his gaze caught on a familiar figure standing not far from where they were.

Lexa.

She was standing with a group of officers, discussing something but her expression changed the moment their eyes met. Her smile dropped into a frown, confusion or maybe tension settling on her face.

Theo stiffened, unsure if he should offer a nod or pretend he didn’t notice her. His fingers flexed by his side.

Before he could decide, a sudden, high-pitched voice pierced through his thoughts.

"Oh my gods, you’re here!!! Chubby, it’s really you! But wait... not chubby anymore!"

The voice yanked him straight out of his daze. He barely turned when a blur of pink hair slammed into him.

"Wha-?!"

A girl clung to him with no hesitation, her arms wrapped tightly around him as if she hadn’t seen him in years.

"I missed you!!!" she practically shouted, drawing the attention of half the courtyard.