Chapter 4 : Unraveling the Veil II

Elys moved cautiously through the crowded hangar, weaving between clusters of nervous Exiles as they made final preparations. His presence drew uneasy stares, and conversations hushed as he passed. It wasn't new to him—he wasn't new to them—but today, the animosity seemed sharper, edged with fear.

They weren't just watching him because of his position among the Exiles or his reputation for trouble. They were watching because he was an anomaly, an impossibility—the first and only child born naturally since the Fall.

The Prime Birth.

To some, he was a reminder of everything that had been lost—a fragile, flawed remnant of a world they no longer knew. To others, he was a threat. A walking question mark that defied the genetic engineering that made the rest of the Ark's population stronger, more capable. Either way, they didn't trust him. Some whispered that his blood was cursed, that his very existence was an omen of the Ark's impending doom.

Rena's voice broke through the low murmur of the hangar, sharp and clear. "Listen up! We've got limited time before we launch, so here's the plan. Each team will establish a separate outpost. You see someone out there without an Ark uniform, you stick together and report back immediately. I don't care what you think you know. If we lose even one person out there, it could be the end for all of us."

Her gaze swept across the gathered Exiles, lingering just a heartbeat longer on Elys. He met her eyes, and for a moment, the commander's stern expression softened. Then, just as quickly, she turned away, barking orders to the tech teams and logistics units.

"Why do you think she bothers?" A mocking voice drawled from behind Elys.

He turned to find Morgan Hale, one of the few who had known him from childhood, standing a few feet away. Morgan's platinum-blonde hair framed a delicate face, her pale blue eyes alight with a mixture of amusement and disdain. Like Yasmin, she was one of the Council Children, handpicked to join the Exiles as part of the Council's covert plan.

Morgan's position here was no accident. She was Rena's younger sister—a fact that most people didn't know, and even fewer acknowledged. Elys doubted even Rena would admit it if pressed. The Hales were known for their political power, and Morgan was no exception. She was cold, calculating, and as dangerous as any soldier on the Ark.

"Bothers with what?" Elys asked mildly.

Morgan's smile widened, sharp and predatory. "Pretending to care what happens to you." She glanced around the hangar, her gaze sweeping over the uneasy faces of the Exiles. "They're all waiting for you to slip up, you know. One mistake, and it's over. Not just for you, but for all of us."

Elys held her gaze, his expression unchanging. "I know."

"Good," she said softly, stepping closer. "Then you'll understand why I'm telling you to stay out of the way. We have enough problems down there without you adding to them."

He raised an eyebrow, feigning casual interest. "Problems like the Ark running out of air?"

Morgan's eyes flashed, her smile vanishing. "Who told you that?"

Elys shrugged, letting the silence stretch. He hadn't known for sure—Rena had hinted, Yasmin had implied—but seeing Morgan's reaction, it all fell into place. So, the rumors were true. The Ark was dying, and they were being sent down as expendable scouts to clear the way.

"Does it matter?" he asked quietly. "The Council's not telling the rest of the Exiles, are they? They're just letting us walk into a trap."

Her jaw tightened, and for a moment, Elys thought she might strike him. Then she exhaled slowly, shaking her head.

"You really are a menace, Cain," she murmured. "But no, they won't tell them. Fear is a powerful motivator, but panic? Panic kills. You'd do well to remember that."

Before Elys could respond, a new voice cut through the tense silence.

"Are we done with the secret council business, or can we start loading up?"

Zander Braddock, a massive figure with caramel-brown skin and a shaved head, strode over to join them, his dark eyes gleaming with barely suppressed energy. At nearly six and a half feet tall, Zander towered over most of the Exiles, his muscular frame a testament to his military background. He'd been one of the youngest captains in the Ark's security force before a political scandal had landed him here, stripped of his rank and reputation.

"Zander," Morgan said coolly, nodding in greeting.

"Hey, Hale." He flashed her a grin, all teeth and challenge. "What's the verdict? Are we all still screwed, or did our boy Cain here just win us a miracle?"

Morgan's gaze flicked back to Elys, assessing. "No miracles today, Braddock. Just orders. Stick to the plan, keep your head down, and maybe—maybe—you'll live to see tomorrow."

Elys watched her turn and walk away, tension coiled tight in his chest. There were so many pieces moving beneath the surface, so many secrets still hidden. He glanced at Zander, who was watching him with an expression that bordered on amused sympathy.

"Guessing she didn't tell you the real plan?" Zander murmured.

"Guessing she didn't tell you why we're the ones getting sent down instead of the Elite Guard?" Elys shot back.

Zander chuckled, low and rumbling. "Touché."

Elsewhere on the Ark, two other figures moved silently through the winding corridors of the upper decks. Kai Mendoza and Yasmin Abdul kept their voices low as they navigated the twisting passageways that led to the heart of the Ark's command center. It was Yasmin who spoke first, her voice a tense whisper.

"Do you really think the Council will go through with it?" she asked, glancing up at Kai. "Even if we succeed down there… will they follow?"

Kai's expression was grim. "They have no choice. If they stay up here, they die. If they come down, they risk losing everything."

"So why send us?" Yasmin demanded, frustration bleeding into her tone. "Why not send a real team? People who are trained for this, who actually know what they're doing?"

"Because we're expendable," Kai said flatly. "If we die, no one will mourn us. But if we succeed…" He trailed off, shaking his head. "If we succeed, they get everything they want without sacrificing anyone that matters."

Yasmin fell silent, her mind racing. The Exiles were pawns, their lives measured against the Council's endless calculations. And somewhere down on that fractured, irradiated planet, the answers lay hidden in the ruins of a world long lost.

"We'll just have to make sure we do matter, then," she said softly. "One way or another."

Kai glanced down at her, surprise flickering in his eyes. Then he nodded slowly.

"One way or another," he agreed.

And as the countdown to launch continued, the Exiles braced themselves for the fall—each carrying the weight of a world on their shoulders.

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