Shards of the Past
Morgan Reeves stood in the dimly lit corridor of the hideout, his eyes fixed on the hologram that flickered above his wrist. It was an old image, yet it felt as vivid as if it had been taken yesterday. Samaya and Olivia, his wives, sat side by side on a weathered wooden bench under the twin suns of Ketlahnah, the light casting golden halos around them. Samaya held their youngest daughter, Margaret, whose chubby hands were wrapped tightly around her mother's fingers. Olivia rested a protective hand on Matilda's small shoulder, while Maya, the eldest, stood proudly between them, her wide, gap-toothed grin exuding innocence and joy.
For a moment, Morgan allowed himself to linger in the memory. He could almost hear the laughter, the playful bickering between Maya and Matilda, and the warm hum of family life. But then the weight of reality came crashing down. The hologram shimmered as his fist clenched, his enhanced left hand tightening involuntarily. The image blinked out of existence, leaving him alone with his thoughts.
The past had a way of haunting him, creeping into the edges of his mind when he least expected it. He had left his family to protect them, to shield them from the relentless threat of his alternate selves. Yet, every step he took further from Ketlahnah felt like another betrayal, another thread unraveling from the tapestry of the life he had once known.
---
The Weight of Leadership
In the planning room, Iris Cole leaned over the glowing holographic display, her brow furrowed in concentration. The map of Valtor's fortress filled the air above the table, a lattice of corridors, security checkpoints, and ominous red zones that pulsed like a heartbeat. Her mind was a whirlwind of strategies, contingencies, and potential outcomes. Every detail had to be perfect—there was no room for error.
The soft hum of the door sliding open pulled her from her thoughts. She glanced up to see Leona "Leo" Voss stepping in, a steaming cup of something that vaguely resembled coffee in her hand.
"You've been at this for hours," Leo said, setting the cup down beside Iris. "Even masterminds need a break."
Iris offered a faint smile. "Breaks are a luxury we can't afford right now."
Leo crossed her arms, leaning against the table as she studied Iris's face. "You always do this, you know. Carry the whole world on your shoulders like it's your personal responsibility to fix everything."
Iris's expression softened, but the weight in her eyes remained. "Someone has to. This crew is counting on me."
Leo reached into her pocket and pulled out a small, weathered locket. She flipped it open, revealing a faded photograph of a young girl with wide, curious eyes. "Her name was Elara," she said quietly.
Iris blinked, surprised. Leo rarely spoke about her past. "Was?"
Leo's voice tightened. "She was my sister. Just a kid when she got caught in the crossfire of some corporate war back on my Earth. I swore I'd never let myself get close to anyone again. Too dangerous."
For a moment, Iris was silent. Then she reached out, placing a hand gently on Leo's arm. "I'm sorry, Leo."
Leo shrugged, but her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Guess what I'm trying to say is… I get it. The weight of responsibility. But you don't have to do it alone."
Iris nodded slowly. "Thanks, Leo."
---
Tensions in the Team
Meanwhile, in the ship's garage, Morgan found Kane Mercer hunched over the multiverse navigation console. The device was a chaotic mess of exposed circuits and tangled wires, glowing faintly in the dim light.
"Is that thing even functional?" Morgan asked, his tone carrying a hint of irritation.
Kane didn't look up. "Define 'functional.'"
Morgan sighed, crossing his arms. "We're putting our lives in your hands, Mercer. Try not to get us killed."
Kane finally glanced up, a crooked grin on his face. "Relax, General. I've done this a hundred times. Well, technically, a hundred alternate versions of me have done it, but close enough."
Morgan's eyes narrowed. "That's supposed to reassure me?"
Kane chuckled, returning to his work. "You worry too much, Reeves. Live a little. Who knows? You might actually enjoy it."
"Enjoy getting shot at and chased across dimensions? Hard pass."
Kane smirked, his easygoing demeanor as maddening as ever. "Suit yourself. But one day, you'll look back on all this and realize it was the adventure of a lifetime."
Morgan didn't respond. He turned and walked away, leaving Kane to his tinkering.
---
A Fragile Alliance
By the time the crew gathered in the planning room, the tension was palpable. Iris stood at the head of the table, her sharp gaze sweeping over the team.
"We've got less than 72 hours before we make our move," she began, her voice steady and commanding. "Renji, what's the status of the stabilizer?"
Renji adjusted his glasses, his face etched with worry. "It's functional, but barely. If we push it too hard, the quantum rift could collapse."
"Can you fix it?"
Renji hesitated. "I'll try, but there are no guarantees."
Iris nodded and turned to Leo. "What about the security systems?"
Leo brought up a separate display, highlighting the fortress's layout. "Valtor's got layers of defenses, but I found a weak point here." She pointed to a ventilation shaft on the northern side of the fortress. "It's heavily guarded, but it's our best shot at getting in undetected."
"Good work," Iris said. She turned to Morgan. "Reeves, I need you to lead the infiltration team. You up for it?"
Morgan nodded without hesitation. "I'm ready."
Finally, Iris's gaze landed on Kane. "And you?"
Kane's grin was infuriatingly confident. "I'll get us there. Just make sure you don't lose your nerve."
Iris's jaw tightened, but she said nothing.
---
Shadows of the Past
Later that night, Morgan sat alone in his quarters, the hologram of his family flickering softly in the dim light. His thoughts were a whirlwind of memories and regrets. He could still hear the sound of his daughter's screams during the attack, still feel the crushing weight of helplessness as he carried her bloodied body to safety.
He had left to protect them, to ensure their survival. But every mission, every fight, felt like another step further from the life he had once dreamed of returning to.
A knock at the door broke his reverie. He turned to see Iris standing in the doorway, her expression unreadable.
"Can't sleep?" she asked.
Morgan shook his head. "Too much on my mind."
Iris stepped inside, leaning against the wall. "You're not the only one."
For a moment, they were silent, two leaders burdened by the weight of their choices.
"Iris," Morgan said finally, his voice low, "if this goes south—"
"It won't," she interrupted firmly.
"But if it does," he pressed, "I need you to promise me something. If I don't make it back, make sure my family is safe."
Iris's expression softened, and she nodded. "You'll make it back, Morgan. But if you don't… I promise."
Morgan nodded, and for the first time in a long time, he felt a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos.