Why This?

Rina stared at the slate, eyes narrowing on the red chemical structure flashing across the screen. Pulse Red. It sounded sleek clean. But everything about it screamed dirty. Dangerous.

She exhaled, tapping her fingers against the desk.

"Why would they want this?"

Briggs leaned back in his chair, rubbing his jaw.

"Power, Captain. Same reason they always do. Gangs, mercs, hell maybe even corpo enforcers. Everyone wants an edge."

Rina nodded slowly.

"But this… this isn't just about being faster. This is… evolution. A shortcut. Whoever controls this controls soldiers, weapons, people like they're machines."

Briggs let out a low whistle.

"Scary thought."

They sat in silence for a beat. The hum of monitors filled the room.

Then Rina stretched, cracking her neck.

"Alright, Briggs. That's enough for tonight. Go home."

He blinked.

"You sure? We can keep—"

She cut him off with a small smile.

"It's late. You need sleep. I'll sift through the rest."

Briggs hesitated but finally stood, grabbing his jacket.

"Alright, Captain. You too, yeah? Don't go pulling all-nighters again."

Rina smirked.

"No promises."

He laughed lightly before heading out. The door slid shut with a soft hiss.

Alone, Rina leaned back in her chair, eyes drifting back to Victoria Quinn's face on the screen.

Pulse Red wasn't just a drug.

It was a threat.

And she could feel it something was coming.