The next morning, Rina was back in uniform sharp, composed, but running on caffeine and instincts.
The briefing room was tense. Screens flickered with surveillance footage, data streams, and flagged reports. Officers and analysts lined the long table, murmuring until Captain Hunter stepped in.
Briggs gave her a quick nod as she took her seat.
"Alright, listen up updates on the serum."
The lead analyst, Perez, stood.
"Pulse Red isn't just knocking at the door it's inside."
Rina's fingers tightened around her coffee cup.
"Define 'inside.'"
Perez tapped the screen.
City grid lighting up hot zones.
Reports from border patrol, medical emergencies, street fights.
Unnatural strength. Enhanced reflexes. Veins tinted crimson.
Serum in action.
It wasn't theoretical anymore.
It was moving. Fast.
Briggs spoke next.
"We've traced multiple doses hitting the underground. It's not just one shipment this is distribution."
Rina leaned forward.
"Any leads on suppliers? Or is this still a ghost chase?"
Perez grimaced.
"No names yet, but…"
She tapped to zoom in grainy footage.
A masked figure exchanging vials in an alley. Quick. Professional.
The posture.
The movement.
Familiar.
Rina's chest tightened Zane.
She didn't say it out loud. Not yet.
Instead, she kept her voice steady.
"We need to move faster. This doesn't stay underground it'll flood the streets."
Her mind was already racing.
Viper. Sybil. Zane. Pulse Red.
All threads leading to something bigger.
And Captain Hunter?
She was right in the middle of it.