Chapter 63 – A Dangerous Gamble

The Void Stalker loomed in the containment chamber, its black chitin gleaming under the dim lab lights. Its presence was suffocating, a living nightmare given form. And yet… it hadn't attacked. Not yet.

The neural disruptor around its neck pulsed faintly. A small blue glow—the only sign that the system's technology was doing something. Whether it was working or simply delaying the inevitable… I wasn't sure yet.

But I was running out of time to find out.

Ray's Distrust

I wasn't surprised to hear Ray's voice before I saw him.

"I can't believe you're still going through with this."

His boots hit the metal flooring with a purposeful thud as he stepped beside me. His eyes never left the Void Stalker, and I could feel the tension rolling off him in waves.

"You're playing with fire, James."

I sighed. "You already said that."

"And you're still not listening," he snapped. His jaw was tight, his fists clenched at his sides. "You're trying to tame a goddamn apex predator. One that's engineered to kill. You think a fancy collar and a few good intentions will make it play nice?"

I turned to face him. "I don't expect it to be 'nice.' I expect it to be useful."

Ray scoffed, running a hand through his short-cropped hair. "And what happens when it turns on us? When it figures out how to break free? Because I promise you, James—it will."

I let out a slow breath. "That's why I have contingencies."

Ray laughed, but there was no humor in it. "Contingencies? You mean the same kind that got Carter out of his cell? That nearly got us all killed?"

My jaw tightened. That stung more than I wanted to admit.

"You know I don't take risks lightly," I said.

Ray's eyes burned into mine. "Then prove it. Show me you actually thought this through."

I turned back to the Void Stalker. It was watching us. Listening.

I wasn't sure how much it understood. But it understood something.

Testing the Limits

I had to know if this thing could be controlled.

The system had given me the disruptor, but it was still a prototype. The real test was about to begin.

I hit a switch, and the containment unit's doors hissed open.

Ray tensed beside me. "James—"

I stepped inside.

The cold air wrapped around me as I entered the chamber, my boots echoing against the floor. The Void Stalker's head turned slightly, tracking my movement.

One step.

Then another.

It didn't move.

I raised my hand slowly, palm facing outward. Not as a sign of submission—just a gesture. Testing its reaction.

The Void Stalker's muscles coiled, but it didn't strike.

I exhaled slowly. "That's it… easy."

The collar's blue light pulsed faintly.

I took another step.

The Void Stalker let out a low, guttural click. A sound that sent ice down my spine.

But it still didn't attack.

Ray's voice crackled in my earpiece. "James, you're a damn lunatic."

I smirked. "That's what they keep telling me."

I reached for my belt and pulled out a chunk of preserved meat. It wasn't much, but I needed to test something.

I tossed it onto the floor between us.

The Void Stalker's head snapped toward it immediately.

For a long moment, it didn't move. Then, slow and deliberate, it took a step forward.

It didn't pounce. It didn't lunge.

It simply took the offering.

I let out a slow breath.

It was working.

For now.

The Enemy Strikes

The moment of victory didn't last.

Ray's voice cut through the comms, sharp and urgent. "James! We've got movement on the perimeter—Syndicate forces. They're coming."

My stomach twisted. Damn it.

I turned to leave, but the Void Stalker suddenly stiffened. Its entire body locked, its head snapping toward the direction of the disturbance.

It had heard them too.

I didn't have time to think.

I rushed out of the containment chamber and slammed the security lockdown. The Void Stalker remained inside, its eerie gaze still fixed toward the unseen threat.

Ray was already in motion when I reached the command center. The screens flickered with infrared visuals—dozens of heat signatures moving toward our base.

"They're smarter this time," Ray muttered, scanning the feeds. "No heavy vehicles. No loud weapons. They're moving like ghosts."

A stealth attack.

I clenched my jaw. "Carter must have told them about our defenses."

Daniel cursed under his breath. "So what's the plan? We hit first?"

Ray nodded. "We should. Before they realize we see them coming."

I exhaled. My mind was already racing. The Void Stalker's reaction in the chamber had given me an idea.

A crazy idea.

But crazy ideas were all I had.

I turned to Ray. "What if we let them come?"

His brow furrowed. "Come where?"

I met his gaze. "Inside."

Silence.

Daniel stared at me like I'd lost my mind. "You want to invite them in?"

"Not invite," I corrected. "Lure."

Ray folded his arms. "You better explain fast."

I tapped on the screen, highlighting the tunnels the Syndicate was using. "They think they're being smart—moving in slow, avoiding our automated defenses."

Ray nodded. "Yeah, and?"

I pointed to another screen—the Void Stalker's containment chamber.

"They don't know about this."

Realization dawned in Ray's eyes. "No. Hell no."

I kept going. "If we funnel them into the lower sector, we can control their movements. Limit their options."

Daniel's voice was incredulous. "And then what? You just unleash the Void Stalker?"

I met his gaze. "Yes."

Ray shook his head. "That's insane. What if it doesn't stop? What if it kills our people?"

"That's why I stay with it," I said.

Daniel paled. "You mean inside?"

I nodded.

Ray looked like he was debating punching me in the face. "James, listen to me. You do this, and there's no coming back if it goes wrong."

I held his gaze. "If we don't stop them here, we won't get another chance."

The silence was heavy.

Then, finally, Ray exhaled.

"…Damn it. Fine." He turned to Daniel. "You make sure that thing stays contained until we need it."

Daniel groaned. "You guys are gonna get me killed."

I forced a smirk. "Not today."

I turned back to the screen. The Syndicate was closing in.

It was time to set the trap.

A Monster's Purpose

Minutes later, I was back inside the containment chamber.

The Void Stalker's gaze locked onto me the moment I entered. It could feel what was coming.

I approached the reinforced gate. Beyond it, the tunnels awaited. A battlefield in the making.

The disruptor around the Void Stalker's neck pulsed steadily. I wasn't sure if it would hold.

I wasn't sure if I would hold.

But this was our best shot.

I reached for the release mechanism.

Took a deep breath.

And let the monster loose.

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This was a big gamble! Will James' plan work, or is he about to unleash something even worse? What do you think will happen next? Drop your thoughts in the comments!