The silence in Richard's office was heavy, broken only by the distant hum of the facility and Jack's ragged breathing. The revelations Lina had delivered—the ancient Krill parasitic nature, their galactic empire, the hidden 'harvest leaders' manipulating world powers, and the chilling, personal threat to their lives—had shattered Jack's casual perception of danger. He paced restlessly, occasionally running a hand through his hair.
"Alien overlords," Jack muttered, more to himself than anyone else, his eyes wide and fixed on nothing. "They're coming for us. Not for ransom, not for money... for... for our blood. Or worse. What if they lay eggs in our stomachs, like in that movie? The Predator?" He shuddered, a full-body tremor. "I'm not going out. Not anymore. Not with those... things out there. Not with them knowing us." The carefree gamer was gone, replaced by a man genuinely terrified.