The remnants of last night's chaos still lingered in my mind, a blur of racing thoughts and adrenaline-fueled decisions. I lay in bed, staring at the dim ceiling, trying to shake off the fatigue. At some point during the night, I had dragged myself from the couch to the bedroom, though sleep had eluded me, interrupted by the faint murmurs of the soldiers stationed outside. Their quiet presence reminded me that the danger wasn't gone—it was simply waiting.
Suddenly, the door creaked open, and a soft, almost teasing voice filled the room. "Rise and shine, Lucas," Hana called out, her tone polite but with a playful edge. "Big day ahead. You're not planning on sleeping through it, are you?"
I blinked, struggling to shake off the grogginess. "What time is it?" I muttered, sitting up and rubbing my eyes.
Hana stood at the door, arms crossed, an amused smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Late enough for you to get up, and early enough to get moving. Come on, Lucas—today's the day we go back to normal. Sort of."
I groaned, rubbing my face and slowly rolling out of bed. "I didn't think I'd hear the word 'normal' again."
"Well," she said, her tone still light, "today's your chance. Let's try to blend in, yeah?"
Before I could respond, Hana's dad entered the room, followed by Sergeant Kane. This was the first time I had met Hana's father, though I had heard bits and pieces from my parents over the years. His name was Lucifer—his military name—and despite the intimidating title, he smiled as he stepped into the room. "Call me Uncle Lucifer," he said warmly, shaking my hand. "Your parents and I go way back."
I couldn't help but smile, the familiarity in his tone easing some of the tension. "Yeah, I remember them talking about you a lot."
His smile broadened. "Trinity College, Cambridge. 1990s. Your parents were the 'popular campus sweethearts,' always making waves. And me, the odd one out, tagging along. Graduated with first-class honors in mathematics. We've kept in touch ever since."
I vaguely recalled meeting Uncle Lucifer once when I was five years old. He had visited our home, though I hadn't understood much back then. But hearing his stories now, seeing how close he and my parents had been, made me realize that he wasn't just another military man—he was someone who cared about my family, and now, someone who was helping protect me.
Sergeant Kane stepped forward next, his expression neutral but focused. "Before you head back to university, we need to cover a few things." He motioned to the table where several sleek devices and gadgets were laid out. "You'll need to carry these with you at all times. We've got cutting-edge gear designed for covert communication and self-defense."
Hana picked up a small earpiece, barely larger than a grain of rice. "This is your primary communication link. Encrypted frequency, can't be intercepted. Tap it twice to activate, once to mute."
Sergeant Kane held up a sleek black object that looked like a pen. "And this," he said, "is a tactical baton. Looks simple, but it's reinforced with a carbon-fiber core. Extend it with a flick of your wrist, and it'll take out any threat if it comes down to hand-to-hand combat."
I reached for one of the devices, a small, metallic cube that fit in the palm of my hand. "What's this?"
Uncle Lucifer smiled. "A tracker with a cloaking feature. You'll need it if someone tries to trace your location. It'll throw off any attempt to follow you."
I nodded, absorbing everything. This was real. The danger I was in was real. But at least I wasn't alone in this.
Before we left the safe house, Uncle Lucifer clapped a hand on my shoulder. "Your parents know everything. They're concerned but trust that you're in good hands. Just keep your head low, attend your classes, and don't draw any unnecessary attention. Understand?"
"Yeah," I replied, feeling a little more grounded now. "Thanks for everything."
Lucifer gave a nod before turning to Hana. "You know the plan. Keep him close. Anything goes wrong, you contact me immediately."
"I will," Hana assured him.
As we prepared to leave, Sergeant Kane handed me a backpack. "Stopped by your house this morning. Grabbed all the essentials—books, projects, everything you need for university. You're resuming your life as usual. That's how we stay under the radar."
I slung the bag over my shoulder, feeling the weight of it settle in. As we walked outside, Uncle Lucifer gestured to a sleek Rolls Royce parked at the front. "As usual, Hana will ride with me in the Rolls Royce. You'll be in the Range Rover with Sergeant Kane."
The armored SUV waiting for me looked every bit the part of a random luxury vehicle, but beneath the surface, I knew it was equipped with military-grade security. As I climbed in, Sergeant Kane settled into the driver's seat with an air of quiet confidence. No unnecessary words—just the same calm, professional demeanor that had saved my life last night.
We pulled away from the safe house, the tension slowly dissipating as we blended back into the ordinary world of university life. Students were milling about as we approached the campus, their laughter and chatter a stark contrast to the chaos that had consumed the last 24 hours of my life.
Inside the classroom, I took a deep breath, trying to relax and blend in. The students around me were oblivious to the storm brewing beneath the surface. They didn't know about the cryptic messages, the dark truths about Project Aeon, or the fact that Wilburt was still missing.
Then came an announcement that broke the routine of the day. Professor Park's voice echoed through the room from the speakers overhead, the slight buzz of the intercom signaling a major event.
"Attention, students," he began, his tone celebratory. "We are pleased to announce the 30th-anniversary celebration of the university, to be held at Campus A Main Hall Phoenix this Saturday night. It will be a grand affair, and we expect all of you to attend. You've worked hard, and now it's time to celebrate your achievements. More details will follow."
A ripple of excitement spread through the room, but all I could think about was what this celebration might mean. A perfect cover. A gathering of students, staff, and guests. A chance for Project Aeon to strike when we least expected it.
As I sat in class, pretending to listen, my mind was miles away—back at the safe house, where military operators guarded the perimeter 24/7, and where Hana had whispered her final words before leaving that morning: "Stay alert. Trust no one but me, Lucas."