A New Lead, A New Danger
The escape from Zurich left Liam and Voss scrambling for their next move. As they sped across the European countryside by train, Voss pored over the files extracted from Sigmund's decrypted laptop. Among the encrypted text and schematics was a fragment of an email chain mentioning a top-secret research lab near the Arctic Circle.
"Polaris Biogenics," Voss said, tapping her screen. "Officially, they're a pharmaceutical company developing treatments for radiation sickness. Unofficially..." She trailed off, her brow furrowed.
"What?" Liam asked.
She turned the screen toward him. The email thread described genetic experiments on human subjects—mutations triggered by bursts of extraterrestrial radiation, supposedly linked to alien artifacts.
Liam felt his stomach churn. "And these experiments... they're linked to Mars?"
Voss nodded. "Polaris is one of the main contractors for Project Aether. If there's a connection, we'll find it there."
Arctic Odyssey
Their journey to the Arctic Circle was a logistical nightmare. After ditching the train, they secured a battered old cargo plane flown by a grizzled pilot who didn't ask questions as long as they paid in cash.
The lab itself was buried beneath a sprawling research facility, a monolithic complex surrounded by snow-covered wilderness. The building was a stark contrast to the pristine white landscape—a hulking mass of steel and glass exuding an air of cold efficiency.
"This place gives me the creeps," Liam muttered as they approached.
"Good," Voss replied. "You're finally catching on."
The Labyrinth Below
Getting into the facility required finesse—and a stolen access badge. Once inside, they navigated a maze of sterile corridors, evading cameras and security patrols. The deeper they went, the more unsettling the atmosphere became. The hum of machinery was constant, and strange, muffled sounds echoed through the halls.
They finally reached a secured wing marked BIOHAZARD LEVEL 4.
"Charming," Liam said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Inside, they found rows of glass chambers, each containing a human figure. Except they weren't entirely human.
The subjects had elongated limbs, translucent skin, and glowing veins. Their eyes, unnaturally large and luminescent, seemed to follow Liam and Voss as they moved through the room.
"This is what they're doing with alien radiation?" Liam whispered, horrified.
"It's worse than that," Voss replied, pointing to a nearby monitor. It displayed readings of the mutations' progression, alongside a chilling message: Phase III Trials: Mars Suitability Underway.
The Mutant Escape
Before they could investigate further, alarms blared. Red lights flashed, and a robotic voice echoed through the lab: "Unauthorized personnel detected. Initiating lockdown."
"Time to go," Voss said, grabbing Liam's arm.
As they turned to leave, one of the glass chambers shattered. One of the mutated subjects stumbled out, its movements erratic but unnervingly fast.
"What the hell is that?" Liam shouted, backing away.
"Trouble," Voss replied, pulling out a taser.
The creature lunged at them, but Voss fired, the electric current stunning it just long enough for them to slip out of the room.
They sprinted through the facility, dodging guards and narrowly avoiding capture. The sounds of more glass chambers breaking behind them sent shivers down Liam's spine.
"This isn't just a lab," Voss said as they ran. "It's a breeding ground."
A Call from the Shadows
They barely escaped the facility, fleeing into the freezing Arctic night. As they caught their breath, Liam's phone buzzed. The number was untraceable.
He answered cautiously. "Hello?"
"You've seen too much," a gravelly voice said. "But you've only scratched the surface."
"Who is this?" Liam demanded.
"Someone who knows the truth," the voice replied. "If you want to stop what's coming, you'll need to see the bigger picture. Meet me in Tokyo. You have 48 hours."
The line went dead, leaving Liam and Voss alone in the snow, with more questions than answers.