Downtown Atlanta's skyline cut harsh shadows across the CDC parking lot as Marcus watched Dr. Sarah Chen approach. In the other timeline, she'd been one of the first to recognize the outbreak's true nature. She'd also died trying to contain it, taking crucial research to her grave.
Her quick steps echoed across the empty lot, lab coat fluttering in the morning breeze. Behind her, Maya maintained overwatch from the stairwell, while Bobby – their newly recruited parkour expert – monitored the perimeter. They had forty minutes before Cross's deadline.
"This better be important," Sarah said, checking her watch. "I have three research protocols running and a meeting in—" She stopped, finally registering Marcus's combat stance. "What's wrong?"
"Short version?" Marcus kept his voice low. "In three months, a engineered virus breaks out. Takes down civilization. I'm from four years in the future, sent back to stop it. And in about thirty-eight minutes, a special operations team is going to execute your colleague, Dr. Elizabeth Morgan, because they think she's patient zero."
Sarah's expression cycled through disbelief, anger, and fear before settling into clinical assessment. "Prove it."
Marcus had expected this. "Two weeks ago, Morgan approached you about anomalous protein structures in her test samples. You noticed irregularities in her documentation but didn't report it. Yesterday, she missed her weekly review meeting – first time in three years."
"How could you possibly—"
"Same way I know that in the original timeline, you died trying to synthesize a cure. Your research came closer than anyone's, but you ran out of time." Marcus stepped closer, letting her see the truth in his eyes. "I'm not asking you to believe everything. Just to act on what you already suspect about Morgan's work."
Sarah's hand tightened on her lab bag. "The protein irregularities... they shouldn't have been possible with our current samples."
"Because they're not current samples. They're from the future. Morgan's working with someone, manipulating viral structures she doesn't understand." The precognition flashed: Sarah turning to run. His hand was already moving to catch her arm. "Please. We have thirty-five minutes to prevent a massacre."
"Why should I trust you?"
Marcus nodded to Maya, who smoothly approached with a tablet. "Because I can prove everything." He queued up the video they'd prepared – himself demonstrating the precognition abilities, along with documentation they'd gathered on Morgan's activities.
Sarah watched in silence, her scientist's mind visibly processing. When she looked up, her fear had been replaced by determination. "Morgan's been pulling late nights in Lab 4. Security access logs show irregular patterns, but she used her credentials to override the alerts."
"Can you get us in?"
"Better." She pulled out her keycard. "I can show you exactly what she's been working on. But..." She met his gaze. "If what you're saying is true, we'll need a proper containment team. Real protocols."
"Already have someone in mind for that." Marcus touched his radio. "Bobby, signal our friend."
From the shadows of a nearby building emerged James "Doc" Reynolds, former combat medic and CDC containment specialist. In the other timeline, he'd been Sarah's closest colleague. This time, Marcus had made sure to recruit him early.
"Dr. Chen," Doc said, professional but warm. "Marcus briefed me. Your expertise would be invaluable for what's coming."
Sarah's posture relaxed fractionally at the sight of a familiar face. "James? You believe all this?"
"Seen enough to know we need to move fast." He gestured to his containment kit. "Ready when you are."
Marcus checked his watch. Twenty-eight minutes. "Sarah, I need your decision. Help us contain this properly, or Cross's team goes in hot. Either way, it ends today."
She squared her shoulders, decision made. "Lab 4. But we do this by CDC protocols. No cowboy stuff."
"Agreed." Marcus keyed his radio. "Maya, Bobby – collapse to entry point. Doc, gear up the doctor. We move in three."
As the team assembled, Marcus felt the familiar weight of command, amplified by his enhanced tactical awareness. Cross's way would be simpler. Cleaner. One life to save millions. But that path led to the same darkness they were fighting against.
Sometimes the harder route was the only one worth taking.
"Time to move," he said, checking his non-lethal equipment. They had twenty-five minutes to prove there was a better way. Twenty-five minutes to prevent both an execution and an apocalypse.
The CDC building loomed ahead, its shadows concealing both threats and answers. Marcus led his team forward, every step measured, every sense alert. The future wasn't written yet. Not this time.