The tension had reached a boiling point. Lucas, now deep in thought, walked across the cold concrete floor of the VELA research lab, his eyes locked on the glowing crystal before him. The realization that the Dominion project was more than just a scientific experiment was starting to sink in. He couldn't help but feel the weight of the decision looming over him.

  Goom, meanwhile, was in his own world—still deciphering the strange wave patterns he'd picked up from the first crystal. The more he studied it, the more he began to believe that the crystal was not just a physical object but something with a deeper, almost sentient, resonance.

  Meanwhile, in the background, VELA was pulling its strings, making sure Lucas and Goom were both entangled in the web of their own curiosity. The new developments were already starting to feel like a trap, but Lucas was determined to follow this path—whatever the cost.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  At the same time, tensions between GIERA and VELA were escalating. The two organizations, who once worked together in their search for advanced technologies, now found themselves on opposing sides. A covert operation to steal the crystal's secrets escalated into a full-on firefight in the underground lab.

  Dr. Kaori, who had always been a calm and rational force, was caught in the chaos. She was injured in the crossfire, her arm torn open from a stray bullet. As she was rushed to the medical bay, Goom stayed by her side, his protective instinct kicking in.

  Despite the bloodshed, the conflict had only just begun. Both organizations knew that the crystal held the key to unprecedented power, and neither was willing to back down.

  The episode ended with Goom sitting by Kaori’s bed, his thoughts swirling with uncertainty. The shards of the crystal, the strange energy they emitted, and the unsettling connection between them all were starting to come together in a pattern—one that could change everything.

  But for now, all Goom could do was stay by her side and wait for the storm to pass.