Voidwalker Requiem

Chapter Seven: Unseen Depths

The sterile, white walls of the clinic felt like they were closing in on the crew as they waited for any news about Eve. Hours had passed since they arrived, and the uneasy silence was starting to gnaw at their nerves.

Aric had checked on them periodically, offering polite but vague updates. "She's stable," was all he would say before retreating back into the clinic's depths.

The crew's sense of unease grew with each passing minute. The lounge they were confined to was eerily clean, almost too perfect. It lacked the warmth and imperfections of a place genuinely lived in. It felt more like a stage set than a real medical facility.

Asulan paced back and forth, his heavy steps echoing in the quiet room. Hana sat on a stiff chair, tapping his foot impatiently. Ditto, however, was restless in a different way. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong.

"I don't like this," she whispered to Hana, her voice low to avoid catching the attention of any listening ears. "There's something off about this place."

Hana nodded, his face drawn with worry. "I know. But what choice do we have? We need to get Eve out of here, but we can't just barge in."

Ditto's eyes narrowed. "I'm going to do a little recon. Keep an eye on Aric."

Before Hana could respond, Ditto slipped out of the lounge, her shapeshifting abilities allowing her to blend into the sterile environment seamlessly. She moved quietly, sticking to the shadows, her senses on high alert.

As she made her way through the clinic, she noticed the peculiar lack of other patients or staff. The corridors were empty, and the rooms she passed were either unoccupied or filled with medical equipment that seemed more advanced than necessary for a simple outpost clinic.

Ditto's suspicions deepened. She approached a door marked "Restricted Access" and, after ensuring no one was around, used her shapeshifting abilities to mimic Aric's hand and press it against the biometric scanner. The door clicked open, and Ditto slipped inside.

The room she entered was dimly lit and filled with an array of advanced medical equipment. At the centre, surrounded by monitors and strange devices, lay Eve, unconscious and hooked up to various machines. Her face was pale, and her body twitched occasionally as if in pain.

Ditto's heart pounded as she approached. She scanned the monitors, trying to make sense of the data displayed. It didn't take long for her to realise that Eve wasn't just being treated; she was being experimented on.

The readouts indicated a series of invasive tests, each more alarming than the last. They were pushing her psychic abilities to their limits, and the strain was evident in the data.

Ditto's blood ran cold. She knew she had to get Eve out of there, but she needed a plan.

Slipping back out of the restricted room, she made her way to the lounge where Hana and Asulan were waiting. Her expression was grim as she pulled them aside and relayed what she had found.

"They're not just treating her," Ditto whispered urgently. "They're experimenting on her. We need to get her out now."

Hana's face darkened with anger. "How do we do that without causing a scene?"

Ditto thought for a moment, then her eyes lit up with determination. "We need a distraction. Asulan, you're the strongest. If you can create a commotion, it might draw enough attention for me to slip in and get Eve. Hana, you cover our escape route."

Asulan nodded, his jaw set in determination. "I can do that."

They quickly put their plan into action. Asulan headed towards the main area of the clinic, making a loud fuss about needing help and demanding to see a doctor. His deep voice boomed through the halls, echoing off the pristine walls and drawing the attention of the staff.