Shadows of Alliance

"Midnight Encounter"

Rain cascaded down in torrents, a relentless rhythm against the windows of the headquarters. Zeo woke abruptly, her throat dry and a restless feeling stirring within her. She slipped out of bed, navigating the shadowed corridors to the kitchen in search of water.

Passing by the clinic, Zeo caught sight of Joseph, alone and resting on a bed. Curiosity tugged at her, prompting her to enter. She settled quietly beside him on a nearby couch, the silence between them heavy with unspoken thoughts. Joseph met her gaze briefly, his expression inscrutable.

Time passed in quiet solitude until fatigue overtook Zeo, pulling her into an uneasy slumber beside Joseph.

Morning broke, and Zeo awoke disoriented, finding herself back in her own bed. Sindy stood nearby, concern etched on her face.

"How did I get here?" Zeo asked, confusion evident in her voice.

Sindy hesitated, then gently explained, "Julie found you in the clinic last night, sitting with Joseph. She asked Hiroto to bring you back to your room."

Embarrassment flushed Zeo's cheeks at being discovered in such a vulnerable moment. Sindy offered a reassuring smile before her expression turned serious.

"There's something else, Zeo," Sindy continued cautiously. "Your aunt is waiting for you. She's at the spaceship launch site. She said if you don't go with her today, she won't sign the form you need."

Dread settled in the pit of Zeo's stomach. She hadn't anticipated her aunt's ultimatum so soon. The weight of her aunt's conditions pressed down on her, forcing her to confront the reality of her situation.

Resigned and feeling the weight of inevitability, Zeo quickly dressed and made her way to the launch site, knowing exactly what her aunt's words meant.

The spaceship loomed before them, sleek and foreboding in the gray morning light. Zeo approached her aunt, tension thickening the air between them.

"Aunt Alister," Zeo started softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Alister's gaze was steely, her voice cutting through the air with determination. "Enough talk, Zeo. You're coming with me. Our planet awaits, and you will face the consequences of your actions."

Zeo nodded silently, a mix of resentment and resignation in her eyes. With a heavy heart, she boarded the spacecraft beside her aunt, knowing that her life was about to change in ways she couldn't yet fathom.

In Clinic

Hiroto entered the clinic, concern etched on his face as he approached Joseph's bed. He noticed Joseph seemed distressed, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't find the strength. Hiroto, displaying his authority, cut through the tension.

"Stop being dramatic, Joseph," Hiroto said firmly. "Tell me what's on your mind."

Joseph hesitated, about to mention something concerning Zeo, but before he could speak, Ren, the superior head of the headquarters, entered with several government agents in tow. Ren's stern demeanor contrasted sharply with the lighthearted nickname he used for Hiroto.

"Hiro, my boy," Ren began in a mocking tone, "we're here to ensure everything's shipshape in these quarters."

Hiroto nodded respectfully, his concern for Joseph momentarily on hold as he dealt with the unexpected inspection. Joseph attempted to rise in response but faltered, collapsing back onto the bed due to his weakness. Hiroto swiftly helped him lie down again, the agents recording their observations on a page.

Ren, visibly irritated by the interruption, gestured sharply to Dr. Michael, the physician and Joseph's elder sister, who had entered with his medical reports. However, Ren signaled for her to hold off presenting them for the moment.