Elias—now serving as "Elias Varen, Research Assistant" according to his identification badge—adjusted the unfamiliar lab coat as he pushed through the double doors into Laboratory Four. The bright lights inside made him squint after the dim corridor. Several researchers looked up briefly at his entrance before returning to their work, apparently accepting his presence without question. He took a deep breath, steeling himself. If he was going to learn anything useful from this historical scenario, he needed to play his part convincingly.


    A woman with thin-rimmed glasses and dark hair pulled into a severe knot approached him. "Assistant Elias, correct? You''ve been assigned to help with the crystalline samples." She gestured to a workstation near the far wall. "Everything''s prepped. I need baseline measurements recorded for all twelve specimens."


    He nodded, trying to appear confident despite his complete lack of scientific training. "Right away."


    As he made his way to the station, Elias scanned the laboratory. Eight researchers worked at various stations, all wearing similar white coats with the Heraclea expedition insignia—a ship silhouette over what appeared to be a stylized wave. Advanced equipment lined the walls, some of it recognizable from Valtaros''s research facilities, other pieces completely foreign to him.


    The workstation held twelve small containers, each housing what looked like black crystalline formations suspended in clear fluid. They reminded him uncomfortably of the black markings that had appeared on his skin before the Maw claimed him.


    A notebook sat beside the containers, filled with precise handwriting detailing previous observations. Elias leafed through it, grateful for the guidance it provided. According to the notes, he was supposed to measure each crystal''s dimensions and record any changes since yesterday''s readings.


    He picked up the first container carefully. The crystal inside seemed to pulse slightly, though he couldn''t tell if it was an optical illusion or something more sinister. Holding it up to the light, he noticed faint, thread-like structures extending from its core—structures not mentioned in the previous observations.


    "Fascinating, aren''t they?"


    Elias nearly dropped the container. A man with a close-cropped beard had approached silently, now standing just behind him. The researcher''s name badge read "Dr. Varen Sornik, Lead Crystallographer."


    "Yes," Elias managed, setting the container down carefully. "I haven''t seen anything quite like them."


    "Nobody has." Dr. Sornik picked up another container, holding it reverently. "That''s why we''re out here, in the middle of nowhere, studying them. These formations shouldn''t exist naturally. Their molecular structure defies every known law of crystallography." His eyes gleamed with excitement. "We''re making history, young man."


    Elias nodded, noticing something odd about the researcher''s hand as he replaced the container. Faint dark lines traced just beneath the skin near his wrist, barely visible against his tan complexion. Corruption signs. Early-stage, but unmistakable.


    "Have you experienced any unusual symptoms since handling the samples?" Elias asked carefully, remembering Captain Markov''s briefing about containment protocols.


    Dr. Sornik stiffened slightly. "Symptoms? No, nothing unusual." He tugged his sleeve down, covering the marks. "Just the normal fatigue from long research hours." His smile didn''t reach his eyes. "Why do you ask?"


    "Just being cautious," Elias said, forcing casualness into his voice. "Captain''s orders."


    "Of course." The researcher''s gaze lingered on him for an uncomfortable moment. "Well, I''ll let you get back to your measurements. The team meeting is in two hours—we''ll need your preliminary findings by then."


    As Sornik walked away, Elias let out a breath he hadn''t realized he was holding. The corruption was already spreading among the crew. He''d seen those same black veins before—in the victims of the eastern breach when he was a child, in the corrupted who occasionally breached Valtaros''s barriers. Seeing it here, at what must be humanity''s first encounter with corruption, sent a chill through him that had nothing to do with the lab''s cool temperature.


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    He spent the next hour carefully measuring each crystal, recording their dimensions in the logbook. The work was tedious but gave him time to observe the lab and its occupants. He noticed at least two other researchers showing subtle signs of corruption—a slight tremor in their hands, darkened veins visible at their necks, pupils dilated despite the bright lighting.


    While recording data from the eighth specimen, Elias discovered something unexpected—a hidden compartment in the workstation drawer containing unauthorized research notes. The handwriting matched Dr. Sornik''s, but these observations weren''t in the official log.


    Day 7: Crystal B-3 shows accelerated growth when exposed to biological material. Tested with my own blood sample. Results extraordinary. Structure adapted almost instantaneously, incorporating organic compounds.


    Day 9: Self-experimentation continuing. Small crystal fragment introduced subcutaneously in left forearm. Initial pain subsided. Site shows minor discoloration but no infection. Strange dreams last night. Voices speaking in unknown language.


    Day 11: Changes becoming more pronounced. Can feel the crystal spreading beneath skin. Not painful—quite the opposite. Heightened sensory perception. Colors more vivid. Sounds clearer. THE CRYSTAL IS ALIVE.


    Elias closed the notebook, his heart racing. Sornik hadn''t just been exposed to corruption—he''d deliberately infected himself. The man was already half-consumed, and based on these notes, completely unaware of the danger.


    A commotion near the main doors drew his attention. Two security officers had entered the lab and were speaking urgently with one of the researchers. Their expressions were grim, hands resting on their sidearms.


    "What''s happening?" Elias asked the nearest lab technician.


    "Something about Lab Three," she whispered, eyes wide. "Someone broke containment protocols. They''re saying Researcher Halven is... changed somehow."


    Elias tensed. He didn''t recognize the name Halven from the list of chosen ones he''d met in Valtaros. Either this was a genuine historical figure, or one of the twelve had been assigned this role in the scenario.


    The loudspeakers crackled to life overhead. Captain Markov''s voice echoed through the laboratory, controlled but tense:


    "Attention all Heraclea personnel. We have a containment breach in Laboratory Three. All research deck personnel are to remain at their stations. Security teams will implement isolation procedures. I repeat, remain at your stations until further notice."


    The laboratory doors sealed with a pneumatic hiss. The researchers exchanged nervous glances, murmuring among themselves. Only Dr. Sornik seemed calm, almost pleased, as he carefully locked his samples in a storage cabinet.


    Elias scanned the room for possible exits. The containment breach would spread quickly—he''d seen how fast corruption could move during Valtaros''s eastern breach. He needed to find Dr. Soren Varek—Maren''s historical identity—and the other chosen ones quickly. At least he knew she was in Laboratory Seven working on molecular biochemistry. Finding her would be his first priority after escape.


    His gaze fell on a ventilation shaft near his workstation—large enough for someone of his slim build to navigate. As the researchers clustered near the main doors, arguing with security about the lockdown, Elias quietly moved toward the shaft.


    A hand gripped his arm. He turned to find Dr. Sornik beside him, smiling strangely.


    "Going somewhere, Assistant?" he asked, his voice oddly resonant. The black veins had spread, now clearly visible across his neck and face. His eyes had darkened, the whites now shot through with inky tendrils. "You''re different from the others. I sensed it immediately."


    Elias tried to pull away, but Sornik''s grip was unnaturally strong.


    "They''re coming," Sornik whispered, leaning closer. "They''ve been waiting so long to find us. To join with us. Don''t you hear them calling?" His free hand moved to his lab coat pocket, withdrawing something that glinted in the harsh laboratory light—a syringe filled with black, crystalline fluid.


    "I can help you hear them too," he said, raising the syringe.


    Before Elias could react, the laboratory plunged into darkness as the power failed. Emergency lights flickered on, bathing everything in a red glow. Screams erupted from the far side of the lab, followed by the distinctive sound of gunfire.


    In the confusion, Elias wrenched himself free from Sornik''s grip and bolted toward the ventilation shaft. Behind him, the researcher''s laughter echoed unnaturally against the metal walls.


    "Run if you want," Sornik called after him. "It doesn''t matter. None of us are leaving this ship alive."


    As Elias pried open the ventilation cover, alarms began blaring throughout the research deck. The containment breach had begun in earnest. His brief time in Laboratory Four had taught him something valuable—corruption wasn''t just a mindless force of nature. It was invited in, welcomed by those who didn''t understand its danger until it was too late.


    Perhaps that was what happened to the world he knew. Perhaps someone like Sornik had opened a door that could never be closed again.


    He needed to find the others—Dr. Soren Varek in Laboratory Seven, Officer Braun in security, and Lyra Nevaris in xenobiology. Somewhere on this ship were Tavin and the rest of the chosen ones, each playing their assigned role in this strange scenario. If they were going to survive this, they needed to find each other fast.