The vast expanse of space stretched before Albert as his interceptor cut through the darkness, the red planet growing larger with every passing second. Mars—a world of industrial dominance, buried history, and now, the key to unlocking the truth about his mother's fate.
The Architects.
The name still echoed in his mind, weighty and unfamiliar. If they had orchestrated his mother's death, then what else had they manipulated from the shadows?
And why had his father never spoken of them?
Answers lay beneath the Martian surface. And Albert was prepared to claim them.
---
Mars was nothing like Neo-Terra's endless spires and neon-lit skyline. It was a world built for function—mining rigs drilling deep into the planet's crust, energy domes shielding industrial megacities, transport vessels ferrying raw materials toward the orbiting shipyards.
EvoTech controlled vast portions of the planet, and where EvoTech's reach ended, the Quantum Shroud lurked in the shadows.
Albert's ship approached the primary orbital checkpoint, his clearance codes automatically pinging the security network. A moment later, his screen flickered red.
Access Restricted: Unauthorized Flight Path.
Then, a follow-up transmission.
"Albert Faustin, your approach is unauthorized. State your business."
Albert exhaled sharply. "Personal visit."
A brief pause. Then—"Negative. Your current clearance does not permit unscheduled landings. Redirect or prepare for interception."
Albert clenched his jaw. His father had locked Mars down against him.
He had two choices: turn back, or force his way in.
His fingers hovered over the stealth drive, preparing to bypass the blockade—
Then, a new transmission cut through.
"Redirecting clearance request… Approved. Welcome to Mars."
Albert's eyes narrowed. He hadn't overridden anything. Someone had just granted him access.
But who?
---
Albert guided his ship through the Martian atmosphere, descending toward one of the less-policed settlements on the outskirts of Redhaven. Unlike the towering EvoTech districts, Redhaven was a rougher, independent city—mercenary hubs, mining outposts, and corporate rebels thrived here, far from the strict rule of EvoTech's main forces.
Landing his ship in a private hangar, Albert stepped out, his adaptive combat suit adjusting to the atmospheric pressure. The air smelled of iron and dust, the low hum of machinery vibrating through the ground beneath his boots.
His target lay beyond the city: a decommissioned EvoTech research facility.
A place his mother had once worked.
A place his father had buried.
Albert moved through the crowded streets, keeping his hood raised as he navigated through the dimly lit alleys. His comm-link buzzed.
Liana.
He hesitated before answering.
"I know you're on Mars," she said, her voice controlled, but laced with frustration. "And I know you didn't get clearance on your own."
Albert sighed. "Not now, Liana."
"You think I'm going to let you do this alone?"
He stopped in his tracks. "Liana—"
"Too late," she interrupted. "I already traced your landing coordinates. See you soon."
The comm-link cut.
Albert exhaled sharply. He should've known she wouldn't stay out of this.
But for now, he had to focus.
The past was waiting.
---
The research facility stood at the edge of a dead canyon, its towering structure worn by time but still intact. EvoTech's insignia was faded on the metal walls, long abandoned but never truly erased.
Albert approached the reinforced doors, placing a hand against the control panel.
"Override security."
His Aetherion circuits pulsed beneath his fingertips, forcing an interface link. A brief moment of resistance—then, a soft click. The doors slid open, revealing the darkness inside.
Stepping forward, Albert activated his visor, scanning the facility's layout. The halls were silent, terminals coated in dust, yet power still hummed faintly through the core systems.
Then he saw it.
Dr. Helena Faustin.
His mother's name on a central console.
Heart pounding, Albert activated the system. Files flickered to life, fragmented but recoverable. He inserted a data chip, transferring the encrypted records.
But as soon as the process began, an alert blared through the facility.
UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS DETECTED.
Albert's pulse quickened.
They knew he was here.
---
The Hunters Arrive
Beyond the canyon, the sky darkened as a fleet of sleek black vessels descended.
Not EvoTech. Not Quantum Shroud.
A third force had arrived.
Albert secured the data chip and turned toward the exit. As soon as he stepped outside, a voice echoed through his comms.
"Albert Faustin. Surrender the data."
He turned, gripping the hilt of his kinetic blades.
A dozen figures in sleek, high-tech armor surrounded him. Their suits bore an insignia unlike any he had ever seen.
Elegant. Precise. Lethal.
His chest tightened.
The Architects.
They had been expecting him.
One of them stepped forward, removing their helmet to reveal piercing silver eyes. Their voice was smooth, composed.
"You've taken something that does not belong to you."
Albert's grip on his blades tightened. "My mother's research. It belongs to me."
The Architect tilted their head slightly. "Does it?"
A pause. Then, they gestured toward the facility.
"Your mother's work was never meant for EvoTech. It was never meant for the Quantum Shroud." Their gaze locked onto Albert's. "It was meant for us."
A cold dread settled over Albert.
Before he could respond, the lead Architect raised a hand.
The other operatives moved in.
And the battle began.