Chapter 2

The bold letters on the door practically shouted at her—MEETING ROOM.

Zariyah took a steadying breath, smoothed her shirt, and knocked. It was a swift, confident tap—soft, yet firm enough to announce her presence. No hesitation.

She pushed the door open just enough to peek inside.

Three pairs of eyes locked onto her from across the room. The higher-ups. The ones who ran this entire department. Every project, every discovery, every expedition—it all went through them first.

They weren’t just powerful. They were where she wanted to be.

Zariyah had spent years pushing herself, proving herself. One day, she would sit in their place. She would be the one making the decisions, calling the shots. She wanted it so badly, she’d give anything for it.

Anything.

For now, though, she was just on the other side of the table.

For now.

Even if it meant giving up the things she held dearest. Even if it meant sacrificing everything.

For that position, for that power—Zariyah was ready.

She stepped inside, her voice steady. “I was told there’s something I had to see?”

The three figures at the table turned their attention to her. The higher-ups. The ones who decided everything. The man in the center, the true head of the department, nodded. His name was Alex. The other two—a man and a woman—flanked him like sentinels, silent but just as powerful.

Alex leaned forward slightly. “Yes, Zariyah. I’m glad you could join us today.” His voice was even, unreadable. “There’s an important mission. One that only you can do. Choose three people to be on your team, and report back to me within the next hour.”

Zariyah didn’t move. Didn’t breathe.

She should’ve responded immediately—should’ve said yes, of course, I’ll do it—but the words didn’t come. Not because she physically couldn’t. There was no invisible lock on her lips.

No, she was silent because, for the first time in her life, she was completely stunned.

This was it. This was the first taste of power. A team of her own. A mission only she could handle. She would tell them what to do, when to do it, how to do it—and they would listen. They would follow. No questions. No going against orders.

This was the thing she craved from the depths of her being.

But she didn’t have it. Not yet.

So, instead, she swallowed her excitement, forced herself to breathe, and nodded. “Understood.”

And just like that, everything began.

The moment she stepped out of the room, Zariyah didn’t just walk—she bolted.

Down the hallway, toward the stairwell, her footsteps echoed as she practically flew down the steps. Five floors? Nothing. The rush of adrenaline made it feel like she could sprint down ten if she had to.

Because this was it. Her moment.

Yes, she still had to answer to the higher-ups. Yes, she wasn’t fully in control. Yet. But for the first time, she was given something big—something hers. And that thrill alone made her feel untouchable.

She hit the ground floor and immediately spotted Alicia. Without wasting a second, she sprinted toward her.

“Alicia! Alicia!” Zariyah practically shouted, throwing herself into her friend’s arms in an excited hug.

Alicia barely had time to react before Zariyah started blurting everything out—every word tumbling over the next, her excitement barely containable.

When she was done, Alicia gasped. “Oh my god! That’s amazing!” She grabbed Zariyah’s arms, shaking her slightly. “Okay, okay—so you have an hour, right? Who are you choosing? You have to report soon!”

Zariyah grinned so hard her cheeks hurt. “You know I’m definitely taking you, right? You’re my first partner. Duh.”

Alicia gasped dramatically. “An honor, truly.”

They both laughed, their energy bouncing off each other. But beneath Zariyah’s excitement, something else stirred—something deeper.

Because this? This was just the beginning.

And she couldn’t wait for what came next.

“I think I’m going with Mason and Tyler,” Zariyah decided, the words tumbling out as she thought them through. “They’ve been here for three years, but they haven’t gotten many chances to work outside the lab. This could be huge for them.”

She nodded to herself, solidifying the decision in her mind. “Yep. That’s it. Now I just have to find them and tell them. And fast. Because if I mess this up and get fired on what might be the best day of my entire life? Yeah, no thanks.”

She clapped her hands together. “February 24th, 2038. Marking this down as the best day ever.”

Alicia smirked. “Sure you will.”

Zariyah grinned but wasted no time. She spun on her heel and headed straight for the stairs.

And immediately regretted how fast she’d run down them earlier.

Really should’ve stopped at the second floor first. But hey, what was done was done. No time for regrets.

Big things were ahead.

And she needed to be ready.

T. B. C.

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