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The panel pulsed brighter. “Processing... Authentication accepted. Deactivating sentinel units.”

Through the security feed, I watched as the drones froze mid-action. One had been leaping toward Khaaz, its metal claws extended. Another had been firing at Zehn, who was using the remnants of a previous drone as a shield. They all simply powered down, slumping to the ground or hovering in place before their propulsion systems disengaged, sending them crashing to the floor.

The sudden silence was almost as shocking as the previous battle sounds had been.

I exhaled slowly, running shaking hands through my hair. My black strands were damp with sweat, and I realized my whole body was trembling with adrenaline.

“Computer, what is Project Kridrin?” I asked, turning back to the main console.

“Project Kridrin: Interdimensional Genetics Research Initiative,” the computer responded. “Established to study genetic divergence across dimensional boundaries.”

“And who am I? I mean, why did my DNA work to stop the countdown?”

“DNA analysis indicates subject is descendant of research team beta-six. Access level: Administrator.”

Research team? So my ancestors had been scientists here? The entire concept seemed impossible, and yet... here I was, standing in an alien facility that responded to my touch, my voice, my very genetic code.

“When was this facility last active?” I asked.

“Last active user login: 3,724 local cycles ago.”

However long a “local cycle” was, it had clearly been a very long time. Perhaps this place had been abandoned when Earth’s societies had collapsed during some prehistoric calamity, only to rise again with no memory of what had come before. The thought was dizzying.

The reinforced door slid open with a pneumatic hiss. I spun around, instinctively backing up against the console, before recognizing the massive figures that filled the doorway.

Zehn entered first, his Beast Battle form gradually shifting back to his still-impressive seven-foot height. Golden eyes scanned the room for threats before settling on me with an intensity that made my stomach flip. Behind him, Khaaz moved more cautiously, his scarred body tense as he assessed the situation.

“Everly,” Zehn rumbled, his deep voice washing over me like a physical caress. “The machines stopped. Did you...?”

“Yeah,” I said, my voice cracking slightly. I cleared my throat. “I stopped them. And the bomb, too.”

Khaaz remained near the doorway, his skittish nature reasserting itself now that the immediate danger had passed. But his eyes never left me, filled with a mixture of awe and something deeper I wasn’t ready to name.

“How?” Zehn asked, stepping closer. His massive form moved with a predatory grace that belied his size, and despite the danger we’d just escaped, I found my body responding to his proximity in ways that were becoming familiar but no less overwhelming.

“It’s... complicated,” I said, gesturing to the screens behind me. “But it turns out I’m kind of related to the people who built this place. Or at least, the system thinks I am.”

Zehn’s eyes narrowed, his head tilting in a way that reminded me of a curious cat. “Related how?”

“The Kridrin,” I explained, watching both males stiffen at the word. “They weren’t just aliens. They were humans—or what humans became in another dimension. According to these files, there was some kind of dimensional split about a hundred thousand years ago. Different evolution, different adaptations, but the same base species.”

Khaaz made a soft sound, something between surprise and recognition. It was the most I’d heard from him in a non-battle situation.

I turned back to the console, bringing up more files. “It looks like this facility was researching dimensional genetics. Trying to understand how humans evolved differently across different timelines. My DNA is similar enough to the research team’s that the system recognized me as an administrator.”

Zehn moved closer, the heat of his body radiating against my back. “So you commanded the machines to stop.”

“I did,” I confirmed, still somewhat amazed by it myself.

His large hand settled on my shoulder, gentle despite its size. “My clever mate,” he murmured, the pride in his voice sending a warm shiver down my spine.

From the doorway, Khaaz watched us with those intense eyes, his scarred face unreadable. But I could see the tension in his powerful frame, the way his claws flexed at his sides. He wanted to approach but held himself back.

I made a decision then, extending my hand toward him. “We should look through these files. Both of you. There might be information about the Rodinians too.”

Khaaz hesitated, glancing at Zehn as if seeking permission. Something unspoken passed between the two males before Khaaz stepped forward, moving cautiously to my other side.

“I knew you were special from the first moment I scented you,” Zehn said, his voice a low rumble that seemed to vibrate through my entire body. “But even I did not imagine this.”

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