Kzarian did not stop running.
His lungs burned.
His legs shook.
Every step sent pain through his body, but he did not slow down.
Behind him, the city screamed.
Sirens howled across Neptune like wounded animals.
Red lights flashed between towers.
Drones cut through the sky, scanning streets, rooftops, shadows.
They knew.
They knew someone had betrayed them.
Kzarian ran through narrow paths, past closed shops and silent homes.
He did not look back.
He already knew what would happen if they caught him.
THE SHOP
Inside the steel workshop, Steve moved fast.
The baby lay wrapped in a thick cloth behind a heavy metal shelf.
Old machine parts surrounded him—rusted frames, broken engines, cold steel.
Steve's hands trembled as he pushed scrap pieces closer, hiding the small shape.
"Quiet," he whispered.
The baby's glowing eye markings dimmed again, almost as if he understood.
Steve stepped away.
He wiped his hands on his clothes and forced his breathing to slow.
Then—
voices.
Shouting.
Boots.
Metal striking metal.
Steve's heart dropped.
THE HUNT BEGINS
Outside, the street flooded with soldiers.
Dozens of them.
Advanced armor.
Weapons glowing with charged energy.
Helmets sealed tight, faces hidden behind dark visors.
One soldier spat on the ground.
"That traitor," he growled.
"After everything the kingdom gave him."
Another added,
"He stole an alien.
He's worse than a criminal. He's a threat."
A tall figure stepped forward.
Raven.
Leader of the Kingdom Guard.
His armor was darker than the rest.
Red markings cut across his chest plate like claws.
His eyes were sharp, cold, experienced.
"Enough," Raven said.
The street fell silent.
"Spread out," he ordered.
"Search every home.
Every shop.
Every corner of this district."
The soldiers moved instantly.
Raven stayed back.
Watching.
Thinking.
THE DOOR
Raven's gaze settled on the steel workshop.
The only place with lights still on.
"No other homes here," he muttered.
He walked forward.
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
The sound echoed too loudly.
Steve opened the door slowly.
"Yes?" he asked.
Raven looked him up and down.
"I am Raven," he said calmly.
"Leader of the Kingdom Guard."
Steve bowed his head slightly.
"Sir."
"We are searching for a man," Raven continued.
"A scientist named Kzarian."
Steve shook his head.
"I don't know him."
Raven's eyes narrowed.
"Have you seen a man running… carrying a blue child?"
"Strange markings. Alien."
Steve swallowed.
"No," he said.
"I was sleeping. I work long hours."
Raven stepped closer.
"I will ask again," he said quietly.
"Did you see a man with a child?"
Steve met his gaze.
"Believe me, sir," he replied.
"I am a hard worker.
I finished my job late and went to sleep."
For a moment, Raven said nothing.
Then—
he shoved Steve aside.
THE SEARCH
Soldiers stormed inside.
They did not ask permission.
They threw tools across the floor.
Smashed containers.
Pulled apart shelves.
Metal crashed.
Sparks flew.
Steve hit the wall hard.
He gasped but stayed silent.
One soldier kicked over a crate.
Another ripped apart a cloth pile.
Steve watched helplessly as they moved closer to the hidden shelf.
Closer.
Closer.
Raven stepped inside last.
His boots stopped inches from the metal pile.
He bent slightly.
Reached out—
THE INTERRUPTION
"HURRAY!"
The shout came from outside.
"We caught the lunatic Kzarian!"
Laughter erupted.
Raven froze.
He straightened slowly.
"Hahaha!" a soldier yelled.
"That idiot tried to run!"
Raven turned sharply and marched outside.
Steve collapsed against the wall, breathing hard.
THE CAPTURE
In the middle of the street, soldiers dragged Kzarian forward.
His body was broken.
Blood soaked his legs.
One arm hung useless.
His face was swollen, barely recognizable.
Raven grabbed him by the collar and lifted his head.
"Where is the alien?" Raven demanded.
Kzarian coughed.
Blood spilled from his mouth.
Then—
he laughed.
Not weak.
Not afraid.
A real laugh.
Raven's expression darkened.
"Answer me," he said.
Kzarian lifted his head with effort.
"You'll never find him," he whispered.
A soldier struck his leg.
Kzarian screamed—
then laughed again.
"Search the whole planet," he said.
"You will still fail."
Raven stared at him.
Something felt wrong.
Too calm.
Too sure.
Raven leaned close.
"You think you've won?" he asked.
Kzarian met his eyes.
"I already did."
ENDING
Raven signaled.
"Take him."
The soldiers dragged Kzarian away.
The street slowly emptied.
Inside the workshop—
the baby remained silent.
Hidden.
Unseen.
Unscanned.
The kingdom believed the threat was captured.
They were wrong.
TO BE CONTINUED