Zombie Domination Chapter 54- Regret

Captain Rayden walked briskly toward the front post of the military base, the hallway abuzz with quiet chatter and shuffling boots. Upon reaching the checkpoint, he stopped in front of a petite girl wearing a crisp uniform, her round glasses slightly tilted, clipboard in hand. Despite her youthful appearance, there was sharpness in her eyes. She looked up imdiately and saluted.

"Lieutenant Naria Winchell reporting, sir."

Rayden returned the gesture casually.

"Naria. Where’s Lieutenant Celestia and her squad?"

The girl adjusted her glasses and replied efficiently,

"Lieutenant Celestia is currently in the waiting room. Her squad returned earlier this morning. Many of them sustained injuries and are under dical observation."

Rayden nodded thoughtfully, a glimr of curiosity in his eyes.

"Perfect. I can’t wait to hear her report."

He continued down the corridor with Naria following closely behind. As they entered the main infirmary area, Rayden’s eyes swept over the room, soldiers wrapped in bandages, slumped with fatigue. The toll of survival was etched on every face. A few nodded respectfully at his presence.

He turned and entered the waiting room.

Inside, Celestia stood at attention, flanked by a group of unfamiliar faces, a calm young man surrounded by four distinctly capable won. The air seed to shift around them, the kind of group you could spot as weardo without a single word exchanged.

Celestia saluted smartly.

"Lieutenant Celestia reporting, sir."

Rayden gestured for her to relax.

"Let’s hear it."

Celestia’s tone remained steady as she explained,

"Our mission to secure resources and locate survivors was unsuccessful. We encountered heavy mutated activity and were forced to retreat. However, we were assisted by an allied civilian group led by this man, Julian Deaw."

She gestured to Julian, who gave a short nod.

"He and his team played a significant role in saving my squad."

Rayden studied them for a mont, then spoke.

"I appreciate the report. And your survival."

Celestia simply nodded.

"We were just doing our duty, sir."

Rayden crossed his arms.

"I’ll forward your report to command. For now, your team is granted rest until further notice. Full recovery cos first."

Celestia saluted again.

"Understood. Permission to leave?"

"Granted."

As Celestia and her squad turned to leave, Julian stepped forward to follow, but Rayden raised a hand.

"Julian. Stay a mont, would you?"

Julian exchanged a glance with Clarissa, then nodded.

"You all go ahead. I’ll catch up later."

The group exited, leaving the two n alone in the quiet room. Rayden took a step closer, voice relaxed but firm.

"I just wanted to say... thank you. For helping my soldiers out there."

Julian nodded once.

"They fought bravely. I was just passing through."

Rayden eyed Julian, who remained casually composed, arms crossed and expression unreadable.

"You don’t look like the type to lend a hand just for the hell of it," Rayden said lightly. "What’s your story?"

Julian’s reply ca calm and flat.

"No grand reason. Let’s just say... helping others tends to lead closer to the people I’m looking for."

Rayden raised a brow, intrigued.

"Ah. So you’re hunting soone down?"

"Not quite. More like... trying to find soone important."

Julian glanced toward the wall for a mont before pulling a worn photo from his coat pocket. He held it up.

"I’m looking for a man nad Elien Claint. And a kid nad Claus Claint. Probably still alive... sowhere in this base."

Rayden’s gaze sharpened. His voice dropped a note.

"Family?"

Julian gave a single nod.

"Aya’s father and brother. They’ve been missing since the early outbreaks. I’ve been following every lead I can get my hands on."

Rayden let out a low whistle and crossed his arms.

"Huh. Small world."

He began pacing slowly, circling behind the desk before leaning against it and studying Julian.

"There’s a man currently under military detention. A dic. Na’s Elien. Has a son. Claus."

He paused, watching Julian closely.

"Ring any bells?"

Julian’s eyes dropped to the floor briefly before locking back on Rayden’s.

"I’ll know when I see them."

Rayden exhaled through his nose, folding his arms again.

"I can’t take you to them. Elien’s under investigation. Still waiting on tribunal judgnt. Military protocol."

Julian’s voice sharpened.

"What about Claus?"

"He’s... contained. Separated. Sothing’s off about the kid, his powers. The brass are keeping a close eye on him."

Julian was silent. His fingers tightened slightly. The thought of Aya’s family caught in the crosshairs of military authority was not sothing he had expected.

Seeing the shift in Julian’s deanor, Rayden added in a quieter tone,

"Look, I know you’re sharp. But don’t be reckless. My General? The kind of man who burns problems before asking questions. You try anything, you’ll light a fire you won’t put out."

Julian gave him a long stare.

"I’m not afraid of that."

"I know," Rayden replied dryly. "But think about Celestia. I’ve seen the way she looks at you. You really gonna drag her, and her entire unit, into your ss?"

He let the words hang for a second, then softened his tone.

"If you wait... just wait for the tribunal to finish, things might settle. It’s the smarter play."

Julian was quiet for a mont, then said with a small, calm smile,

"You read people pretty well, Captain."

Rayden shrugged.

"Cos with age. And a lot of near-death encounters."

Julian nodded once, then turned toward the exit.

"Thanks for the warning."

Rayden called after him with a casual wave,

"Enjoy your ti here, Julian. While it lasts."

Julian returned to the room provided by Celestia, Stood with both hands in his pockets, his face calm as always. His eyes were fixed on Aya, who sat silently at the end of the sofa.

"Aya," he said, his voice low and flat, but it cut through the air like a blade. "I’ve found your father and your brother."

Aya stiffened instantly. "Y-you... did?" Her eyes widened, and her fingers clenched tightly around the fabric of her pants. "A-are they... alive?"

Julian nodded once, slowly. "Yes. They’re here. In this base. Your father is currently in custody. And claus... under military observation."

Aya brought a hand to her mouth, her breath catching in her throat, tears forming in her eyes. "D-detained? Why... why are they..."

Clarissa gently reached over and took Aya’s trembling hand. "Easy, Aya. Breathe."

Emma, seated beside them, leaned forward slightly. "So... are we going to try and rescue them?"

Julian remained composed, his voice cold and steady.

"Not now. They’re awaiting tribunal judgnt. If we make a wrong move, we could drag Celestia and her entire unit into this. That’s not an option."

Veronica crossed her arms and leaned smugly into her chair.

"Hmph. I can’t believe you’re just sitting here calmly, Julian. If it were ..." she narrowed her eyes with a smirk, "I’d have leveled half the military base by now."

Julian turned to her, expression flat.

"That’s reckless. And we have no idea how many skill users are stationed here."

Veronica arched an eyebrow, chuckling faintly.

"Yes. But rember... wait too long, and you might lose the chance forever."

Julian exhaled slowly, then sank into a seat.

"I won’t make a foolish move. But I won’t sit back if they’re in real danger."

Clarissa gave a gentle nod.

"Let’s wait for now..."

Aya, though her eyes shimred with tears, nodded softly.

"T-thank you... all of you."

-------×------

Elien sat on the cold floor of his cell, slumped against the wall, his face bruised and weary. The dim light flickered above him, casting long shadows on the concrete walls. His wrists ached from the cuffs, and a dull pain throbbed in his temple where he’d been struck during interrogation.

His thoughts were clouded with regret.

’Claus... is he safe?’

’This is my fault... I was too reckless. I dragged Lucia into this ss too.’

’I only ever wanted Claus to live peacefully... to have the kind of life I couldn’t give him. But maybe I was too greedy.’

His hands trembled slightly.

’Too stubborn to admit he was different. Too afraid to let go. And now he’s suffering because of .’

A heavy sigh escaped his lips.

And Aya...

He closed his eyes, picturing her, his daughter’s quiet smile.

’Where is she now? Is she safe? Or did I fail her too?’

Regret filled his chest like poison.

’Maybe... I should have taken Lucia’s offer that night. Maybe running away with her was the right choice all along. But I was too blinded by hope that this place, the military, could protect us. I was wrong.’

He curled slightly, folding into himself as guilt tightened around him like a vice.

Outside the cell, footsteps echoed distantly in the corridor.

The heavy door creaked open.

"Prisoner," barked a guard. "The General wants to see you."

Elien slowly lifted his head. No strength left to question it. He stood, and was roughly escorted through the winding, sterile corridors of the underground facility.

They arrived at a steel door guarded by two ard soldiers. One knocked, and a firm voice responded from within.

"Enter."

The door swung open.

Inside, General Albrecht Voss stood behind a wide desk, hands clasped behind his back, eyes sharp like twin blades. His uniform was crisp, every pin polished, his presence commanding and cold.

The guard spoke, "Sir, Elien Claint is here."

The General turned, eyes imdiately locking onto Elien. He didn’t speak for several long seconds, only staring, dissecting.

"You’re the dic," Albrecht finally said, his voice low but cutting. "The one who hid a dangerous skill awakening. You broke protocol. You jeopardized military security. You disobeyed your oath."

Elien lowered his gaze. "I accept any punishnt. But... please... spare Lucia. Spare my son. Claus is just a child, he didn’t ask for any of this."

Albrecht stepped closer, his boots echoing across the floor. "And yet, this is the result of your choices. Emotion clouds judgnt. It makes people foolish." He paused. "But... it also makes them useful."

Elien looked up, confused.

"I’m giving you a chance," Albrecht continued. "You and Lucia will be sent to the front lines. Not to die, unless you fail, but to serve. To prove your worth."

The General leaned forward slightly, eyes piercing.

"Do well, and I may consider releasing you. Contribute enough, and I might even let you see your son again."

Elien’s mouth went dry. "Y-you’d... let go? You’d let Claus—?"

"If you prove useful." Albrecht turned back toward the desk. "Your past record shows competence. That’s the only reason I’m not having you executed."

Elien bowed his head deeply. "Thank you, sir... I’ll do whatever it takes."

"Good," Albrecht said. "Your transport leaves in an hour. Be ready."

As Elien was escorted out, a younger officer who had been observing from the corner leaned toward the General and whispered, "Sir... you turned his despair into drive. That was... masterful."

General Albrecht Voss didn’t smile. He only spoke, cold and calculated:

"The strongest motivation isn’t duty. It’s emotion. Use it well, and n will run through fire for you."