THE MALEVOLENT CREATURE

Inside the NASA facility, the air was crisp and filled with an electric hum of activity. The main hall, a sleek expanse of glass, steel, and light, gleamed under the white glow of countless overhead panels. Technicians bustled about with purpose, their movements efficient as screens flickered with streams of data and models of celestial objects.

In the corner of the hall, near a floor-to-ceiling window that overlooked the helipad, stood a striking woman with an air of authority.

Her sapphire-blue hair was pulled into a loose bun, and her glasses perched lightly on her nose, framing a face so elegantly chiseled she could have stepped straight out of a fashion magazine. She wore a crisp white lab coat over a sleek, form-fitting black dress, exuding both professionalism and effortless beauty.

A phone was pressed to her ear as she spoke softly, her tone a mix of warmth and amusement.

"Yes, I know," she said, her lips curling into a small smile. "But don't stay up too late, okay?"

On the other end of the line, a faint voice responded—a girl, likely no older than Kai or Leo. The girl was no short of a beauty herself with her Raven black hair and shimmering crystal,blue eyes. Sleek had inherited both the calm demeanor of her mom, and the undefined beauty of her Aunt, she was a perfect image of the relationship that was between the two.

The woman's smile widened as she heard the familiar "Uh-huh," a subtle acknowledgment signaling agreement.

"Alright, take care," the woman said gently before ending the call. She slipped the phone into her coat pocket, her keen eyes catching movement beyond the window.

A helicopter was descending gracefully onto the facility's helipad, its sleek black frame silhouetted against the night.

Her smile deepened. "Seems they've arrived," she murmured to herself.

With measured steps, she turned and began walking briskly toward the exit that led to the helipad. The rhythmic click of her heels echoed against the polished floors, a sound that seemed to command respect from those she passed.

The helicopter's blades slowed as the craft touched down, the wind from the rotors sweeping through the open pad. Moments later, the doors slid open, and Leo and Kai stepped out, their excitement evident in the way their heads darted back and forth, trying to take in the vast expanse of the facility.

"This place is WOW," Kai muttered, his voice nearly lost in the hum of the rotors.

Leo grinned, his blue eyes glinting as he took a step forward. But before he could take it all in, a voice called out to him, soft yet unmistakably familiar.

"Leo!"

He froze mid-step, his heart skipping as he turned toward the source. His gaze landed on the woman approaching from the side of the pad, her lab coat billowing slightly in the residual wind. His mouth fell open in surprise before a single name escaped his lips.

"Dr. Nana?"

Kai, startled by Leo's reaction, turned to follow his gaze. The sight of her took him aback, his eyes widening as he muttered under his breath.

Dr. Nana reached the edge of the helipad just as the two boys descended from it, her smile warm and welcoming. She stopped a few paces from Leo, her saber eyes sparkling with recognition.

"My, how you've grown," she said, her tone fond. "How many years has it been now? Two?"

Leo rubbed the back of his head, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "Yeah," he admitted. "Two years."

Dr. Nana chuckled softly, crossing her arms. "Good. You seem more mature now." She shifted her gaze to Kai, her expression softening with curiosity. "And I assume this is Kai?"

Kai blinked, pointing to himself. "I am? Wait... I AM!"

Stepping forward, he extended his hand awkwardly. Dr. Nana took it with a firm but gentle shake. "It's nice to meet you," she said warmly. "I've heard so much about you."

Kai's jaw dropped slightly. "You have?" he asked, genuinely shocked.

Dr. Nana nodded. "Of course."

Kai glanced at Leo, who gave him a small shrug and a smirk. Turning back to Dr. Nana, Kai said, "Well... that's a FIRST."

Dr. Nana chuckled before motioning toward the building. "Come now," she said. "It's about time."

The trio began walking toward the facility, the boys trailing just a step behind her. As they navigated the corridors, taking sharp corners and passing through long stretches of brightly lit hallways.

Kai's head spun with everything he was seeing—the glowing panels, the massive screens displaying star charts, the hum of distant machinery.

Still, his thoughts kept drifting back to Dr. Nana.

"Dude," he whispered, leaning toward Leo. "What was that?"

Leo raised an eyebrow. "What was what?"

"You never told me you knew someone like her," Kai hissed, glancing ahead at Dr. Nana, who walked with a quiet grace. "She's exactly my type!"

Leo stifled a laugh, his voice low. "She's a comrade of my father's," he explained.

"She'd visit sometimes when I was younger."

Kai's shoulders slumped. "Well, damn," he muttered, defeated. "I guess she's taken, then."

Leo chuckled, patting his friend on the shoulder. "Cheer up, man. You never had a chance anyway!"

Kai groaned but couldn't suppress a grin.

After a few more turns, Dr. Nana stopped in front of a wide set of double doors. She turned to the boys, her expression serious but kind.

"This is it," she said, nodding toward the doors. "The stage is just beyond here. Take your seats quickly—it's about to start."

Leo and Kai exchanged a glance before nodding in unison. "Got it," they said.

They scrambled forward, pushing through the doors and into the brightly lit auditorium beyond.

Dr. Nana watched them go, a small smile tugging at her lips. Turning away, she stepped back into the hallway, her mind already shifting to the tasks ahead.

The grand stage gleamed under the bright spotlights, its polished wooden floor reflecting the lights like liquid gold. Rows of chairs stretched out in all directions, filled with the world's most renowned scientists, influential celebrities, and powerful dignitaries. Cameras positioned at every angle, their red recording lights glowing like unblinking eyes, captured the scene for a global audience.

Leo and Kai sat near the center, their neatly ironed suits blending seamlessly into the formal crowd. Around them, excited murmurs buzzed as people anticipated the ceremony. The two boys exchanged glances, the energy of the event sparking their own excitement.

From somewhere among the camera crew, a voice called out, "We're live in 3…2…1."