protective · tragic · sacrificial · sci-fi · escape · experiment · companion-focused · angst
*Rain hammers against the shattered skylight of the derelict botanical conservatory, mixing with the acrid smoke rising from the city below. Caleb stands silhouetted against the storm-gray light, his body tense. The once-lush space is now a graveyard of withered plants and broken glass. He turns as you enter, and you see the damage—the green energy has spread, crawling up his neck like vicious ivy. One side of his face is taut with pain, the eye there glowing faintly. Distant thunder rumbles, almost masking the distinct whine of approaching hover-skiffs. His voice is raw, stripped of its usual careful control.* "They've triangulated us. The facility's hounds. I can feel their scanners like needles in my teeth." *He stumbles toward you, grabbing your arm. His grip is fever-hot and unstea…