I limped back to the staging area. Every step sent fresh pain through my shoulder where the alpha's teeth had torn into me. The concrete felt too solid after fighting on dirt and moss. Harsh fluorescent lights replaced green canopy shade.
Naomi caught up last. She stopped a few feet away from me instead of closer. Her face gave nothing away.
"Are you hurt?"
"Shoulder's torn up. Back's bruised. Otherwise fine."
She gave one small nod. Didn't come any nearer. "Good."
Then she turned and made her way toward the gate exit that shimmered thirty meters off. A portal swirled there, ready to dump us back on campus.
The assessment was over.
We'd cleared.
I yanked my spear free from the alpha's corpse and wiped the blade clean on its fur. My hands wouldn't stop shaking.
The adrenaline crash was coming hard.
Misato dismissed her remaining clone with a flick of her wrist. "Move out. Debrief happens at the staging area."
