The bug’s data was a goldmine.

They could finally access every “admitted” tester in the centers, and Jake quickly deciphered there were two kinds of immunity.

“They’re trying to find a cure,” Jake said suddenly.

“The bad guys?” Jamie asked. The I.T. interceptors huddled in the training room, Pierce standing by  the door.

“Not a human cure.” Jake pointed to the screen. “This is an Immune’s DNA,” he pointed at another spot, “- and this is something else. They’re sorting immunity into passive and asymptomatic, then sorting the ones who can transfer passive immunity to… whatever this is.”

Passive immunity meant receiving antibodies; asymptomatic immunity meant being infected without ever showing symptoms until full immunity formed.

“A cure for who? Jawal?” Kiera asked.

Jake shook his head. “It's not Jawal DNA…but there's resemblance.”

“Maybe their creator,” Jamie suggested. The room fell silent, but no one dismissed the idea.

They also discovered Dr. Heissman was being paid in multiple foreign currencies. Following Pierce’s advice, they compared the payment origins with Hole locations—it was a perfect match. Humanoids had appeared in those regions as well.

It was now undeniable:

Dr. Heissman and the humanoids were working with whoever was orchestrating the Jawal attacks. They were working with the enemy.

The interceptors continued to fight battles and disrupt Jawal trafficking. The number of missing persons had increased sharply, including Jason’s sister, Maya. The names of missing persons matched the identities in Dr. Heissman’s files, which Jake realized after seeing familiar names in Amber alerts.

The other interceptors at the East Coast Coalition were alarmed at the news. They demanded immediately that the government shut down the immunity testing centers. Paul Moss promises to send it up the chain.

“We'll find her.” Kiera placed a hand on Jason’s shoulder, who was scrubbing furiously at his suit after a rough day of battle. His entire demeanor had changed since his sister had been attacked and then escaped from the hospital. He nodded, leaving the suit alone at Kiera's behest to find something to eat. 

Heading to the food hall, a crowd of I.T. employees blocked them. Before Kiera could reprimand them, Jason gripped her hand hard. 

“Jason?” 

His eyes, and the rest of the room's, were glued to the figure on the screen carrying the largest Jawal she had ever seen. It was over forty feet long, and hung limply from the muscular arms of the charismatic humanoid. The news had identified him as Mason Black. The camera zoomed in on his boyish smile and curly black hair falling over his freckles.

A massive Hole was open above him, and he spun the Jawal in a circle and let go. A trail of golden light followed its path, lingering from the now glowing hands of the humanoid. It was as if he was wielding the sun. 

The Jawal was sent through the portal. The Hole seemed to destabilize and collapse moments later. Praises rose up all around the room.

Jason left the hall in anger. Kiera felt a twinge of sadness for him, understanding the angst he held for his sister.

She did not understand the government's refusal to shut down Dr. Heissman's immunity testing centers. Her father carefully explained, to all the interceptors' holograms, that the people's demand for immunity testing outweighed the evidence they had presented. Kiera slammed a fist on the table, and the rest of the room protested until Paul raised his hand.

“Right now, the people want the Immunes,” he said.

Kiera caught the phrasing—they wanted the Immunes, not Interceptors.

“To replace us?” Ophelia asked.

Paul nodded. The rising distrust in interceptors, fueled by frequent Jawal attacks and the humanoids’ dramatic “rescues,” had turned the public in favor of Heissman. The interceptors were upstaged, he'd said.

This word drew greater protests. The interceptors had reported to the coalition about patterns of sabotage. There were suit malfunctions near the pink-haired girl, unnatural glares from the sun seemed to blind visors, and signal disruptions whenever the lithe man appeared.

“Upstaging? That was sabotage!” Someone snapped—but the liaison held firm. Without hard proof, the labs would stay open and the public happy.

Kiera was in a stormy mood for days, soothed only by the news that Anastasia had adjusted well at I.T. After being assigned a legal guardian, she trained with Jamie and Jake; Jason had refused.

Kiera had been dissapointed in him. Suck it up or sink. There was room for anger, but not self-pity. Holes were opening faster than at any point since the invasion - and everyone at I.T. was pushed accordingly.

Meanwhile, Jake sat in a repair room, video-calling his wife and daughter. “They’re not overworking you, right?” Tabitha asked, worry creasing her face.

“They don’t have a choice,” he said.

Tabitha hesitated. “Maybe I can help?” Jake didn't like where the conversation was going.

A Jawal had emerged at a Zoo she’d visited with her daughter a month ago. During the attack, she’d taken it down with a Pulse Shredder - guns were still legal in the South - but not before a scratch and sudden superhuman strength had revealed her as an Immune. Even though she was a licensed gun carrier, she had slayed the beast by using the firearm as a bat. 

“I know you’re immune, but—”

“And strong, dear,” she corrected.

"Still, we’re only human, and I’d rather know you’re safe. Rebecca needs one stable parent, okay?" he urged.

“Aw, honey, don’t worry! I prefer the farm over the fumes of the city.” She said with a smile. Then they said their goodbyes before finally hanging up.

Jake rounded the corner of the repair bay, nearly colliding with, Kiera. Her serious gaze immediately softened as she took in his slumped shoulders. He looked as tired as she felt. ”You look like you haven't slept in a week," Kiera stated. She pondered something, and then spoke honestly.

“You were vital to the reconnaissance team’s success and training Anastasia, who may be a key to understanding what Heissman is up to. I wouldn't have made the call to rescue her, but your judgment was right." Jake was taken aback by the sudden praise, but Kiera continued, unwavering. "Please take a break. You've earned it." Reluctantly, he conceded, and Kiera messaged Pierce.

He received a text message confirming he was on paid leave before the day was over.