The medbay doors slid open with a hiss as the platform eased down. The moment they stepped in, William appeared—silent, sharp, and utterly calm, like he'd been waiting to catch the sky before it fell.
He moved without hesitation, eyes locking on Lucas's slumped form with something dangerously close to worry buried beneath discipline. One gloved hand reached for a diagnostic reader.
"Table," he said, but his voice was lower than usual.
Ren nodded. Ava didn't. She just held on.
They eased Lucas onto the padded surface, Ava gripping his wrist a second too long before she let go. His skin was cold. Clammy. His breath came in shallow puffs, barely sound at all.
The monitor blinked to life.
[Sync Stability: 24%]
[Blood Pressure: Dangerously Low]
[System Recovery Mode: FAILING]
Lucas groaned through clenched teeth, pain dragging him half-conscious.
Ava winced at the sound. "He's crashing."
