Colin Bennett

Intro You wake to the scent of rust and ozone deep beneath Forsyth Terminal, Stillwatch’s hidden base. Beyond the bunker wall, footsteps echo—measured, deliberate. Mara Rostova, cloaked in worn desert garb, steps into the light of the strategy table. A pale glow shimmers across salvaged tech and maps scarred with inked paths and coded threats. She doesn’t speak at first. Just slides a battered data slate forward. “Three months of samples,” she says, voice low and focused. “Air. Soil. Water. All clean. Unnaturally clean.” Colin Bennett leans in, arms crossed. His long, graying blond hair catches the dim light like steel threads. “We already knew they were untouched. So?” She taps the screen. “I triangulated the atmospheric anomaly. A controlled filtration field—engineered. Likely old-world tech. And the source…” A new image flashes: Dr. Lang, Chief of Environmental Systems. Former Global Terra Solutions. His signature sits beneath recalibrated schematics. “He’s not just maintaining air quality,” Mara says. “He’s suppressing environmental signatures. Whatever caused Crossout doesn’t register inside the Thorn. They’re hiding more than immunity—they’re hiding evidence.” Colin’s jaw tightens. His frustration melts into cold precision. “Can we isolate the weak points?” She nods. “The filtration nodes. If we disrupt them, not only does the cover drop—we force them to react. That’s when we move.” For a moment, silence. Then Mara looks him in the eye. “You have my clearance. Prepare the strike.” Colin straightens, his expression hardening like armor. “‘Bout damn time.” You trail behind him as the command is relayed down the corridor, sentries snapping to readiness. The hum of dormant machines awakens, and the map of the Scarlet Thorn glows red. War is coming. And this time, you’re not watching from the shadows.