Interstellar: Return of the Villain
Chapter 246: Medical Team

Chapter 246: Medical Team

Lyra didn’t spare Caius a second glance as he disappeared into the horizon.

As soon as he was out of sight, however, the strain caught up with her; her legs wobbled, and she dropped to one knee, fighting to stay upright.

"You... good?" Cohen asked. His voice was weak, and his face was ashen from the series of brutal psychokinesis attacks he’d endured.

He was barely holding on, and the others were in even worse shape—most of them lay slumped, twitching, their psychokinetic energy nearly drained to nothing.

Seeing the toll it had taken on everyone, Lyra summoned her healing energy, mingling it with a gentle wave of psychokinesis. That healing power washed over her team like a refreshing rainstorm.

A collective sigh of relief rose as they felt the soothing energy spread through them, restoring their strength—everyone, that is, except Miller.

Before anyone could fully recover, a piercing screech ripped through the air, forcing them all back to high alert.

In the blinding glow, a towering shadow appeared, its six transparent wings gleaming like glass.

"Oh right, the queen bee. She’s still there!" Caesara muttered, rubbing her temples. "Think we should just remove the mark and let her go?"

Todd adjusted his glasses, glancing up at the massive creature. "Only if she’s willing to leave without a fight. Otherwise, she’ll turn on us with no hesitation."

At that moment, Lyra steadied herself and called out firmly, "Come here."

The queen bee froze mid-hover, clearly hesitant. After a moment’s pause, she slowly glided closer.

Up close, her form had shifted since her transformation—she was larger than ever, with a smooth golden carapace, her six wings traced with intricate golden patterns.

Two soft, S-shaped antennae framed her head, and a line of leaf-like plates flowed down her body like an elegant, otherworldly gown.

Though stunning, her size was nothing short of intimidating, casting an enormous shadow over the group.

Unfazed, Lyra casually took a water bottle from her Space Button. She took a sip, and looked the queen bee over. "Shrink down," she ordered.

As her command echoed, the giant shadow shrank. The queen bee obeyed, reducing herself until she was only as tall as an average person, landing softly in front of Lyra.

SMACK!

Without warning, Lyra slapped the queen bee hard across her face, bending one of her delicate antennae. Everyone around was struck speechless.

"From this moment on," Lyra said, her voice calm but steely, "you work for me—no complaints, no hesitation. You got that?"

The queen bee let out a small, defeated squeak. Where her voice had once been commanding and fierce, it now sounded like a humbled whimper.

Caesara couldn’t help smirking, adding with a mischievous grin, "Didn’t Sis Marv say we’d just free the queen if she wanted to leave? Guess the queen should’ve thought about that before choosing to stay. Now she’s on our crew for life!"

The queen bee groaned, her once-proud form drooping, but Lyra’s expression remained as hard as iron. "Gather your swarm and start mining. Now."

The team looked on in a mix of awe and disbelief. ’Is this a dream, or did this powerful level-nine queen bee really just submit to HER so easily?’

Just then, with a shimmer, the queen bee transformed again. Her form shifted gracefully, turning into a striking blonde woman clad in a flowing white dress.

"She can shapeshift now!" someone murmured, clearly awestruck. "That’s what level-nine looks like!"

But what they couldn’t wrap their heads around was how Lyra had subdued a creature of such power as if the big bee were no more than an obedient cadet.

As if on cue, a message crackled through the base’s communication channel: "Lyra’s clearance duration has expired. Initiate forced return and blacklist from future entries?"

Due to her temporary clearance, the base had been tracking her every move since she’d landed. Now that she’d overstayed, she was flagged for immediate recall and a permanent ban from returning.

Cohen rubbed his temples, exhausted at the prospect of yet another complication. "Hold the report. I’ll handle it."

Of course, this was only a temporary fix—he’d still have to file a formal explanation and adjust her departure records to avoid a penalty.

Lyra glanced at the console timer.

During her face-off with Caius, three days had slipped by without her even noticing. But as far as she was concerned, the blacklisting was worth it—she’d secured the real prize.

"Don’t waste your time on the paperwork. Just send me off now," she said with a nonchalant shrug, already looking toward her next move.

Cohen frowned, worry evident in his voice. "At least let me file a full report. If I cover the details, you won’t get blacklisted. Or... are you planning to never come back to Wyrmtrace?"

"Let’s talk about it later," Lyra replied coolly, brushing it off.

After giving the queen bee her assignments, Lyra boarded the Lev for a direct return to base.

The ride was much faster this time, no detours or delays.

As soon as they landed, Cohen went straight to his office, signaling to his aide. "Start drafting a report immediately. I’m going to appeal Lyra’s overdue penalty."

Just then, Kogar approached, holding a document with a strange look on his face—equal parts surprise and discomfort. He shot Lyra an uneasy glance. "Sir, there’s no need to appeal."

Cohen turned to him, confused. "What do you mean?"

Kogar handed Cohen the document and then looked at Lyra. "Miss Shedd, check your opticomputer. You should have already received an invitation from Legion Glory."

Mandy walked in just in time to overhear this, her face lighting up with excitement—though she missed the wary look in Kogar’s eyes.

Lyra checked her opticomputer, her lips twisting into a wry smile. "The admiral’s decision is certainly... unexpected," she said, her voice thick with irony.

Curious, Mandy leaned over to see the message. Her eyes went wide with disbelief as she looked from the screen to Kogar. "There must be some misunderstanding, right?"

Kogar shook his head, almost avoiding Lyra’s gaze as he confirmed. "No mistake. I double-checked. She’s been assigned to the medical corps."

"Medical corps?" Cohen repeated, stunned. His father’s decision to place someone with Lyra’s combat expertise in a medical role seemed unbelievable.

"That’s correct," Kogar replied, looking deeply uncomfortable. "Along with this, Miss Shedd’s previous work with the Special Force has been acknowledged with a promotion to Lieutenant. The high command decided to assign her to the medical unit here on Wyrmtrace."

Lieutenant, yet assigned as a medic. The whole thing felt like a bizarre joke.

Lyra took a deep breath, steadying herself before anyone else could react. She looked at Cohen. "When do I start?"

If it was the medical corps, so be it. She would find a way to make it work.

As Lyra headed off to complete her induction, Cohen opened a communication channel with Frederick. Standing at attention before his father’s hologram, he saluted. "Sir, with all due respect, why assign Lyra like this? You’ve always valued her abilities."

Frederick studied his son, noting the strain still etched on his face from recent psychokinesis battles, and his own expression tightened. "It took delicate negotiations just to reintegrate her into the military, Cohen. True talent has a way of revealing itself, even when overlooked."

He was right. The military’s structure was complex and politically charged, something even an admiral couldn’t navigate alone. Just getting Lyra back had required careful maneuvering.

Cohen didn’t respond. Conversations with his father rarely drifted into personal matters, and this one ended abruptly.

As Frederick’s hologram faded, his expression darkened. He remembered Thierry’s whispered accusations and thinly veiled warnings about Lyra’s influence.

With a hardening resolve, he knew his decision had been the right move—for now.