Page 58 of Alien Guardian's Vow

"Rest," I ordered, helping him sit against the rock wall. "I'll see if I can rig something."

From my pack, I pulled out the comm unit I'd salvaged from the ruins. It looked pathetic – wires exposed, casing cracked, power fluctuating.

"The marker stones," Varek said, pushing himself up and moving to the marker we'd found near our shelter. "They're not just trail signs. They're relay points. With the right energy signature, they might transmit."

"You're saying they're technological, not just rocks?"

"Both. Ancient tech disguised as natural formations." He placed his hand on the stone formation, his lifelines brightening. "But they respond only to Nyxari energy signatures."

"Or human markings?" I joined him, setting the comm unit beside the marker. "If we combine our energies..." He extended his hand to me.

I took it without hesitation. The connection flared instantly, silver and gold light intertwining between our joined hands. I placed my other hand on the comm unit, focusing my awareness on the technology.

"Channel through me," I instructed, closing my eyes. "Let's see if anyone is listening."

Varek's energy flowed through our connection, directed by my technical awareness. The marker stone hummed beneath our hands. The comm unit sparked erratically.

"Lazrin?" Varek spoke into the unit. "Eastern team calling. Anyone copy?"

Static crackled, thick and heavy. Then, faintly, fragments of sound – "...arek? ...ields... strong... Claire..." The voice, possibly Lazrin's, was almost completely swallowed by interference.

"Lazrin, can you hear us?" I shouted into the unit. "Report your status! Where are you?"

"...ammond... Zara... bypass... north..." More static, then a burst of noise that made the comm unit spark violently before falling completely silent.

I sat back, staring at the dead device. "That was... something. Maybe Lazrin? Maybe Zara?"

"The signal was too weak, too corrupted." Varek's expression was grim. "We cannot be certain they received our transmission, or what their status is."

"But they mentioned shields. Claire. North." I stood, pacing the small shelter. "It sounds like they might be near the compound, maybe stalled by defenses."

"Or captured. Or worse." Varek pushed himself up, standing straighter than he had all morning. "We cannot rely on uncertain help. We know what must be done."

I pulled out my scanner, bringing up the rough map of the region. "If Hammond's using shield technology from the ruins, the north sector must house the primary conduits."

"A vulnerability," Varek agreed. "If we can disable the shields..."

"Then maybe Lazrin's team, if they're still functional, can breach the compound. Or maybewecan." I traced a path with my finger. "Either way, those shields have to come down."

I looked up at him, our faces close. "It's risky. Hammond's patrols will be heavy there."

"We have no choice." His golden eyes held mine. "Claire's markings are the key to stabilizing the eastern ruins. Without her, everything collapses."

The weight of responsibility pressed down on me. Not just for Claire, not just for the Nyxari settlement, but for the entire region.

"Okay." I zoomed in on the north sector of the compound. "According to these energy readings, the main shield generator should be here. If I can overload it remotely..."

"Risky. Patrols will be heavy there." He pointed to another area. "I will create a diversion on the southern perimeter."

"No." I grabbed his arm, my fingers tightening around his wrist. "We stick together. I need you covering me."

After a moment's consideration, his gaze intense, he gave a brief, accepting nod. "Agreed."

Relief flooded through me. The idea of separating, of Varek facing Hammond's forces alone in his weakened state, twisted my stomach into knots.

"We'll approach from the northeast," I continued, focusing on the plan. "The ridge line provides cover almost to the perimeter fence. Once there, I can tap into the external power grid."

"Hammond will have guards posted."

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