Page 116 of Broken Sentinel

"Outpost in visual range," Vex calls from the cockpit, shattering the moment.

The craft begins its descent, forcing Trent to return to the controls. I shake off the lingering effects of sleep and move to wake Lily.

"Where are we?" she asks, silver eyes blinking in the darkness.

"Somewhere safe," I promise. "For now."

The outpost materializes below—a cluster of structures built directly into a mountainside, cleverly disguised to blend with the natural rock formations. Without prior knowledge, it would be nearly impossible to spot from the air.

Vex guides us to a concealed landing area, a natural plateau with overhanging rock that shields us from aerial detection. As the engines power down, an eerie silence descends, broken only by the ping of cooling metal.

"I'll check the perimeter," Vex volunteers, already moving toward the exit.

"I'll help," Trent adds, surprising me again with this continued cooperation.

They leave together, an unlikely alliance of Sentinel precision and Splinter instinct. I stay with Lily, helping her to her feet as she sways slightly.

"Modifications still stabilizing?" I ask.

She nods. "Getting stronger, but it's like they're searching for something."

"Searching?"

Her silver eyes meet mine. "For others like us. Haven children. When I'm near you, they respond differently. Like they recognize you."

Lin's words about genetic resonance suddenly take on new meaning. "The patterns my mother designed—they're connected somehow."

"Yes," Lily confirms. "I can feel it. Like a conversation happening beneath the surface."

Before I can question her further, Vex returns.

"Outpost is secure," he reports. "Automated systems only, no personnel present."

"Probably evacuated when Unity began targeting sympathizer locations," I guess.

"Still well-supplied," he adds. "Medical equipment, food stores, communications array."

We make our way from the landing site to the outpostentrance—a narrow opening in the rock face that widens into a surprisingly spacious interior. Unlike Haven's Edge's organic design, this facility is all functionality—equipment bolted directly to stone walls, supply crates stacked efficiently, minimal comfort concessions.

"Medical bay through there," Vex directs, pointing to a side passage. "I'll check Lily's levels, make sure the suppression compound is clearing properly."

"You have medical training?" Lily asks, skeptical despite her exhaustion.

Vex's mouth quirks in that not-quite-smile of his. "Enough to keep most modifications functioning. Plus, I've had plenty of experience with Unity suppression compounds."

He leads her away, leaving Trent and me alone in the main chamber. For a moment, neither of us speaks, the events of the day settling between us like physical weight.

"You should check the communications array," I suggest, breaking the silence. "See if we can contact the Old Refuge, let them know about Lily."

"Already on it," he says, moving toward the equipment.

I take inventory of our surroundings, cataloging exit points, defensive positions, available resources. The Sentinel in me never fully rests, even here.

The outpost offers basic comfort—sleeping quarters, functional kitchen area, even primitive bathing facilities that use collected rainwater heated by thermal vents within the mountain. After days of constant movement and danger, the prospect of being clean holds almost mythical appeal.

I find Trent at the communications array, focused intently on establishing a secure channel. His profile in the dim lighting reminds me of countless missions—the same concentration, the same competent hands moving confidently over equipment.

"Any luck?" I ask, approaching.

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