Page 128 of Broken Sentinel

"Try focusing on one sense at a time," I suggest. "Filter out everything else temporarily."

She nods, silver eyes closing in concentration. Her breathing steadies gradually, tension easing from her small frame.

"Better?" I ask.

A small smile touches her lips. "Better. Though I still can'tbelieve how many different kinds of birds there are. I can hear seventeen distinct species just in this clearing."

"Eighteen," Vex corrects, returning from his perimeter check. "There's a hawk circling about half a kilometer east. Hunting patterns suggest it's tracked us for the past hour."

"Is that bad?" Lily asks, suddenly concerned.

Vex's lip quirks in that not-quite-smile of his. "Not unless you're a field mouse."

As we rest, Trent joins me at the clearing's edge, his shoulder brushing mine in a touch that seems casual but sends warmth through me nonetheless.

"Unity drones have adjusted course," he reports quietly. "Still outside detection range, but moving to expand their search grid."

"They're being methodical," I note. "Standard containment protocols, starting from the outpost and working outward."

"We have maybe fourteen hours before they reach this position," he calculates. "Less if they deploy additional aerial units."

I glance back at Lily, now engaged in quiet conversation with Vex about different bird calls. "She's tough, but not at full strength yet. Pushing too hard risks compromising her recovery."

"Agreed," Trent says. "We need shelter for the night. Somewhere defensible if necessary."

As if the universe has a personal vendetta against our planning, a distant rumble sounds from the western sky. Heavy clouds now darken the horizon, moving toward us with concerning speed.

"Weather front," Vex observes, joining us. "Major storm system based on barometric pressure."

"Perfect," I mutter. "Just what we needed."

"Actually," Trent says thoughtfully, "it might work in our favor. Storm will disrupt drone scanning capabilities, provide natural cover for our movement."

"And soak us to the bone, drop temperatures at least fifteen degrees, and create potential flash flood conditions in the valley," Vex counters.

"I'll take wet and cold over captured by Unity's modified operators," I tell them.

We resume our journey, pace quickening as the storm approaches. The forest grows denser, older trees giving way to secondary growth that clutches at our clothing and scratches exposed skin. My modifications handle the minor injuries automatically, accelerated healing sealing cuts almost as they form.

Mind-blowing.

Lily keeps up admirably despite her fatigue, the coming storm seemingly lending her new energy. The data crystal pulses more frequently now, its internal light occasionally visible through her pack fabric.

"The resonance is stronger," she reports as we navigate a particularly dense thicket. "We must be getting closer to something."

"The Northern Archive?" I suggest.

She shakes her head. "Different signature. Less structured, more...alive."

Before I can question her further, the storm arrives with startling suddenness. One moment we're moving through twilight forest, the next we're being drenched by sheets of cold rain driving through the canopy. Wind whips through the trees, branches creaking ominously overhead.

"We need shelter," Trent shouts over the storm's fury.

Vex points to a rocky outcropping visible through the trees. "There. Might be caves."

We make for the formation, rain turning the forest floor treacherous underfoot. Lightning splits the sky, thunder cracking seconds later with enough force to vibrate my chest cavity. Not just a storm—a full-blown tempest.

As we approach the rocks, my enhanced vision picks out adark opening near the base—a small cave or at least a deep overhang. Better than nothing in this deluge.

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