Page 146 of Broken Sentinel

"Move!" I shout as the ceiling starts to collapse.

We burst from our defensive position, racing toward the maintenance shaft as Unity forces scatter to avoid the falling debris. Dust billows around us, visibility dropping to near zero, but my enhanced vision cuts through it enough to keep us on course.

Trent leads the way, I keep the children close, and Vex helps the wounded fighter maintain pace despite his injuries. Behind us, the staged collapse continues, massive chunks of ceiling crashing down between us and our pursuers.

We reach the maintenance shaft just as a particularly violent shudder runs through the building. Trent goes first, helping the children navigate the narrow passage. I usher the wounded fighter after them, then turn to ensure Vex is with us.

He appears through the dust cloud, amber eyes glowingin the near-darkness. "Unity forces regrouping. They'll find another route around the collapse within minutes."

"Then we better not be here when they do," I say, following him into the shaft.

The passage is tight, forcing us to move in single file through years of accumulated dust and debris. After what feels like an eternity but is probably less than two minutes, we emerge into what was once a vehicle bay. Most of the space has collapsed, but a narrow lane remains clear, leading toward a partially open bay door.

Beyond it waits our salvation, a transport similar to the one that brought us here, camouflaged against the broken landscape but clearly ready for immediate departure.

"There's our ride," I say, relief washing through me. "Let's not keep them waiting."

We make our final sprint across the vehicle bay, constantly alert for pursuit. The transport's side door slides open as we approach, revealing Sara at the controls.

"Cutting it close," she observes dryly as we pile inside.

"We wanted to make an entrance," I reply, helping the wounded fighter into a secure position.

Once we're all aboard, the transport lifts immediately, acceleration pressing us into our seats as Sara pushes it to maximum speed. Through the viewport, I catch the first Unity operators emerging from the building just as we clear the immediate area.

"They'll scramble aerial pursuit," Trent warns, still in tactical mode despite our momentary escape.

"Let them try," Sara says with confident determination. "This transport has a few surprises they won't be expecting."

I finally allow myself to relax marginally, checking on our rescued companions. The wounded fighter is receiving medical attention from one of Sara's team. Michael sits quietly beside Lily, their hands nearly touching as if drawing comfort from proximity. Their crystals—for Michael has one too, nowglowing softly in his pocket—pulse in synchronization, recognizing each other.

Trent settles beside me, his solid presence a comfort. "Mission accomplished," he says quietly. "Both the facility destruction and the child rescue."

"At significant cost," I note, looking at the wounded fighter and the general state of exhaustion permeating our team. "But yes, accomplished."

Vex joins us, though he doesn’t seem to relax even in the relative safety of the transport. "Unity will retaliate. Their entire command structure will be focused on finding us now."

"Let them try," I echo Sara's confidence, though with more weariness. "We've got what we came for."

As the transport speeds toward Resonance, I find myself studying the children more closely. Lily and Michael sit in quiet conversation, occasional words drifting toward me—talk of isolation chambers, suppressant protocols, and small acts of resistance that kept their spirits alive during captivity. Despite everything they've endured, there's a resilience to them that staggers me.

"How did it go at the facility?" Trent asks after a period of exhausted silence.

"It's gone," I answer simply. "Complete destruction. Whatever research Unity was conducting using my genetic material is setback significantly."

"Good," he says with uncharacteristic vehemence. "They had no right to what they took from you."

The personal nature of his response warms something inside me. For all his Sentinel training and discipline, Trent's protective instincts have always been his defining quality—at least where I'm concerned.

"What about Eastern Arcology?" I ask. "How did the extraction go before everything went sideways?"

A shadow crosses his face. "We found Michael quickly enough. Lily's abilities led us directly to his isolation chamber.But Unity was waiting. They'd increased security after your escape. Someone knew we were coming."

"Lin," Vex suggests darkly. "If he's working with Unity, he could have anticipated the rescue attempt."

"Or they simply recognized the pattern after the research facility breach," Trent counters. "Either way, we had to fight our way out through multiple security teams, many with early-stage modifications."

"Like the ones at the facility," I note grimly. "Unity's not wasting any time implementing Project Duality, despite its instability."

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