Page 147 of Broken Sentinel

"They're desperate," Sara interjects, having overheard our conversation. "Our intelligence suggests the modified operators begin breaking down within days of implementation. They're racing against cellular degradation to find a stabilization protocol."

"Which they believe lies in Haven children's genetics," I conclude. "Specifically, in the balanced adaptation sequences my mother designed."

The transport shifts course slightly, dropping lower to utilize terrain features for concealment. Through the viewport, I can see we're approaching mountainous regions, the defensive perimeter of Resonance's territory.

"ETA to Resonance thirty minutes," Sara announces. "No pursuit detected, but maintain alert status."

Thirty minutes. After everything we've been through, we're a half-hour from relative safety. From completing the mission that began the moment my modifications started waking up in Unity's carefully controlled environment.

I lean back, fatigue finally catching up now that immediate danger has passed. Trent's shoulder presses against mine, solid and reassuring. On my other side, Vex maintains his vigilant watch, constantly scanning for threats.

These two men—so different yet equally important to me now—have risked everything repeatedly for this mission.

For me.

The realization settles with uncomfortable weight.

"Thank you," I say quietly. "Both of you. For coming after me. For sticking with this insanity when you could have walked away."

Vex's expression softens marginally, that rare almost-smile appearing. "Where else would I be, Flutterby? Someone needs to keep you from getting yourself killed."

"What he said," Trent adds, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly. "Though I would have phrased it with more Sentinel formality."

Their attempts at humor despite everything we've endured brings unexpected laughter bubbling up. The sound feels strange in this context—too light for our circumstances—but somehow necessary.

The moment of levity doesn't last long. Sara returns from the pilot section, her expression serious.

"Message from Resonance," she reports. "The Haven council is preparing for the final protocol. With Michael's rescue, we have eleven of the twelve original Haven children accounted for."

"Eleven?" I question. "I thought Unity still had one."

She shakes her head. "Intelligence confirms the captured child died during interrogation yesterday. Unity pushed too far, too fast with their experiments."

The news hits like a physical blow. Another child, dead because of Unity's desperate search for evolutionary control.

"So we failed," I say quietly. "If all twelve are needed for this final protocol?—"

"Not necessarily," Sara interrupts. "Naomi believes eleven may be sufficient if the resonance pattern is properly calibrated. The council is working on modifications to the original design."

"And if it's not enough?" Vex asks the question I'm thinking.

Sara's shifting eyes meet mine directly. "Then we'll need to find another solution before Unity regroups. Because after today, they won't stop until every Haven child is either captured or dead."

The blunt assessment silences further conversation. For the remainder of the journey, we sit in exhausted contemplation of what awaits us at Resonance, a modified final protocol that may or may not work, a desperate unity Council trying to salvage thirty years of planning, and the looming shadow of Unity's inevitable retaliation.

We're approaching Resonance's camouflaged landing area when Lily suddenly gasps, her silver eyes widening with alarm.

"Something's wrong," she says, voice tight with fear. "The patterns are changing."

Michael nods in agreement, the metallic filaments beneath his skin glowing faintly. "Disruption in the resonance network."

Sara's head snaps toward them. "What kind of disruption?"

"Interference," Lily tries to explain, frustration evident as she struggles with concepts beyond standard language. "Like...static in the connection. Something blocking the natural flow."

I remember what Naomi said about the resonance network—how it operates through quantum entanglement, connecting all Haven children regardless of distance. If something is interfering with that network...

The transport touches down with a gentle bump, engines cycling down as we arrive at Resonance. Through the viewport, I can see unusual activity—people moving with urgent purpose, defensive positions being fortified, equipment being relocated to more secure locations.

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