Page 148 of Broken Sentinel

"Stay close," Sara instructs as the transport door slides open. "Something's happened."

We exit cautiously, immediately approached by Marcus and Jo, both looking grimmer than when we left.

"Report," Sara demands without preamble.

"Unity forces detected approaching from multiple vectors," Marcus answers. "Not standard patrol patterns—focused assault formations. They found us."

The news hits like ice water. Resonance has remained hidden for thirty years, its location one of the wasteland's best-kept secrets. For Unity to find it now, at this critical juncture...

"How?" I ask, already suspecting the answer.

Jo's black eyes fix on me. "The resonance network. Unity's found a way to trace the signals between Haven children. They're using the very thing that connects you to locate us all."

Lily clutches her crystal protectively. "That's the interference we felt."

"Lin," Vex concludes darkly. "He gave them the frequency signatures."

"Most likely," Marcus confirms. "His knowledge of Haven technology would have been invaluable to Unity's tracking systems."

"Timeline?" Trent asks, already shifting to tactical assessment.

"Three hours, maybe four before their forward elements reach our perimeter," Jo reports. "Main force six hours behind that."

"Evacuation protocols?" Sara inquires.

Marcus shakes his head. "Naomi has ordered implementation of the final protocol instead. With eleven Haven children present, she believes we have our best chance—perhaps our only chance—before Unity arrives in force."

I look around at the controlled chaos of preparation, the hurried movement of people securing essentials while others establish defensive positions. These people have built liveshere—homes, families, community—and now they face destruction because of Unity's relentless pursuit of Haven genetics.

Because of us.

Because ofme.

"What can we do?" I ask, determination and guilt quickly replacing fatigue.

"Naomi wants to see you immediately," Jo answers. "All the Haven children are gathering at the central chamber. The final protocol preparations are underway."

"And the rest of us?" Vex inquires.

"Defense coordination," Marcus tells him. "Your combat experience will be valuable in preparing our perimeter."

I look at Trent, suddenly reluctant to separate again so soon after reuniting. His expression tells me he feels the same, but practicality wins out.

"Go," he says quietly. "Do what you need to do with the Haven council. I'll help organize the defenses."

"I'll find you as soon as I can," I promise.

He nods, his hand briefly squeezing mine before he turns to join Marcus and the defense teams. Vex follows, but not before fixing those amber eyes on me one last time.

"Be careful, Flutterby," he says, his levity gone for once. "Whatever this final protocol is, I don't trust it."

"I'll be fine," I assure him with more confidence than I feel.

I watch them go, then turn to Jo and the waiting Haven children. "Let's see what this final protocol is all about, shall we?"

CHAPTER 30

As we makeour way toward the central chamber, I feel the weight of the moment settling on me. After everything—my awakening modifications, the escape from Unity, finding Haven's Edge and then Resonance, the missions and battles and narrow escapes—it all comes down to this.

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