Page 156 of Broken Sentinel

"Even if you were at full strength," Naomi argues, "a rescue mission into Unity-controlled territory with their forces on high alert would be suicide."

"I didn't say I was going alone," I counter, taking a tentative step. My legs hold, though weakness trembles through my muscles. "I need a team. People who know Resonance's layout, alternative access points, defensive weaknesses."

"Most of our experienced fighters were either captured or killed during the evacuation," Naomi says, frustration evident. "Those who escaped are needed to protect the remaining Haven children."

"Then give me what intelligence you have," I insist. "I'll find a way."

Before either can respond, the tent flap opens. Jo enters, her black eyes finding me immediately.

"You should not be standing," she observes flatly.

"I heal fast," I reply. "What's happening out there?"

"Preparations for relocating to the secondary sanctuary," she answers. "We can't remain here long. Unity will be expanding their search perimeter once they've secured Resonance."

"I need to get back there," I tell her. "Before they move Trent and the other prisoners."

Jo studies me without expression. "You're proposing a rescue mission with insufficient personnel, incomplete intelligence, and while still recovering from near-fatal strain."

"Yes."

Her black eyes remain fixed on me for several seconds. Then, unexpectedly, she nods. "Tactically unsound but potentially viable with proper approach. I will accompany you."

"Jo," Naomi protests, "the remaining Haven children need protection?—"

"The primary threat to Haven children is Unity's ability to track the resonance network," Jo interrupts. "A capability they gained through Adrian Lin and will expand byextracting information from prisoners like the Sentinel. Recovering key personnel is therefore logical defense strategy."

I could hug her for that clinical, perfectly reasoned argument. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet," she replies coolly. "Success probability remains below thirty percent."

"Better odds than I've had before," I say, taking another step to test my strength. "I need weapons, communication equipment, and whatever intelligence you have on Resonance's current security."

"And rest," Reid insists. "At least twelve more hours of recovery before attempting anything physically demanding."

I want to argue, to insist we move immediately, but logic overrides emotion. In my current state, I'd be more liability than asset.

"Fine. Twelve hours. But then we move, with whoever's willing to join us."

Naomi looks like she wants to protest further but instead sighs in resignation. "I'll arrange for the intelligence briefing. You should know we've received fragmentary communications suggesting Unity is accelerating Project Duality despite the destruction of their primary research facility."

That catches my attention. "How? We destroyed their samples, their research data."

"They have new sources," Jo says bluntly. "Prisoners from Resonance with adaptive modifications."

Fuck. They're using captured Haven residents as test subjects, extracting genetic material to continue their twisted version of controlled evolution.

"All the more reason to move quickly," I say, cold determination replacing fatigue. "How many others are willing to join the rescue mission?"

"I've identified five potential participants with combat experience who survived the evacuation," Jo responds. "Combined with us, a team of seven. Minimal but potentially sufficient."

Seven against what could be hundreds of Unity forces. Not great odds.

But I've faced worse.

"Twelve hours," I agree, settling back onto the bed to appease Reid. "Then we plan the approach."

As Reid and Naomi depart to make arrangements, Jo lingers, her black eyes studying me with unsettling intensity.

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