Page 63 of Broken Sentinel

"Like hell," I snap, already moving alongside him as we head for the settlement's edge. "I can help."

He doesn't argue, which speaks volumes about the potential threat. We race through the settlement, my enhanced speed matching his easily now. Trent falls into step beside us, his face grim.

"Unity scout vehicle," Trent says gruffly. "Single occupant from what the perimeter sensors detected."

"How did they find Haven's Edge so quickly?" I ask, dread pooling in my stomach. "We only arrived three days ago."

"May not be connected to us," Vex says, though he doesn't sound convinced. "Could be routine patrol that got lucky."

We reach the settlement's northern edge where a small group has already gathered, including several people with visible modifications. One woman's skin has a greenish tint that seems to shift with the light; another man has eyes that appear entirely black, with no visible whites or irises.

Nora stands at the front, her silver hair catching the morning sun. "Vex, assessment?"

"Single vehicle, approaching slowly. Not attack formation." He gestures to a woman with an elaborate headset. "Rae, what are you picking up?"

"Communications traffic is minimal," she responds, fingers adjusting dials on her equipment. "They're reporting terrain conditions back to base, nothing about settlements or Splinter activity."

"A survey mission then," Trent suggests. "Mapping patrol, not a hunter team."

The distinction seems important. Vex nods, though tension still radiates from him. "We should move everyone into the concealed shelters just in case."

"Agreed." Nora turns to the gathered group. "Initiate Protocol Three. Non-essential personnel to shelter positions."

The group disperses with practiced efficiency, leaving only Vex, Trent, Nora, Rae with her communications equipment, and several others who appear to be security personnel.

And me, standing awkwardly between the former Sentinel who betrayed me and the modified Splinter who's been training me.

"Can we track their exact position?" I ask, trying to be useful.

Rae adjusts her headset. "They're approximately two kilometers northwest, following the old service road. If they maintain current course, they'll pass within visual range of the settlement."

"Not ideal," Vex mutters.

"Our concealment systems should hold against standard Unity scanners," one of the security team offers.

"Should," Vex repeats darkly. "Unless they've upgraded since our last intelligence."

I glance at Trent, who's been suspiciously quiet. "What are you thinking?"

He meets my eyes, and for a moment, it's like we're back on mission, evaluating tactical options. "They're not using active scanning protocols. If they were hunting, they'd have a different energy signature."

"How can you tell?" Vex asks, skepticism evident.

"Because I ran those missions for Unity," Trent says evenly. "This isn't a hunter team. It's routine survey, probably updating terrain maps after the recent storms."

Vex looks like he wants to argue on principle, but Nora intervenes. "Can we be certain?"

I focus my enhanced hearing in the direction Rae indicated, stretching my new abilities to their limit. Faintly, I catch the hum of an engine, the crunch of tires on uneven terrain, and then—voices.

"Two people," I report. "Complaining about assignment rotation. Something about drawing the short straw for wasteland duty." I concentrate harder. "They're saying the sensors need recalibration after the dust storms. Readings are inconsistent."

Everyone stares at me.

"You can hear that from two kilometers away?" Rae asks, impressed.

I shrug, uncomfortable with the attention. "Enhanced auditory processing. You know, apparently."

"Useful," Vex acknowledges, looking at me with new respect. “Very useful.”

---