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"It's a warning," one announces as text appears on screen. "Unity forces converging on all known sympathizer outposts. Full containment protocol activated."

"They're burning the network," Vex says grimly. "Eliminating every potential ally."

More data appears—maps showing Unity movement patterns, estimated force deployments, projected target locations.

"Haven's Edge?" I ask, fear tightening my chest.

"Evacuated," comes the response in Reid's voice. "Location compromised three days ago. We've dispersed to secondary positions."

Thank god. At least they got out.

"And the other Haven children?" Trent asks, leaning toward the transmitter.

"Two extracted safely before Unity lockdown. Four confirmed still in arcologies, status unknown. One..." Reid's voice falters. "One captured during extraction attempt. Currently held at Central Processing."

My heart sinks. Another like me, in Unity's hands.

"Which facility?" I demand.

"Eastern Arcology Medical Division," Reid answers. "Heavily guarded."

I exchange glances with Trent and Vex, the same thought clearly crossing all our minds.

"We need to get them out," I say, already calculating possibilities.

"Agreed," Reid's voice crackles. "But that's not all. Thedata we've intercepted suggests Unity is accelerating their research timeline. They're preparing for implementation tests."

"They can't have stabilized the process already," Elle objects.

"They haven't," Reid confirms. "Which makes these tests extremely dangerous. Forced implementation of unstable modifications could have catastrophic effects on test subjects."

"How soon?" Trent asks.

"Forty-eight hours, according to intercepted communications."

The command center erupts into urgent activity—operators relaying information, tactics specialists pulling up facility schematics, weapons being checked and prepared.

"We need a two-pronged approach," Elle decides. "One team to infiltrate the research facility and destroy their data and samples. Another to extract the captured Haven child from Eastern Arcology."

"I'll take the research facility," I volunteer immediately.

"No," both Trent and Vex say simultaneously.

"You're exactly what they want," Trent continues, intensity burning in his eyes. "Walking into their primary research facility would be handing them their objective."

"And you're still recovering from the suppression compound," Vex adds, equally adamant. "Your modifications aren't fully responsive yet."

I growl to myself. They're right. I hate it, but they're right.

"Then I'll go after the other Haven child," I counter. "They won't expect that, right?”

Elle considers this, studying the maps. "Eastern Arcology is heavily fortified, but our intelligence suggests they're focusing security on the research centers, not the medical facilities."

"A small team could infiltrate through maintenance access," Trent suggests, Sentinel tactical training engagingautomatically. "Three operatives maximum for optimal stealth."

"The three of us," Vex states, gesturing between himself, Trent and me. It's not a question.

Trent nods, surprising me with his immediate agreement. "We've proven effective together."