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"Split up!" Trent orders.

Vex takes Lily right, disappearing behind a massive filtration tank. I move left, drawing fire away from them. Trent goes straight ahead, creating a third target for the security team to track.

A supression round flies past my head, far too close. I duck and roll, coming up behind a control station. The security team splits, two officers following me while others pursue Trent and Vex.

Time to see what my fully restored modifications can do.

I wait until the officers approach, then move—faster than they can track, flowing between cover positions like Vex taught me. Their surprise is evident as I seemingly vanish from one spot and appear at another.

"Subject displaying enhanced mobility," one reports into his comm. "Requesting additional suppression rounds."

Not today, buddy.

I circle behind them, moving with predatory stealth. One senses something and turns, but too late—I'm already striking precise pressure points that drop him unconscious without permanent damage. The second officer fires wildly,suppression rounds exploding against equipment around me.

Chemical mist fills the air, but my modified lungs process it without effect. My mother's design proving its worth once again.

I neutralize the second officer with equal efficiency, then move to locate the others. Across the chamber, I spot Trent engaged with three security personnel. His Sentinel training makes him a formidable opponent even without modifications, but he's outnumbered.

Making my decision instantly, I sprint across the open space, leaping over equipment with enhanced agility. I crash into the group like a missile, disrupting their coordinated attack.

"About time," Trent grunts, blocking a strike from one officer.

"Had to do my makeup first," I quip, dropping another officer with a sweep kick.

Together, we make short work of the security team. As the last one falls, Vex emerges from behind a massive tank, Lily still in his arms but now awake and alert.

"Exit's clear," he reports. "But they're establishing a perimeter outside. We need to move now."

We race for the exit—a maintenance hatch that opens into a water runoff channel. Beyond, I can see daylight and the broken landscape that will provide our escape route.

"I can run," Lily tells Vex as we approach the hatch.

He sets her down carefully, keeping a supportive hand on her shoulder. Her legs wobble briefly, then steady as her modifications continue to overcome the suppression.

"Stay between us," I instruct her.

Trent opens the hatch, scanning the area beyond. "Three security teams deploying. South and east covered. North is our best option."

"The transport is southeast," Vex reminds him.

"Can't reach it directly," Trent decides. "We'll circle around, use the ruins for cover."

We slip through the hatch into blinding daylight. After the arcology's controlled environment, the outside world feels raw and immediate—wind carrying unfamiliar scents, sun warming skin, sounds not processed through dampening fields.

Lily gasps beside me, silver eyes wide. "Is this...outside?"

"Your first time?" I ask as we run, keeping her between us.

She nods, face a mixture of terror and wonder. "They said...nothing could survive out here."

"Another Unity lie," Vex tells her grimly.

Lies built upon lies built upon lies.

We reach the cover of ruins just as a Unity patrol spots us. Suppression rounds impact the crumbling wall beside us, showering debris.

"Keep moving," Trent urges, taking Lily's hand to help her navigate the unfamiliar terrain.