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But I can’t let emotions get in the way here.

"Clear," I confirm as the second operator drops unconscious. "Route secure."

We continue toward the extraction point, now only minutes from our escape. The facility remains in alert status, but the chaos works to our advantage, security forces dispersed rather than concentrated.

"Two minutes to extraction point," I report through the comm. "No additional opposition encountered."

"Acknowledged," comes Marcus's response. "Be advised, detonation sequence set for twenty minutes from mark. All teams must clear minimum safe distance before activation."

We reach the maintenance exit without further incident, using acquired security credentials to bypass the final checkpoint. Beyond lies a service tunnel similar to our entry point, leading away from the facility toward the wasteland beyond.

"Team One clear," I confirm as we exit the main structure. "Proceeding to safe distance."

The morning sun has fully risen now, illuminating the wasteland in harsh clarity. We move quickly across open ground, using natural terrain features for cover whenever possible. Behind us, the research facility continues its alert procedures, unaware of the destructive charges now placed at its heart.

At the designated distance marker, we pause, turning to observe the facility one final time. From this vantage point, it looks deceptively peaceful, with white walls gleaming in the morning light, surveillance drones maintaining their patrol patterns overhead.

"Fifteen minutes to detonation," Marcus confirms through the comm. "All teams report status."

"Team Two clear," Sara responds. "Minimum safe distance achieved."

"Team One clear," I add. "Awaiting detonation confirmation."

Now comes the waiting, fifteen minutes that feel like hours as we monitor the facility from safe distance. My thoughts turn to Trent and Lily, fighting their way through Eastern Arcology with their rescued Haven child. Are they safe? Have they escaped the arcology's security forces?

"Any update on extraction team?" I ask, breaking communication protocol in my concern.

A brief pause, then Marcus responds. "Last contact indicates successful acquisition of target. Currently proceeding to secondary extraction point. Communication limited due to arcology shielding."

Okay. Not much information, but at least they're stillmoving, still fighting. I hold onto that thought as the minutes tick down toward detonation.

"Five minutes to detonation," Marcus announces. "All teams confirm clear status."

Confirmations echo through the comm system as each team verifies their safe position. I watch the facility with enhanced vision, observing the continued alert operations, security personnel moving with purpose, modified operators patrolling key access points, surveillance systems scanning for the intruders they never actually detected.

"Two minutes to detonation."

Vex shifts slightly beside me, his instincts clearly sensing the impending destruction. Sara joins us at our observation point, her color-shifting eyes fixed on the facility with intense focus.

"One minute to detonation. All personnel confirm minimum safe distance."

I find myself holding my breath as the final seconds approach. This destruction serves multiple purposes—eliminating Unity's research into forced modification, destroying the genetic samples harvested without consent, and creating the distraction that might save Trent and Lily from capture.

"Detonation initiated."

For a moment, nothing happens. The facility continues its operations, unaware of the countdown reaching zero. Then a flash of light from deep within the structure. The first explosion, barely visible from outside. Followed seconds later by a larger blast that blows out windows along the western face.

The chain reaction continues, each charge detonating in carefully planned sequence. The primary sample storage erupts in spectacular fashion, a blue-white fireball consuming the central section of the facility. Secondary explosions follow as research equipment and chemical storage units catch fire.

Within minutes, Unity's primary genetic research facility is transformed from pristine scientific complex to blazinginferno. Black smoke billows skyward, visible for kilometers in every direction. Emergency protocols activate too late to make any difference, the destruction is complete, and irreversible.

"Primary objective achieved," Marcus confirms through the comm. "All teams proceed to rendezvous point immediately."

We don't need the reminder. Already, response vehicles are mobilizing from distant Unity outposts. Aerial support will arrive within thirty minutes, and ground teams shortly after. We need to be long gone before the full reaction force descends on this location.

"Moving to rendezvous point," I confirm, tearing my eyes away from the destruction we've wrought. "Expected arrival in two hours."

As we travel across the wasteland, putting distance between ourselves and the burning facility, I feel a complex mixture of emotions. Satisfaction at completing our mission. Concern for Trent and Lily still fighting their way out of Eastern Arcology. And a strange sense of finality, as if a chapter of my life has concluded in that conflagration.