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Norn's arms tightened around me, his cybernetic hand warm against the small of my back.

Chapter 9

Norn

I crouched behind a stack of crates, my cybernetic arm whirring softly as I scanned the dimly lit warehouse. The air was thick with the smell of machine oil and ozone, a scent that brought back memories of countless missions on distant worlds. But this wasn't just another mission. This time, everything I cared about was on the line.

"Norn, are you in position?" Imogen's voice crackled through the comm unit in my ear, tense but steady.

"Affirmative," I whispered, my eyes never leaving the group of figures huddled around a makeshift workstation in the center of the warehouse. "I count five hostiles. Dr. Laith is among them."

I heard Imogen's sharp intake of breath. Even after everything we'd uncovered, it was still hard for her to accept the depth of Laith's betrayal. "Can you make out what they're saying?"

I focused on my enhanced hearing, picking up fragments of conversation. "They're discussing the prototype. Laith is angry... something about unexpected complications."

A grim smile tugged at my lips. Our sabotage had worked better than we'd hoped. The flaws we'd introduced into the control device's programming had thrown a wrench into their plans, buying us the time we needed to track them to this secret facility on the outskirts of the city.

"Imogen," I said, my voice low and urgent. "I'm going to move in closer. Be ready to cut the power on my signal."

"Norn, wait," she protested. "We should wait for backup. The authorities-"

"We can't risk them getting away," I cut her off, hating the harshness in my voice but knowing it was necessary. "I can handle this. Trust me."

There was a moment of silence, and I could almost see the conflict on Imogen's face. Finally, she sighed. "Okay. But be careful. I can't lose you."

Her words sent a warmth through me, steeling my resolve. "You won't," I promised. "I'll see you soon."

With that, I moved. Years of training and combat experience took over as I slipped from shadow to shadow, my cybernetic enhancements allowing me to move with a silence that would have been impossible for a fully organic being.

As I drew closer, I could make out more of the conversation. Laith's voice was strained, almost panicked. "We need more time," he was saying. "The neural interface isn't stabilizing properly. If we try to implement it now, the results could be catastrophic."

A cold, authoritative voice responded, sending a chill down my spine. I recognized it immediately from the Krixon commander who had tried to reclaim me months ago. "We don't have more time," she snapped. "Our buyers are getting impatient. If we can't deliver, they'll find someone who can."

I gritted my teeth, anger surging through me. They were talking about people's lives, about stripping away free will, as if it were nothing more than a business transaction.

I was so focused on their conversation that I almost missed the slight movement in my peripheral vision. Almost. At the last second, Iducked, feeling the whoosh of air as a stun baton passed through the space where my head had been a moment before.

I spun, my cybernetic arm lashing out in a lightning-fast strike that caught my attacker in the solar plexus. He went down with a wheeze, but the commotion had alerted the others.

"Imogen, now!" I shouted, abandoning stealth for speed as I charged towards the central group.

The lights went out, plunging the warehouse into darkness. But darkness was no obstacle to me. My cybernetic eye adjusted instantly, giving me a crystal-clear view of my surroundings.

The Krixon soldiers were excellent. I had to give them that. Even disoriented by the sudden darkness, they moved with practiced precision, forming a defensive perimeter around Laith and the commander.

But they didn't expect me.

I moved like a whirlwind, my enhanced strength and speed allowing me to dance between their attacks. My cybernetic arm became a blur of motion, deflecting blows and delivering devastating counterattacks.

One soldier landed a glancing blow on my organic shoulder, sending a jolt of pain throughme. But I pushed through it, using the pain to fuel my determination.

In a matter of minutes, it was over. The soldiers lay groaning on the ground, their weapons scattered uselessly around them. I stood over Laith and the commander, my chest heaving with exertion.

"It's over," I growled, my voice low and dangerous. "You're going to tell me everything. Who you're working for, what your endgame is, all of it."

The commander glared up at me, defiance blazing in her eyes even in defeat. "You're a fool, Norn," she spat. "You have no idea what you're interfering with."

I crouched down, bringing my face close to hers. "Then enlighten me."