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~RIOT~

The silence following Jinx's collapse carries weight that makes every enhanced sense I possess scream warnings about vulnerability and tactical exposure.

Sable moves with judicial precision, placing her in recovery position with movements that speak to medical training beyond standard institutional conditioning. His hands position her head to prevent airway obstruction, fingers checking pulse points with clinical efficiency that masks obvious concern beneath professional competence.

"Seven minutes and forty-three seconds," he states with characteristic accuracy, silver eyes tracking the institutional chronometer that marks time with mechanical indifference to biological crisis and pharmaceutical emergency.

The duration hits with sobering force—seizures extending beyond five minutes typically indicate severe neurological compromise that exceeds normal recovery parameters, even for enhanced subjects with superior healing capabilities and systematic conditioning.

"That means she's going to be out for a while," I acknowledge with grim recognition of pharmaceutical aftereffects andbiological recovery requirements that operate beyond conscious control or strategic necessity.

Enhanced healing demands energy allocation that prioritizes systematic restoration over immediate consciousness, biological imperative that makes tactical awakening impossible despite environmental threats and continued institutional pursuit.

Sable's expression shifts minutely—micro-reactions that suggest similar assessment regarding recovery timeline and tactical implications of extended unconsciousness during hostile navigation and systematic pursuit.

"She's going to be grumpy as fuck when she wakes up," he observes with certainty born from previous experience with pharmaceutical seizures and enhanced recovery protocols that leave subjects disoriented and emotionally volatile.

The comment triggers unwelcome memory of previous keyword activation and its devastating consequences.

My frown deepens as recollection surfaces with crystal clarity—the last time institutional conditioning forced keyword deployment to override enhanced capability and systematic resistance through psychological triggers and chemical manipulation.

Jinx had gone ballistic.

Not simple emotional response or tactical frustration, but complete psychological breakdown that manifested through systematic violence and enhanced aggression beyond normal parameters for omega designation and biological conditioning.

The keyword activation had triggered a seizure similar to the current episode, but circumstances proved significantly different—we'd had Ash with us during that crisis, his protective presence providing tactical support and emotional anchor that facilitated faster recovery and systematic stabilization.

Now we're operating without the Scarred Saint's specialized capabilities.

Missing a pack member whose sacrificial nature and enhanced healing made him ideal support during medical emergencies and pharmaceutical crises that exceeded standard treatment protocols.

"Do you think this is supposed to run the same path as the first time?" Sable asks with tactical assessment that recognizes pattern potential within institutional methodology and systematic manipulation.

Press might be recreating previous scenarios with modified parameters, testing pack dynamics under altered circumstances to measure adaptation and strategic adjustment when variables change beyond anticipated parameters.

I shake my head with certainty that transcends simple tactical assessment to encompass recognition of fundamental changes in institutional approach and systematic methodology.

"Everything is going to be different," I state with conviction born from observation of enhanced security protocols and modified architectural design throughout current navigation. "But we need to move before we're kidnapped or separated again."

The urgency building in my enhanced senses speaks to approaching threat that exceeds immediate environmental assessment.

Institutional pursuit operates with mechanical precision designed to recapture escaped subjects through coordinated response and overwhelming tactical advantage. Our current position represents temporary sanctuary rather than genuine safety—breathing room that will evaporate once systematic pursuit adapts to our new location and enhanced capabilities.

Sable lifts Jinx with judicial efficiency that prioritizes her protection over continued discussion of tactical concerns andstrategic planning. Her unconscious form settles against his chest with complete trust despite pharmaceutical vulnerability and systematic incapacitation.

Territorial instinct roars against another Alpha carrying my bonded Omega, protective rage that transcends rational assessment of tactical necessity and pack cooperation.

I reach for her unconscious form with movements that speak to possessive claim rather than strategic consideration—Alpha biology demanding direct contact with vulnerable mate despite circumstances that should prioritize tactical efficiency over territorial display.

But Sable shakes his head with authority that stops my advance despite territorial imperative and biological programming that screams for protective positioning and direct contact.

"Let me carry her for now," he instructs with judicial calm that acknowledges my Alpha status while making tactical argument for current positioning and strategic advantage.

The presumption that another Alpha should maintain primary protective position triggers immediate challenge response that bypasses rational thought to access primal territorial programming.

"Not because I don't acknowledge that you're the Alpha of the group," he continues with precision that recognizes pack hierarchy while making practical argument for current formation and tactical positioning, "but because you're the leader and one of the strongest, and I need that protectiveness in the front of the battle."

His silver eyes meet mine with intensity that speaks to genuine tactical assessment rather than territorial challenge or pack competition for dominant positioning.