Page 24

VAREK

T he night closed around us as we crouched at the edge of the ridge overlooking Hammond's compound. Below, searchlights cut through darkness like predator eyes, sweeping methodically across the perimeter. The energy shields shimmered with an unnatural blue glow, corrupted power harvested from the ancient ruins. My shoulder throbbed in protest of our hard journey, but I pushed the pain aside. We had a mission.

"Three guard rotations at the north entrance," I murmured, counting the armed figures below. "Two more patrolling the eastern wall."

Rivera pressed her body flat against the rocky ground beside me, her silver markings casting faint light across her face. "The shield generators must be drawing massive power. Look at those conduit lines running along the western edge."

"Fresh impact marks on the southern approach," I noted, indicating the scorched earth and scattered debris. "Lazrin's team made an attempt."

"And failed." She pointed to the reinforced barricades that hadn't been there days ago. "Hammond's getting desperate."

I studied the compound layout, memorizing guard positions, searching for vulnerabilities. The pain in my shoulder flared, reminding me of my limitations. I could observe, plan, perhaps fight in short bursts, but sustained combat would be impossible. Not that it mattered. With those shields and that many guards, direct assault would be suicide.

A faint sound behind us—almost imperceptible—made my lifelines pulse in warning. I spun, reaching for my blade.

"Don't." A figure melted from the shadows, hands raised. "I'm not your enemy."

The woman stepped forward, close enough that the faint glow from my lifelines illuminated her face. Tall, with close-cropped dark hair and the rigid posture of a security officer. She wore Hammond's uniform, but the high collar couldn't completely hide the silver markings at her throat.

"Zara," Rivera whispered, recognition and surprise in her voice.

The woman nodded once, sharp and precise. "I don't have much time. Hammond's security sweeps the perimeter every seventeen minutes."

I kept my hand on my blade. "You're one of Hammond's security team."

"And marked, like your companion." Zara's eyes flicked to Rivera. "Some of us made different choices when the markings appeared."

"Why help us now?" I demanded.

Zara crouched beside us, her movements efficient, practiced. "Because Hammond's gone too far. He's not just experimenting on Claire anymore—he's trying to amplify her markings to interface with artifacts from the ruins. The energy signatures are becoming unstable."

"How did you find us?" Rivera asked.

"I've been tracking Lazrin's team. Saw you break off toward the north ridge." Zara pulled a small device from her pocket, activating it with a quick gesture. A holographic display flickered to life between us, showing the compound layout. "Hammond's power system has a vulnerability here—" She indicated a junction point on the western wall. "The primary conduit runs beneath this maintenance access. Overload it, and the shields will drop for approximately three minutes before the backup generators engage."

I studied the display, memorizing the layout. "Guards?"

"Two-person patrols, but there's a blind spot in the sensor grid here." Her finger traced a narrow approach along the northwestern corner. "Camera coverage fails for eight seconds during each sweep cycle."

Rivera leaned closer to the display. "And Claire?"

"Central laboratory. Hammond keeps her sedated but functional. He needs her conscious enough for her markings to respond to the artifacts." Zara's face hardened. "He's become obsessed with unlocking their power. Believes the artifacts are the key to controlling the entire region."

"Can you get us inside?" I asked.

Zara shook her head. "Too risky. My position is precarious already. But I can create diversions, disable internal sensors when the time comes." She deactivated the device, returning it to her pocket. "Hammond's paranoia grows by the hour. He's convinced the Nyxari are planning a major assault. Doubled the guard rotations, restricted access to the central lab."

Rivera glanced at me, then back to Zara. "When's the next rotation change?"

"Twenty-three minutes. That's your window." Zara stood, checking the perimeter with practiced efficiency. "I'll trigger a security alert in the eastern sector when you reach the maintenance access. Should pull most of the guard detail away from your position."

I rose to my feet, ignoring the stab of pain from my shoulder. "Why should we trust you?"

"You shouldn't," Zara replied flatly. "Trust the information, not me. Verify what you can. But Claire doesn't have much time, and neither does this region if Hammond succeeds."

Rivera touched my arm lightly. "The shield configuration matches what we saw in the eastern ruins. Her intel checks out."

I nodded slowly. "How will we signal you once we're in position?"

"You won't. I'll be monitoring the security grid. When you reach the maintenance access, I'll know." Zara took a step back toward the shadows. "One more thing—Hammond's using the artifacts to amplify his own control systems. The energy signatures are... wrong. Corrupted. You'll feel it."

Already I could sense it—the distant, discordant hum of power being twisted against its nature. My lifelines pulsed in response, a warning tinged with revulsion.

"Get Claire out," Zara said. "Stop Hammond. That's all that matters now."