Page 158 of Bonds of Starfall

Then came the long, endless halls. White, pristine tiles reflected the fluorescent lighting on the ceilings. Door after door. Each one windowless, locked. She had no idea where she was going.

The feeling of being the last person alive slammed into her. It was like a ghost town underground.

Her thighs twinged with every step. How long was she going to walk?

A low buzz filled the stretching hall, echoing around her. Rin tensed. In the distance, something grew nearer. Dark and moving. She kept walking, head tilted down and shoulders held back, even though she wanted to cower away—she would not.

The rifle was a comforting weight at her back. But could it really make a difference here? When she had no idea how to get out if cornered?

The thing approached, and she realized it was a small golf cart. A guard, matching uniform to hers, drove it. The back was stacked with crates that rattled. When he was close enough, he called, "Soldier! Name? What are you doing here?"

Sweat dripped down Rin’s back. "Peraz," she called back, still keeping pace. She was grateful that Arya’s last name had been on her keycard.

The cart finally caught up to her, and the brakes squealed. She stared at his shining boots, feeling his eyes bore holes into the top of her cap.

"Peraz?" he questioned, and Rin tensed. Oh god. Did he know her? That would make this a hell of a lot more difficult. "Hop on. I’ll take you to your post. You’re late. You know Ander doesn’t like tardiness."

Rin nodded, walking to the back and perching on the small seat next to the crates, instead of the empty spot at the guard’s side. "Thanks." She pitched her voice lower, in case he recognized a difference.

The golf cart squealed as it was reversed, then turned. The ride was smooth, and the windowless doors passed in a blur. She gripped the handle at her hip, holding on as the speed increased.

"You’re awfully quiet. Are you sure I didn’t piss you off the other day?"

Rin heard a shifting sound as the guard turned. Her back was to his where she sat, but she still hid her face away, tone low. "I’ve just been tired."

He laughed. "Not surprising. They sure as fuck run you lot ragged, don’t they? Especially with all of this Project Phoenix bullshit. I heard the Blackfalls are back in town. Everyone’s on their best behavior. Keep your head down, Peraz. Something’s got the bigwigs all riled up."

Rin couldn’t help her curiosity. "Project Phoenix?"

"Damn, you really are tired, huh? Project Phoenix. The experimental super soldier project?" When she was silent, he prodded, "Not ringing any bells?"

She hummed noncommittally.

Just then, red warning sirens pierced the halls, so loud that they rang in her skull.

"Ah, fuck it!" The cart sped up, and they zoomed past the halls until finally it opened up into a wide space filled with a buzz of activity. The red flashing lights were more prominent here.

"A Rogue attack?" The guard questioned sharply as the cart came to a stop. They both got off, and Rin turned to leave, but a heavy hand fell on her shoulder, stopping her. "Where are you going?"

She never had time to answer. A passing guard rushed by, calling, "A guard’s been found above ground. Dead. Rogue attack."

The guard with the hand on her shoulder stilled. "Do they know who yet?" His voice was deadly.

"Peraz," answered the guard, before she swept away with a crew of armed soldiers.

Which left Rin alone with him.

He gripped her chin, yanking her face up to the light. "You’re not Peraz." His hands tightened on her. "Who are you?"

Rin jammed her elbow into his side, her knee slamming into his crotch. He doubled over, and she turned to run.

Her arms pumped as she dodged stacked crates and parked vehicles, heart thundering.

"Hey!" he called. "Stop!"

She kept running.

Something stuck to her back, digging into her flesh through her clothes. A sharp popping sound filled the air, and she dropped, deadweight, slamming into the ground, as electricity zinged through her flesh. Rin seized, muscles locking up as the pulses wracked her body.