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"Haven's Edge?" I ask, fear tightening my chest.

"Evacuated," comes the response in Reid's voice. "Location compromised three days ago. We've dispersed to secondary positions."

Thank god. At least they got out.

"And the other Haven children?" Trent asks, leaning toward the transmitter.

"Two extracted safely before Unity lockdown. Four confirmed still in arcologies, status unknown. One..." Reid's voice falters. "One captured during extraction attempt. Currently held at Central Processing."

My heart sinks. Another like me, in Unity's hands.

"Which facility?" I demand.

"Eastern Arcology Medical Division," Reid answers. "Heavily guarded."

I exchange glances with Trent and Vex, the same thought clearly crossing all our minds.

"We need to get them out," I say, already calculating possibilities.

"Agreed," Reid's voice crackles. "But that's not all. The data we've intercepted suggests Unity is accelerating their research timeline. They're preparing for implementation tests."

"They can't have stabilized the process already," Elle objects.

"They haven't," Reid confirms. "Which makes these tests extremely dangerous. Forced implementation of unstable modifications could have catastrophic effects on test subjects."

"How soon?" Trent asks.

"Forty-eight hours, according to intercepted communications."

The command center erupts into urgent activity—operators relaying information, tactics specialists pulling up facility schematics, weapons being checked and prepared.

"We need a two-pronged approach," Elle decides. "One team to infiltrate the research facility and destroy their data and samples. Another to extract the captured Haven child from Eastern Arcology."

"I'll take the research facility," I volunteer immediately.

"No," both Trent and Vex say simultaneously.

"You're exactly what they want," Trent continues, intensity burning in his eyes. "Walking into their primary research facility would be handing them their objective."

"And you're still recovering from the suppression compound," Vex adds, equally adamant. "Your modifications aren't fully responsive yet."

I growl to myself. They're right. I hate it, but they're right.

"Then I'll go after the other Haven child," I counter. "They won't expect that, right?”

Elle considers this, studying the maps. "Eastern Arcology is heavily fortified, but our intelligence suggests they're focusing security on the research centers, not the medical facilities."

"A small team could infiltrate through maintenance access," Trent suggests, Sentinel tactical training engaging automatically. "Three operatives maximum for optimal stealth."

"The three of us," Vex states, gesturing between himself, Trent and me. It's not a question.

Trent nods, surprising me with his immediate agreement. "We've proven effective together."

"And the research facility?" I ask.

"Direct assault," Elle decides. "We've been gathering forces for months. This gives us the opportunity and justification to use them."

The plan comes together with rapid efficiency—infiltration routes identified, timing coordinated, equipment allocated.

Throughout the preparations, I feel my strength returning as the suppression compound continues to fade from my system.

My modifications respond more readily now, senses sharpening, body regaining its enhanced capabilities.

As we gear up for the mission, I find myself in a smaller chamber, checking the equipment Elle's people have provided—lightweight body armor, communication devices, weapons designed for non-lethal neutralization, odds and ends.

Trent enters quietly, his own preparations complete. He watches me adjust the armor straps for a moment before speaking.

"You sure you're ready for this?" he asks, sounding worried. "The compound might still affect your capabilities."

"I'm fine," I insist with a quick smile, testing my range of motion. "Getting stronger by the hour."

He steps closer, hands moving to correct the positioning of a chest plate I've misaligned. His fingers brush against my collarbone, the contact sending warmth through me despite the clinical nature of the adjustment.

"There," he says, voice lower now. "Better protection."

I look up to find his face inches from mine, his eyes darkened with something beyond mission focus. The air between us seems to charge with electricity, memories of our interrupted forest kiss hanging heavy in the silence.

"Trent," I begin, not entirely sure what I'm going to say.

"I thought I'd lost you," he admits suddenly, the words coming out in a rush. "In the facility, when they took you for testing and wouldn't tell me anything—" He stops, jaw tightening with the effort to maintain control.

“But you didn’t.” My hand rises automatically to his face, tracing the fading bruise along his cheekbone. "I'm right here."

His fingers wrap around my wrist, holding my palm against his face. "This mission...the risks are significant."

"When are they not?" I attempt another smile.

"Zara," he says seriously, "if something happens?—"

"Don't," I interrupt. "No fatalistic pre-mission confessions. That's just asking for trouble."

He smiles faintly. "Sentinel superstition?"

"Common sense."

His hand slides from my wrist to my face, thumb brushing across my lower lip in a touch so light it might be imagined. My breath catches, body leaning toward his automatically.

"Perimeter check complete," Vex announces, appearing in the doorway.

We jump apart with guilty quickness. Vex's amber eyes take in the scene with unreadable expression.

He always has the worst timing.

"Transport's ready," he continues after a beat. "We leave in ten minutes."

"On our way," I reply, trying to sound normal despite the heat still flaring where Trent touched me.

Vex lingers a moment longer, something complicated passing through his eyes. "Stay focused out there," he says finally. "Both of you."

After he leaves, the atmosphere shifts from charged to awkward. Trent steps back, resuming his professional demeanor with visible effort.

"He's right," he says, checking his weapons. "Focus is critical for this operation."

I nod, pushing personal complications aside. "Mission priority: extract the Haven child. Everything else is secondary."

We join the others at the transport bay, a natural cavern modified to house various vehicles. Our assigned craft is smaller than the one from our escape, designed for speed rather than power. Vex is already in the driver's position, running pre-departure checks.

As we board, Elle approaches with final instructions.

"Infiltration point is a maintenance tube on the eastern arcology's lower level," she explains, handing Trent a small data chip. "This contains access codes and guard rotation schedules from our sympathizers inside."

"Extraction route?" I ask.

"Same entry point if possible," she answers. "If compromised, there's a secondary exit through the water treatment facility. All marked on the schematics."

"And the Haven child?" Trent asks. "Any information on their condition?"

Her expression grows troubled. "Limited. We know they're being held in Medical Isolation Unit 7. Reports suggest early-stage modification manifestation, likely why Unity hasn't transferred them to the research facility yet."

"Name?" I ask. "Anything to help us identify them?"

"Designation in Unity records is Subject 23. Original identity unknown." She hands me a small device. "This will help. It's keyed to detect the specific genetic markers your mother built into all Haven children."

I pocket the device, determination settling over me like armor. Another child of Haven, someone like me, trapped in Unity's sterile prison. Not for long if I have anything to say about it.

"Communications will be limited once you're inside," she continues. "Arcology shielding blocks most frequencies. Check-in only at designated points."

We confirm our understanding of the mission parameters as the transport powers up, engines humming with restrained energy.

"If you're not at extraction point Alpha within the designated window, we'll implement contingency protocols," she concludes. "May the odds favor the adaptive."

The old Splinter blessing seems fitting as our transport moves out, leaving the safety of the Old Refuge behind. Ahead lies Eastern Arcology, a place I've visited only twice during my Sentinel career, known for its particularly rigid interpretation of Unity protocols.

We're heading straight into the heart of enemy territory, three fugitives attempting to extract a high-value prisoner from one of Unity's most secure facilities.

The odds don't just need to favor us. They need to perform miracles.

As the landscape blurs past, I find myself studying my companions—Trent's profile as he reviews facility schematics, Vex's focused intensity as he navigates the difficult terrain. These two men, so different yet both willing to risk everything for this mission. For me.

Whatever happens in Eastern Arcology, one thing is certain: we're in this together, former Sentinel, Splinter, and whatever I am becoming.

Unity should be very, very afraid.