Page 49

Night falls, the cockpit dimming to reduce our visibility from below. Lily remains asleep, her breathing deep and even, modifications working to clear her system of Unity's compounds.

I stand to stretch my legs, moving toward the rear of the craft where basic supplies are stored. As I rummage through compartments, I find emergency rations, medical kits, and surprisingly, a bottle of actual water—not the processed liquid Unity typically provides.

"Here," I offer, returning to the cockpit with water and ration packs. "Who's hungry?"

Vex accepts with a nod of thanks. Trent waits until I've set his portion beside him, his fingers brushing mine in the brief exchange.

"You should rest," he suggests. "I'll wake you when we approach the outpost."

"I'm fine," I insist, though fatigue pulls at my muscles.

"Your modifications expended significant energy fighting off the suppression compounds," he counters. "Recovery requires rest. "

"He's right," Vex adds, surprising me with another moment of agreement with Trent. "Sleep. We've got this."

Outnumbered, I retreat to the passenger section, settling into a seat near Lily. Despite my protests, exhaustion claims me almost immediately.

I dream of silver eyes and amber, of Trent's arms around me in the forest, of butterflies with wings that shift between orange and blue.

"Zara."

My name penetrates the fog of sleep. I open my eyes to find Trent kneeling beside my seat, one hand gently touching my shoulder.

"We're approaching the outpost," he says softly, mindful of Lily still sleeping nearby.

I blink away the lingering fragments of dreams, suddenly aware of how close he is. In the dim cabin lighting, his features are shadowed, but I can still see the intensity in his eyes.

"Any pursuit?" I ask, voice husky with sleep.

"None detected. Looks like we lost them."

Relief floods through me. "Good."

Neither of us moves. His hand remains on my shoulder, a point of warmth in the cool cabin. Something shifts in his expression—restraint giving way to something more vulnerable.

"Zara," he begins again, voice lower now. "When we land?—"

"Outpost in visual range," Vex calls from the cockpit, shattering the moment.

The craft begins its descent, forcing Trent to return to the controls. I shake off the lingering effects of sleep and move to wake Lily.

"Where are we?" she asks, silver eyes blinking in the darkness.

"Somewhere safe," I promise. "For now. "

The outpost materializes below—a cluster of structures built directly into a mountainside, cleverly disguised to blend with the natural rock formations. Without prior knowledge, it would be nearly impossible to spot from the air.

Vex guides us to a concealed landing area, a natural plateau with overhanging rock that shields us from aerial detection. As the engines power down, an eerie silence descends, broken only by the ping of cooling metal.

"I'll check the perimeter," Vex volunteers, already moving toward the exit.

"I'll help," Trent adds, surprising me again with this continued cooperation.

They leave together, an unlikely alliance of Sentinel precision and Splinter instinct. I stay with Lily, helping her to her feet as she sways slightly.

"Modifications still stabilizing?" I ask.

She nods. "Getting stronger, but it's like they're searching for something."

"Searching?"

Her silver eyes meet mine. "For others like us. Haven children. When I'm near you, they respond differently. Like they recognize you."

Lin's words about genetic resonance suddenly take on new meaning. "The patterns my mother designed—they're connected somehow."

"Yes," Lily confirms. "I can feel it. Like a conversation happening beneath the surface."

Before I can question her further, Vex returns.

"Outpost is secure," he reports. "Automated systems only, no personnel present."

"Probably evacuated when Unity began targeting sympathizer locations," I guess.

"Still well-supplied," he adds. "Medical equipment, food stores, communications array."

We make our way from the landing site to the outpost entrance—a narrow opening in the rock face that widens into a surprisingly spacious interior.

Unlike Haven's Edge's organic design, this facility is all functionality—equipment bolted directly to stone walls, supply crates stacked efficiently, minimal comfort concessions.

"Medical bay through there," Vex directs, pointing to a side passage. "I'll check Lily's levels, make sure the suppression compound is clearing properly."

"You have medical training?" Lily asks, skeptical despite her exhaustion.

Vex's mouth quirks in that not-quite-smile of his. "Enough to keep most modifications functioning. Plus, I've had plenty of experience with Unity suppression compounds."

He leads her away, leaving Trent and me alone in the main chamber. For a moment, neither of us speaks, the events of the day settling between us like physical weight.

"You should check the communications array," I suggest, breaking the silence. "See if we can contact the Old Refuge, let them know about Lily."

"Already on it," he says, moving toward the equipment.

I take inventory of our surroundings, cataloging exit points, defensive positions, available resources. The Sentinel in me never fully rests, even here.

The outpost offers basic comfort—sleeping quarters, functional kitchen area, even primitive bathing facilities that use collected rainwater heated by thermal vents within the mountain. After days of constant movement and danger, the prospect of being clean holds almost mythical appeal.

I find Trent at the communications array, focused intently on establishing a secure channel. His profile in the dim lighting reminds me of countless missions—the same concentration, the same competent hands moving confidently over equipment.

"Any luck?" I ask, approaching.

"Limited," he admits. "I've established a one-way burst transmission to the Old Refuge, but receiving is compromised. Too much atmospheric interference."

"So they know we made it, but can't respond?"

He nods. "Basic confirmation only. They'll know we're alive and have Lily, but not our location."

"Probably safer that way," I say, leaning against the console. "Less chance of Unity intercepting coordinates."

Trent's hands still on the controls. In the green glow of the equipment displays, his expression shifts to something more personal than mission focus.

"About earlier," he begins. "In the craft?—"

"All clear," Vex announces, appearing in the doorway. "Lily's resting. The suppression compound is nearly cleared from her system."

I step back from the console, the moment between Trent and me broken again. "Good. She needs recovery time."

"We all do," Vex says, studying us both with those perceptive amber eyes. "There are four sleeping quarters. I've taken the one nearest the medical bay to monitor Lily. You two can choose from the others."

With that, he disappears back down the passage, leaving an expectant silence in his wake.

Trent clears his throat. "You should take the center quarters. More defensible position."

Always the Sentinel, planning for contingencies. "Fine. Which will you take?"

His eyes meet mine, something unspoken passing between us. "The one adjacent to your position. Tactically sound."

"Tactically sound," I repeat softly. “Right.”

We stand there, the communication array's soft hum filling the silence. All the interruptions, all the almost-moments between us from the forest to the rescue to the patrol craft, seem to converge in this quiet space .

"Zara," Trent says finally, voice dropping to that register that always sends warmth through me. "We need to talk."

The simple statement holds the weight of everything unsaid between us. My heart picks up speed, modifications responding to emotional stimuli as readily as physical threats.

"Yes," I agree. "We do."

Without another word, I turn and head toward the center quarters. After a brief hesitation, his footsteps follow.