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"Most of our experienced fighters were either captured or killed during the evacuation," Naomi says, frustration evident. "Those who escaped are needed to protect the remaining Haven children."

"Then give me what intelligence you have," I insist. "I'll find a way."

Before either can respond, the tent flap opens. Jo enters, her black eyes finding me immediately.

"You should not be standing," she observes flatly.

"I heal fast," I reply. "What's happening out there?"

"Preparations for relocating to the secondary sanctuary," she answers. "We can't remain here long. Unity will be expanding their search perimeter once they've secured Resonance."

"I need to get back there," I tell her. "Before they move Trent and the other prisoners."

Jo studies me without expression. "You're proposing a rescue mission with insufficient personnel, incomplete intelligence, and while still recovering from near-fatal strain."

"Yes."

Her black eyes remain fixed on me for several seconds. Then, unexpectedly, she nods. "Tactically unsound but potentially viable with proper approach. I will accompany you."

"Jo," Naomi protests, "the remaining Haven children need protection?—"

"The primary threat to Haven children is Unity's ability to track the resonance network," Jo interrupts. "A capability they gained through Adrian Lin and will expand by extracting information from prisoners like the Sentinel. Recovering key personnel is therefore logical defense strategy."

I could hug her for that clinical, perfectly reasoned argument. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet," she replies coolly. "Success probability remains below thirty percent."

"Better odds than I've had before," I say, taking another step to test my strength. "I need weapons, communication equipment, and whatever intelligence you have on Resonance's current security."

"And rest," Reid insists. "At least twelve more hours of recovery before attempting anything physically demanding."

I want to argue, to insist we move immediately, but logic overrides emotion. In my current state, I'd be more liability than asset.

"Fine. Twelve hours. But then we move, with whoever's willing to join us."

Naomi looks like she wants to protest further but instead sighs in resignation. "I'll arrange for the intelligence briefing. You should know we've received fragmentary communications suggesting Unity is accelerating Project Duality despite the destruction of their primary research facility."

That catches my attention. "How? We destroyed their samples, their research data."

"They have new sources," Jo says bluntly. "Prisoners from Resonance with adaptive modifications."

Fuck. They're using captured Haven residents as test subjects, extracting genetic material to continue their twisted version of controlled evolution.

"All the more reason to move quickly," I say, cold determination replacing fatigue. "How many others are willing to join the rescue mission?"

"I've identified five potential participants with combat experience who survived the evacuation," Jo responds. " Combined with us, a team of seven. Minimal but potentially sufficient."

Seven against what could be hundreds of Unity forces. Not great odds.

But I've faced worse.

"Twelve hours," I agree, settling back onto the bed to appease Reid. "Then we plan the approach."

As Reid and Naomi depart to make arrangements, Jo lingers, her black eyes studying me with unsettling intensity.

"Your attachment to the Sentinel and the Splinter influences your decision-making," she observes.

"Yes," I admit, seeing no point in denying it. "Does that concern you?"

"Emotional motivation often leads to irrational choices," she says. "But can also inspire exceptional performance beyond standard capabilities." A pause. "I find the variable interesting."

With that cryptic statement, she leaves, the tent flap closing behind her.

Alone finally, I let myself feel the full weight of what's happened. Trent captured. Vex possibly dead. Both sacrificing themselves to ensure my escape, to protect the Haven children and the completion of a mission none of us fully understood until it was too late.

I close my eyes, exhaustion pulling at me despite my determination to act. As consciousness begins to fade, I make a silent promise to both men. I'm coming for you. Whatever it takes, I'm coming.

Dreams bring no peace. I see Trent struggling against Unity operators, fighting to buy time for our escape. I see Vex wounded, amber eyes still fierce as he protects our retreat. I see them captured, processed, used as test subjects for Unity's twisted version of what my mother designed.

I wake with a start, heart pounding, to find the tent dimly lit and a figure sitting beside my bed.

"Lily?" I recognize her silver eyes, glowing faintly in the low light.

"You were having nightmares," she says softly. "I could see them in your energy patterns."

I sit up, noting with satisfaction that the movement comes easier now. My body is recovering, just as I predicted. "How are you feeling?"

"Better than you," she answers with surprising directness. "My patterns stabilized faster after the protocol."

"Reid mentioned that. Something about your perceptive abilities helping you channel the resonance field more efficiently."

She nods. "I could see the flow, adjust my participation accordingly." Her silver eyes study me intently. "You're planning to rescue Trent and Vex."

Not a question. "Yes."

"I'm coming with you."

I blink in surprise. "Lily, you're?—"

"Don't say I'm just a child again," she interrupts with unexpected fierceness. "I've survived Unity's isolation chambers and suppression protocols. I helped rescue Michael. I survived the final protocol when adults didn't."

"I know you're capable," I assure her. "But this mission?—"

"Will benefit from my abilities," she finishes with a raise of her chin. "I can sense modifications through walls, detect Unity operators before they see us, find the fastest routes to avoid patrols. And I can help locate Trent and Vex by their unique patterns."

I sigh. She's right. Her perceptive abilities would be invaluable for a stealth mission into heavily guarded territory.

"Naomi will never agree," I point out.

"Naomi doesn't decide what I do," Lily says with surprising conviction. "Not anymore. The final protocol was about choice, wasn't it? Well, this is mine."

I study her—this child who's endured so much, who's grown up so fast. Silver eyes steady with determination, chin lifted in defiance of anyone who might underestimate her.

"Okay," I agree finally. "But you follow orders exactly. No heroics, no deviations from the plan."

"Agreed," she says solemnly. "When do we leave?"

"Soon. How long was I asleep?"

"Ten hours. Jo is gathering the team now. Marcus has provided intelligence on Resonance's current security configuration."

I throw back the covers, testing my legs again. Much stronger now, though still not at full capacity. I'll have to rely more on stealth than direct confrontation—not my usual approach, but necessary given the circumstances.

"What about Michael?" I ask, remembering her connection with the rescued boy.

Something passes across her face—concern, perhaps, or deeper emotion. "He's still recovering. The protocol affected him differently."

"How?" I press, sensing there's more she isn't saying.

Lily hesitates. "His electrical capabilities...changed during the protocol. Expanded. He can't fully control them yet."

I remember the metallic filaments beneath his skin, glowing brightly as he channeled the resonance field. "Is he in danger?"

"Not exactly. But he's better off here, where Dr. Reid can help him stabilize."

There's protective concern in her voice that strikes me as both touching and strangely mature for someone her age. Something more than friendship connects these two Haven children—a shared experience of Unity's captivity, perhaps, or deeper understanding through the resonance network.

"Let's find the others," I say, reaching for the clothes someone has left folded beside my bed. "Time to plan our approach."

The planning session takes place in a larger tent that serves as command center for the temporary camp. Maps and tactical displays show Resonance's layout, now marked with Unity patrol routes and security checkpoints based on the limited intelligence available.

Jo has assembled our rescue team as promised—five survivors with combat experience plus herself, Lily, and me. A motley crew compared to Unity's trained forces, but determination counts for something.

"Unity has established three security perimeters," Marcus explains, indicating concentric circles on the main display. "Outer patrol grid here, inner checkpoints here, and core security around the central structures where prisoners are being held."

"Troop strength?" I ask, automatically falling into Sentinel assessment mode.

"Approximately one hundred twenty operators in total," Jo answers. "Forty percent showing signs of early-stage modification. The rest standard Unity security personnel."

"Modified operators will have enhanced sensory capabilities," I note. "Standard stealth approaches won't be sufficient."

"Which is why we won't use standard approaches," comes a new voice. Sara enters the command tent, her color-shifting eyes finding mine. "We'll use the resonance network."

"The network is what allowed Unity to find Resonance in the first place," I point out. "Using it again would only draw their attention."

"Not necessarily," Marcus counters, bringing up a new display. "The final protocol changed the network's fundamental frequency. Unity's tracking systems would be calibrated to the old signature patterns."

"And even if they detect something," Sara adds, "they'll be looking for the full network activation, not the limited connection we're proposing."

I lean forward, intrigued despite my skepticism. "What exactly are you suggesting?"