TWENTY-EIGHT

TACTICAL EXTRACTION

~RIOT~

The silence following Jinx's collapse carries weight that makes every enhanced sense I possess scream warnings about vulnerability and tactical exposure.

Sable moves with judicial precision, placing her in recovery position with movements that speak to medical training beyond standard institutional conditioning.

His hands position her head to prevent airway obstruction, fingers checking pulse points with clinical efficiency that masks obvious concern beneath professional competence.

"Seven minutes and forty-three seconds," he states with characteristic accuracy, silver eyes tracking the institutional chronometer that marks time with mechanical indifference to biological crisis and pharmaceutical emergency.

The duration hits with sobering force—seizures extending beyond five minutes typically indicate severe neurological compromise that exceeds normal recovery parameters, even for enhanced subjects with superior healing capabilities and systematic conditioning.

"That means she's going to be out for a while," I acknowledge with grim recognition of pharmaceutical aftereffects and biological recovery requirements that operate beyond conscious control or strategic necessity.

Enhanced healing demands energy allocation that prioritizes systematic restoration over immediate consciousness, biological imperative that makes tactical awakening impossible despite environmental threats and continued institutional pursuit.

Sable's expression shifts minutely—micro-reactions that suggest similar assessment regarding recovery timeline and tactical implications of extended unconsciousness during hostile navigation and systematic pursuit.

"She's going to be grumpy as fuck when she wakes up," he observes with certainty born from previous experience with pharmaceutical seizures and enhanced recovery protocols that leave subjects disoriented and emotionally volatile.

The comment triggers unwelcome memory of previous keyword activation and its devastating consequences.

My frown deepens as recollection surfaces with crystal clarity—the last time institutional conditioning forced keyword deployment to override enhanced capability and systematic resistance through psychological triggers and chemical manipulation.

Jinx had gone ballistic.

Not simple emotional response or tactical frustration, but complete psychological breakdown that manifested through systematic violence and enhanced aggression beyond normal parameters for omega designation and biological conditioning.

The keyword activation had triggered a seizure similar to the current episode, but circumstances proved significantly different— we'd had Ash with us during that crisis, his protective presence providing tactical support and emotional anchor that facilitated faster recovery and systematic stabilization.

Now we're operating without the Scarred Saint's specialized capabilities.

Missing a pack member whose sacrificial nature and enhanced healing made him ideal support during medical emergencies and pharmaceutical crises that exceeded standard treatment protocols.

"Do you think this is supposed to run the same path as the first time?" Sable asks with tactical assessment that recognizes pattern potential within institutional methodology and systematic manipulation.

Press might be recreating previous scenarios with modified parameters, testing pack dynamics under altered circumstances to measure adaptation and strategic adjustment when variables change beyond anticipated parameters.

I shake my head with certainty that transcends simple tactical assessment to encompass recognition of fundamental changes in institutional approach and systematic methodology.

"Everything is going to be different," I state with conviction born from observation of enhanced security protocols and modified architectural design throughout current navigation. "But we need to move before we're kidnapped or separated again."

The urgency building in my enhanced senses speaks to approaching threat that exceeds immediate environmental assessment.

Institutional pursuit operates with mechanical precision designed to recapture escaped subjects through coordinated response and overwhelming tactical advantage.

Our current position represents temporary sanctuary rather than genuine safety— breathing room that will evaporate once systematic pursuit adapts to our new location and enhanced capabilities.

Sable lifts Jinx with judicial efficiency that prioritizes her protection over continued discussion of tactical concerns and strategic planning. Her unconscious form settles against his chest with complete trust despite pharmaceutical vulnerability and systematic incapacitation.

Territorial instinct roars against another Alpha carrying my bonded Omega, protective rage that transcends rational assessment of tactical necessity and pack cooperation.

I reach for her unconscious form with movements that speak to possessive claim rather than strategic consideration— Alpha biology demanding direct contact with vulnerable mate despite circumstances that should prioritize tactical efficiency over territorial display.

But Sable shakes his head with authority that stops my advance despite territorial imperative and biological programming that screams for protective positioning and direct contact.

"Let me carry her for now," he instructs with judicial calm that acknowledges my Alpha status while making tactical argument for current positioning and strategic advantage.

The presumption that another Alpha should maintain primary protective position triggers immediate challenge response that bypasses rational thought to access primal territorial programming.

"Not because I don't acknowledge that you're the Alpha of the group," he continues with precision that recognizes pack hierarchy while making practical argument for current formation and tactical positioning, "but because you're the leader and one of the strongest, and I need that protectiveness in the front of the battle. "

His silver eyes meet mine with intensity that speaks to genuine tactical assessment rather than territorial challenge or pack competition for dominant positioning.

"I'm the judge and observer. I can see the threats around us, but my reaction time to fight won't be as fast as yours."

The logic proves sound despite territorial resistance that makes acceptance difficult.

Judicial training provides enhanced perception and analytical capability that excels at threat assessment and pattern recognition, yet lacks the combat reflexes and systematic violence that my designation specialized in through years of institutional conditioning.

He's right, and recognizing tactical superiority doesn't diminish Alpha status or pack positioning.

My enhanced capabilities serve pack protection more effectively through forward positioning and immediate threat response rather than protective carrying that limits combat effectiveness and strategic maneuverability.

The displeasure burning in my chest speaks to territorial programming rather than tactical assessment.

But arguing with sound strategic reasoning serves ego rather than pack protection— personal satisfaction over Omega safety, territorial display over tactical efficiency.

I offer no verbal argument despite biological resistance that makes acceptance taste like copper and institutional defeat. Enhanced conditioning recognizes correct tactical positioning even when Alpha biology screams against separation from vulnerable mate and protective responsibility.

But uncertainty remains regarding navigation and objective targeting without Jinx's strategic guidance and tactical assessment.

"Where do we need to go?" I ask with recognition that her unconsciousness eliminates primary source of institutional knowledge and systematic navigation that guided previous advancement through architectural complexity.

Static begins crackling through speakers mounted near the door we'd been approaching.

The electronic interference carries intentional pattern rather than random system failure— deliberate communication attempt that suggests external contact rather than institutional security or systematic monitoring.

Then an Alpha voice emerges through electrical distortion with clarity that cuts through atmospheric interference and mechanical background noise.

"You need to go down to the stairs, go down the hall to the third black door."

The instructions prove specific enough to suggest genuine tactical assistance rather than institutional misdirection or systematic deception.

Yet the unfamiliar voice providing navigation guidance triggers territorial suspicion and tactical wariness regarding potential trap or systematic manipulation disguised as helpful communication.

"Whether that path is full of security or not is not my business to figure out," the voice continues with clinical detachment that suggests external perspective rather than direct institutional involvement, "but that's the only way for you to reach the next level in this institute at your current location. "

Recognition flickers as memory aligns voice signature with previous electronic intrusion during Jinx's keyword activation and pharmaceutical seizure.

This Alpha had provided override commands and systematic intervention during biological crisis, demonstrating access to institutional systems and enhanced subject conditioning that exceeded normal technological capability.

"Who is this?" I demand with authority that expects immediate identification rather than continued anonymity or systematic deflection.

Enhanced senses detect no immediate threat from electronic communication, yet an unknown Alpha providing tactical guidance triggers territorial response that transcends rational assessment of potential assistance value.