24

BURIED UNDERGROUND

SOMETHING HEAVY SMASHES into my back, sending me careening to the floor. The air is filled with shouting and sparks. Staying down, I slide my weapons from their sheaths and lie flat on my stomach, scrabbling backward until I come up against a wall and engage my infrared vision. My heartbeat trips over itself at the bodies littering the floor. I run facial recognition for Caden and heave a sigh of relief that he’s not there. Most of the fallen are scientists who attempted to run past the Reptiles the minute the lights went out. With all the doors sealed, Sebba controls the only way in and out of this bunker, which means we’ll be swarmed by more Reptiles at any moment.

Encircled by his Reptile guards, Cale is intent on finding whatever it is he came to retrieve from my father—searching through the glassed-in shelves and tossing aside vials in frustration. His six Reptiles have night vision, so I wedge myself between the wall and a cabinet for extra cover. My suit shimmers into camouflage mode. In the darkness I’ve become just another shadow. I sweep the room searching for Caden, relieved to find him hunkered beneath a table with Sauer. Inka and Enola are crouched near them. I can’t see Aenoh or Matias, or either of my parents.

Scanning the area, my eyes focus on someone lying motionless on the far side of the room—Bass. I can’t tell if he’s dead or unconscious. I calculate the odds of getting across the room undetected, and exhale a sigh of relief when I see his arm move.

Can you lock Sebba out of the network? I ask the suit’s computer.

Yes.

Then do it. I feel disconnected, as though the suit is considering my request. For a second, my stomach sinks. If this suit turns on me now, I’m screwed. I glance down at the wrist pad, prepared to power down when the response comes back in the affirmative.

Do you have any problem executing my commands? Loyalty to Sebba, or to anyone else?

No. My operating system is linked to your DNA.

Good. Break Sebba’s signal if you have to. Just get these lights back on and lock down the perimeter. Tell the Vectors to engage the Reptiles on all fronts and ready my ship for immediate evac.

Done.

Now, engage all offensive and defensive modes. We’re going into battle. The lights flicker as my suit tries valiantly to kick Sebba off the network. It’s only a matter of time before the security runs its usual algorithm and resets all defaults, including network access and privileges. The beauty is that since the system self-repairs from the ground up after detecting any intrusions, it erases any backdoors that Sebba or any intruder may have built. But for the moment, we remain at Sebba’s mercy.

Cale and his Reptiles move deeper into the lab. Once they are out of sight, I stoop down and crawl over to Bass. Dull emergency floor lighting comes on giving the room a pale, eerie glow. “You hit?” I ask him.

“Flesh wound,” he gasps, cradling his palm against his side. “One of the Reptiles. Hurts like hell.”

I pull apart the material of his shirt. He’s been stabbed in the side. Putting pressure on the blossoming red spot, I grab a numbing salve from the medkit pocket of his gear. “Put this on. Find the others and see if you can get them to safety.”

“Where are you going?”

“I need to find Danton and my mother. And figure out what Cale wants so badly.” I don’t miss the look that flashes across Bass’s face. “Wait, you know what it is, don’t you? What were you working on before you left to come on the mission?”

He hesitates, but then nods. “Danton’s research was twofold. He wanted to create other super soldiers like you, but he also wanted to study your genes because of their healing properties. What if you could heal any internal injury? Or prevent an organ from failing?” Conflicted emotions work across Bass’s face before he continues. “We were able to synthesize a workable genetic strain from your DNA.” We both crouch down as something rustles nearby. “But it doesn’t last more than a day. The host human tissue accepts the strain at first, but later, the immune system starts attacking the nano-antigens like a bacteria or virus, causing acute and chronic rejection.”

“So it doesn’t work?”

“It works. Just not long term yet. That’s why Charisma wanted Danton’s help so badly. We were about to conduct trials, but then things changed.”

My conversation with Charisma seems so long ago. But it makes sense—Cale would want the strain both to rebuild his failing organs and to create soldiers like me.

“What about the vaccine to boost our immunity in the Otherworld, did Danton complete that?”

“Yes.”

I shake my head as the rustling turns into a heavy, metallic scraping. Something large—and unfriendly—is headed our way. “Then we have a huge problem. Cale hasn’t quite given up on his dream of ruling two universes. He wants to make himself a superior life form so he can have his cake and eat it, too. That’s why he needs that vaccine.” I help Bass to his feet. “Do you remember someone named Sebba working for my father?”

Bass glances at me sharply. “You mean the thing in Sector One? No, why?”

“It’s just that my—”

Before I can finish explaining, an explosion shakes the foundations and Reptiles storm the hall beyond the lab. A small group breaches the space before the door panel slides shut in accordance with emergency parameters. I half-drag, half-carry Bass to where Caden and Sauer are hiding, and twist to face the creatures swarming my way.

The first two fall with a swipe of my ninjatas. I slide to the ground and spear my blades backward to get rid of another. I’m so wired that it feels like they’re moving in slow motion. Scissoring the head of a viper-looking Reptile, commotion at the far end of the room distracts me.

“Don’t you dare open that door,” I yell loudly. I can feel the counterattack commands flying out to the network. As fast as Sebba is trying to reenter, my suit is denying access. It’s a game of cat and mouse, with the advantage changing every second. “Good,” I tell it, “keep blocking him.”

“Who are you talking to?” Sauer asks, confused.

“This suit has a built-in computer synced to me. It’s online. Sebba is trying to get in, and we’re trying to keep him out.”

Caden’s eyes narrow. “Riven, your father built that suit. Do you think you can trust anything it does?”

“What choice do we have? Now, come on. Let’s find the others. I’m not sure how long we can keep Sebba—and the rest of those Reptiles—out. Sauer, you and I will take point. Inka and Enola, cover the rear. Let’s move.”

We push toward the rear of the room where I thought I’ d seen Cale disappear. To my surprise, Aenoh’s in the narrow hallway, and he has my father in a brutal headlock. Matias is standing beside them, watching the action play out, his gun pointed at my mother’s head. He raises a second one toward me and shakes his head in warning.

“What the hell are you doing, Matias? Get that gun away from her!”

He eyes me coolly. “One move, you both die.”

My mind is racing. I feel Sauer stiffen beside me, but I sheathe my ninjatas and show Matias my bare hands. “We have worse things to worry about,” I say urgently. “Like the thousand Reptiles waiting to bust in here and kill all of us. Stop this, Aenoh. We need Danton. Do you understand? We need him to get out.”

Aenoh loosens his grip, and my father takes the opportunity to smash him in the side of the head. As he shuffles in our direction, Danton’s lip is split, his chin covered in blood, but other than that, he looks no worse for the wear. He backs behind Sauer. I eye Matias, daring him to pull the trigger, and he slowly lowers both hands at his chief’s nod.

My gaze shifts to the Avarian ruler. “I know exactly what your endgame is, Aenoh. Threaten any of my people and you’ll be dealing with me. We’re not in Avaria.” Aenoh remains silent, his mouth puckering. “And keep your man in line,” I glance over my shoulder, giving Matias a dark look. “If he crosses me, I will take him out.”

“General!” I whirl at the sound of Arven’s panicked voice. He’s racing toward us, a group of Reptiles hot on his heels. “They’re everywhere.”

“Let’s move. Danton, what’s the best way out?” I look for my father, but he’s vanished. Trust him to try to save his own skin. I scan the area. A door is to the left of Sauer, and another to the left of that. Danton could have scuttled out through either, but if I had to guess, I’ d choose the first. Someone would have noticed him moving halfway across the room.

I can help you to locate Danton.

Yes, find him.

A hologram blazes before my eyes, tracking my father’s position as he races through the maze of underground floors. “There!” I say, pointing to the door. “Go.”

We take off running. Crashing sounds and the smell of burnt rubber trail behind us. The Reptiles are ripping the lab apart. It’s full of technology and materials for them to snap up, but scavenging won’t distract them for long. We race down a narrow hallway, following the dot on the holo in my head. I had no idea the subterranean level stretched this wide.

At the entrance to a large chamber, I stop short, and the others nearly crash into me. It’s the Vector bunker—rows and rows of blue-veined bodies awaiting initiation and instruction. I swing around to Bass who is back on his feet.

“Are all of these ready?”

He frowns. “Yes, but the programming hasn’t been tested in simulated combat. There could be rogue Vectors in there.”

I blanch, but grit my teeth. Every so often, the programming doesn’t take. The risk is low, but a rogue Vector can cause more than its share of trouble. I shake my head decisively. “This is the test.”

Centering myself, I use the suit to connect remotely to the Vectors, and within seconds, I feel hundreds of them come online and sync to me. It’s overwhelming, like a rush of cognitive awareness, the Vectors connecting back to my core as if they’re extra limbs. I realize that, like the ship, they are, and I’m a little freaked out at the immense power at my fingertips.

Launch Vector Initiative—Execute?

Execute.

“Eliminate the Reptiles.” I order most of the Vectors in the room. I issue a different command to a small group: “Follow Cale and hold him until I come to you. Do not terminate.” I turn to another cluster: “You seven, defend these people with your life. Protect your king. You two, come with me.”

“Wait, Riven, where are you going?” Caden asks.

I don’t answer. Instead, I sync the hologram tracking my father to Sauer’s wrist pad. “Follow Danton. He clearly knows an alternate way to get aboveground. I need to find Cale. He can’t get his hands on Danton’s research.”

“I’m coming with you,” Caden says in an urgent voice.

“You and Lady Inka need to be safe on the ship.” I glance at Sauer. “I’ll send you coordinates. It’s close.”

But before we can move, a massive explosion rips through the ground, throwing us all to the floor. The lights flicker and fade as Inka crawls to her feet, coughing. I engage night vision, but it’s too hazy. The shadowy darkness makes it hard to see, but as the dust settles, what happened becomes clear. And it’s not good. Half our group has been cut off by the internal collapse.

“What the hell was that?” Bass says, shaking debris out of his hair. His eyes widen as he stares at the caved in ceiling. Sparking wires protrude from the rubble, emitting sharp bursts of deadly color.

“Sauer?” I shout through the pile of stones. “Count off. I have Inka and Bass.”

“Lady Aurela, Enola, Arven, and Aenoh.” He pauses, his voice muffled. “And five out of your seven Vectors.”

“Where’s Caden?” I ask desperately. “Caden!”

“We’re over here,” Matias says, rising like a specter from the dust behind us, with Caden limping at his side.

“Got pinned in the leg by a flying desk,” Caden gasps. “I don’t think it’s broken.”

Another violent detonation shakes the building, and I fall to my knees again. “Sounds like there’s a war going on up there,” I shout to Sauer. “You need to get the others to the ship—I don’t know how long the structure will hold now that the ceiling’s collapsing this far down. Follow Danton’s tracks.”

“What about you guys?” Sauer yells.

“We’ll find a way around. Now, go.”

“Wind at your back.” Aurela’s voice is low, but I still hear it. It’s meant to give me strength, and it does. If anyone can get them out of here, she can.

“And at yours.”

I study the people standing beside me, their faces somber. I crook a finger at the two bulky Vectors. It’s funny how I used to see them as hideous, with their milky eyes and translucent bodies. Now, I only see extensions of myself. “You two on the Lord King at all times. Bass, you take the rear. I’ve got point.”

“What about me?” Inka says, bow in hand.

“Stay near Caden. Anything comes at you, shoot to kill. Do not hesitate.” She nods fiercely and notches an arrow.

Find us an egress, I command the suit. But first, locate Cale and transfer data to the Vectors.

Within seconds, I see Cale’s position register. He’s two floors above us. The suit sends me the coordinates of the nearest staircase and I take off running, the others close behind me. There’s wreckage everywhere. We have to reroute twice before we can reach the staircase. I’m not sure what I’m going to find or whether we’ll be able to access it. Luckily, the staircase seems to have escaped structural damage. At least, on the surface. The suit confirms my suspicions.

Sixty percent secure. Severe fundamental damage detected.

Great. We have no alternative. There’s another staircase, but it’s on the other side of the facility. And it could be as compromised, if not worse. We’ll have to take our chances.

“Be careful,” I say over my shoulder. “Move fast. Don’t stop for anything… or anyone.” I hold my breath the entire way up, expecting the construction to collapse beneath our feet. The landing is damaged—barely a thin sliver of metal attached to the next flight. I hop carefully over it, followed by a Vector. He helps Inka to safety as I peek around the door.

“How does it look?” Bass whispers, peering around me.

“Clear.” I turn back, glancing over my shoulder and to do a quick count. “Where’s Caden?”

“He was right here,” Bass says.

All of a sudden, I hear his voice coming from inside the staircase a few feet above us. “There’s someone here. They’re stuck.”

“Caden, I told you to—”

“I know what you told me. I couldn’t very well leave her here. She’s only a trainee. The Vectors are with me. It’ll be fine. Just hang on a sec.”

I grit my teeth and shoot a dark look at Bass. We don’t have time to waste. I told him to take the rear and make sure everyone was safe. Caden rounds the corner, a slight figure cradled in his arms. He hands the barely conscious girl to the first Vector as they both navigate the treacherous landing.

More rubble crumbles to the hallway below as the second Vector steps onto the rickety segment. I hold my breath as the metal sways precariously. Caden starts inching gingerly past the waiting Vector and steps away from the door when the landing suddenly drops out from beneath them both. I scream and sink to my knees, watching as Caden plummets, his eyes frozen in shock.

The falling Vector flails wildly. He grabs the ledge with the fingertips of one hand and, with the other, catches Caden’s sleeve. I flatten my belly to the ground, reaching out a hand. “Quick, help me get them up!”

Do not lean forward, the suit warns. T he ledge is no longer structurally sound.

What do I do? I can’t just leave him to die. He’s the king. You’re the supercomputer genius, come up with something!

Options are limited—suggest mooring from a safer position.

“Bass, find a rope, chains, wire. Anything that can help!” But even as he and Matias disappear around the door, I feel a slow rumble beneath my stomach winding its way up the stairwell.

No, no, no. Not now.

I watch in horror as the stairs below us crumble like dominos, the metal lip dipping as the entire structure crumples inward. I scrabble forward to grab the Vector’s fingers. My suit responds immediately, anchoring me to the floor with tiny inverted hooks. It’s not much leverage, but it’s enough for me to get a better hold.

The Vector wraps his fingers around my wrist just before the metal ledge rips out and I’m dangling over the edge, held in place by nothing but a few well-constructed hooks. Someone flings his weight on top my feet, but the Vector’s grip starts to slip from mine in cruel slow motion. Several feet below, Caden’s eyes meet mine and a smile forms across his lips—lips mouthing three words I don’t want to see or hear.

Tears burn my eyes. A voice inside me screams at me to say it back. Say the words. But I can’t. I can’t lose him. I refuse to lose him right now.

“Protect your king!” I scream at the tumbling Vector just as our fingers part. Acknowledgment shimmers in his milky eyes and I see the muscles in his shoulders tense, corded veins bulging in his neck. With a roar, he heaves the arm holding on to Caden upward—a feat of pure programmed, inhuman strength.

Caden lands on top of me, and strong arms haul us back to safety. For a moment, I meet the eyes of the Vector as he falls into the abyss. I don’t know if thank you means anything to them, but I send the message anyway.

Briefly, I imagine something like satisfaction flaring in those milky irises, and then his eyes close as he disappears from view.