Saul didn't respond.He just sat there, staring at his old friend, his mind churning with a mix of disgust and reluctant understanding. He could see the logic in Alex's reasoning, the cold, clinical calculation that had driven his decisions. But he could also see the humanity that had been lost along the way.And he knew that understanding didn't mean forgiving."So you chose the elite," Saul said finally, his voice flat. "You chose the people with the 'right kind of stress.' And you did it because you thought it was necessary."Alex nodded slowly. "Yes." "And Magnus?" Saul pressed. "What did he think of all of this?"Alex was silent for a long moment. When he spoke, his voice was carefully neutral. "Magnus... agreed. He saw the logic in it. He was the one who pointed out the discrepancies in the data. He was the one who suggested we focus on the upper class in the first place."Saul's jaw tightened. "Of course he did. He always did have a talent for finding the most efficient path,

He collected the soldier's weapon as he passed, a sleek assault rifle that felt heavy and familiar in his hands. He also grabbed a utility belt, a small pack of ammunition, and a knife that had been sheathed at the soldier's hip.These would be useful. He would need them.He kept moving, his steps silent, his eyes scanning for threats. Another explosion rocked the building, closer than before. The walls groaned, and a section of the ceiling collapsed behind him, blocking the path he had just come from.No matter. He had already mapped a dozen other routes in his mind.He turned left, then right, then left again, his feet carrying him through the labyrinth of corridors with a certainty that seemed almost supernatural. The building was designed to confuse, to disorient, but his enhanced perception saw through the deception.The main artery was ahead. He could feel it.And then he heard voices.He slowed, pressing himself against the wall, his weapon raised. The voices were coming fro

The armory was a cavernous space, lined with racks of weapons and shelves of equipment. The air smelled of gun oil and metal, and the hum of the ventilation system was a constant, low drone. Fluorescent lights flickered overhead, casting harsh shadows across the concrete floor.Marcus led her to a small section near the back, where a rack of tactical gear was waiting. He gestured at it with a wave of his hand."Pick something that fits," he said. "We don't have time for a custom fitting."Kim stared at the gear, feeling a wave of uncertainty wash over her. She had worn tactical gear before, during the warehouse mission with Cross and Saul. But that had been borrowed, hastily fitted, a temporary solution to a temporary problem.This was different. This was real. This was the gear she would wear into a hostile environment, where people would be trying to kill her.She reached for a vest, pulling it off the rack and holding it up. It was heavier than she expected, the weight of it settli

Kim felt her heart skip.He's here!She pushed through the men in her way immediately and moved to his line of sight.Her eyes wide with the beginning of tears she ripped of her mask and called out."Saul.." As soon as he saw her, his expression changed, the coldness melting away, replaced by something softer, something warmer. He moved toward her, his steps quick and urgent, and she sprinted, her arms reaching for him."Kim," he breathed, and then he was there, his arms wrapping around her, pulling her against him.She held him tightly, her face buried in his chest, her tears soaking into his shirt. She could feel his heart pounding against her cheek, could feel the strength of his arms around her, could feel the reality of his presence.And then she felt his hand on her hair.It was a gentle touch, almost reverent, his fingers threading through her tangled strands. He brushed them back from her face, tucking a loose strand behind her ear, and the gesture was so familiar, so intima

The transport arrived exactly on time, a sleek black vehicle that seemed to materialize out of the darkness. The remaining squad members climbed aboard without a word, their movements mechanical, their faces blank.Kim sat in the corner of the transport, her back against the cold metal wall, her eyes fixed on the window. Saul sat beside her, his body angled toward her, his presence a constant, comforting weight.No one spoke during the ride. There was nothing to say. The weight of what had happened hung over them all, heavy and suffocating.When they finally arrived back at the facility, Kim felt a surge of exhaustion that nearly brought her to her knees. The familiar white walls and sterile lighting seemed almost foreign to her now, a reminder of the world she had left behind.But there was no time to rest. No time to process. There were still things that needed to be done.They made their way to the command center, where Marcus was waiting. The major stood at the center of the room,