The first explosion slammed into the building across from the workshop, a violent jolt that sent dust raining down from the ceiling. Nathan stepped forward, cutting through the tension between Liana and Arman with a voice that brooked no argument. ​"Hold the reunion. We’ve got less than two minutes before this place turns to ash!" Nathan barked. He grabbed Arman’s jacket collar and hauled him to his feet. "Come with us if you want to live!" ​Liana let out a sharp scoff, turning away with her emotions boiling over, but she kept her rifle leveled toward the exit. They sprinted through the swirling smoke, diving into the tactical vehicle just as a second missile leveled the back of the workshop. The tires screeched as Liana floored it, leaving behind an execution zone that was now a sea of fire. ​The atmosphere inside the car was even hotter than the blast outside. Liana gripped the wheel so hard her knuckles turned white, her eyes locked on the road, refusing to even glance at the

​"Projection ready. Arman, feed in the architectural details," Nathan ordered flatly. ​Arman typed furiously on his tactical tablet. "Got it, Nathan. Mapping Sector C ventilation. It’s the tightest route but has the fewest sensors. Anna, Liana, get ready. It's gonna feel like climbing through an industrial oven in there." ​The holographic projection solidified, creating phantom walls that looked incredibly real. Anna and Liana were already in full tactical gear. Anna gripped her new vibration blade, while Liana slung the energy rifle Richard had finished. ​"Go!" Nathan called out. ​Liana lunged toward a holographic vent hanging in mid-air. She was agile, but the second her boot caught the edge, Arman’s voice boomed from the sidelines. ​"Liana, watch out! Don't put your weight on the right side; there’s a steam pressure valve there that leaks easily. Slow and steady, no need to rush!" ​Liana groaned, caught in an awkward position. "Arman, it’s a simulation! The steam isn't g

The base was falling apart. Huge chunks of concrete rained down, filling the hall with dust and jagged stone. Outside, the terrifying whistle of military bombers came in waves, followed by blasts that made the earth heave like an earthquake.​"Everyone, to the underground hangar! Now!" Nathan roared. His voice was raspy, breaking through the static interference of his internal systems.​Nathan stood in the center of the main hall, arms raised, projecting solid pillars of silver light. He was single-handedly holding up dozens of tons of concrete that threatened to crush their only escape route. The veins in his neck bulged, and silver fluid began to seep from his pores—a sign that his Bio-Zero body had pushed past its absolute breaking point.​"Nathan, you can't hold this! The kinetic pressure is going to fry your neural core!" Giselle screamed, clutching her laptop to her chest.​"Go, Giselle! Get Richard out!" Nathan barked through gritted teeth. "I’ll... I’ll hold it until you’re th

​"You sure this is gonna work, Doc?" Arman asked. ​Aris turned, wiping sweat with a grimy rag. "The Bio-Zero system isn't purely organic, Arman. The core is frozen from the overload. The only way is a forced jumpstart to his kinetic center. We need a raw electrical shock, not some filtered current."​"But this generator is a piece of junk!" Arman shouted, his eyes glued to the analog needle jumping wildly. "If the voltage spikes even a hair into the red, his brain is toast!"​"Then don't let it spike," Aris replied coldly. "Use your mechanic's instinct. Feel the machine's vibration. If the needle drops, Nathan dies in his sleep. If it goes too high, he blows up from the inside."​Outside the rusted iron door, the sound of shouting and heavy thuds began to echo. Liana stood there with her energy rifle, the battery indicator blinking low. Anna was beside her, gripping a dagger with a lethal stare.​"They're back," Anna whispered.​"How many?" Liana asked without turning.​"Twenty. Mayb

The logistics train slowed down as it entered a massive concrete tunnel—the gateway to The Hive. The ear-piercing screech of metal against the rails echoed off the tunnel walls. Arman checked the control panel on a dark gray steel container marked with a silver military logo. ​"This is it. Container 402. It’s carrying backup power cores for the Ares units," Arman whispered, his breath hitching. "If we hop off at the outer depot, we have to fight through three layers of security. But this container? They’ll deliver it straight to the heart of the underground labs." ​Nathan stared at the tightly sealed steel door. "Are there sensors inside?" ​Arman nodded quickly. "Automatic biometric scanners. Once the door locks, the sensors look for a heartbeat or human body heat. If it pings, the container gets flooded with nerve gas instantly." ​"I can handle it," Nathan said. He stepped into the cramped space, which was filled with giant, low-hissing battery racks. "I’ll shroud this room in a