If Vance found them here, trapped with this advanced, possibly hostile technology, they'd be in deep trouble."Bypassing it will be tough," Rian admitted. "But disabling it outright might just alert whatever deeper, more integrated system Alistair installed for its ultimate defense. Plus, I have a hunch this vehicle isn't just a luxury escape pod. Alistair was an innovator. He'd have equipped it with whatever he deemed necessary for unexpected situations."He tapped his scanner. "This stealth tech. The bio-integration. And a powerful energy signature that's being masked. It’s not just hiding the transport. It’s hiding, something else."The holographic Alistair remained impassive, the projected warnings on the hull of the vehicle flickering. Rian watched the scanner, a speculative glint in his golden eye."We have two options. We run, and hope Vance's units aren't too far behind. Or… we take a calculated risk. We can use this transport’s camouflage and its shielded energy signature to

Rian ripped open a latch near the pilot’s seat, a powerful electromagnetic burst from his Aura-Link overriding the mechanical lock. He pushed Victoria inside, then scrambled into the co-pilot’s seat himself, his enhanced vision immediately integrating with the Vigilant’s cockpit interface.The console sprang to life, displaying a complex holographic map of the subterranean network.“External Watcher unit detection, imminent. Less than 90 seconds,” the Vigilant AI announced, its voice now neutral, fully subservient to Victoria's 'Reversal' protocol.“Recommended trajectory, secondary freight tunnels. Maximum stealth activation advised.”"Seventy-five seconds, Victoria!" Rian called, his hands flying over the controls. "We have to bypass that outer bulkhead. This thing isn't designed for a quick getaway from a fortified bunker!"“External bulkhead breach imminent from Watcher heavy ordinance. Recommend initiating emergency kinetic dispersal. Calculation, optimal window, 35 seconds.” The