The death toll just went to three thousand. We need help at the north perimeter right now.The reporter on the television in the lawyer's office was screaming. The TV was showing footage of the Eastbridge Tunnel. There was a lot of smoke coming out of the collapsed concrete. It was filling up the morning sky. The emergency lights were flashing. It was not helping.Ronan Steele was staring at the screen. His face did not show any emotion. Under the table, he was digging his fingernails into his palms so hard that it was hurting. He did this. He chose the lottery numbers over the tunnel collapse file. That changed everything. Those three thousand people are dead because he needed money to save humanity.Sign here, Mr. Steele, and the trust will be yours.The lawyer pushed a stack of papers across the desk. He did not even notice the news on the TV behind him. He just wanted the forty-five-million-dollar lottery ticket that was on the table.Ronan did not wait. He picked up the pen. Sign

Choose or die at dawn. These words were stuck in Ronan's mind like an omen. He was in a motel room with three files floating in front of him. The room was dark and cold. Time seemed to be moving slowly. The clock on the nightstand was not ticking anymore. It was like the whole world was waiting for Ronan to make a decision.Ronan looked at the files. File Three had the names and locations of the five assassins who were coming to kill him. It was an option. He could use this information to run and hide. Ronan did not want to run. He wanted to fight. He wanted to be strong.Then he looked at File Two. It said Tomorrow's Combat Experience. This file would give him the skills of a special forces commander. He would be able to fight like a pro. It was a risk. He would not know who was coming to kill him or how they would attack. He would have to rely on his instincts.Ronan thought for a moment. He did not want to survive. He wanted to win. He wanted to destroy his enemies. "I'm done runni

The floor burst open.Concrete and metal rods broke into pieces as a jagged hole tore through the middle of the cyber-cafe. The air smelled like copper and burnt hair. Ronan didn't waste time thinking about what was happening. His body moved on instinct.He grabbed Elias in mid-air. Rolled behind a big server rack just as a wave of superheated energy swept through the room. Where the energy touched the walls, the steel and stone didn't just break; they dissolved into a swirling mist.Get up! Ronan shouted, grabbing Elias and pulling him toward the door.What the hell is that? Elias screamed, staring at the center of the room. The hole was getting bigger, and a huge metallic claw was. An arm belonging to something larger than a man. Was clawing its way into this reality.It's an Executor Ronan spat, pushing Elias through the metal door into the alleyway. Don't look back! Run!The alley was a maze of trash and flickering neon lights. Ronan sprinted, his boots splashing through puddles,

Fire!Clara yelled, her voice shaking with fear. Ronan did not wait to hear the sound of the guns. He grabbed Elias. Jumped off the walkway. They fell into the darkness just as the bad guys started shooting. The walkway melted under the plasma.Ronan twisted in the air. Landed on his feet. He pulled Elias to safety behind some containers. Elias was really scared. He had his hands over his ears. The guns were so loud.They have guns that can melt steel, Elias said, his voice cracking. This is not fair. The Vance Group is a company that helps the military. They should not have powerful guns.Ronan said the guns came from the people who built the gate. He looked at his gun. He only had eight bullets left. The bad guys had guns and better armor.Ronan looked around the edge of the container. The room was bright from the plasma. Clara was hiding behind a tent. Her men were moving towards Ronan.How did you know I was coming, Clara? Ronan asked. How did you know to buy this place before me?

Don't make a noise Ronan whispered. He put his hand over Elias's mouth as Elias started to breatheThe dark hallway outside the cell made loud sounds. Bone was. Claws were scraping against concrete. The small room was terrible, like rotting meat and ozone.Ronan let go of Elias. Turned to his brother. Leo was almost asleep, his head against his shoulder. He was breathing badly, like a wet, rough sound. His body was paralyzed. He was losing a lot of blood.I have to draw them, Ronan said quietly. He wiped some blood from his brother's cheek. If they smell the blood in this room, they will come to us. I'll take them into the tunnel and seal the door.You can't go there! Elias said, his voice scared and quiet. You have no bullets! Your rifle is empty! You just have a knife! You are going to die!If I stay, we all die Ronan said. His voice was very calm.Ronan picked up the tactical knife from the floor. The blade was chipped from cutting through the alien rope.He looked at Leo one time.