A sharp laser beam cuts past my ear, scorching the gravel inches from my boot as General Zane steps down from the gunship ramp.I stand completely still in the dark container yard, feeling the heat of the black fire rise up my arms. Kade and Zara Bello block the path behind us, their weapons raised and ready to fire at our backs. We are caught in a complete circle of steel and enemies, with nowhere left to run and no walls left to hide behind."Hand over the drive, Simeon," Zane says, resting his finger lightly on the trigger of his plasma rifle. "You fought hard, but you cannot beat the entire council alone."I glance sideways at Ifeoma. Her face is completely calm, her fingers resting lightly against her tactical belt where the real master drive is tucked away. She does not look panicked or trapped. Instead, her e

General Zane disappears into the dark abyss beneath the floorboards before his boot heels even stop echoing, pulled down by mechanical arms that snap shut with a dull thud.The heavy silence that follows lasts for less than two seconds.Kade lowers his rifle, his face turning completely pale as he stares at the empty space where the council general stood just moments ago. Zara Bello takes a sharp step back, her weapon trembling slightly in her hands as she looks around the server room with wide eyes."What just happened?" Kade asks, his voice shaking for the first time since we entered the underground sector."The system has its own security rules," Ifeoma replies immediately. She does not look panicked or surprised. Instead, her fingers are already flying across the bli

A blinding burst of blue plasma shatters the main archive doors, and a towering figure steps through the smoke wearing a terrifying golden mask.The heavy metal boots echo loudly against the floor as the new arrivals fan out across the room, their energy rifles locked directly onto our chests. Director Kanmi groans from the floor where he lies, but even he falls silent as the golden-masked leader steps forward into the red light of the emergency displays."You broke the outer tower, Simeon," a voice echoes from behind the golden mask. It is deep, metallic, and completely mechanical, yet it carries an eerie, familiar tone that makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. "You thought the council was just Kanmi and Zane. You thought cutting off one head would kill the beast."I step in front of Ifeoma, letting the

A heavy metallic click echoes through the silent chamber as the massive titanium doors lock tight behind us, trapping us inside Sector Zero with the stranger who claims to have built the entire system.I step in front of Ifeoma, letting the black fire surge across my arms until the heat turns the air around us shimmering and hot. The red emergency lights cast long, stark shadows across the polished steel floor, illuminating the rows of dusty, silent servers that stretch out into the darkness."Who are you, and what do you mean you built the system?" I demand, keeping my eyes fixed on the mysterious woman standing by the central terminal table.The woman does not flinch or reach for a weapon. Instead, she folds her hands neatly in front of her dark coat and looks straight at me with an eerie, unblinking calm. "My nam

A thick, pale green fog rolls across the concrete floor of the drainage tunnel, smelling of sharp acid and burning wiring.Before the gas can reach my lungs, I throw my arm across my face, pulling Ifeoma close to my side as the dark fire surges over my skin to burn away the fumes. The heat clears a small circle around us, but the air above the maintenance ladder remains choked with toxic smoke."Hold on to my jacket," I say, keeping my voice low and steady."I am right here," Ifeoma replies, her fingers gripping my sleeve tightly. Her face is completely calm, her mind already racing ahead to find a way out of this trap. "The gas is a standard paralytic agent used by the inner tribunal. If we breathe it in, we lose control of our muscles within ten seconds.""Then we don'