The Boy in the Alley

The Orbital Target

A piercing red alarm siren cuts through the amphitheater, flashing emergency lights across the faces of the terrified council members.

I do not look back at General Zane or the white-armored tribunal soldiers blocking the exit. My eyes stay fixed on the giant main screen where Ifeoma is typing at incredible speed. The orbital defense system countdown ticks down rapidly, and the crosshairs on the display lock directly onto our position inside the tower.

"They are routing the planetary strike weapon right to this building," Ifeoma says, her voice completely steady even as her fingers dance across the holographic keyboard. "The orbital cannon takes thirty seconds to charge. If we do not break out of this floor right now, we will be vaporized along with every council member in this room."

Zane lowers his plasma blade, a grim smile forming on his scarred face as he looks up at the ceiling. "You thought you could expose us and walk away, boy? The tribunal does not negotiate with data thieves. They burn the whole building down to erase the leak."

The head of the outer tribunal takes a step forward, his white armor gleaming under the harsh red emergency lights. He points an automated rifle straight at Ifeoma's back. "Step away from the console, girl. The core drive belongs to the supreme council."

I do not hesitate. I raise my right hand, letting the black fire surge up from my arm in a violent rush. Before the tribunal leader can pull his trigger, I whip my hand forward, sending a wall of dark flames crashing into the front rank of his soldiers.

The soldiers scatter in panic, firing wild bursts of energy that shatter the stone pillars behind us.

"Ifeoma, are you done with the upload?" I call out, stepping in front of her to block an incoming plasma blast with my bare hand, the fire eating up the energy charge instantly.

"Almost," Ifeoma replies, her eyes flashing with absolute focus. "The truth about your father's murder and the council's fake world is broadcasting to every mobile device and public screen in the entire city. The slums are rising up right now."

Zara Bello fires her sidearm from behind a marble pillar, taking down two enforcers who try to flank our left side. "Simeon, we cannot hold this room much longer. The entire upper tower is sealing its blast shutters!"

Heavy steel panels begin to drop down over the grand exits, sealing the amphitheater into a giant metal tomb.

Zane laughs, stepping backward toward the secure elevator shaft at the back of the stage. "Enjoy your victory in the dark, Simeon. The orbital cannon is firing!"

On the giant screen, the countdown hits zero.

A blinding white beam of pure energy tears down from the upper atmosphere, striking the top of the tower with a deafening roar that shakes the earth beneath our feet. The ceiling begins to crack, and massive chunks of concrete rain down around us.

"Now, Ifeoma!" I grab her arm, pulling her away from the console just as the main desk shatters under a falling slab of stone.

"D******d complete!" Ifeoma shouts over the roaring sound of the collapsing building. She holds up a small, glowing backup drive containing the full network keys.

With the ceiling caving in and the floor splitting apart beneath us, we sprint toward the ledge where the massive glass window used to be. Below us lies an endless drop into the city streets, surrounded by swarming enemy drones and falling debris.

I wrap my arms around Ifeoma, pulling her tight against my chest as the black fire flares into a protective shield around us both.

"Hold on," I tell her.

We leap off the edge of the collapsing tower into the open air just as a massive explosion rips through the entire top floor behind us.

As we fall downward through the smoking wreckage, a sleek, unmarked transport ship suddenly pulls up from beneath the cloud layer, its open cargo ramp flashing with a familiar blue navigation light.

Kade stands at the edge of the ramp, reaching out his hand toward us. "Grab on!"