Home / Sci-Fi / The Quantum Paradox / Chapter 33: The Black Vault
Chapter 33: The Black Vault
Author: Sami Yang
last update2025-04-08 15:35:05

The cave was damp and narrow, lit only by the flicker of a portable lantern. Malcolm stood over Hesperos, breathing heavy, blood trickling down the side of his neck from a grazing shot. Tessa crouched nearby, weapon aimed at the entrance, while Zeke worked furiously to bring their scrambled comms back online.

Elektra and Roman stood guard outside, keeping a close watch on the trail in case the mercs doubled back.

“You said they want to use the defense grid,” Malcolm said, pacing in tight, frustrated circles. “Which defense grid?”

Hesperos rubbed his sore wrists and flexed his shoulder. “Not just one. All of them. The orbital satellite network, the kinetic rods, the EMP net… everything that was shut down after the Collapse.”

“That grid was mothballed twenty years ago,” Tessa said, disbelief etched across her face. “The AI that managed it—Aetheris—it was sealed in the Black Vault under three security levels. We buried that threat.”

“And now someone’s digging it up,” Hesperos said darkly
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