Page 28 of Stripe Theory

The lab’s security system shrieked another warning. Through the glass walls, black-clad figures appeared at both ends of the corridor.

TWENTY-TWO

“Oh come on,” Alora muttered, grabbing essential samples. “Don’t they ever take coffee breaks?”

“Less snark, more survival,” Maya’s voice crackled through their earpieces. “Also, they just breached the east wing. Whatever you’re planning, do it fast.”

Alora’s gaze swept her lab, mind racing. They had sealed doors, emergency protocols, and enough chemicals to... oh. Oh yes.

“Remember the purple smoke incident?” she asked, already reaching for certain volatile compounds.

Rehan’s eyes widened slightly. “Alora...”

“That was an accident. This will be on purpose.” She grabbed protective gear. “Also, you might want to shift. And maybe hold your breath.”

“Why do I find this attractive?” he muttered, almost too quiet to hear.

“Because genius is sexy?” She flashed him a grin, suppressing her own flutter at his words. “Now help me set up a little science experiment for our friends.”

The next few minutes were controlled chaos. Alora directed Rehan in positioning equipment while she prepared severalcarefully measured mixtures. The approaching forces had no idea they were walking into a trap designed by a slightly sleep-deprived genius with access to industrial-grade chemicals and a point to prove.

“You know,” she commented while measuring precise amounts of powder, “most people’s work emergencies involve printer jams or coffee shortages. But no, I had to fall for—” She froze, realizing what she’d almost said.

“Fall for...” Rehan prompted, his voice carrying that rumbling undertone that made her hands shake slightly.

“Fall for... the excitement of scientific research,” she finished lamely. “Very exciting. All this... science.”

Maya’s snort was clearly audible through their comms. “Smooth.”

The sound of breaking glass from the corridor spurred them into final preparations. Alora checked her calculations one last time, positioned the last container, and grabbed the remote trigger Rehan jerry-rigged from spare parts.

“Ready?” she asked, backing toward the emergency exit where Rehan waited.

“For your mad science? Never.” But his lips angled in what might have been a smile.

The lab doors burst inward. Genesis Corp forces poured in, weapons raised. At their head strode Leeta, looking impossibly pristine despite the chaos.

“Really, Dr. Sky?” Leeta’s perfect lips curved in a sneer. “Hiding in your own lab? How... predictable.”

Alora held up her remote with her best mad scientist grin. “Actually, I prefer to think of it as home-field advantage.”

She hit the button. Multiple reactions triggered simultaneously, filling the lab with clouds of distinctly purple smoke. The chemical cocktail wasn’t lethal – she was a doctor,after all – but it would definitely ruin a few expensive suits and some corporate raiders’ day.

“Run now?” she suggested to Rehan as chaos erupted.

“Run now,” he agreed, then swept her off her feet entirely, carrying her at shifter speed through the emergency exit. She told herself her squeak of surprise was purely professional.

“I can run on my own!” she protested, even as her arms went around his neck.

“My way’s faster.” His voice rumbled through her whole body. “Also, you made me promise to never let you handle emergency evacuations after the fire drill incident.”

“That potted plant jumped out of nowhere!”

They emerged in the building’s secure wing where Maya waited with their core team. Through the reinforced windows, Alora caught glimpses of purple-stained figures stumbling out of the lab level, led by a particularly furious-looking Leeta.

“Your containment foam recipe needs work,” Maya noted, nose wrinkling at the colorful haze that followed their pursuers. “It’s supposed to stop them, not just accessorize them.”

“Excuse you, that was artistic and scientific karma.” Alora finally convinced Rehan to set her down, trying to ignore how cold she felt without his arms around her. “Also, purple is definitely not Leeta’s color.”

---