Page 41 of Marked By the Bounty Hunter

“Talk me through it.”

She nodded, dividing her attention between screens. “Start with the primary neural interface. You’ll need to-”

A crash from the corridor cut off her words. I spun to see Tyrix dealing with a security team - three attackers down, two more incoming. But behind them...

“More coming,” he called. “Get those kids out. Now.”

The Merrith workers redoubled their efforts, practically flying between pods as they disconnected and evacuated the remaining children. All except Netu.

“Primary interface disengaged,” I reported, following Dr. Gondon’s rapid instructions. My hands shook as I reached for the secondary controls, but I forced them steady. I couldn’t afford mistakes. Not with a child’s life in my hands.

“Good. Now the autonomic systems, but slowly. Too fast and the shock could-”

Another crash from the corridor. I didn’t look.

“Synthesis at ninety percent,” Dr. Gondon announced. “Beginning final stabilization sequence.”

One by one, Netu’s vital signs shifted from artificial stability to natural rhythms. The silver returned to her skin as the stasis field faded.

“Last one.” The Merrith worker reached for Netu’s pod. “But we need to go now. Security’s starting full sweeps of the maintenance tunnels.”

I helped lift Netu’s small form, making sure the monitoring leads stayed connected until the very last moment. The Merrith worker disappeared up the access shaft with practiced grace, precious cargo held close.

“Synthesis complete.” Dr. Gondon began packing her equipment with swift precision. “But we still need to reach the environmental controls.”

The station’s warning system pulsed, red light washing across the walls. Behind us, Tyrix dispatched another security team with brutal efficiency.

“Time to go.” He rejoined us at the central platform. “More coming. Full tactical units this time.”

I nodded, already plotting our route through the maintenance tunnels. My hands trembled as I pulled up the schematics, but I ignored it. We’d gotten the children out. Now we just had to make sure they stayed safe.

“This way.” I led them toward a maintenance shaft half-hidden behind storage units. “There’s a direct route to the environmental controls through-”

The station shuddered, deep mechanical groans echoing through its bones. Warning lights shifted from red to purple.

“What is that?” Tyrix asked.

“Initialization sequence.” Dr. Gondon paled. “They’re starting the mass implementation. We need to move. Now.”

I pulled open the access panel, revealing the tunnel beyond. Behind us, heavy boots thundered down the corridor. The station’s systems hummed with building power as the Consortium prepared to take control of every mind within reach.

We had minutes at most.

But at least the children were safe. Whatever happened next, we’d given them a chance.

I ducked into the tunnel, leading our small team deeper into the station’s interior. Somewhere ahead lay the environmental controls, and our last chance to stop this madness.

If my strength held.

If we reached it in time.

If the station’s systems didn’t tear themselves apart first.

The thunder of pursuit faded behind us as we vanished into the maintenance shafts. But ahead, the real fight waited. And this time, we’d have to find another way out.

TYRIX

Behind me, Nalina twisted through the cramped space, but her breathing came too quick, too shallow. Every hesitation, every slight stumble twisted something in my chest.

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