Gunfire erupted ahead, the sharp crack of automatic weapons followed by the duller thud of shotgun blasts. We quickened our pace, moving toward the sound.
“Alpha team, this is Bravo Sly,” Leo’s voice said. “We’ve secured the east wing, but they’re evacuating through some kind of emergency tunnel. Moving to intercept.”
“Copy that,” I responded. “We’re heading for the central lab complex.”
The next corridor opened into a large, open space that had once been the mine’s main processing floor. Now it housed rows of equipment I recognized from briefings on Innovixus tech. Neural mapping stations with their distinctive headgear. Genetic sequencing equipment humming softly along one wall. Refrigerated storage units with clear doors showing vials of colored liquids—some blue, some amber, some clear as water.
Rafe moved to one of the computer terminals, quickly bypassing the login screen. “Data packets... clinical trials... success rates...” His eyes widened as he scrolled. “They’re mapping genetic markers for neural susceptibility. Looking for people with specific traits that make them more receptive to control.”
Like Sophia.
He didn’t say it. He didn’t need to. We all knew it.
“And recording everything,” Rafe added grimly. “Building a database of effective control methods sorted by genetic type.”
“Download everything,” I ordered. “Then wipe their systems.”
While Rafe worked on the computers, Flynn and I secured the perimeter. No active threats, but plenty of evidence that people had left in a hurry—coffee cups still half-full, chairs overturned, papers scattered across workstations.
“They knew we were coming,” I said. “Even before Gage breached. They were already packing up.”
Flynn nodded. “Question is, what were they trying to save? And where were they taking it?”
My comm unit crackled to life. Gage’s voice came through, strained and slurred in a way that raised the hair on my neck.
“I have eyes on the lab. Sub-level two. They’re trying to destroy research data and evacuate through emergency tunnels.”
I exchanged a look with Flynn. Gage was riding the edge, the biohacking pushing him toward something dangerous.
“Lazarus, hold position,” I ordered. “We’re on our way.”
“Can’t wait. Primary target is here.” His breathing sounded ragged, uneven. “He’s destroying evidence.”
Damn it. If Gage confronted Langston Winslow in his current state, this could go very badly, very quickly. And if Langston escaped, we’d be right back to square one—Evelyn and Sophia never safe, always looking over their shoulders.
“Change of plans,” I told Flynn and Rafe. “You two finish here. I’m going after Gage before he does something stupid.”
“Bricks—“ Flynn started.
“Not up for debate,” I cut him off. “Get that data and rendezvous with Bravo team at the extraction point.”
I didn’t wait for their response, just headed for the stairwell marked “Sub-Levels.” Gage was a good operator most days, but the biohacking made him unpredictable. And unpredictable got people killed.
The stairs led down into the mountain itself, the walls transitioning from processed stone to natural rock reinforced with steel beams. The temperature dropped a few degrees with each level. The lighting changed, too—less industrial, more clinical. By the time I reached Sub-Level 2, it felt like I’d entered a completely different facility.
This wasn’t a retrofitted mine anymore. This was a purpose-built, high-end research space. Climate-controlled rooms with biometric locks. Specialized ventilation systems. The kind of setup that cost millions.
A security door blocked my path, but someone had already dealt with it. The electronic lock was fried, wires exposed andsmoking. The heavy door hung open on damaged hinges. Gage’s handiwork, no doubt.
I moved through, weapon ready. The corridor beyond was pristine white, sterile, with doors on either side marked with alphanumeric codes instead of room numbers. Laboratory space, all of it high-end. This was where the real work happened, away from prying eyes.
Voices echoed from somewhere ahead—a man shouting, another responding in measured tones. Langston Winslow. There was no doubt in my mind.
“You turned an entire town into puppets,” Gage growled, sounding more animal than human. Not good. When his speech started to go, the control followed shortly after.
“I created a controlled environment for necessary testing,” Langston countered. “My associates required proof of concept before further investment.”
“Yourassociates,” Gage spat the words like they tasted bad. “Innovixus?”
