“So the choice is—”
“Let the cascade run…”
“…or shut the city down ourselves.”
Gunfire echoes again.
Gage reloads.
River drops another guard.
The second Architect watches the moment unfold with quiet satisfaction.
Exactly as planned.
Boone studies my screen.
“You’re hesitating.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because millions of people depend on these systems.”
“And if the cascade continues?”
I swallow.
“The infrastructure collapses.”
Hospitals.
Emergency services.
Traffic systems.
Everything.
Boone’s voice softens slightly.
“Then it sounds like the city’s already crashing.”
I look at him.
“You’re telling me to do it.”
“I’m telling you to stop her.”
The timer drops again.
05:12
River shouts again.
“We’re running out of guards but not time!”
My mind races.
