Kimmy’s plasma blade hovered inches from Killy’s face, its green glow searing his skin, the heat prickling as nanobots buzzed in his blood, a restless hum coursing through his veins. Her knee pinned his chest to the cracked pavement near the sewer grate, her eyes blazing with a hatred that had festered for years, her black armor gleaming under the flickering streetlights. Lane stood a few feet away, his newly acquired Trident charged with a plasma bolt, his arm bleeding from a gash, his stance protective as he guarded Clay, Nora, Reese, and Junior. The kids huddled together, their small frames tense with fear, eyes wide as they watched the standoff. Sprocket perched on Lane’s shoulder, his tail flickering red, cybernetic eyes darting nervously, a soft chitter escaping him as he sensed the danger.

  The Shill’s whispers slithered through Killy’s mind—“You’re mine, Killian”—a cruel taunt that tightened his chest, threatening to unravel his resolve. After a brief pause, Victor’s hologram spoke again, the Ascendancy general’s voice sharper this time, cutting through the tension. “Stand down, Rothschild. Bring Killian to the spire—unharmed. Tier 3 negotiation authority granted. Don’t fail.” The hologram vanished, leaving a heavy silence in its wake.

  Kimmy screamed, her rage erupting like a storm, slamming her Trident into the pavement beside Killy’s head, the plasma blade sizzling as it carved a scorch mark into the ground. “Bullshit!” she roared, her glare burning into Killy, her voice raw with betrayal. “You—a nobody—chosen by the Shill? I’ve bled for the Ascendancy, given everything, my loyalty pure, and it picks you? A disgrace!” Her chest heaved, her hands trembling as she gripped the Trident, her knuckles white beneath her gloves.

  Killy lay still, his eyes narrowed, taking in her outburst. Her words revealed the Ascendancy’s fault lines—jealousy, ambition, the cracks in their rigid hierarchy. The Shill’s interest in him, coupled with Victor’s orders, had clearly struck a nerve, fueling her fire. Kimmy shuddered, her rage giving way to a forced calm, her professionalism snapping back into place like a mask. She deactivated her Trident, the green glow fading, and offered a stiff hand, her jaw tight with frustration. Killy hesitated, his instincts wary, the Shill’s presence still itching at the edges of his mind, but he took her hand, rising to his feet, his muscles aching, nanobots humming with restless energy.

  Kimmy turned to Lane, her expression a mix of exhaustion and irritation. “Where’s your place, Carver?” she asked, her voice clipped, her gaze flickering to the kids. “You assholes owe me a drink.”

  Lane’s eyes flickered with suspicion, but he glanced at Killy, a silent pact passing between them. “Bunker’s close,” he said cautiously, his voice low. “Let’s move.”

  The city’s underbelly was a maze of dim alleys, the streetlights flickering on the cracked pavement, casting long shadows as they moved. Killy and Lane led the way, Clay, Nora, Reese, and Junior trailing behind, clutching each other’s hands, their steps weary but quick, driven by the need to escape. Sprocket’s tail shifted to a cautious orange, a sign of tentative calm, as they left the immediate danger behind. Kimmy strode ahead, her armor gleaming under the faint lights, her Trident holstered but her posture rigid with frustration. Killy kept his hand near his own Trident, ready for betrayal, his senses sharp as they navigated the city’s labyrinth.

  ***

  The bunker welcomed Lane, Killy and Junior like a familiar refuge—cramped and dim, its walls lined with scavenged tech, the air thick with the scent of oil and metal. For Clay, Nora, and Reese, it was a sanctuary, their shoulders easing as they sank onto a cot, exhaustion finally catching up with them. Junior sat beside them, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he patted the cot, the familiar ground a comfort after the chaos. Sprocket hopped down from Lane’s shoulder, his tail glowing a steady blue, curling up in a corner as he watched the group with curious eyes, his tiny body still but alert.

  Killy, Lane, and Kimmy sat at a battered table, a bottle of murky liquor between them, the faint hum of a generator filling the space. Lane poured, his eyes fixed on Kimmy, who downed her glass in one swift motion, her jaw tight with barely contained emotion. Killy sipped his drink, the alcohol’s burn grounding him, his gaze studying Kimmy’s guarded face, probing for her true intent.

  Kimmy slammed her glass down, her voice cold and measured, though her eyes betrayed a flicker of resentment. “One thing clear, Barnes—you can’t run. The Ascendancy will find you.” She nodded toward the kids, their wide eyes watching from the cot, their small frames huddled together. “They’re not safe unless you comply. The Shill wants you, for what reason and why, I haven’t the foggiest. The General wants The Shill happy. Come willingly, play your part, and maybe they’ll let the kids go.”

  Killy’s grip on his glass tightened, defiance blazing in his chest, though fear knotted his gut. He knew better than to trust the Ascendancy’s promises, their cruelty a constant in his mind, and Kimmy’s words did little to reassure him. “What happens to me?” he asked, his voice rough, the weight of the question heavy. Kimmy shrugged, pouring another glass, her hand trembling slightly as she did.

  “I just told you, I don’t fucking know. I heard the General say that the Shill likes something about the nanobots in you. My best guess is that they want to study what makes your relationship with the nanobots different than ours’.” she said, her tone bitter, resentment flashing in her eyes. “You’re an outsider. The Shill may want you now, but once it figures out what it wants to, it’ll probably kill you.” Her ambition surfaced, a raw edge to her words. “You’re the key, Barnes. Come with me, or we hunt you—and the kids suffer.”

  Killy’s jaw clenched, torn between the kids’ safety and the risk of losing himself to the Shill. He glanced at Lane, seeking guidance, but Lane stared at his glass, his expression unreadable, the weight of their situation pressing on him. The Shill’s whisper echoed again—“You’re mine, Killian… soon…”—a taunt that sent a shiver down his spine. Silence stretched, broken only by the clink of Kimmy’s glass as she poured another drink, her movements growing sluggish, her eyes drooping. Her words began to slur, her head dipping forward until she slumped onto the table, her glass rolling to the side, her body limp as she fell unconscious.

  Killy’s eyes widened, snapping to Lane, who leaned back in his chair with a smirk, his gaze glinting with mischief. “What the hell?” Killy demanded, his voice low and sharp, relief and anger clashing in his chest.

  “Drugged her drink,” Lane said, his tone casual, a hint of defiance in his eyes. “She’ll be out for hours—gives us a head start.”

  Killy slammed his glass down, frustration spiking as he glared at Lane. “You didn’t tell me? I was negotiating with her, and you had this planned? How’d you know I wouldn’t blow it?”

  Lane’s smirk widened, a roguish charm breaking through his intensity. “What, you’re a master liar now, Mr. Savesomekids? I took a chance. It worked, didn’t it?”

  Killy’s fists clenched, his anger flaring at Lane’s secrecy, but he couldn’t deny the result—Kimmy was down, and they had a window to escape. He exhaled sharply, forcing himself to calm, his voice tight as he spoke. “Fine. What’s the plan?”

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  Lane pulled a piece of paper and a pen from his pocket, scribbling a note and sliding it across the table to rest beside Kimmy’s slumped form, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Killy leaned over, reading aloud, his brow furrowing in confusion: “Hey sleepyhead, We had stuff to do, you looked so pretty and peaceful, didn’t want to wake you. Coffee’s above the stove. Lock up, on you’re way out. Oh, and say hi to my dad. Hope he’s not sore at you for losing Killy. Ever an admirer, Lane.” He looked up at Lane, his frown deepening. “What’s this? What’s with you two? She’s been livid since she saw you.”

  Lane’s smile faded, his eyes growing distant, a softness creeping into his expression. “We were together, back in the Ascendancy,” he admitted, his voice quieter now. “Kimmy’s fierce, loyal to a fault. I couldn’t stay put—not with anyone. She hated my wandering, thought I was squandering my legacy. When I faked my death, she believed I was gone. Seeing me alive, free—it’s raw for her. She’s fighting for the life I walked away from.”

  Killy saw the regret in Lane’s eyes, a gentleman’s ache beneath his roguish charm, a mirror to Killy’s own guilt for the kids he couldn’t protect. He didn’t push, nodding in understanding. Lane stood, his resolve hardening as he glanced at the kids, their faces hopeful as they rested on the cot. “The plan’s Huxley Langston—Hux,” he said, his voice firm. “Nanotech genius, ex-Ascendancy. I helped him escape years ago, and he scrubbed my nanobots—no tracking, no control. He can reprogram yours, Killy, cut the Shill’s link. It’ll take days. He’s in Nags Head, 200 miles from here. I’ve got a boat.”

  Killy’s thoughts raced. Weighing risk and reward as fast as he could. His eyes drifted to the kids, their small forms a reminder of why he couldn’t stop now. “Let’s do it,” he said, his voice steady. “Fast—before she wakes.”

  They left Kimmy where she lay, the note beside her, and started grabbing their gear. Lane walked over to what Killy had though was a closet, opening the door. Inside was a deactivated humanoid robot. Lane gave a two tone whistle awakening the automaton. It’s eye’s flashing to life with blue light. “Once she leaves, gather up the essentials, and execute relocation scenario three, to site twenty-nine.” Lane instructed. “Damn, I was really starting to get comfy here.” He closed the closet door and looked to Killy and the kids, giving them a sideways nod to the exit.

  They started their new mission, slipping through hidden tunnels beneath the bunker, the air damp and heavy with the scent of earth. The tunnels led to a river dock, where Lane’s boat, The Shadowfin, waited—a sleek, semi-submersible yacht, its matte black hull lined with glowing conduits, built for stealth. The kids’ eyes lit up at the sight of it, their exhaustion giving way to a flicker of excitement as they climbed aboard, their small hands trailing along the smooth surface of the boat.

  Clay, Nora, and Reese, new to powered boats, buzzed with joy as The Shadowfin hummed to life, its engines a low, steady purr. Nora gripped the wheel, her freckles bright against her pale skin, a laugh bubbling up as the wind tugged at her hair. “Look, Killy!” she shouted, steering under Lane’s careful guidance, the glowing controls reflecting in her wide eyes. Reese stood at the railing, her green eyes sparkling as she watched the riverbanks, the murky brown water of the Potomac glinting under the predawn sky. Clay traced the conduits along the boat’s edge, his wiry energy alight, his fingers following the glowing lines with fascination. Junior helped Lane at the helm, a quiet smile on his face as he bonded with Sprocket, the squirrel perched beside him, his tail glowing yellow, the patterns dancing in a rhythmic pulse.

  Killy stood at the bow, the wind sharp with the damp cold of fall, the kids’ joy a fleeting lightness against the Shill’s whispers that still lingered in his mind. Lane joined him, his eyes on the horizon, his expression resolute. “Hux’ll fix this, Killy,” he vowed, his voice firm. “He’s the best.”

  The Shadowfin glided low in the water, its engines humming softly as it cut through the Potomac. At the bay, the ocean opened before them, a blue-gray expanse shimmering under the rising sun. Clay pointed excitedly, his voice ringing out, “Dolphins!” A pod leapt from the water, their sleek forms arcing through the air, and the kids cheered, their laughter echoing over the waves, a moment of pure joy that pushed back the Shill’s shadow, if only for a little while.

  The day-long journey brought them to Nags Head at dusk, the Outer Banks a mix of crumbling dunes and overgrown flora, ancient oaks heavy with moss shrouding the coastline. Lane steered into a hidden cove, the oaks forming a natural canopy over the entrance, their branches creaking in the evening breeze. Huxley Langston—Hux—waited on a rickety dock, his lanky frame silhouetted against the fading light, sandy curls wild, hazel eyes sharp with a nervous energy that crackled around him, a neurodivergent intensity in his movements as he fidgeted, waiting for them.

  “Lane,” Hux said, his voice warm but tinged with worry as he spotted the kids, Sprocket scampering down from Junior’s shoulder, his tail swirling green with excitement. “Saw Shadowfin on my sensor buoy. Didn’t expect a crowd.”

  Lane grinned, pulling Hux into a quick hug, the familiarity between them clear. “Good to see you,” he said, stepping back. “This is Killian—Killy—Clay, Nora, Reese, and Junior. Sprocket’s thrilled—check that tail.” Sprocket let out a soft chitter, his tail flashing purple as he scampered over to Hux, who knelt down, a smile spreading across his face as he scratched the squirrel’s head.

  “Saved this little guy,” Hux said, his tone fond as he looked at Sprocket. “Patched him up with cybernetics years ago. Built Shadowfin too. Come on in—fish stew’s ready.”

  Hux’s lab, hidden beneath the cove, was a blend of technology and nature—glowing monitors cast an eerie light across the space, liquid-filled tanks hummed softly, and oak roots wove through the walls, their earthy scent mixing with the sharp tang of metal and chemicals. The air buzzed with the hum of machinery, a faint warmth cutting through the evening chill. A sturdy table in the center held a steaming pot of fish stew, the salt and herbs a comforting aroma that eased the tension in Killy’s shoulders. The kids ate eagerly, their exhaustion fading with each bite, their laughter filling the space as they shared the meal with Killy and Lane, the simple act of eating together grounding them after the chaos.

  Lane waited until the kids were settled, their bowls empty, before speaking, his voice low and serious as he turned to Hux. “Trouble, Hux. The Ascendancy’s after Killy—they’re tracking his nanobots, like they did with mine. We need you to scrub his nanobots, sever the Ascendancy’s link.”

  Hux’s eyes widened, his hands fluttering nervously, his voice a mix of excitement and anxiety. “After him for what? He doesn’t even look like he’s from the city.”

  “He’s not. A squad burned down his village in Kentucky. Took three of those four kids over there. He broke them out.”

  “Fuck, Lane. That’s serious shit. Breaking kids out of the Lattice?”

  “Does everyone know about this Lattice shit but me?” Lane spat.

  “You didn’t know about the Lattice? Never mind. I can scrub them— same as I did yours. I’ll need to sample Killy’s nanobots, clone them, reprogram them. It’ll take days.” He turned to Killy, his gaze intense but kind. “It’s like bacteria—replicating, dying, cycling. I’ll breed them, code them, then replace yours. It’s delicate, but I’m good at this.”

  Killy nodded, his jaw tight, the Shill’s whispers still echoing in his mind. “Whatever it takes,” he said, his voice firm. “I need them out of my head.”

  Hux gestured around the lab, a hint of pride in his movements. “You’re safe here—nanobot Faraday cage. It piggybacks on the natural mycelium network, the trees block surveillance. They won’t find us anytime soon.” He led them to the cloning lab, a series of glass chambers filled with swirling green nanobots, their movements hypnotic in the dim light. “I’ll take a sample from your Trident, clone them, breed them, then reprogram them to block any control. Inject them back, and they’ll take over. In a few days, you’ll be free—hopefully.”

  Killy’s gut tightened at the word, his eyes narrowing. “Hopefully?”

  Hux’s face grew serious, his hands stilling for the first time, his voice steady. “The extraction device—it’s Ascendancy tech, finicky. If the encoding’s off, the nanobots could overload the Trident’s Z-PEG. There’s a 50/50 chance it explodes, kills us all.”

  Lane gripped Killy’s shoulder, his voice resolute. “Do it. We’ve got no choice.”