Lab 7's recycled air tasted of ozone and fear. Eight minutes left on Cross's ultimatum.
Kasper's weakened nanobots registered familiar enhancement signatures:
Maria: Healing field at 45% - strain evident Lucas: Tech systems at 62% - recovering Sean: Combat ready but enhancement projector flickering Nailah: Caribbean Division protocols holding at 89% Sarah: Medical systems stable at 84%
The lab's screens showed their families under surveillance. Isabella, Kasper's sister, walked home unaware of the shadow three steps behind.
Every muscle in his body screamed to move, to act. His nanobots surged weakly against the dampening field still saturating the room.
"Mi can take out de tail," Nailah said, checking her pistol's charge. Her Caribbean Division enhancer hummed at frequencies that somehow cut through the dampeners. "But we need somethin' bigger. A real ace."
Lucas's fingers flew across his keyboard, neural interface sparking. "Sending data package now. Cross isn't the only one with powerful friends."
The prototype chip in Sean's neural port glowed an angry red. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he fought for control.
"Neural patterns destabilizing," Sarah reported, her medical scanner pulsing with increasing urgency. Her free hand brushed Kasper's arm - a gesture of comfort that sent confusing signals through his enhancement grid. "Hold on, Sean. Just a little longer..."
Maria's healing crystals flickered as she tried maintaining Sean's neural integrity. The strain showed in her pale face, in the way her hands trembled.
"Got it!" Li Wei's triumphant cry carried the metallic taste of blood. Code cascaded across screens as academy security protocols shattered.
A new voice filled the lab, smooth as aged rum: "Interesting data, children."
Zarif Queen's masked face appeared on the main display. The surveillance feeds showing their families stuttered, then died.
"No!" Jake's voice cracked through compromised comms. Even through the distortion, his fury was evident. "What did you-"
"Insurance." Nailah's smile was sharp enough to cut. "Cross nah de only one with powerful friends, seen?"
"All surveillance data copied to Obsidian Syndicate servers," Lucas announced. His neural readings spiked with each keystroke. "Including Project Lazarus files. One wrong move..."
The lab's security systems cycled through emergency protocols. Red warning lights painted them all in shades of blood.
"Stand down," Cross's command sliced through channels. Her voice held the kind of fury that promised future vengeance. "Temporary tactical withdrawal. For now."
The oppressive weight of enhancement dampeners lifted. Kasper's nanobots surged back to life, carrying the copper taste of restored power.
"A wise choice," Zarif's mask tilted with predatory grace. "Though I suggest you children find Vega quickly. Before certain parties decide you're more liability than asset."
Kasper stepped forward, ignoring Sarah's worried touch on his arm. "Where is she?"
"Ask your Caribbean friend. Her division's intel network runs... deeper than most realize."
Nailah's enhanced combat stance shifted subtly. "How yuh know bout-"
"I know many things. Including what really happened in Mirage City." Zarif's mask seemed to study each of them in turn, lingering on Sarah's medical scanner. "Find Vega. Before Cross's masters decide to clean house."
The transmission cut. Academy systems rebooted with a sound like distant thunder.
Sean pushed himself up despite Sarah and Maria's protests. Blood trickled from his neural port, but his tactical overlay was already scanning for threats.
"We've got breathing room," he managed through gritted teeth. "But they'll be watching. All of us."
"Let them watch." Kasper felt his nanobots finally stabilizing, carrying combat readings from the others:
Team Combat Status: Sean: Neural damage but tactical systems online Maria: Healing reserves at 30% - needs recovery Lucas: Tech capabilities restored but interface unstable Nailah: Full combat ready Sarah: Medical support optimal but showing strange frequency patterns
"And a headmistress to find," Nailah added, her enhanced senses already cataloging the lab's hidden surveillance devices. "Before dem decide we know too much."
Sarah's scanner pulsed with worry as she assessed Sean's neural damage. "He needs real medical attention. These readings-"
"Can wait." Sean's command voice brooked no argument despite his pale face. "Mission first."
"Always de hero," Nailah muttered, but her tone carried respect.
They had bought time. Found dangerous allies. But as they began planning their next move, only Kasper's enhanced vision caught three telling details:
Sarah's hand trembled slightly as she deleted something from her medical logs.
Nailah's combat enhancer pinged recognition at frequencies it shouldn't know.
And in the corner of Lucas's screen, a message flashed for just a moment:
Project Lazarus Archive Accessed Security Level: MAXIMUM User ID: VEGA_A
The game was far from over.