The rumble grew louder, rattling the walls. The constructs stepped forward, their eyes glowing with precision and malice.
"Move!" I shouted, grabbing Axel by the arm and dragging him back toward the console.
Alexander stayed glued to the screen, his fingers flying across the controls. "I can stall them, but I need another minute."
"You don't have it!" Axel snapped, spinning to face the advancing machines.
Axel lunged forward, slamming his rod against the nearest construct. The impact reverberated, but the machine barely faltered. It raised an arm, a weapon sliding out of its forearm.
I didn't think. I yanked Axel out of the way just as a burst of energy sizzled past us, scorching the floor.
"We can't fight those things!" I yelled.
Axel pulled free, his face set with grim determination. "We don't have a choice."
Alexander's voice broke through the chaos. "I'm shutting them down—just hold them off!"
