“Move!” I bark, pushing past to the panel.
The interface flickers, glitching.
Of course it is.
I slam my palm against the manual override.
Nothing.
“Step back,” I say.
They hesitate.
“Now!”
They jump back just as I grab a loose piece of metal from the debris pile and jam it into the access seam.
I put my weight into it.
The mechanism groans.
“Come on,” I mutter through gritted teeth. “Don’t do this to me right now.”
The panel sparks.
The lock disengages with a sharp, metallic click.
The gate slides open just enough.
“Go!” I shout.
They don’t need to be told twice.
They surge through the opening and vanish into the tunnel beyond.
I sag for half a second, breathing hard.
Then—
Another roar.
Closer.
I turn slowly.
The proto-beast has changed direction.
It’s no longer rampaging randomly.
It’s moving with intent.
Toward the outer sectors of the arena.
Toward—
My blood runs cold.
The compound.
