Children transported beneath the city like cargo.
Again.
Hannah’s breathing changes slightly.
Overlap pressure building.
But she forces herself through it this time.
No freezing.
No collapsing.
She’s learning to control the memories now.
That realization hits everybody at once.
And honestly?
It’s a little terrifying.
Hannah traces faded Romanian lettering across the hatch.
Then quietly says:
“There’s a biometric checkpoint below.”
She looks toward Gabriel.
“And secondary blast doors after the elevator shaft.”
Gabriel’s face tightens hard.
“You remember the layout?”
“Pieces.”
That may be enough.
Russ checks his watch.
“Once we breach, there’s no quiet option.”
Good.
I’m long past wanting quiet.
Mason slides a suppressed pistol into place.
“Children first.”
“Wu second.”
Correct order.
Always.
Gabriel finally forces the hatch open with a metal groan.
