Refined.
Corrected.
Improved.
Like we were objects.
Projects.
Not human.
The older boy suddenly speaks from behind me.
Quiet.
Careful.
“If he leaves…”
All of us look at him.
His expression stays blank from years of training.
But fear trembles underneath it.
“He’ll start over.”
The entire bunker goes still.
Because the child just confirmed what all of us were thinking.
Wu doesn’t believe he’s losing tonight.
He thinks this is only a setback.
Clay looks toward Russ.
Russ looks toward Gabriel.
Nobody says it.
Nobody has to.
Wu can’t escape this bunker alive.
Suddenly the terminal screen flashes.
Gabriel exhales sharply.
“I found the central rail hub.”
Hope sparks instantly through the checkpoint.
“Can you stop it?” Lucas asks.
Gabriel hesitates.
And that hesitation tells me everything.
