Page 146 of Us Defiant Few

“So, the time for second chances is over. A new dawn approaches, and your entire species will finally come to an end. But fear not. Your remains will return to the earth and feed the planet for an entirely new generation of machines to take care of this world properly.”

The air sucked out of the room as the Governor stood and placed his hands on either side of the table. Even Cheryl paled.

“The Final Cleansing has arrived,” he declared.

As soon as the words left his mouth, that’s when the screams started.

Khalani’s head whipped to the window where shots went off, and bloodthirsty cries reverberated all the way to his office. But the Governor let out a contented sigh, like the sound was music to his ears.

He pressed the green button once more, ending the broadcast. The light on the camera died as he turned to the six of them, still gagged, with pure fear and menace in their eyes.

“It won’t be long now. My soldiers will hunt down every human and slaughter them. By the time they are finished in about”—he checked his watch—“thirty-five minutes, the code will be fixed. And once humanity is extinguished, I will finally activate Project Helix. Just as I was built to do.”

Alan moved to leave, but suddenly, a huge explosion erupted around Genesis, shaking the entire building.

Dust floated around them as the Governor glanced at Takeshi, who was already staring out the window with wide eyes. When Khalani followed his vision, she couldn’t believe what she was witnessing.

The entire dome was coming down.

36

We ventured too close to the sun. But you didn’t expect us to smile as we burned.

Shards of glass fell from the dome like mist. The projection of the rainforest vanished, replaced by a clear blue sky with smoke billowing high in the air.

The Governor snatched the phone from the table as it rang furiously.

“What’s happening down there?” he snarled.

They were unable to hear the caller’s answer, but Alexander went rigid, his face contorting in fury. “What do you mean outside fighters?”

Khalani and Brock locked eyes.

It had to be Jack and the Aces. That was the only logical explanation. If they’d successfully blown up the dome and were fighting inside Genesis, there might still be hope…

“Kill them all!” the Governor screamed, pausing for another moment to listen. “I don’t care if the units are struggling underground and the people are resisting. You have guns. Fucking use them!” He slammed the phone down.

Screams and gunshots from outside shattered the quiet.

Alan inhaled shallow breaths, obsessively checking his watch, and for the very first time, she detected a note of fear in his gaze.

He clenched his jaw, staring off into the distance, as if he were seeing a million things at once.

“G-Governor, if I may.” Cheryl bravely stepped forward, forcing a smile amid the bone-chilling tension. “Perhaps we can send another announcement to the cities. Help calm things down. I’m sure the people would appreciate that.”

As she spoke, the Governor held out his palm. Takeshi immediately stepped forward, handing him something, his broad frame blocking Khalani’s view.

“Perhaps we can work on your tone.” Cheryl raised her finger. “I’m thinking a more calming and respectful ideation of your voice will make everything right as rain—”

Bang!

The Governor lifted the gun and shot her in the forehead.

Khalani nearly jumped out of her seat as Cheryl collapsed face-first to the ground, her limbs twitching. No one dared move. Even the guards exchanged wary glances.

The Governor silently handed the weapon back to Takeshi, whose face remained conspicuously blank.

Alan checked his watch once more.