Page 318 of Scars of Fate

Pain stabbed behind my eyes.

Oxygen masks fell from the ceiling.

Lucas grabbed one and pressed it over my face.

“Breathe.”

“What about you?”

He pulled another mask toward himself.

Adam and Hawk secured theirs.

The aircraft began climbing.

Higher.

Where the thinning air would incapacitate us faster.

The medical-transfer box remained open.

Waiting for Ghost’s duplicate key.

The pilot believed we would lose consciousness before he did.

The cockpit had an independent oxygen supply.

“How long?” Adam asked through his mask.

Hawk checked the display.

“Four minutes before impaired judgment. Six before unconsciousness.”

Lucas raised his weapon toward the cockpit lock.

Hawk stopped him.

“Don’t shoot.”

“Why?”

“Medical oxygen lines run behind that wall. One spark could ignite the cabin.”

Lucas lowered the pistol.

“We need another way inside.”

Adam examined the door.

Reinforced.

Electronic lock.

No exposed hinges.

Hawk opened the panel beside the transfer compartment.

“Lock controls are routed through the cockpit.”