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No, thankfully, those in that area that weren’t able to escape after the blast have been sealed into their rooms, Jace explained. I got that working. But I’m worried about the second explosion near the front of the Compound. I’m not seeing any Khul coming through there, but--

“That’s because they are bug mush.” Davies gave a grin. “I set their bombs off prematurely while they were there.”

“And he nearly got squished himself by the look of him,” Dr. Hayter giggled again though he tried to hide the giggles in a cough.

Oh? Sounds like a story! But that’s for later! Jace said. I’ll send you the exact coordinates where the fights are taking place. There are about twenty Khul left.

“My sister and Thadden are still with you?” Typhon asked.

Yes, they’re taking good care of me. But we’re far from the action so we should be fine, Jace said, but there was a hesitation in his response that Davies caught.

“Pilot, is there anything you’re not telling us?” Davies asked pointedly.

You anticipated me, Davies. Yeah, I’m having a math error here, Jace said.

“A math error?” Typhon’s eyebrows drew together.

After the explosion and the loss of the Mech, I lost count as to how many Khul got inside, Jace admitted. The jammer kept me from getting the best count, too.

“And?” Davies asked.

There are twenty Khul currently accounted for and fighting, but there might have been twenty-five that entered the Compound, Jace said.

“And you can’t find the other five?” Davies felt a cold fist close around his heart.

That could be because there were only ever twenty! Jace grimaced. Or it could mean that some of the Khul escaped into the lower levels where the database is. Even without the jammer, I was pretty blind down there before and I still am.

“So we could have five Khul in the lower levels?” Davies confirmed. “There’s an elevator down there that leads straight to you, Pilot.”

I’ve locked the elevators down that would let them up, and I’m monitoring the stairwells, Jace assured him, but there was still a sense of unease.

“Then we’re heading to the lower levels then,” Davie said, not consulting Typhon, and the doctor would go wherever the “colors” and Davies told him to.

“Yes, that sounds wise,” Typhon agreed, his hand tightening around the hilt of his rahir. “There are few entry points from the lower levels to the Compound, but--”

“Could there be other ways out?” Davies cut Typhon off, suddenly having a very bad feeling. They could not lose track of even one Khul. “Because I found an exit point from the Compound where I detonated the Khul’s bombs earlier.

“We’ve always worried about beings getting inside the Compound, not out,” Typhon admitted, blanching.

I need to get a full count of those Khul! Jace sent a growly emoji. I’m going to have to track and trace every single one that left the ship. Even when the system was jammed there would be vibrations from the Khul simply walking that can help track them. But that’s going to take a while.

“Those lower levels could connect with any point in the city, couldn’t they?” Dr. Hayter suddenly asked.

Yes, doctor. They are extensive and uncharted, Jace admitted, sounding more and more uneasy though it was text.

“First things first,” Davies said, focusing them all. “We deal with the Khul here.”

“Yes.” Dr. Hayter though was stroking his chin and seemingly not seeing any color but black.

“Keep yourself safe, Pilot. Don’t open that door. Not even for us until this is all done,” Davies ordered.

Typhon lifted an eyebrow. The Pilot was in charge. But he hadn’t been kidding about Jace’s heroism. Yet he knew how much they needed Jace now. This attack had proven that to him even more so than before.

Jace sent him a few winky faces. Yes, sir! Seriously, though, Davies, I will be careful. I saw first hand what the Khul do to people. You guys keep safe too.

Davies signed off. “Where’s the nearest entry point to the lower levels?”

“This way,” Typhon said.