Chapter 26 - The Door Marked A-17
Emily traced Sarah Parker's administrator profile through the internal network.
A blinking map appeared.
One location remained active.
Sector A-17.
Three levels below the Core.
Marcus checked the countdown.
Twelve minutes remained.
"We don't have time."
Ethan suddenly sat upright.
"I know A-17."
Everyone turned toward him.
"You've been there?"
"I dreamed about it."
Michael looked carefully at his son.
"What did you see?"
"A woman sleeping."
Laura covered her mouth.
"My sister..."
Daniel looked toward the map.
"If Sarah is alive, she may be the only person besides Adrian who can stop the purge."
Emily nodded.
"The system says her authorization is still valid."
Marcus reloaded his weapon.
"I'm going."
Daniel stepped beside him.
"So am I."
Buddy immediately stood.
Ethan reached down and gently scratched behind the old retriever's ears.
"Take care of him."
Buddy licked Ethan's hand once before moving to Daniel's side.
Michael handed Daniel a small electronic keycard.
"It opens Sector A."
"And if we're too late?"
Michael looked toward the steadily decreasing timer.
"Then no one leaves this place."
The chamber doors to the lower levels slowly unlocked.
Cold air rushed upward from the darkness below.
Daniel, Marcus, Buddy, and Emily exchanged one final glance.
May you like
Without another word...
The four of them disappeared into the descending staircase, racing toward Sector A-17 while the countdown continued relentlessly above them.
