The moment the first drone crossed the broken entrance, the air changed.
A low mechanical hum filled the room, vibrating through the walls like a warning. The red sensor on the drone flickered as it scanned the interior, locking onto movement within seconds.
"Down," Lia whispered sharply.
They moved instantly.
Nate pulled Jana behind a collapsed wall as a thin beam of light swept across the room, passing just inches from where they had been standing. The drone hovered higher, adjusting its angle.
"It's scanning for heat and motion," Lia said under her breath. "We need to move fast."
Jana closed her eyes briefly.
"I remember these models," she said. "They're not just scouts. They can signal reinforcements if they confirm targets."
Nate tightened his jaw.
"Then we don't give them time."
The First Strike
Without hesitation, Nate grabbed a piece of metal debris from the ground and hurled it toward the opposite side of the room.
The noise echoed sharply.
The drone reacted instantly, turning toward the sound.
"Now," Nate said.
Lia moved first, slipping into position with precision. She grabbed a loose cable hanging from the ceiling and swung it toward the drone. Sparks burst as the cable wrapped around one of its rotors.
The drone shook violently, its balance disrupted.
Jana stepped forward.
Her movements were sharp—instinctive.
She picked up a broken rod and struck the drone's core with exact precision.
A burst of sparks.
Then silence.
The drone dropped to the ground, lifeless.
For a brief second, everything was still.
Then—
A louder hum echoed from outside.
"They already called backup," Lia said.
Surrounded
More shadows moved beyond the entrance.
At least two more drones hovered into view, their red sensors glowing brighter, scanning aggressively.
And behind them—
Heavy footsteps.
Nate's eyes narrowed.
"They sent ground units."
Jana stepped closer to him.
"They won't stop until they capture me," she said quietly.
Nate looked at her.
"Then they're going to fail."
The Fight Escalates
The drones moved in first.
Beams of light cut through the room, forcing Nate, Jana, and Lia to split their positions.
"Don't stay still!" Lia shouted.
One drone fired a short energy pulse toward Nate. He rolled to the side, the blast hitting the wall behind him and sending debris flying.
Jana moved with him, but suddenly—
She froze.
Her body stiffened.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"…no…" she whispered.
Nate noticed immediately.
"Jana?"
She didn't respond.
Her breathing became uneven.
And then—
Her hand twitched.
The Trigger Activates
Jana's eyes shifted.
The warmth inside them disappeared.
Replaced by something cold.
Empty.
"Target detected," she said.
Nate's heart dropped.
"No… not now…"
Lia turned sharply.
"What's happening?!"
"The trigger," Nate said. "It's happening now!"
Jana stepped back.
Her posture changed completely—controlled, precise.
Her gaze locked onto Nate.
"Primary target identified."
Nate didn't move.
"…Jana," he said quietly.
But she didn't respond.
A Fight Within
The drones paused briefly, as if recognizing her as an ally.
Jana raised her hand slowly.
A hidden blade extended from her sleeve.
Nate stood still.
He knew.
If he attacked, it would only make things worse.
"Jana," he said again, softer this time. "You're stronger than this. You already fought it once."
Her hand trembled.
Just slightly.
But it was enough.
Inside her mind—
Something was fighting back.
Lia Steps In
Lia moved quickly, stepping between them.
"We don't have time for this!" she said. "Those drones are still active!"
As if on cue, one of the drones fired again.
The blast hit the ground near them, forcing all three to move.
Jana reacted instantly—dodging with precision.
But this time—
She didn't attack Nate.
Instead, she turned toward the drone.
Her blade flashed.
One clean strike.
The drone fell.
Nate blinked.
"She's… fighting it."
The Dual Control
Jana stood still for a moment.
Her breathing was uneven again.
Her voice came out in fragments.
"Target… protect… eliminate…"
Her head tilted slightly, as if conflicting commands were colliding.
Nate stepped closer carefully.
"You don't have to listen to them," he said. "You choose who you are."
Her eyes flickered.
For a split second—
Recognition returned.
"…Nate…"
Then it vanished again.
The Final Push
The last drone descended rapidly, preparing to attack.
Lia shouted, "We finish this now!"
Nate moved without hesitation.
He grabbed a metal plate and used it to deflect the drone's attack, closing the distance.
"Jana!" he shouted. "Now!"
Something inside her snapped.
Not into control—
But into resistance.
She turned.
Her movements were no longer perfect.
But they were hers.
She leapt forward.
The blade struck the drone's core.
A flash of light.
And then—
Silence.
After the Battle
The room went quiet again.
Smoke drifted through the air.
Jana staggered backward.
Nate caught her before she fell.
"I'm here," he said.
Her breathing was slow now.
"I… I felt it," she whispered. "It was like something trying to take me back."
Nate held her tighter.
"But you fought it," he said.
She nodded weakly.
"Yes… but it's still there."
Lia approached, looking serious.
"Then we don't wait," she said. "We end it before it ends us."
A New Threat
Before anyone could respond—
A deep sound echoed in the distance.
Not drones.
Not guards.
Something bigger.
The ground itself seemed to vibrate.
Jana's eyes widened.
"…That's not a drone."
Lia looked toward the entrance.
"Then what is it?"
Jana's voice dropped to a whisper.
"It's one of them."
Nate frowned.
"One of what?"
Jana looked at him.
"The advanced units."
Silence fell again.
But this time—
It wasn't calm.
It was the kind of silence that comes before something far worse.