Chapter 34
The vibrant glow of Vyn’s energy sphere intensified, illuminating the barren landscape around them. Jenna’s heart pounded as she struggled to process what was happening. The pulsing light from the sphere felt alive, humming with a rhythm that matched her racing heartbeat.
“Go!” Vyn’s voice cut through the rising tension. The urgency in its tone was impossible to ignore.
Axis grabbed her hand, his circuits glowing faintly. “We don’t have time to hesitate.”
Jenna glanced at Vyn one last time, her gut twisting. “What about you?”
“I’ll hold them off,” Vyn replied, its gaze fixed on the descending ships. “This is my purpose. Trust me.”
Eryx was already moving, their threads extending to map out the quickest route to the pod. Axis tugged on Jenna’s hand, pulling her forward, and she forced herself to focus. The pounding of her boots against the rocky ground echoed the chaos in her mind.
The group sprinted across the uneven terrain, the whir of Directive ships closing in behind them. Jenna risked a glance over her shoulder and saw Vyn raise its arms, the energy sphere expanding into a protective barrier that shimmered against the moon’s dim light.
“Will that even hold?” she asked, her voice breathless.
“It has to,” Axis said, his tone clipped. “Vyn knows what it’s doing.”
They reached a narrow canyon that carved its way through the moon’s surface, offering some cover from the ships above. Eryx paused at the entrance, their circuits flaring as they scanned the area.
“No movement detected ahead,” they reported. “But we need to move fast. The Directive’s scans will pick us up soon.”
Jenna nodded, gripping the strap of her pack tightly. “Let’s go.”
The canyon walls loomed around them, casting long shadows that danced with each pulse of light from the ships overhead. The air was thick with tension, each step feeling like a gamble.
As they navigated the winding path, Axis slowed his pace, falling into step beside Jenna. His presence was a steadying force, a reminder that she wasn’t facing this alone.
“You’re quiet,” he said, his voice low.
Jenna shot him a quick glance, her lips pressing into a thin line. “Just trying to figure out what’s next. Vyn said the code inside me is a key, but it didn’t explain what it unlocks.”
“We’ll figure it out,” Axis replied, his circuits glowing with reassurance. “But first, we survive this.”
She managed a faint smile, grateful for his unwavering confidence. “Easier said than done.”
Eryx came to an abrupt stop ahead, their circuits flaring brightly. “We have a problem.”
Jenna and Axis hurried to their side, following their gaze. The canyon widened into an open clearing, where a small squad of Directive drones hovered, their sleek frames glinting ominously.
“They must have landed scouts while we were moving,” Axis muttered, his circuits sparking faintly. “We can’t fight them head-on.”
Eryx’s threads shimmered as they analyzed the drones. “There’s a route around the clearing, but it’ll take time.”
“We don’t have time,” Jenna said, her mind racing. “Is there another option?”
Eryx hesitated, their circuits dimming slightly. “We could create a diversion. Something to draw their attention while the rest of us move.”
“I’ll do it,” Jenna said without thinking. The words left her mouth before she could reconsider, and she felt both Axis and Eryx turn toward her in surprise.
“No,” Axis said firmly. “That’s too dangerous.”
“We don’t have any other choice,” Jenna shot back. “You and Eryx can get to the pod faster without me slowing you down. I’ll keep the drones distracted.”
“I won’t allow it,” Axis said, his voice edged with tension. “We stay together.”
Jenna placed a hand on his arm, her touch gentle but resolute. “Trust me. I’ll meet you at the pod.”
Eryx’s circuits pulsed hesitantly. “If we’re doing this, you’ll need a beacon to draw the drones. I can rig one quickly, but you’ll only have a few minutes before they trace its source.”
Jenna nodded, her pulse steady despite the fear coiling in her chest. “Just do it.”
Axis’s circuits flickered erratically, a clear sign of his frustration. “Jenna—”
“I’ll be fine,” she said, cutting him off. “You’ve seen me handle worse.”
His gaze softened, though the worry in his expression remained. “Promise me you’ll be careful.”
“I promise.”
Eryx handed her the beacon, its small, glowing core warm against her palm. “Activate it once you’re far enough. The signal will interfere with their systems briefly, but it won’t last long.”
“Got it,” Jenna said, tucking the device into her pack.
Axis hesitated before stepping closer, his circuits glowing faintly. “Jenna—”
She placed a hand on his chest, feeling the steady hum of his core. “I’ll see you soon.”
He nodded reluctantly, his circuits dimming as he turned to follow Eryx toward the alternate route. Jenna watched them go, her heart heavy but determined.
Once they were out of sight, Jenna took a deep breath, centering herself. The weight of the beacon in her pack felt heavier with each passing second. She scanned the clearing ahead, the drones’ movements precise and methodical as they surveyed the area.
She slipped around the edge of the clearing, keeping low and quiet. When she reached a spot that offered a clear line of sight to the drones, she pulled out the beacon and activated it.
The device emitted a sharp pulse of light and sound, drawing the drones’ attention instantly. Jenna’s breath caught as they shifted in unison, their sleek forms turning toward the beacon’s signal.
She moved quickly, using the rocky terrain to her advantage as the drones converged on the beacon. Her heart raced as she slipped through narrow crevices and scaled low ridges, each step taking her farther from the clearing—and the safety of Axis and Eryx.
The sound of the drones grew louder, their mechanical hum a constant reminder of the risk she’d taken. Jenna’s mind raced as she calculated her next move, her instincts sharp despite the fear gnawing at her.
Just as she thought she’d put enough distance between herself and the drones, a faint beep from the beacon sent a chill down her spine.
The beacon’s glow intensified briefly before flickering out, its signal abruptly cut off. Jenna froze, her breath hitching as she realized what had happened. The interference was gone, and the drones would now be able to locate her directly.
A faint hum behind her confirmed her fears. Jenna turned slowly, her pulse pounding as a single drone emerged from the shadows, its sleek frame glowing ominously.
“Looks like I didn’t run fast enough,” she muttered under her breath, her fingers tightening around the strap of her pack.
The drone’s scanner flared, locking onto her with a precision that left no room for escape.