Chapter 35
The sleek, glowing drone advanced toward Jenna, its movements smooth and calculated. The hum of its core grew louder, sending a pulse of tension through the air. Jenna’s fingers twitched toward the beacon, now useless in her pack. For a moment, she considered running, but the uneven terrain around her offered little promise of escape.
“Think, Jenna,” she whispered to herself, her breath shallow. Her eyes darted around, searching for anything she could use. There, a jagged rock protruded from the canyon wall a few feet away. It wasn’t much, but it was better than nothing.
As the drone closed the distance, Jenna bolted toward the rock, her boots slipping on the gravel. The drone’s scanner flared, a sharp blue beam slicing through the air and locking onto her. It emitted a low, menacing whir, as though preparing to strike.
Jenna reached the rock and crouched low, her chest heaving. She could hear the drone’s movements as it hovered closer, calculating her trajectory. A bead of sweat rolled down her temple. She gritted her teeth and pressed her back against the canyon wall, clutching the jagged stone like a lifeline.
Suddenly, the drone’s hum shifted, signaling a change in its focus. Jenna risked a glance and noticed its scanner flickering erratically. A spark of hope ignited within her—maybe the beacon’s interference hadn’t entirely worn off.
“Come on, you piece of metal,” she muttered, forcing her breathing to steady. “Glitch just a little longer.”
The drone faltered mid-air, its light dimming momentarily. Jenna seized the opportunity and hurled the rock with all her strength. It struck the drone’s frame with a sharp clang, not enough to disable it but enough to disrupt its balance.
Taking advantage of the opening, Jenna darted past it, her boots pounding against the ground as she ran. The drone’s core whined in protest, and she knew it wouldn’t stay disoriented for long. Adrenaline coursed through her veins, propelling her forward even as her muscles screamed in protest.
The canyon opened into a wider expanse, the pale light of the moon illuminating her path. Jenna spotted a narrow crevice ahead, just large enough for her to squeeze through. She threw herself toward it, sliding into the gap as the drone regained its composure and surged after her.
Inside the crevice, the air was damp and cold, the walls pressing in on either side. Jenna pressed her hands against the rough stone, steadying herself as her chest rose and fell in ragged breaths. The hum of the drone echoed faintly behind her, growing louder with each passing second.
“No time to rest,” she murmured, forcing herself to move deeper into the narrow passage. The walls began to widen slightly, and Jenna spotted a faint glow ahead. Her heart lifted—perhaps it was a way out.
She emerged into a hidden alcove, its walls shimmering with faint traces of bioluminescent moss. The soft light cast an otherworldly glow, and for a moment, Jenna was struck by its beauty. But the sound of the drone shattered the moment, pulling her back to reality.
Jenna turned sharply and spotted a large, jagged boulder near the center of the alcove. An idea sparked in her mind, risky but worth trying. She crouched behind the boulder, her fingers brushing against a smaller rock on the ground. She picked it up and threw it toward the far end of the alcove.
The sound echoed, drawing the drone’s attention. Its glowing scanner swung in the direction of the noise, and Jenna used the distraction to climb atop the boulder. Her boots scraped against the rough surface, but she managed to steady herself.
As the drone moved toward the source of the noise, Jenna calculated her next move. The drone was just below her now, its scanner sweeping the alcove. With a deep breath, she launched herself off the boulder, landing squarely on top of the drone.
The impact jarred her, but she held on, her arms wrapping tightly around its frame. The drone whirred in protest, its movements jerky as it tried to shake her off. Jenna reached for the drone’s core, her fingers brushing against its smooth, glowing surface.
“Come on,” she muttered through gritted teeth. “Just give me a way to shut you down.”
Her fingers found a small panel near the core, and she pried it open with trembling hands. Inside, a tangle of glowing wires pulsed rhythmically. Jenna hesitated for a split second, then yanked on one of the wires with all her strength.
The drone emitted a high-pitched screech, its lights flickering wildly. Jenna jumped off just as it crashed to the ground, its frame convulsing before finally going still. She stumbled back, her chest heaving as she stared at the motionless machine.
“I really hope that was the only one,” she said aloud, her voice shaky.
The silence that followed was almost deafening. Jenna sank to the ground, her legs trembling beneath her. For a moment, she allowed herself to breathe, the adrenaline slowly ebbing away. But she knew she couldn’t stay here long. The Directive wasn’t known for sending just one drone.
She rose to her feet, dusting off her hands. The path ahead led deeper into the canyon, but it was the only option. Jenna adjusted her pack and started walking, her steps cautious but determined.
The terrain grew rougher as she went, the walls closing in once again. Jenna’s mind raced with thoughts of Axis and Eryx, wondering if they had made it to the pod. The memory of Axis’s touch lingered in her mind, a small comfort in the midst of the chaos.
As she rounded a bend, a faint sound reached her ears—a low hum, different from the drone’s. Her heart leaped. Could it be the pod’s engine?
She quickened her pace, hope blooming in her chest. The hum grew louder, accompanied by faint voices. Jenna’s pulse quickened as she approached a clearing, the sight of the pod coming into view.
Axis stood near the open hatch, his circuits glowing faintly. Eryx was beside him, their threads extended as they scanned the area. Jenna stepped into the clearing, and Axis’s gaze snapped toward her.
“Jenna!” His voice was filled with relief as he closed the distance between them.
Before she could respond, the ground beneath her feet rumbled. Jenna froze, her eyes widening as a crack snaked across the ground. The rumble grew louder, and she realized too late that the entire area was destabilizing.
“Run!” Axis shouted, his circuits flaring brightly.
The ground gave way beneath her, and Jenna felt herself falling. The last thing she saw was Axis’s outstretched hand, his circuits sparking wildly as he lunged toward her.
Darkness swallowed her as she plummeted into the depths below, the sound of Axis’s voice echoing faintly in her ears. The last thing she felt was a strange, warm glow enveloping her, unlike anything she’d ever experienced before.