Chapter 23: Countdown

The team regrouped at Crescent High’s tech lab after their narrow victory at the communications hub. Exhaustion was etched into their faces, but so was determination. Vanguard’s network had been disrupted, but their shadow still loomed large.

Lyla sat at the central terminal, scrolling through the data logs they had retrieved from the uplink. The holographic display cast a faint glow across her focused expression.

“This is it,” she said finally, pointing to a string of encrypted data. “The next piece of the puzzle.”

Berry leaned over her shoulder, his brow furrowed. “What are we looking at?”

“Coordinates,” Lyla replied. “They’re tied to a high-altitude drone relay. It’s the backup system for the satellite network we just disabled.”

Tim groaned, slumping into a chair. “So, we stopped their first plan, and now they’ve got a backup? Do these people ever take a day off?”

“Apparently not,” Lyla said, her tone dry. “If Vanguard activates this relay, they’ll be able to re-establish their network. We need to take it out before that happens.”

Rusty’s glowing eyes flickered. “Relay coordinates confirmed. High-altitude location presents logistical challenges.”

“Translation?” Tim asked.

“It’s going to be tough,” Berry said, his jaw tightening. “But we don’t have a choice.”

The coordinates led them to a towering relay station perched on the edge of the city’s skyline. The structure stretched into the clouds, its sleek metal frame gleaming under the faint glow of automated floodlights. High-altitude drones buzzed around the station, their sensors scanning the area with mechanical precision.

“This place is a fortress,” Tim muttered as they crouched behind a parked maintenance truck. “How are we supposed to get in?”

Rusty scanned the perimeter, his glowing eyes narrowing. “Access via maintenance elevator is possible. Timing critical to avoid detection.”

Lyla adjusted her pack, her expression steely. “We’ll split up. Berry and I will head to the control room to disable the relay. Tim, you stay here with Rusty and Bolt to handle any drones that come our way.”

Tim raised an eyebrow. “So, I’m on guard duty while you two play hero? Got it.”

Berry smirked faintly. “Think of it as protecting our backs.”

Tim sighed. “Fine. But if you’re not back in twenty minutes, I’m coming after you.”

The maintenance elevator creaked as it ascended, the sound echoing ominously through the narrow shaft. Berry stood with Lyla, the weight of their mission pressing heavily on his chest.

“You okay?” Lyla asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Berry nodded, his gaze fixed on the elevator doors. “Yeah. Just… trying not to think about how high up we’re going.”

Lyla managed a faint smile. “Focus on the mission. We’re almost there.”

When the elevator doors opened, they stepped into a cavernous control room filled with blinking consoles and holographic displays. At the center of the room stood the relay core, a massive cylindrical device pulsing with energy.

“This is it,” Lyla said, approaching the nearest console. “Cover me while I shut it down.”

Berry nodded, gripping his weapon tightly. “You got it.”

As Lyla worked, the room suddenly filled with the hum of activation. Panels along the walls slid open, revealing humanoid robots identical to those they had faced at the abandoned lab. Their glowing red eyes locked onto the pair, and a mechanical voice echoed through the chamber.

“Unauthorized access detected. Neutralizing threat.”

Berry’s heart pounded as the first robot lunged at him. He swung his weapon in a desperate arc, deflecting the attack just enough to avoid a direct hit. “Lyla, how much longer?”

“They’ve encrypted the system,” Lyla called back, her voice strained. “I need more time!”

“Time’s not exactly on our side!” Berry shouted, dodging another attack.

Rusty’s voice crackled through the comms. “Hostile activity detected. Reinforcements en route.”

“Make it quick!” Tim’s voice added. “We’ve got drones heading your way!”

Berry fought with everything he had, his movements fueled by adrenaline and determination. One by one, the robots fell, but their numbers seemed endless.

Finally, Lyla let out a triumphant shout. “I’ve got it! The relay is shutting down!”

The core’s glow dimmed, and the remaining robots froze mid-action, their systems deactivating in unison.

Berry collapsed against the console, his chest heaving. “We… we did it.”

“For now,” Lyla said, her voice laced with exhaustion. “But Vanguard’s not going to stop. We need to figure out their next move.”

Rusty’s voice chimed in over the comms. “Relay network neutralized. Further investigation required to identify additional threats.”

Tim’s voice followed, his tone a mix of relief and exasperation. “You two okay up there? Because it’s getting a little crowded down here.”

Berry managed a faint smile, his resolve hardening. “We’re on our way.”

As the team regrouped outside the relay station, the city stretched out before them, its lights twinkling against the dark sky. The victory felt bittersweet—another step forward, but the shadow of Vanguard’s plans loomed larger than ever.

Lyla glanced at Berry, her expression serious. “They’re not done. You know that, right?”

Berry nodded, his jaw set. “Yeah. But neither are we.”

Tim smirked, tossing his weapon over his shoulder. “Guess that means no rest for the wicked—or the slightly heroic.”

Rusty wagged his tail, his voice calm. “Team unity remains strong. Probability of continued success increasing.”

Berry looked at his friends and their loyal KN-9s, a flicker of hope lighting his eyes. The fight wasn’t over, but they were ready for whatever came next.