STARLIGHT UNBOUND by Deus Ex Machina - HTML preview

STARLIGHT UNBOUND

***

Lucien ’s wrist device pulsed with the schematic Jaris had provided, guiding them through the corridors.

Jaris’s voice returned. “You’ve got about five minutes before the next patrol sweeps your sector. Make it count. ”

They reached the control room doors. A biometric scanner pulsed beside them.

Lucien crouched, pulling out the bypass device again. “This’ll take longer. Keep watch.”

Lyra and Corin flanked the hall, weapons drawn.

“You’ve got two minutes, Lucien,” Lyra murmured. “Make it fast.”

Lucien ’s hands trembled as he worked. This has to work. There’s no room for error.

A final beep. The lock disengaged.

“That’s it.”

The doors slid open, and they slipped inside.

Lucien dropped his pack and sprinted to the central console, booting up the system override.

Lines of code filled the screen as his fingers flew over the keyboard. Lyra watched the monitors, tracking patrol movement.

Corin paced near the door. “How long?”

“Ten minutes. Maybe less.”

The screen flashed red.

UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS DETECTED.

LOCKDOWN PROTOCOLS ACTIVATED.

“It’s trying to shut me out. I need more time.”

Lyra’s voice was calm but firm. “You’ve got it. Keep going.”

Jaris’s voice came through the comm, sharp and urgent. “We’ve got movement. Two Stewards heading your way. Harun and I will try to intercept, but you need to hurry.”

Lucien ’s heart slammed against his ribs. Faster. Faster.

Footsteps echoed in the hall.

Lyra tightened her grip on her weapon. “Corin, get ready. They’re coming.”

Lucien ’s fingers hit the final key.

The screens distorted as if AstroSYS was resisting. They flashed once. Twice.

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