STARLIGHT UNBOUND by Deus Ex Machina - HTML preview

STARLIGHT UNBOUND

Lyra fired first. The acoustic pulse slammed into a Steward ’s leg, dropping them.

The second fired back—a lethal round. It struck the wall beside Lyra, sending metal shards flying.

“They’re not holding back!”

Corin fired, hitting the second Steward on the breastplate. The Steward staggered but didn ’t fall.

“This is insane!” Corin shouted. “We can’t just stun them—they’re trying to kill us!”

A final beep.

PROGRAM UPLOAD INITIATED.

Lucien yanked the drive out. “It’s in! Let’s go!”

Lyra fired a final shot into the control panel, shorting it out. “That’ll keep them busy. ”

They ran.

Jaris’s voice snapped through the comm. “Your extraction point’s blown. Too many Stewards. Head to the roof—I’ll guide you to another exit.”

Lucien skidded to a stop. “The roof? Are you serious?”

Lyra grabbed his arm. “Do you have a better idea?”

He didn’t.

***

They burst into the stairwell, footsteps echoing behind them.

The rooftop door slammed open. Cold night air braced against them.

Before them, the city sprawled —transformed.

The starburst emblem blazed in the sky, and the words still glowed, defiant:

YOU ARE NOT YOUR CHART.

Lucien stopped and stared.

Lyra didn ’t let him. “Lucien! Move!”

The rooftop door exploded open. Two Stewards emerged, raising their weapons. They hesitated as they saw the sky.

Jaris’s voice crackled in the comm. “Aarik and Selene cleared a path on the south side. Move—NOW.”

They reached the edge. A service ladder. Lucien climbed down, his pulse hammering.

Below, the streets were alive. Citizens had gathered, eyes locked on the sky.

For the first time in decades, they were seeing something other than

178