The glow of emergency strobes painted the skybridge in alternating waves of crimson and white. Rain sluiced through shattered skylights, drumming on the metal grate under Celeste Su's boots. She crouched beside Leo, whose small body trembled on the cold grating.
“Mom," he whispered, voice tight. “They're coming."
Celeste pressed her hand to his back. “I know, baby. Just stay close." Her eyes flicked upward: two armored guards, rifles trained, advanced from the door at the far end. Between them hovered a hovering drone, its lens glinting like a predatory eye.
A mechanical voice crackled in Celeste's ear—her HUD, hacked to broadcast Adrian's last directive: **“Trigger the alarm. Meet me on the bridge."**
She glanced at the exposed wiring of the bridge's console and yanked a handset free.
