James winced as another high-pitched security alarm activated, the frequency piercing his enhanced hearing like a physical blow. The maintenance tunnel branched in three directions, each protected by different electronic barriers—all broadcasting sound signatures that felt like needles directly into his auditory cortex.
"Echo, steady," he whispered to his guide dog, who pressed reassuringly against his leg. The German Shepherd's heartbeat provided a calming counterpoint to the cacophony assaulting him from every direction.
He pressed his palm against the cool concrete wall, orienting himself within the labyrinthine infrastructure beneath the Summit venue. Maya had gone after Verne himself while James pursued the master control node—the heart of the sonic weapon system. His military train
