The first wave had barely covered fifty meters when the temperature shifted again.
This time it wasn’t gentle.
Not the warm, protective ripple the Tower had given when I crossed the threshold.
This was sudden.
Sharp.
Hostile.
A wind cut through the corridor like broken glass so cold it burned.
Frost raced across the walls in jagged, violent fractals.
Lights flickered madly overhead.
Kira hissed through her teeth.
“That’s not you doing that.”
“No,” Rael whispered. Her eyes narrowed. “That’s sabotage.”
Halverson lifted his rifle, eyes scanning the shadows ahead.
“Everyone slow. Defensive spread now!”
But the corridor was already collapsing into chaos.
The civilians closest to me squeezed inward, children crying, elderly shivering violently.
Somewhere behind us, a man screamed
