SEVER ZERO
He scrambled up a maintenance ladder, kicking a grate open.
He emerged into a steam vent tunnel, the air thick and hot.
He stopped, listening.
The footsteps stopped.
"Lost the signal," a voice echoed from below. "Target is utilizing local infrastructure."
"Deploy the Swarm," another voice commanded.
Ren’s blood ran cold.
The Swarm.
Micro-drones. The size of insects.
He heard a buzzing sound. Not one buzz. A thousand.
Ren ran. He didn't look back. He ran until his lungs burned, until his legs felt like lead. He ran blindly through the steam, praying the heat would confuse their thermal sensors.