Chapter 19 - The Final StandUpstairs in the observation room, Grant watched the security monitors with his breath caught in his throat. He saw the red laser dot appear on the camera feed in the reactor room, aimed directly at Mara.
"Mara! Look out!" Grant screamed into the comm-link, pounding his fists against the glass partition.
Down in the sub-level, Mara didn't hesitate. Instead of freezing, she let go of the valve, dropped and rolled behind the thick iron housing of the reactor core just as a burst of heavy-caliber rounds tore through the concrete where she had been standing seconds before.
Sparks showered down like fireworks. The automated turret adjusted its trajectory, whining as its internal targeting computer recalibrated for another volley.
Mara drew her sidearm, popped up from behind the reactor casing, and fired three rapid, calculated rounds directly into the optical sensor array of the turret. A burst of black smoke erupted from the machine, its barrel dropping limply as it whined and died.
With the turret neutralized, Mara sprinted back to the massive iron valve. She wedged the barrel of her heavy tactical knife into the spokes for leverage, threw her entire body weight against the handle, and threw herself forward with a primal roar.
CRACK.
The rusted seal broke with a deafening screech of stressed metal. The iron wheel spun three full rotations, locking the hydraulic pressure release valve into the safe position.
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On the main console upstairs, the ominous red countdown clock flickered, turned green, and froze permanently at 02:15.
Across the room, the security lock on Sophie’s cell flashed green with a sharp pneumatic hiss. The heavy glass door slid open.
