Chapter 19 · The Bugs Hit Live

"Activation signal complete. Swarm emergence in twelve seconds." Alpha's voice cut through the noise. "Iris, move now."

The marble floor exploded before she could answer. Chunks the size of cars ripped upward. The stage lurched, people screamed, and Richard Chen caught the podium without losing his smile.

"Vera, move!"

Iris shoved through the stampede toward the stage instead of the exits. Her sister stood frozen, staring at the work badge in her hand while dry-ice fog poured through the cracks beneath her feet.

Something moved under the floor.

Vera looked at their father. "You knew. You knew I'd bring it here."

"Of course." Richard brushed dust from his sleeve. "You're very predictable, sweetheart."

The first bug tore through the stage.

It was twice the size of the subway creatures. Crystal limbs unfolded from its glowing body, each joint sharp enough to cut steel. The stage dropped out from under Vera.

Iris jumped.

Metal split through her jacket sleeves as her arms opened in midair. She landed on the bug's back and drove both fists into its shell. The crystal cracked. The creature shrieked, and the sound scraped her ears raw.

"How many?" she demanded.

"Forty-three active.