Chapter 54 · I can purge it

The door gave another shriek.

The console flashed. A new command appeared beneath the red line.

CORE PURGE: MANUAL IDENTITY REQUIRED.

Evelyn pulled free and stepped to the panel.

"I can purge it."

Kade caught her hand. "No."

"You said the core has to burn."

"Not with your identity attached."

"The system is asking for a live anchor."

"It will use your nervous system as the anchor."

"Then the system gets me."

"It takes your memories first. Then your name. Then it shuts down your heart."

"You seem very sure."

"I built this line."

The words landed harder than the door impacts.

Evelyn slowly turned toward him. "You built it?"

Kade's face had gone pale. "I think I did."

"You think?"

"My hands remember things my head doesn't."

"That's convenient."

"You want to survive? Stop making me prove I'm damaged."

"You want me to save you? Stop acting like I owe you faith."

The door split down the center. A Crown rifle pushed through the gap.

Kade moved first.

He slammed his palm into the metal. Blue force punched through the door and sent the rifle spinning back.