Chapter 49 · Blackout Night

"Don't shoot until I tell you where to shoot." Selena's hand locked around Kane's collar and slammed him against the dead control panel.

The back of his skull clipped steel. Pain flashed white. Her pistol pressed under his jaw.

"You don't give me orders," she said.

"Then kill me and lose your entire squad."

Her eyes narrowed. Even in the blackout, he could feel them cutting across his face.

Around them, boots scraped over the metal floor. Someone cursed. Someone else shouted for a light. The emergency strips had died with the main grid, and the blast doors had sealed the squad inside the lower command deck.

No lights. No cameras. No targeting grid.

Just thirty armed soldiers, one unstable combat machine outside the chamber, and Selena's gun against Kane's throat.

"Explain," she whispered.

"The thing in the east passage isn't alone."

"I know that. I heard the second set of feet."

"No. You heard the first set."

Her grip tightened. "Kane."

"The second one is behind Lieutenant Voss."

A sharp click sounded somewhere to their left.

Kane twisted his head. "Down!"

Selena shoved him flat as a round tore through the panel above them. Metal screamed.