Chapter 41 · The Crash Rescue

"Move, or I start removing parts." Kael shoved the security captain against the elevator wall as the countdown on his wrist hit forty-three seconds.

The captain's helmet knocked against steel. "Sir, the containment floor is sealed. Your clearance was revoked."

"By who?"

"Director Selina."

Kael pressed two fingers under the man's jaw. His gloves were already wet with somebody else's blood. "Try that answer again."

The elevator shook around them. Somewhere below, metal screamed. A warning siren kicked in, sharp enough to cut through the concrete.

The captain swallowed. "The floor has a gene-suppression field. Your implant won't work inside. If we breach the doors, the field will fry every modified system in range. Including hers."

"I know what it does."

"Then you know Vesper has maybe—"

"Thirty-eight seconds." Kael looked at the captain's face. "I can count."

The security team behind him shifted their weapons higher.

Kael turned his head. "Lower those rifles."

Nobody moved.

"That wasn't a suggestion."

The youngest guard lifted his chin. "You don't have command authority here anymore."

Kael stepped away from the captain and faced him.