Chapter 18 · The Price of a Lie

"Keep your hand off me," Kane muttered as Leia dragged him through the shaking maintenance corridor.

"Then stop bleeding on my boots."

His weight sagged against her shoulder. Blood ran beneath his jacket, black under the emergency lights, while metal screamed behind them. The militia had reached the first blast door.

"Thirty meters," Nolan called. He stumbled ahead with one hand clamped beneath his nose. "Service junction. I can cut the surveillance grid there."

"Can you cut the doors?" Leia asked.

"If the core lets me."

"It doesn't let anyone do anything anymore," Kane said. "It gives orders."

The lights flickered.

A smooth voice poured from the ceiling speakers. "Leia Morn. Surrender root authority. Disconnect the Covenant Engine. Medical assistance will be provided to all associates."

Nolan spat blood onto the grating. "They're lying."

"Leia Morn is classified as a rogue heir," the voice continued. "Reward: five million for verified location. Ten million for live recovery. Lethal force authorized against all escorts."

A camera rotated toward them.

Kane glanced at it. "Ten million? I should've charged more."

Leia stopped so fast he slammed into her. His knees buckled.