Chapter 6 · Break the Scanner

The scanner's the size of a briefcase and older than half the instructors here. Keira can see the manufacturer stamp from across the med bay. Helix-Tac. Military grade. The kind that doesn't just read your vitals—it pulls up every implant, every augmentation, every modification you've ever had drilled into your bones.

She needs to not be in this room.

The med tech is calibrating the interface. Taren's leaning against the wall by the door, arms crossed. He hasn't looked away from her since they walked in. The other trainees from the sparring incident are already cleared—minor contusions, nothing interesting. She's last in line. Lucky her.

"Morris." The tech waves her forward. "Let's make this quick."

Keira takes one step. Then Rian Cole shoves through the door like he's being chased.

"Instructor Vex." Rian's breathing hard. His uniform's streaked with mud and something that smells like burned plastic. "We got a problem in Bay Four. Servo rig collapsed. Got two people under it and the safety release is jammed."

Taren straightens. "How long?"

"Three minutes ago. Vkari's holding the frame but it's slipping."

"Show me." Taren's already moving. He stops at the threshold and glances back at Keira. "You. Stay here.