?Chapter 1616:


    But as she scanned the feed, there was still no sign of Ethan, Neville, or Rex. One unexpected face did appear: Gracie.


    Brenna’s eyes went wide. “Why in the world is Gracie mixed up in this?”


    Thiago didn’t even blink. “She’s not our problem today.”


    Brenna nodded. She didn’t care about Gracie at all.


    No point risking the mission for someone who didn’t matter.


    The robot dog unleashed another volley, mowing down reinforcements. The defenders fought back hard—one managed to lob a grenade, and the robot dog went down in a ball of fire.


    “Time to move!”


    Brenna knew the enemy would be searching for whoever controlled that dog any second.


    She and Thiago split off, each signaling their team to nk from different directions. Their goal was clear: find Ethan.


    As soon as they turned the corner, a flood of enemies burst from the building.


    Brenna and her team had slipped through a ragged hole in the wall—a scar left by thest round of explosions.


    They hugged the shadows, keeping low and quiet as they navigated the side of a neighboring structure.


    Their pursuers soon caught sight of them and attacked, but Taylor took them out quickly, dropping three in an instant.


    Fresh footsteps echoed as more enemies approached, but just then, a shrill whistle cut through the chaos, calling the rest of the gunmen back toward the main hall.


    Gary leaned in, voice tense. “Ms. Harper, I think something’s going down over there!” He had just finished speaking when the sound of gunfire erupted from inside the main building. Taylor scouted ahead and found a door, booting it open to reveal an empty room.


    From the window, they caught a glimpse of the central structure just as an explosion ripped through it, rattling the ground beneath their feet. The force shattered windows all around, mes licking up into the sky and filling the air with the reek of burning chemicals.


    “Gas masks—now!” Brennamanded. Everyone moved fast, pulling masks over their faces as acrid smoke billowed closer.


    Watching the inferno consume the main building, Brenna knew nothing alive could survive that ze.


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    The building they were in wasn’t spared; deep cracks split the walls, and dust rained down from the ceiling.


    “We need to leave now!” Brenna led the charge, retracing their path out of the dangerous zone. Outside, they found the perimeter wall and gate demolished, just rubble left behind after the st.


    Thiago rushed over, breathless, his team in tow.


    “We’ve found Ethan!”


    Ethan let out a weary sigh and spoke with a voice carrying a trace of regret. “Nope. He’s not dead. It was just his hologram strutting around. It looks real, but it’s not.”


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