The alarms blared , Elysium's voice booming : "Security breach! Server room lockdown ." The group's eyes locked , adrenaline surging .
Kael yanked the data drive and pocketed it . "Got it!"
Thane drew his gun . "Back-to-back . Emily, stay down ."
Alex grabbed a server rack , wrenching it loose . "Distraction !"
The door burst open . Elysium guards poured in , laser sights dancing .
Emily rolled clear as Alex swung the rack , sending guards flying . Kael fired precision shots , taking out techs .
Thane covered them , backing toward the ventilation shaft . "Go! "
Julius dragged a guard , using him as a shield . "Move! "
The room erupted . Bullets ricocheted , sparks flying . The group squeezed into the shaft ...
As they hauled themselves up , Elysium's voice snarled : "Capture them. Alive ."
They vanished into darkness . The server room burned ...
Kryros' message pinged : _"Extract NOW . Elysium's closing in."
The group climbed through the ductwork , the metal groaning under their weight . Kael pushed the vent cover off , and they dropped onto a fire escape .
Kryros' message flashed : _"Extraction at rooftop 3 blocks west . Hurry ."_
They sprinted through alleys, Elysium's drones buzzing overhead . Sirens wailed , closing in .
Thane led the way , Emily and Alex covering rear . Julius clipped his sleeve – a stray bullet grazed his arm .
Kryros' voice crackled : "Chopper incoming . 30 seconds ."
They burst onto the rooftop . A black chopper hovered, blades whirling . Kryros yanked them in as Elysium guards appeared ...
The chopper banked hard , escaping Elysium's fire . Below, the city blurred .
Julius leaned back , arm bandaged . "Status?"
Luna smiled . "Data's secure . Elysium won't see this coming ."
The group exhaled . Mission accomplished ... for now .
Kryros nodded . "Next move: lay low . Elysium won't stop ."
Thane leaned forward . "We need to analyze the data ."
Luna winked . "I've got a contact ."
The chopper vanished into the night...
The chopper landed on a deserted industrial rooftop . Kryros led them to a nondescript door , which he unlocked with a glance .
Inside, a dimly lit lab hummed with tech . A hooded figure glanced up from a terminal .
Luna smiled . "Meet Nova – our data expert ."
Nova pushed back their hood , revealing a teen with piercing green eyes . "What's the play? "
Thane handed her the drive . "Elysium's trials . Can you crack it ?"
Nova plugged it in . Screens flickered , code scrolling . Her eyes widened .
"They're hiding something big ..."
The group's eyes locked .