[Thirty meters ahead. Three biological signatures, stationary.]
Three crimson ripples spread across the hive matrix in his mind.
Kael stopped and raised his hand in a "halt" signal.
The team behind him froze. They suppressed their breathing until it was nearly silent, leaving only the roar of a ventilation fan echoing from the depths of the tunnel.
Kael issued a command through the hive matrix.
[Engage.]
From the team, a Ranger carrying a heavy crossbow used a protruding pipe to silently scale the tunnel ceiling like a gecko. At the same time, a burly, heavy-armored Warrior lowered his center of gravity, and along with the agile Xiaolan, they flanked from the left and right—two black Ghosts weaving through the shadows.
Around the corner ahead, three guards stood in a triangular formation, watching the path forward with vigilance.
The moment the rearmost guard opened his mouth to yawn,
an incredibly faint thrum of a bowstring came from overhead.
