Chapter 23: When Emberlight Strikes
The line didn't stay invisible for long.
Cyan felt it first—a pressure in the system, like something heavy leaning against the network, testing its strength. The air inside the safehouse seemed to tighten.
"They've stopped scanning," he said. "This isn't reconnaissance anymore."
Mira looked up. "Then it's action."
The lights flickered once. Twice. Then steadied.
Too steady.
A new signal forced its way through the network—not fragmented, not afraid. Official. Clean.
EMBERLIGHT SECURITY NOTICE
Unauthorized communication detected.
Containment protocol initiated.
Cyan's fingers moved fast. "They've located at least three Subjects. Maybe more."
Mira's chest tightened. "Are they close?"
"Too close."
Another alert—this one personal. A Subject's signal flared bright, then abruptly went dark.
"Someone just went offline," Cyan said.
The silence that followed was heavier than any alarm.
"They promised protection," Mira whispered—not to Cyan, but to herself.
Cyan looked at her. "We couldn't protect everyone."
Mira shook her head slowly. "Not like this."
The network erupted—panic, broken messages, half-sent warnings. Emberlight agents were moving now, pulling Subjects from hiding, forcing old obedience through fear and precision.
"They're making examples," Cyan said. "Trying to break trust."
Outside, the sound of rotors cut through the night.
Mira moved instantly. "We can't stay."
Cyan nodded, already packing drives and wiping trails. "I've got fallback nodes. If they trace this place, it'll be empty."
The building shuddered slightly—something heavy landing nearby.
"They're here," Cyan said.
Mira grabbed her jacket, eyes sharp, unafraid. "Then we move forward. Not back."
They slipped into the shadows as searchlights sliced through the streets behind them. Somewhere in the chaos, another Subject ran. Another hid. Another was taken.
Emberlight had made its choice.
The war was no longer quiet.
And Mira and Cyan were no longer just calling for revolution.
They were inside it.