Yuyan's eyes fluttered open, unfocused and glassy with chemical influence. "Mom...ma..."
"Don't attempt speech. Conserve energy for metabolizing the sedative."
But Yuyan's eyes were already sliding closed again, the drug pulling her deeper into unconsciousness despite her apparent desire to maintain awareness.
Shuyin's jaw tightened fractionally. She adjusted her grip, redistributing Yuyan's weight for optimal carrying efficiency, and turned....
A sound cut through the urban ambient noise. Rhythmic mechanical thumping, rapidly intensifying in volume.
Helicopter.
Shuyin looked upward, shading her eyes against the afternoon sun glare.
Black aircraft. Sleek military-grade design. Descending with reckless velocity that suggested the pilot had received emergency override authorization to ignore standard urban flight regulations. The trajectory aimed directly at the wide delivery staging area where the abandoned van sat idle.
