Beneath the Fallen City - A Dystopian Fantasy Romance

Chapter 15

Carl looked up and saw tears in Seara's eyes. He turned to Xantham. "Can you get a lock on this signal and try to figure out where it's coming from? Once you get it, send the information to Cruncher and tell him to run a search for Observation Room A."

"I'll see what I can do," Xantham replied and bent over the computer. He worked diligently for several minutes. "Boss, I think we've got a problem."

"What is it?"

"They know we're in this part of the tower."

Seara straightened, her gaze darting around the room. "You have to leave immediately. I can't let them know about this room. Follow me and remain quiet. I'll take you to the staff elevator. That will buy you a little bit of time. I'll help you any way I can, but my usefulness is limited as long as I wear the bracelet."

Seara led them out of the small room and back toward the front door. She cautiously looked outside before motioning for them to follow her down the cobblestone path. They raced down the hall and around the corner to an obscure door that led to the service elevator.

"We'll find her, Mistress Rath'Varein," Carl promised.

Seara blinked the gathering moisture from her eyes. "Thank you, Trader Carl Grayson. Kayla spoke highly of you, and now I see why. I'm sorry I can't do more. If you're able to get my daughter out of there, please take her as far away from these towers as you can."

Carl nodded and stepped inside. When the elevator door closed, Carl opened his commlink and called Cruncher. "Have you learned anything?"

Cruncher replied, "Yeah, actually. It was hit or miss until Xantham sent over that link, but I've been able to track the signal and compare it with some floor plans. It looks like the signal is originating from the ninety-second level of your tower. I can give you better directions once you're there."

Xantham reached over to program the elevator to take them to Kayla's floor. "So what's the plan?"

"We don't have much time to work out an extensive plan. In many of the common areas, the towers use biometric identification. They've probably already flagged Alec's identity and changed his code. We need to try to stay one step ahead as much as possible. You and Cruncher will need to create a distraction. Veridian and I will go in and grab Kayla. We need to get in and out as quickly as possible."

"I can create a temporary system shutdown in that area. That will distract them for a few minutes and set the biometrics offline," Cruncher offered.

"Let's do it. When we get her out of there, I know a safe place to take her until we can get her out of the towers." After that, they'd have to play it by ear. It was likely that neither the trader camp nor the towers were going to be safe for any of them.

The elevator door opened, and they stepped outside. Carl plugged in his earpiece. "Which way, Cruncher?"

"Follow the hall down. It looks like it's the third door on the left."

There were a few people moving throughout the hallway, but they seemed to be focused on their tasks and paid little attention to the group. This level appeared to be a scientific research area from the number of people wearing lab coats. When they reached the door, Xantham looked at the metal plate on the wall. "I can get us through here, but I'll need a minute."

Carl and Veridian pretended to be discussing something on Carl's commlink while they hid Xantham from view. Xantham crouched down and removed the cover plate. He pulled out the wires and grabbed a tool from his belt. Splicing the wires together, he connected them to his commlink. "Go ahead, Cruncher," he said when he was ready. "Throw the switch."