Page 34 of Cyborg's Tether
Dr. Vex approached, her face grim in the pale glow of emergency lights. “We’ve lost two more. Their systems couldn’t handle the strain of trying to counter the damage the chips did to their neural pathways.”
She clenched her hands into fists. “Dammit. We need to move them somewhere with better equipment. I can’t do anything here with scraps and prayers.”
He placed a hand on her shoulder. “We’ll find a way, but first, we must ensure our own safety.”
She nodded, forcing herself to focus. “You’re right. What’s our next move?”
Dr. Vex pulled out a battered datapad. “I’ve been mapping the mine tunnels. There’s a possibility of another exit about two kilometers from here, but it’s a treacherous path.”
“It’s our best shot,” said Xavier. “We can’t stay here much longer. Zorn’s forces will find us eventually.”
Amaya stood, brushing dirt from her knees. “Let’s get the survivors ready to move. I’ll do what I can to stabilize them for transport.”
As they prepared to leave, Amaya couldn’t ignore guilt pressing down on her. She approached one of the cyborgs, who had succumbed to system failure. His face was frozen in a mask of pain, circuitry visible through cracks in his synthetic skin.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I promise, your sacrifice won’t be in vain.”
Xavier appeared at her side. “We must go, Amaya. There’s nothing more we can do for them here.”
She nodded, swallowing hard. “I know. It’s just... they trusted us to save them.”
“We’ll save those we can,” he said firmly. “Their best chance is for us to keep moving.”
She took a deep breath and turned away from the fallen cyborgs. Instead, she focused on helping the survivors to their feet, checking connections and offering words of encouragement.
As they prepared to venture deeper into the mine, Dr. Vex pulled Amaya aside. “There’s something you should know,” she said in a low voice. “The quantum singularity generator we saw in the lab... I believe it’s tied to Project Guardian in ways we haven’t yet discovered.”
Amaya’s eyes widened. “How?”
Dr. Vex glanced around, ensuring they weren’t overheard. “I’ve been analyzing the data we recovered. The energy signature matches some of the anomalies we’ve seen in the malfunctioning cyborgs. I think Zorn is using it to amplify his control over them.”
“That’s why the conversions are failing.” She nodded slowly. “The human consciousness is fighting against the artificial override.”
Dr. Vex nodded grimly. “Exactly, and if Zorn perfects this technology...”
“He’ll have an unstoppable army of cyborg slaves,” she said, stomach hollowing with nausea. “We have to stop him.”
“One step at a time,” cautioned Dr. Vex. “First, we get out of here alive.”
Amaya nodded before rejoining Xavier at the front of their small group, ready to lead them into the unknown depths of the mine.
The tunnel narrowed as they progressed, forcing them to move single file. Amaya’s hand brushed against the rough stone walls, feeling the vibrations of distant machinery. The air grew thicker, laden with the metallic taste of ore dust.
“Watch your step,” called Xavier from ahead. “The ground is uneven here.”
As if on cue, one of the rescued cyborgs stumbled, nearly falling into a deep crevice. Amaya lunged forward, grabbing his arm and steadying him.
“Thank you,” the cyborg said, his voice crackling with static. “My gyroscopic stabilizers are malfunctioning.”
Amaya frowned, quickly assessing his condition. “Let me take a look. We can’t risk you falling behind.”
She knelt beside him, using a small flashlight to examine the intricate web of circuits along his spine. As she worked, the cyborg spoke softly.
“My name is Kiran. I was a pilot before all this.”
Amaya paused, looking up at him. “A pilot? What did you fly?”
Kiran’s eyelids flickered, a ghost of a smile crossing his face. “Interstellar freighters, mostly. I saw more of the galaxy than most humans ever dream of.”