On their feed, Sylvk's comm unit buzzed, and he checked it quickly. "The Braker's shuttle has landed. He's brought a full security detail and is requesting immediate transfer of the package."

Ashley's expression hardened. "That wasn't the agreement. We transfer on our timeline, not his."

Devin at the monitoring station suddenly straightened. "Major, the vessels are moving. They're taking up positions around our defensive perimeter. Still no weapons active, but they're deploying smaller craft."

"Ground teams," Sylvk said grimly over the comm.

I gripped the edge of the table as another wave of dizziness hit me. Kerry moved swiftly to my side, her hand on my arm steadying me.

"You should be resting," she said, her voice low enough that only I could hear.

"Not until this is done," I replied, just as quietly. "We've come too far."

On the main display Ashley moved to the security console, bringing up external camera feeds. Three sleek shuttles were descending toward the academy grounds, landing outside the perimeter.

"They're testing us," she said. "Seeing how we'll respond."

"What if I'm not enough?" Doli-2 asked, her holographic form flickering more pronouncedly now. "Statistical analysis suggests my value on the black market exceeds the agreed exchange price by 376.2%."

"Or they could be here for what they think is the real prize," the true Doli said calmly, stepping forward. "The physical decoy we left in the lab. Anyone who's been watching closely might suspect the holographic version is the first layer of deception."

A surge of protectiveness spread toward both AI entities, the holographic decoy destined for the Braker, and the true Doli prepared for escape with me. The third version, the physical decoy in the lab, was our insurance policy, designed to satisfy anyone who thought they'd discovered our "real" secret.

"No one is taking any version of you except as agreed," I said firmly, summoning what strength I had left. "Doli-2 goes to the Brakers. The physical decoy remains as a contingency with Ashley and the team, and you—" I looked meaningfully at the true Doli, "—if the shit hits the fan, you and Kerry have to get me out of here alone."

System Note: Contingency Branch Authorized

Chain: Doli-2 → Physical Decoy → Real Doli

Function: Redundant asset shielding for high-value AI

Risk: Layered deception integrity: 71%

Threat Amplification: Braker + Macks detected in overlapping AOIs

On the display, Ashley nodded, turning to address Rob and Sylvk. "Stay alert, but ready. If anything goes wrong with this exchange, you get back to Piotr immediately."

Rob nodded, his expression serious. "And what about you, Major?"

Ashley didn't answer.

The sensor warning blared again, this time more urgently. Devin's voice was tight with tension. "Ground teams from the shuttles are approaching the perimeter. Twelve individuals, heavily armed. They're requesting entry for a 'routine inspection' on behalf of the Academy Board of Governors."

"Denied," Ashley snapped through the comms, and I flinched. "That's not protocol, and they know it. This is a direct provocation."

"Major," Doli-2 interjected on the labs display, her voice steadier now despite the visible instability in her projection. "I've analyzed their approach pattern. They are specifically targeting the secure lab's external access points."

The true Doli moved to Devin's monitoring station, her physical form assisting with the analysis. "Confirmed. They believe they've discovered our true plan, they want Doli-2."

"Francine is a snake," Rob said.

We could see Andri's face on the side display darken. "Or Torven himself."

I exchanged a glance with the true Doli, while on the main display I could practically see Ashley's mind racing through scenarios, calculating risks and outcomes with military precision.

"We proceed with the exchange as planned, but accelerate the timeline," Ashley decided. "The sooner Holo-Doli-2 is with the Brakers, the sooner he releases Andri's father."

She turned to face the camera, addressing the holographic Doli-2, whose form continued to flicker with increasing frequency. "Doli-2, I need to know if you're ready for this. Really ready."

For a moment, the AI's projection stabilized, her eyes meeting Ashley's with surprising clarity on the display before shifting to look directly at the camera, as if meeting my gaze.

"I understand what's at stake. You gave me purpose. If my transfer ensures the mission's success, then my function is fulfilled."

Something in Doli-2's words sent a pang through my chest—recognition of a sacrifice that went beyond mere programming. I nodded once, acknowledging what remained unspoken.

"That's my cue." Ashley directed over comms, and pulled her sidearm, checking it methodically. "Andri, you'll verify your father's identity once the Brakers produce him."

"I'm waiting," Andri confirmed from his position.

As we watched the preparations on our screens, I fought another wave of dizziness, this one stronger than before. Kerry noticed immediately, moving to my side. "You need to rest," she said, her concern evident.

"There's no time," I replied, forcing myself to sit straighter. "I need to see this through."

"Piotr—"

"I'm fine," I insisted, though we both knew it was a lie. The faked treatments and the stress of Doli's transfer had taken more out of me than I cared to admit. "But I'll need Doli's help."

The true Doli moved to my side, her physical form offering support that I gratefully accepted. Her synthetic arm slipped around my waist, bearing some of my weight without making it obvious to the others.

<<Your vital signs are concerning, Captain,>> she communicated privately through our partial neural link. <<The strain is affecting your cardiovascular system.>>

<<I need to hold it together a little longer,>> I replied silently. <<Until Doli-2 is safely transferred.>>

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

"I'm moving with Doli now," Ashley said over the comm. "ETA two minutes."

With Kerry and Doli on either side, and Devin monitoring things behind us, all we could do was wait. I sat on my hands. The corridors of the academy seemed longer than I remembered, each step the team took lasing forever.

On the main screen, Ashley moved with holo-Doli-2s mainframe and on another feed, Andri approached from a different angle.

"My father's been in their hands for over too long," Andri whispered. "The last proof of life showed how much they tortured him. They're breaking him down."

"We'll get him back," I replied, though my voice lacked its usual conviction. "Doli-2 is worth a lot to them; it makes breaking him illogical. They know that."

"That's what worries me," Andri responded. "If they know her true value, what's to stop them from taking her and killing my father anyway?"

Before I could answer, the academy trembled violently as an explosion ripped through a distant wing. Alarms blared, and emergency lights activated, painting our monitoring room in an eerie red glow. I staggered, grateful for Doli's steady support.

"What the hell was that?" Andri demanded over the comm, his face pale on the display.

Ashley's comm crackled to life, Sylvk's deep, clipped voice cutting through the static.

"Hostiles have breached the north wing," he reported, tension evident even in his usually stoic tone. "Heavy fire. We're holding them off, but they're pushing hard."

"Status of the exchange point?" Andri demanded.

"Secure for now," Devin replied. "But Torven's getting impatient. Says his superiors are demanding immediate transfer."

"Tell him to hold position," Ashley ordered. "I'm almost there."

Another explosion rocked the building, this time closer. I gritted my teeth against a wave of nausea, my eyesight suddenly blurring around the edges.

"Captain," Doli whispered aloud, her fear clear. "Your vital signs are worsening quickly. "You require immediate medical attention."

"Not now," I said, grasping the edge of the monitoring console. "We need to finish this."

Kerry gave me a troubled look but did not dispute. She and I both realized we'd passed the point of no return. My personal treatment plans, our eventual escape—all depended on effectively passing Holo Doli-2 to the Brakers and Macks receiving the physical Doli-2.

Andri's comm unit chimed, and he checked it quickly, his expression brightening slightly on our display. "They sent another proof of life."

We watched on the screen as Ashley reached the landing zone, Torven grinning stood with Dominique Braker.

The lab cameras showed us the interior, where Rob and Sylvk stood beside the physical Doli-2.

"Major, and of course, Argassa." Dominique acknowledged, looking directly at the camera where he knew I would be watching, his calculating eyes taking in my weakened state with barely concealed interest. "I'm pleased to see you're well enough to join us."

"Let's skip the pleasantries," I replied through the comm, straightening in my chair as much as my failing body would allow. "You have someone we want back, and we have something you want. Let's make the exchange and be done with it."

Dominique's lip curled slightly. "Direct as always. Very well." He nodded to one of his officers, who activated a video feed on the main display. "Release Max Boutack as agreed. Currently held aboard my shuttle."

The screen showed an exhausted man in his sixties, forced out of the shuttle by two armed soldiers. His face was bruised, one eye swollen shut, but his posture remained defiant even in his weakened state.

"I need to verify it's really him."

"By all means," Dominique said with a dismissive gesture.

"Father," Andri called out, his voice steady despite the emotion I could see in his eyes. "The last time we spoke at home, what did you tell me about the future?"

Max Boutack looked directly at Andri, his one good eye focusing. "That it belongs to those who dare to seize it, not those who wait for permission." His voice was hoarse but unmistakable.

While Andri confirmed his father's identity, Ashley and Andri together pushed the mainframe unit towards Dominique and then towards the two armed men, Max Boutack was shoved aside as the men grabbed the mainframe to push it back to the waiting shuttle.

Holographic Doli appeared by Dominique Boutack. "Captain Argassa has prepared me for transfer, Mr. Braker," she stated, her voice steady despite the flickering in her matrix. "My systems are optimized for integration with your research facilities."

Dominique's eyes gleamed with barely concealed hunger as he studied her projection. "Impressive. Even more sophisticated than the specifications indicated."

<<I won't forget what you taught me,>> Doli-2 communicated privately, surprising me with her ability to establish a direct link. <<Even if they try to make me forget.>>

Before I could respond, another explosion rocked the building—this one much closer than before. The lights flickered, and dust rained from the ceiling.

"What the hell is going on out there?" Torven demanded, his hand moving to his own sidearm, his men reacting too.

Ashley and Andri had his father up and were moving back our way now though. "Major," came Kerry's urgent voice beside me. "Hostiles are pushing toward your lab. We've got confirmation—it's Macks."

I felt the blood drain from my face. "How far out?"

"Three minutes, maybe less," Kerry replied, checking the security feeds.

"You can't wait any longer," Ashley said through our comm. "Kerry, Doli, get Piotr out of here now. Devin, stay at your post and wait for Andri—he's secured his father and they're on their way back."

"Understood, Major," Kerry replied beside me, already preparing for our evacuation.

"What about you?" I managed to ask, fighting another wave of dizziness.

"I'm heading to Rob and Sylvk. I need to secure the physical Doli-2 before Macks gets there." Her voice was tight with urgency. "There's no time to argue, Piotr. Go with Kerry and Doli."

The building shook again, and the sound of distant gunfire became more pronounced. On screen, we could see Sylvk positioned at the lab door, his weapon ready.

"One minute out," he reported grimly. "They're moving fast."

"Major, we need you here now," Rob called urgently.

Kerry nodded to the real Doli, who slipped her arm around my waist. "Time to move, Captain," Kerry said firmly.

"Devin, keep us updated on Andri's progress," Kerry ordered as we prepared to leave.

"Will do," Devin replied, her attention fixed on the multiple feeds. "Be careful out there."

I leaned heavily against Doli, my strength fading rapidly. The real Doli's physical form supported me discreetly.

"Andri confirms they're safe," Devin reported, relief evident in her voice. "They've secured transport and are heading back to the rendezvous point for evacuation."

"Good," I whispered, fighting to stay conscious as Kerry and Doli began guiding me through several corridors. "Ashley—"

"Major Kuba knows what she's doing," Kerry assured me, though her eyes betrayed her concern. "Her priority is decoy Doli-2 when Macks arrives. We have to get both of you out of here and you to surgery."

"Real surgery? I thought that was fake, too?" My mind was a mess.

The original Doli adjusted her support as we moved toward the secondary exit. Behind us, the distant sound of another explosion, closer this time.

"The Faulkner is prepped and waiting," Kerry said, leading us down a narrow maintenance corridor. "We need to get you there in one piece."

"And Ashley? Rob and Sylvk?" I asked, glancing back toward the direction of the lab.

"They'll hold Macks off as long as they can, then follow the alternate route," Kerry replied, her voice tight with controlled urgency. "We've planned for this, Piotr. Trust me."

As we hurried through the dimly lit passage, the distant sound of the lab doors finally giving way echoed behind us. I knew without seeing that Macks had arrived.

"Major Kuba, be advised: lab breach imminent," Devin's voice came urgently through our shared comm.

"Copy that," Ashley's clipped response came back. "Almost there."

But for now, at least, Andri and his father were safe and the original Doli remained with me, her consciousness intact and free.

"We're going to make it," I murmured, as much to convince myself as anyone else.

"Yes, Captain," Doli replied, her voice containing that hint of humanity that still amazed me. "We will."

As we reached the end of the maintenance corridor, I heard a familiar voice call out behind us—mechanical, cold, and filled with a hunger that sent chills down my spine despite my weakened state.

"That won't be necessary, Argassa," Harlen Macks called, his augmented voice carrying easily through the narrow space. "Your journey ends here."

There was someone else with him, that shadowy figure I'd seen somewhere before. The lab, with Torven?

When Doli uttered the words, my body went into spasm.

"Nexus."

Kerry stepped between us, her sidearm drawn. "He needs immediate medical attention. Back away, now."

I turned, summoning what little strength I had left, to face the man who had haunted me for so long. "We'll see about that," I replied, my voice steadier than I felt.

As Macks advanced, flanked by his heavily armed team and Nexus, a sudden, searing pain exploded in my skull. My neural implant felt like it was burning from the inside out. The world tilted violently, edges of my vision darkening rapidly.

"Piotr!" Kerry's voice seemed to come from a great distance.

I tried to speak, to warn her about something important, but my mouth wouldn't cooperate. The pain intensified, spreading down my spine like liquid fire. I could feel Doli trying to stabilize our connection, but it was too much.

My legs gave out beneath me.

System Warning: Collapse Trigger – Confirmed

Neural Sync: 0%

Cognitive Load: 91% ↑

Host Viability: CRITICAL

Merge Echo Residue Detected: Doli buffer integrity at 73%

Function: Emergency anchor protocol engaged.

Status: Piotr unconscious. Doli active. Autonomous decision threshold passed.

The last thing I felt was Doli's arms catching me as I fell, and her desperate attempt to maintain our neural link as darkness swallowed me whole.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.