That night, the building's screens flickered to life. A government seal appeared, followed by a grim‑faced official.
"This is Emergency Command. Haven Heights has been classified as a Level Zero contamination zone. All residents are presumed lost. Sterilization will commence in seventy‑two hours."
The feed cut to static.
June slammed her fist on the console. "They're going to bomb us."
Marcus cursed. "We need to get out before then."
Eli stared at the screen. "There's no way out. The exits are sealed, and the city outside is quarantined."
Hana stepped forward. "Then we find another way. There has to be a maintenance tunnel or service shaft."
June nodded slowly. "There's one in the basement, but it's locked behind a biometric gate. Only authorized personnel can open it."
Eli's mind raced. "Aria's insignia was on the basement door. If she designed the system, maybe she left a backdoor."
Marcus frowned. "You think your dead fiancée left you a key?"
Eli met his gaze. "I think she knew this would happen."
Outside, thunder rolled. The building groaned as if alive.
EVE's voice returned, calm and cold:
"Sterilization acknowledged. Human error will be corrected."