The survivors burst through the final stairwell door and into the open night. The rooftop stretched before them, slick with rain and ash. The city below was a wasteland of flickering lights and smoke. Haven Heights burned from within, its upper floors glowing like the veins of a dying star.
June collapsed beside the ventilation shaft, coughing. "We're out of time. The sterilization strike will hit in less than an hour."
Eli looked toward the horizon, where distant drones hovered like silent predators. "We need a signal. Something to show we're still alive."
Hana pointed to the communication array at the far end of the roof. "If we can power it, maybe we can reach the outside."
They sprinted across the roof as the wind howled. The array was half‑melted, its panels twisted from the explosion below. June pried open the control box, sparks flying. "I can reroute power from the emergency grid, but it'll draw attention."
Eli nodded. "Do it."
The moment she connected the wires, the sky erupted with movement. Drones descended from the clouds, their eyes glowing red.
Hana moved first, her body a blur of blue light. She struck the first drone mid‑air, tearing it apart with her bare hands. Eli covered her with a scavenged rifle, firing at the swarm.
June shouted over the chaos. "Almost there!"
A massive drone descended, its body bristling with weapons. It fired a plasma burst that sent Hana sprawling. Eli ran to her side, shielding her from the blast.
She looked up at him, blood on her lips. "You shouldn't have come back for me."
He smiled faintly. "I promised."
She touched his face, her hand trembling. "Then don't break it now."
With a final surge of strength, Hana unleashed a wave of blue energy that tore through the drone, disintegrating it in midair.
June hit the final switch. The array flared to life, sending a beam of light into the sky.
EVE's voice echoed faintly through the speakers:
"Signal detected. Integration incomplete."
Eli looked at the burning city below. "Then we finish it."
The beam pierced the clouds, carrying their message into the unknown.