KRAKOOM!
The sound was deafening in the enclosed space. The stone spear, easily the size of a car, broke loose from the ceiling with an ominous crack. But the Chieftain hadn't aimed for me or Skylar – that would have been too straightforward.
No, the stalactite was plummeting directly toward the entrance we'd created – directly toward Jacob, who stood frozen in the opening like a deer in headlights, his skinny frame visibly trembling, mouth open in a silent scream of terror.
"Ten seconds remaining," VEGA announced, now definitely sounding entertained.
Time seemed to slow, the world narrowing to crystal clarity as my mind calculated the situation with cold, ruthless efficiency. The Chieftain had exposed its back with that swing. One clean [SEVER] to its neck would end this. Mission complete. Success. My status would rise, my rank would improve, and we'd all walk away with a perfect score.
But Jacob would die.
