The service tunnel was a wild, freezing mess. The busted water line sprayed like crazy, holding the guards back and flooding the stairs. It was super loud—water hissing and those guys yelling.
I didn't care about the mess; I used it. I pulled Elara through the cold water. She moved stiffly, like a robot, only going because I dragged her and that device told her to stay alive. I still had that thing tucked in my pocket.
Garth! I yelled over the noise.
Garth was pinned against the wall, water up to his knees. He looked beat, but at least he was alive. He was really going through with this.
I can't close it from here! Too much pressure! he shouted back, still holding that wrench. He pointed to the stairs. Engine Block! We gotta get up to those beams! Now!
Made sense. This flood was good for now, but not for long.
**I. Climbing to the Top**
I pushed Elara toward the steps. Her device was keeping her alive but wasn't helping her move.
Stairs. Get climbing! I snapped, treating her like a broken tool.
CALCULATING. Not gonna work well. Brain needs a break. She sounded like a robot, only answering orders.
Forget it! Climb! I yanked her onto the first step, grabbing the railing.
Garth came after us, surefooted like he belonged here. He reached me and quickly wedged his wrench against the door, just enough to keep the water from slamming it shut on us.
Climbing sucked. My ribs hurt like crazy, and I was getting tired again now that that weird dampening feeling was going away.
We tumbled into the Engine Block. It was nuts. Guards ran toward the south side—something about the air—ignoring us over here. The smoke was still thick but clearing fast.
Beams! Garth pointed up to the pipes and beams near the ceiling. They won't look up there! They never do!
That climb was awful. Elara was like a puppet, moving only when I made her. I had to pick between helping her or myself and hoping the beams held.
We got to the edge just as Silas came out of the flooded tunnel, dripping wet and looking totally pissed. He'd fought through it and was furious.
Silas glanced up when he heard something and saw us scrambling up.
SYNDICATE! Get them! He roared, pointing his club.
Without waiting, I grabbed a chain hanging from the beams—used for the engine. I swung it at the power lines behind him—those thick cables that powered everything.
CRACK! SSSZZZ
The chain hit the cables. Sparks flew everywhere in a flash of power. The few lights they had went out.
Darkness. Total darkness fell over the place.
**II. What the Device Said**
The dark gave us cover. I pulled Elara close in the tight space between the pipes.
Garth! Find a way out! Upstairs—to the Barracks or Command!
Trying! Garth whispered, and I heard metal scraping as he looked for a hatch.
I turned to Elara. She was glowing a little, a tiny light in the dark.
Elara, listen up! We need to see the outside plans! The layout!
She tilted her head, eyes wide.
DATA NEEDED: Can't see or sense anything. Barely any magic here. Can't scan outside. She sounded robotic.
Forget magic! Use sound! Listen to the engine! They're pumping water—find those pumps! Map it out! Where's the fastest way to the sea?
Elara was quiet for a long time. I could hear the guards yelling below, echoing around.
Then she started talking, slow, cold, and distant:
Water pumps located: North-East, above Barracks. Slow rate. Best escape is through Western air vent to the outside wall. Need to climb at 47° and force through the vent. Guards might catch us: 61% chance.
Forty-seven degrees? Can't do it without tools! I snapped, holding that thing against her side, pushing her.
Got it: Hard to do. Try something else: Main chimney. Super hot. Guards probably won't see us. Works alright: 88%.
The chimney? That's crazy hot!
It's doable, but not great. Need something to help us climb. Don't have it now.
I looked at Garth, working on a panel with Elara's light. Garth! Chimney! Need something to climb the vent!
Garth didn't look up, messing with rusted bolts. The big fan! It goes to the top of the chimney! If we get inside, we can get up! But we gotta stop it first! Or we're toast!
Elara! How do we stop the fan?
Elara blinked. Fan controls are 7 meters back that way. Need to use hands, no magic. Iron parts.
I knew what that meant: Grease needed. They used grease, not magic gels.
Garth, the grease! Where'd you leave it?
By the pump—where I was working! The stuff I used for the engine! Garth grunted, pulling out a wrench. Forget it! I'm opening this hatch—it goes to the Barracks! We'll risk the guards!
I grabbed his arm tight. No! That's where they think we'll go! The Chimney is too crazy for them to think of! Quiet is our best bet! Give me the grease! I'm going to stop that fan!
Garth, still not happy about me using Elara, knew I was right. He reached into a bag and tossed me a cold can. Full of thick, black grease.
**III. Shutting Down the Machine**
I left them in that tight spot and became a shadow, moving through the dark. It was hot, filled with smoke and dust.
I headed for the fan control—an iron box on the wall. I used sound and heat, feeling the pipes.
I got to the box. Locked with a clasp.
I used the knife I stole. Small, but strong. I didn't pick the lock; I just jammed the knife into the hinge and twisted hard. It groaned and broke, but the noise was covered by the engine.
The box opened, showing gears and levers—how the fan worked.
I knew it ran on grease. To stop it, I had to remove the grease.
I used the can. I didn't add grease; I scraped all the old, dirty grease out and put it in the can. I cleaned the gears until they were dry.
Then, I grabbed a sharp rock—from that wall I broke with my cuff. I jammed it into the main gear, where it turned the fan.
I closed the box, pushed the broken hinge back, and left.
It was done. When they tried to start the fan, the rock would break the gear, stopping the fan.
**IV. The Climb and the Plan**
I climbed back to them, sweating, freezing, and tired.
It's done, I said hoarsely. The fan's stuck. We gotta go, before they try to clear the smoke.
I looked at Elara. She was still glowing, watching everything.
Elara! New plan! Fan's stopped!
Elara blinked. Fan off. Best way to chimney: 99.8%. Starting climb.
Right away. The machine took over.
I grabbed Elara. Garth! Go on three! You first! Find the hatch!
Okay, Garth whispered, sounding like he accepted it. He was sticking to the plan.
As Garth went ahead, I felt the pipes vibrate—they realized the lights were off and were getting ready to start the fan.
One... two...
Below, I heard Silas, muffled but clear: Get the lights back on! Start the fan! Clear the smoke!
THREE!
Garth ripped open a panel—the chimney. I shoved Elara into the hole and followed, that thing hitting the cold metal. We were inside the heart of the place, going up.
A loud crash came from below: The fan motor screaming as the rock broke the gear. No going back now.
The escape had started. Up was the only way.