Chapter 9 - The Key Beneath My Skin
Emma's chamber was nearly full.
Only six inches of air remained at the top.
Vivian screamed and ran toward her.
Noah fired into the floor.
Concrete exploded near her feet.
"Stop."
She froze.
I stepped between them.
"You do not want her dead."
Noah's jaw tightened.
"You do not know what I want."
"I know you."
"You knew a uniform."
"I knew the man who carried Mason Reed three decks through fire."
His eyes flickered.
"Mason died anyway."
"Not before he saw his daughter on video one last time. You made that happen."
For one second, Noah looked like himself.
Then the chamber water covered Emma's mouth.
She pressed her face into the last pocket of air.
"The blade," I said.
Noah tossed it across the wet floor.
Marcus caught my wrist.
"Claire, the implant is attached near the spine."
"Then be careful."
"You could lose the use of your arm."
"Emma could lose her life."
I knelt.
Marcus cut through the thick scar near my shoulder.
Pain flashed white across my vision.
Vivian held me upright while blood ran down the back of my dress.
"Stay with me," she said.
"I have survived worse."
"I know. Everyone upstairs knows now."
Marcus reached beneath scar tissue and pulled out a black capsule no longer than a grain of rice.
Noah's breath caught.
He stepped forward.
"Give it to me."
Marcus held it up.
"Open Emma's chamber first."
"The key first."
I looked at the control panel behind Noah.
Three colored wires ran into the locking mechanism.
Red.
Blue.
White.
The Resolute had used the same emergency override system.
Vale loved old designs.
I whispered to Vivian, "When I move, pull the white wire."
"What happens?"
"We find out."
I threw the surgical blade at Noah.
He ducked.
Vivian ripped the wire free.
The chamber doors opened.
Thousands of gallons of water exploded into the tunnel.
Emma collapsed into Vivian's arms.
The current knocked Noah against the wall.
The capsule flew from Marcus's hand.
It disappeared into the rushing water.
Then Vale's voice came over the speaker.
May you like
"That was not the key."
A red light began blinking beneath my skin.
