The Final Countdown

Kofi’s heart pounded in sync with his footsteps, his breath shallow as he and Amina tore through the crumbling streets toward the final control center. The air was thick with the acrid scent of burning metal, and the echoes of explosions reverberated through the city, shaking the ground beneath them. They had mere minutes to stop the self-destruction sequence before the entire city was reduced to ash.

“We’re running out of time,” Amina said, her voice tight with urgency, eyes fixed on the looming control center ahead. It stood like a fortress, fortified by layers of defenses, including mechanical sentries and drones that moved with chilling precision.

“They’ve locked down the perimeter,” Amina whispered, scanning the sentries with her wrist comm. Her voice was barely audible over the hum of machinery. “Getting through unnoticed is impossible.”