They were almost out.
Killian Nox was familiar with the designs of these ships; after all, these had been part of many contended cases in the Ministry. Yet, only now did he appreciate taking the time to look at all those blueprints.
And right now, all they needed was to drop through one more maintenance shaft, and then they'd hit the emergency escape pods tucked behind Engineering.
Just one more.
And it would be right there.
But then it happened.
A scream.
Not a shriek of panic—it was raw, piercing, and unmistakably filled with the kind of desperation only a parent could produce.
"Let her go! P-Please—SHE'S JUST A KID!"
"!!!"
Ollie froze mid-crawl.
Killian noticed this and immediately blocked the cadet who had instinctively leaned forward at the sound.
Another scream followed, louder.
Gut-wrenching.
Then came a hollow crack.