Chapter 8: Strike from the Skies

The skies above Technoville screamed with violence.

High above the skyline, Kafi sliced through clouds like a phantom, her quantum cloak shimmering as she dodged laser fire. Three Nexus interceptors closed in behind her, their crimson-lit wings spread wide, cannons blazing.

"Tactical alert: Pursuit level 5," Kafi announced, her voice calm. "Engaging aerial maneuvers."

Liam gripped the holographic controls as the cockpit spun. "Let's make them regret following us."

Ava's eyes locked on the targeting HUD. "Two o'clock high, drone incoming!"

"Firing arc recalculated," Kafi said. From the car's underbelly, twin anti-aircraft turrets deployed and sent a barrage of blue plasma into the cloud bank. A drone exploded in a fiery blossom.

The chase raged across the city.

Inside Kafi, time slowed. Syra activated Liam's Logic Surge. His thoughts expanded. He saw angles, vectors, and probabilities.

"Bank left, dive 23 degrees," he ordered.

Kafi obeyed instantly, spiraling downward. Two of the Nexus ships collided trying to follow.

"Confirmed kills," Kafi reported. "One remaining."

The final interceptor fired a railgun. Kafi's energy shield flared, absorbing the blast.

"Shields at 82%. Initiating counterstrike."

From her wing panels, seeker missiles launched, twisting mid-air and locking onto the fleeing enemy. The explosion lit up the clouds.

Silence.

Then Kafi hovered, scanning the area. "Threat level neutralized. Uploading route to hidden Nexus lab per Ava's coordinates."

Ava looked at Liam. "What we find there may change everything."

Liam nodded. "Let's end this."