I yanked the manual lever down hard.
Sparks flew.
Smoke bit my eyes.
The lights died completely.
In the darkness, the only thing glowing was that crystal—pulsing like a living heart.
I grabbed my headset, slammed the transmit.
“Control, this is Falcon One,” I said through static. “If you can hear me—lockdown protocol now. Omega breach confirmed.”
Nothing.
Only static.
Then a different voice pierced through, weak and broken.
“I’m… Falcon… It’s Eagle Three.”
Everything in me went still.
My hands stopped shaking.
My throat closed.
“Say that again,” I whispered.
“Eagle Three,” the voice crackled. “Falcon… the base… it’s still alive. Don’t let it… open.”
And then the line died.
The younger pilot stared at me, terrified. “He’s alive?”
I didn’t answer.
Because the truth hit harder than fear.
If he was alive…
Then something down there was keeping him alive.
