Round 167

The junction box's holographic interface flickered to life under Silra's deft fingers, casting her silver-blonde hair in an eerie blue glow. The elf woman worked with frantic efficiency, planting deep-level viruses into the facility's central systems while maintaining a white noise broadcast that scrambled security communications. Her teal eyes darted across scrolling code, searching for any vulnerability she could exploit—anything to buy them more time before backup arrived.

Jeane stood near the door, her tall frame wracked with violent shivers as she strained to maintain her failing shield magic. The barrier around them pulsed erratically, visible distortions warping the air like heat haze on asphalt. I'm not a fucking radiator,* she hissed through chattering teeth, voice barely audible over the hum of emergency generators. Fine—as long as this actually works and we get out of here before I turn into an icicle statue. Don't expect me to be pleasant about it though. Her crimson eyes were wide with panic, hands trembling as she fought to contain the magic despite her body's protests.

The security team closed in rapidly now, their night vision goggles allowing them to navigate the darkness with ease. The lead officer raised his hand, and the team spread into a flanking formation around the generator equipment. Freeze! he commanded, voice amplified by his headset. *Drop your weapons and put your hands where we can see them!**

Silra never paused her furious typing as she called back without looking away from the interface. Almost done here—Jeane, you good to move? The sorceress nodded, teeth still chattering but her grip on the shield magic tightening. Fine. Let's go. She took a stumbling step forward, her movements still clumsy from residual hypothermia but her eyes locked onto the exit route she'd memorized.*

The security team advanced, weapons trained on both women as they moved toward the eastern exit. The lead officer barked orders to his team. Surround them—we need both alive for questioning!**

Silra finished embedding the virus just as Jeane reached her side. Done. Let's move before their systems compensate. Together, the soaked and freezing pair sprinted for the exit, Jeane's shield magic flickering but holding as they passed through the generator room and into the dimmer corridors beyond.