From the adjacent chamber, the soft creak of movement stirred him. He glanced over his shoulder but didn't turn. "You're late."
Brent stepped into the light, hood dripping with rain, eyes sharp. "I needed to make sure I wasn't followed."
Elias tilted his head. "And?"
Brent's gaze lingered on the hallway behind him before shaking his head. "Clear. For now."
Elias nodded and turned back to the console. "Then we proceed. The genetic mapping from the early Helix prototypes is almost restored. We'll need Kaelion's interface key to decrypt the rest."
Brent moved beside him, scanning the screen. "How much longer until the sequence is complete?"
"Twelve hours, give or take. Assuming the power holds."
"It won't," Brent muttered, eyes flicking to the blinking warning light above. "They're close. Reynold and Jeric set up surveillance in the old South wing. They're starting to suspect."
Elias exhaled through his nose, resigned. "Then we finish this before they arrive."
---
