The neon sign of Starlight 24-Hour Mart cut through the salt-fog of Mill District 9.
Mac swung the armored ambulance around the corner into the rear alley. His solid steel prosthetic forearm clattered against the steering wheel as he eased the air-brakes. The diesel engine rumbled low under Julian’s boots.
“Hold her steady, Mac,” Elena called from the rear cab, her fingers resting on Clara’s wrist. “Her spontaneous breathing is fluttering again. The battery on this transport unit only has twelve minutes left.”
“Nobody followed us from the bridge,” Mac growled. “Bailiff Nail’s still pinned to his own hood with his own red staples.”
Julian looked through the wire-mesh window.
The blank cinderblock rear wall of Store #04 rose from the wet weeds. Galvanized gutters dripped rainwater into rusted iron storm drains. A solitary yellow security lamp buzzed over the loading dock.
To anyone else in New Marrow, it was just a run-down convenience store. To Julian, it was an impenetrable municipal fortress.
“Is that really it?” Devon Wu asked from the jump seat beside the oxygen tanks. His knuckles were white on the armrest.
