Page 118 of The Lazarus Protocol

“Steph?” Ash frowned. “Where is Nix? Why isn’t he on the radio?”

He had to fight through the fog in his mind, trying to string words together—let alone actually figure out what was going on.

“I don’t know where he went.” She sounded terrified. “The blast doors closed, and Adam is gone.”

Kyle turned to Ash. “Let’s go.”

“We’re coming to you.”

They raced through the halls to the exterior door, which they’d propped open. As they moved toward the fresh air outside, Ash felt his head clear. It still throbbed, but he could think straight. With the first inhale of air, he almost felt fine again.

“Okay, something in that building was throwing me for a loop.” Ash shook his aching head. “Steph, you still there?”

“I’m still here. The lights are on, but I can’t get out.”

Kyle pointed down the row of buildings. “They went to the missile silo.”

“Let’s go.” Ash lifted the radio. “Steph, we’re coming to you.”

“Where did Adam go? I didn’t even hear a door, or anything.”

“Just hang on.”

Kyle took off ahead of Ash, who focused on running—not the questions swimming through his mind. If Adam was gone as well now, that meant Earthnet was here. Or whoever they sent to capture the rest of the team.

Ash wasn’t the guy to figure this out. He was a soldier, not the one who issued the orders. Kyle was a wildcard at best. He’d dragged them into this without warning, and now the whole team was who-knew-where.

Kyle skidded to a stop at the door and ducked inside.

Ash took a look at the blast door, nothing else in the entryway but leaves that had blown in from outside, but didn’t go in.

Kyle pressed against the door, as if that would move the whole thing or it would retract up or something.

Ash’s fingers flexed on his weapon, scanning the ground around them. Watching the horizon for movement. Listening for aircraft that might signal an incoming team.

“I can’t get it open.” Kyle came out and grabbed the radio. “Watching my six? So sweet.”

Ash balled his fist and punched Kyle.

“Ouch! What was that for?”

Ash shoved him back against the exterior wall. “You’re the one who dragged us into this. You’re the one who is going to get her out. Find Adam. Find all of them.”

“You think I know where they are?”

“You’re telling me in all your digging through Earthnet files, this place never came up? You found the lab in that boat. You were watching them. Where is my team? Where were they taken?”

“I get that you’re pissed⁠—”

Ash shook his head. “Where are they?”

“We were probably sent here to get dosed with whatever hit you in that hallway and turn on each other. They’re still trying to round us up!”

The radio crackled. “Guys?” Steph sounded frantic. “Can you get the door open?”

Kyle lifted the radio to his mouth. Ash still had two handfuls of his shirt and wasn’t about to let go.

“We’re working on it,” Kyle said. “Are there any other ways out? Maybe some kind of hatch or a door disguised in the wall? Adam must’ve left the room somehow.” As if things were fine out here, and they weren’t in the middle of a heated discussion.