The Copies were down, but Jacob manually disabled eleven of them by pressing a button at the back of their neck and accessing an open panel there.
Good to know.
A few of the soldiers kept the remaining Copy guard under control. They only needed one to enter any building in Praesidium—the one Dom was currently flashing eye daggers at. Anya could only guess the story there.
A section of their team pressed on to the medical facility. Vanessa walked ahead with June, Jacob and Carissa.
‘Is it safe to bring one of the Copies with us?’ she asked Jacob. ‘What if he’s connected, like the others?’
Jacob shook his head. ‘We need him active, in case we need to access off-limit areas.’
He looked back at Dom, who was following behind the soldiers in control of the Copy guard.
‘This one stays with us,’ Dom snapped.
‘Lucky me,’ the Copy quipped.
Dom swatted him across the top of his head and shoved him on.
Anya wasn’t sure how Dom had been able to tell the twelve Copies apart, but this one had rattled him enough that he’d just tried to kill him.
The lack of resistance bothered Anya. Twelve Copies and a few Guardians? Was that really all there was between them and the medical facility? Everyone moved more cautiously than before. If another attack happened, they would be ready.
Dom dropped back to walk beside her, constantly scanning the area.
‘Are you okay?’ she asked.
He blew out a breath. ‘Yeah. Just a little shaken.’
‘Was he one of your prison guards?’
‘The worst.’
Dom hadn’t spoken about his experience in the medical facility and she didn’t want to pry. But she’d seen his condition and experienced the place for herself. Some things didn’t need elaboration.
The group entered Zone C, midway between the exit and the large, white structure at the heart of the city. Carissa glanced nervously at the Learning Centre. She was holding one arm and looking more nervous than Anya felt to be back here.
They approached a familiar, grey building with a grass verge to the front. Seeing the medical facility from the outside made her shiver. But the fact no one was stopping them worried her more.
She assessed the deserted streets and the rooftops she could see. Jacob’s rogue orb zipped overhead. What she wouldn’t give to see what it did right now.
‘Where is everyone?’
Dom’s brow creased. ‘I don’t know. Maybe they don’t have the manpower to fight us.’
‘Maybe.’
She looked back to where the train track sat idle above the street. This entire place was like a ghost town.
‘I hope there’s still power here.’
‘Me too,’ replied Dom.
The double doors showed damage, probably from the time of their escape. They’d made it to the lobby only to find the door was locked and Copies were trying to break it down. Her Copy medic had helped them to escape the clutches of two guards who had caught up with them. One of them had killed Yasmin. Anya wondered if her medic was still alive.
‘Do we need special access to this place?’ Dom asked Carissa.
Carissa nodded and approached the door. She tried the handle but it wouldn’t budge.
With wide eyes, she looked back at the group. ‘I don’t know how to open it, other than with my chip.’
Each of them had removed their tracking devices soon after they escaped the city.
Dom stepped forward and shoved the prison guard ahead. ‘You do it.’
The Copy grunted from the rough treatment, but pressed the chip in his wrist to the plate on the left. It flashed green.
That confirmed this city still had power.
‘At least you’re good for something.’ Dom turned to the others. ‘Get ready.’
Anya lifted her Electro Gun to eye level and aimed it at the door. Her revolver was tucked in her waistband. Others fanned out around the lead group, creating a semi-circle, guns pointing out.
Dom poked the Copy in the side. ‘Open it.’
He did and Anya braced for an attack, an ambush. Anything.
None came.
‘It’s empty,’ the guard said.
‘Lucky for you,’ Dom growled at him. He shoved him inside.
Anya’s knees nearly buckled when she stepped inside the place that had held her and so many others prisoner. She caught Sheila’s shiver and saw June’s lips thin with tension. This place was evil. But hopefully something good could come out of it.
Her memories of this place had remained intact, not stolen by the Collective’s machine. It had been less than a week since she’d been here. So much had happened in that time.
Carissa led the way to the lift. The door refused to open for her.
Dom shoved the guard towards it. ‘Open the lift.’
While the guard did, he eyed Carissa. ‘173-C?’
Carissa’s blonde hair fanned out as she turned sharply. ‘What did you call me?’
‘That’s your name, isn’t it?’
‘M-my name is Carissa.’
‘That’s not what the Collective calls you.’
His sneer unsettled Anya, but her attention was drawn back to June, who appeared to be in discomfort.
Vanessa was holding on to her elbow. ‘Can we get moving, please? This girl needs attention.’
Dom shoved the Copy into the lift. His three rebel soldier guards entered it after him. Vanessa entered with June next. Then Charlie. Carissa and Jacob followed until it was full.
‘The rest of us will follow,’ said Anya. There was more than one way to access the levels below. ‘Where are you taking her?’
All eyes were on Carissa for the answer. She looked around nervously. ‘The Nurturing Centre, third floor down.’
‘Where the babies were being kept?’
She nodded.
The lift doors closed.
Anya said to Sheila, ‘We’ll use
