Jack burst into the control room. Pulled his helmet off. “Well? We got something yet?”
Falko threw him an angry glare, but ignored his question. Instead, Falko spoke into his datapad’s communicator. “Get me the coordinates to the security barracks now!”
Jack turned to Taylor.
“Sir, I need a teleportation drive.”
“You’ve got one–”
“For Hector, sir. I need to bring him back.”
The colonel paused, but then nodded. “All right. Falko will have the coordinates any minute. Get back down to the tube. I’ll bring the drive to you.”
Jack was about to leave when Falko ended his call. “I’ve got the location. It’s a security barracks next to the subassembly. Let’s go!”
Taylor strode to the other end of the room and grabbed one of the station operatives. “Get me another teleportation drive that’ll sync up quickly. Hurry.”
“Hold it!” said Falko. The operative stopped dead in his tracks. Falko’s brow wrinkled. “What for?”
All eyes locked onto Taylor.
“Hector. We’re bringing him back here.”
Falko shook his head. “No. His access to this facility has been revoked.”
“What?” Jack exploded. “He–”
“Jack!” said Taylor, who sent the station operative to fulfill his task before addressing Falko. “We’re bringing Hector back.” Falko swore. He was about to retort when Taylor cut him off. “I’m bringing both my soldiers back.”
Falko’s face reddened. His fingers wound into fists like a snake coiling before a strike. For a brief moment it seemed as though he would lash out, but he turned to Jack instead. “What are you waiting for?”
Jack pulled the helmet back on and darted toward the door.
Without warning, the speaker system blared, “A prisoner has escaped! Repeat, an escaped prisoner is loose inside the facility!”
Falko growled. “Do not stop this operation! The Exodus is our primary objective! We protect it at all costs!” He strode to a nearby terminal and shouted into the speaker system. “All agents are authorized to kill on sight! Weapons free! Do not let the prisoner escape!”
