Before Vikram could respond, a siren began to wail throughout the sub-vault. Red emergency lights replaced the purple glow, and a metallic voice began a countdown.
"Security breach in Sector Four," the system announced. "Initiating containment protocols in sixty seconds."
"We have to move," Vikram said, helping Desai stand. The older man was weak, his legs buckling under his weight.
"Vikram," Desai whispered, pointing to the Core. "The stabilizer... it's almost complete. Devendra has the final cipher. He only needs the alignment to finalize it."
"We destroy it now," Vikram said, raising his fist.
"No!" Desai grabbed Vikram's arm. "You can't destroy it from here. The magnetic shield will vaporize you. The only way to stop it is to short-circuit the primary capacitor at the Gateway of India during the eclipse. Devendra will be there."
"Then we go to the Gateway," Vikram said, hoisting Desai's arm over his shoulder.
"Rohan!" Vikram called into his radio. "We have Desai! We're coming out!"
"Hurry!" Rohan's voice was barely audible over the sound of gunfire. "They're pushing through!"