Marcus led the team through the maintenance corridor at a steady pace.
No one rushed.
Moving too quickly through unfamiliar tunnels created mistakes, and mistakes beneath the mountain could trap them long before the Collectors realized anyone had entered their city. Loose stones, hidden shafts, collapsed passages, and unmarked junctions presented enough danger without adding panic to the equation.
The sounds of the underground civilization slowly faded behind them.
The ringing bells became distant.
The creaking carts softened into occasional echoes.
Eventually, even the voices disappeared.
Only the sound of dripping water remained.
Marcus kept his rifle pointed toward the darkness ahead while Cole followed several steps behind. Selvar stayed near the center of the formation, protected by the operators surrounding him. Tomas carried the inspection camera in one hand while keeping his weapon ready with the other.
