Chapter Two: The Rooftop Fabricator

Lin tore open Zhou's van door in the underground garage. She wore an orange emergency vest, her hair pasted to her forehead. Her gaze sharpened at the rows of silver-gray drones. “You call this unreleased?” “It hasn't been released.” “What company?” “Mine.” Zhou activated one unit. It rose without propeller noise and projected a structural map, red fractures spreading across the western columns. Lin passed a hand through it. “Real-time neutron imaging?” “Budget version.” “Even the budget version should not exist.” An explosion shook dust from the ceiling. Lin stopped asking questions. She led him through the cordon. “Ladders reach floor forty. Helicopters can't approach through the thermal column. Can your drones lift cable?”