Chapter 6

The SecUnit receives a feed packet from the deceased Leonide containing a map of decommissioned maintenance tunnels, transport schedules, and the location of additional people to rescue. After staging Leonide's body, the SecUnit leads Farai, Naja, and Sofi through hostile-controlled territory via hidden passages, makes a difficult decision to rescue Leonide's family members in addition to Mensah's people, and finally reaches a hydroponics-based mercantile hub where the exhausted group can rest and resupply.

After Leonide's death, the SecUnit discovers her feed packet containing crucial information: a map of decommissioned maintenance access tunnels, transport schedules, identification images, and the location of people Leonide wanted rescued. The SecUnit stages Leonide's body to appear as an accidental death, removes her traceable interface while keeping a hidden one, and leads the group through darkened corridors designed to confuse pursuit. Sofi doesn't receive the packet and initially doesn't understand what humans they're discussing rescuing. Farai strategically frames the situation as a matter of self-determination and children's safety, pushing the SecUnit toward accepting responsibility for both groups. When the SecUnit's rear drones detect the hostiles blowing open the escape hatch, communication shifts to the secure team feed. The group navigates through evidence of human settlements in the tunnels while the SecUnit gathers intelligence on Leonide's past actions—she paid their warrants and arranged for their detention records to be expunged. Using temporary control of maintenance systems, the SecUnit calls a lift tube, and Naja provides a handmade wrap to conceal the SecUnit's bloodstains and weapon. The lift diverts to a hydroponics-based mercantile zone with shops built into giant tree structures. The SecUnit establishes camera surveillance while Farai obtains a new shirt from clothing recyclers. Naja shows signs of physical exhaustion, and despite her resistance, the SecUnit insists the group rest and eat before continuing, finally offering reassurance that a plan exists.