I’d had plenty of time to think it over. I’d even considered spilling the beans about the Marauder plot. What stopped me was that I knew that even if I did, I’d still never see Phil again—I’d be an Aegis prisoner, and I’d have the Marauders gunning for me on top of that. I already knew Phil was already lost to me no matter what happened. Given the choice between an outcome where he was lost to me and I stayed free and an outcome where he was lost to me and I was a hunted prisoner, I’d pick Door Number One, thanks.

Though if I had known then what I know now…

As we walked down the hall, I reviewed the plan in my head. Even now, a team of Marauder agents would be infiltrating the building and planting explosive, smoke, and gas bombs at key points. Once the bombs triggered, team two—disguised as police and fire rescue—would move in, “evacuating” everyone into Marauder trucks.

Phil pointed to a big bucket of molten metal. “Pretty neat, huh?”

“Yeah,” I said, forcing a smile. “Really neat.”