They moved deeper into the mill complex, guided by Rhea's digital blueprints. The air became increasingly cold, indicating the presence of a dark-matter transmitter.
In the center of the main turbine room, a massive metal cylinder pulsed with a throbbing blue light. Heavy cables ran from the machine into the concrete floor.
"That's the grid transmitter," Rohan said, stepping forward.
"Wait," Vikram warned, pointing to the base of the machine. "Motion sensors. If you step there, the alarm goes off."
"I can bypass the control panel," Rohan said, pulling out a hacking tool Rhea had built. He knelt down and opened the access panel, his fingers working quickly despite the freezing temperature.
Suddenly, the screen on the control panel flared. A face appeared on the monitor—scarred, cold, and mocking.
It was Javed Khan.
"Vikram Rathod," Javed's voice echoed from the speakers. "I knew you would come. You think you are saving your father's friends? You are only walking into your own grave."
"Where is Appa Gawde, Javed?" Rohan shouted, leaning toward the screen.
"He is in safe hands, boy," Javed sneered. "But your little resistance ends tonight. Enjoy the cold."
The screen went black, and the transmitter began to hum louder, the blue light turning a dangerous red.
"It's overloading!" Rohan yelled.
"Step back!" Vikram pulled Rohan away as he charged his fists with Prana. He drove his bio-electric punch straight into the core of the transmitter. The machine shattered in a blast of sparks and dark photons, throwing them both to the floor.
The red light died. The first node was destroyed.