“Our outer defenses are still compromised from the last attack,” Ling said. “Vapor, you’re going to have to hold them off.”

“But I’m no systems expert,” she protested.

“Just do it!” Ling yelled, fear and anger flashed in her eyes.

Vapor returned to her monitor. “Working up a decoy,” she said, fingers flying across the keyboard.

“Ling, he’s trying to double back,” Darkholm said. “I need you to pick up the trail or we’ll lose him!”

“I can’t! I’m still breaking through this one’s defenses!”

“Run a bot! This one is about to get away!”

“He’s too good for that!”