Ryan pressed himself flat against the cold metal of the giant containment unit, his heart trying to beat its way out of his bruised ribs. He held his breath, listening.
The heavy, rhythmic stomp… stomp… stomp of the Vault Guardian Prime had faded as it patrolled the area around the fried light panel.
His trick had worked. A wave of relief washed over him.
He thought he was safe. He thought he had all the time in the world to sneak over to the armory and start collecting Power Cores for the Scramble. He had underestimated his opponent.
He watched as the Guardian finished its inspection of the broken light. It stood perfectly still for a long moment. Then, its single, terrifying red eye began to pulse with a new, intense light.
A low, deep humming sound started to fill the entire Vault, a sound that vibrated right through the floor and into his bones.
What's it doing now? Ryan thought, his brief moment of relief vanishing.
