"This is eerie," Kyle murmured as he typed furiously on a mobile phone, "the way that white rock glows against the sand."

"Look at the scorch marks," Craig whispered, "those aren't made by natural fire."

"Do you think they do testing above ground?" Breanna asked.

"No way to tell," David said, "how you doing, Kyle?"

"Nearly there," Kyle said, "just one more and then ..." he went silent for a short moment, "and .. I'm.. in."

"What happened to Calla?" Craig frowned.

"She was helping Tina," Kyle said, "she'll be back as soon as that operation is over."

"What operation?" Breanna and Craig asked in unison.

"Does it look like I know?" Kyle asked exasperatedly.

"Someone is coming out," David said, signing to Tania.

They watched as Tania waited for the person to get closer before engaging. The fight was quick and over within minutes.

"Let's get inside," Breanna whispered as they moved toward the entrance.

Keeping the door open, Breanna watched as they entered one by one. Looking around, she didn't see anyone else, including Jasmine, Calla and Iris. They had disappeared on an emergency job. They said they wouldn't be long, but where were they? What was going on?

Tina and the strange messages, Jasmine disappearing and reappearing. Kyle and his testiness and now this thing with Iris. Something had felt off since they had landed. Breanna hoped that in trying to extract the children and closing this place down, she wasn't landing everyone back in the lap of some mad scientist.

"We're here," Jasmine said, panting, "everyone huddle up."

Everyone still outside held onto Jasmine, who closed her eyes, linking to a location inside and phased them in.

"Everything okay?" Breanna asked Jasmine, Calla and Iris as the others orientated themselves with their surroundings.

"Yes," Iris said, "we have assistance with extraction."

"When did that happen?" Craig asked, frowning.

"Somewhere between last night and this morning," Iris said, "we need to move."

"Is she linked to someone?" Valencia asked, watching the normally quiet woman stride toward Tania and a group preparing to breach the inside security.

"Yes," Jasmine grinned, "Tania's ability. Apparently, she has been doing weapons training, but her aim is still off. She told me Tania has allowed Iris to use her ability on this trip."

"Where have you been?" Valencia whispered.

"Birgit knows," Jasmine grinned, moving over to Kyle, working on the computer system.

"Explosives are ready," Tania called, "take cover."

Kyle nodded. Moving with Jasmine to a covered area. Kyle stood from his hiding place, focusing his gaze on the explosives. Crackling filled the air before loud ground-moving vibrations could be felt.

"Brace," Kyle called, setting his feet apart and raising his left hand toward the tiny fireworks. Suddenly a loud, earth-moving boom filled the area making everyone duck and cover their ears. Silence filled the air before alarms suddenly blared.

"Objective," Jarred called, "get the children out and dispense of anyone who stands in our way."

"Works for me," Trevet nodded, moving forward with the group to encounter the oncoming security team.

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"Tania," Breanna called, "go with Craig and find the control room and containment areas."

Tania and Craig nodded as they moved through the intense fighting. Heading toward the control room. Craig noted the accuracy which Tania dispensed of the opposition. Once again, he felt grateful she was on his team. Finally, they cleared the fighting and moved down strangely empty passageways.

"In here," Tania said suddenly, turning into an alcove in the wall, "hold this."

Craig took her weapon, turning to cover the opening of the alcove as she knelt to type in a code. The door opened, surprising those waiting inside. Craig fired, and the bodies dropped. Looking around, Craig handed Tania her weapon as they entered the control room. The door closed behind them, securing them to work.

Craig looked at the various screens taking in what looked like training areas, feeding areas, dormlike bathrooms and toilets, sleeping areas and containment areas.

"Tania," he whispered, "where is that?"

She turned, looking at where he was pointing, "Oh my word," she whispered, coming across the room to take in what she saw, "is that the containment room."

"It appears so," Craig said, "they take the containment part seriously."

"Who are these people who think it's okay to chain or restrain children like that," Tania hissed, anger rising and flushing her cheeks, "...or restraining any living thing in this way."

"We need to get them out as well," Craig said, pointing to another screen showing a room full of babies, the youngest no more than three or four months old, while others stood in their cribs crying.

"The children will be fairly quick," Tania said, "there must be at least thirty babies and toddlers."

"That will take time," Craig said.

"Coordinates of the children off to Breanna," Tania said, returning to the keyboard as she began skimming through monitor screens.

"Where are the babies?" Craig asked, keeping tight control of the rising energy levels rippling along his nerves.

"Two doors down from the children," Tania said, "both are guarded by fanatics and ..." Tania looked at Craig, "light throwers."

"I'm going to intervene," Craig said, handing Tania his machine gun.

"What are you going to do?" Tania frowned, taking the weapon from him.

"Use the ability Darcia never wanted me to find or master," Craig said, "Devon told me that only light throwers could protect the children. Only light throwers could be trusted."

Tania nodded, "Be careful."

Craig nodded, opening the door and moving to the coordinates Tania sent to his GPS device. Ahead he heard the sounds of hard fighting. His fingers began to crackle, his ability instinctively knowing it was needed to get everyone out alive. Turning the corner, he felt it break free, running over his entire body and becoming a shield against anything coming toward him. Breanna, David, Kyle and a small group of camouflage-clad men were exchanging fire with fanatics outside the door holding the children. The enemy seemed well-armed. The exchange could continue for a long time.

"Cover," Craig called, noticing the camouflage men glance his way before pulling his team behind a nearby wall. Extending his fingers, Craig watched as the fanatics convulsed before crumpling to the floor. Glancing to the side, he nodded to his team.

"Children are in here," he said, pointing at the keypad only for it to give off a puff of smoke and the door to open automatically, "wait while I enter."

"What is he?" one of the camouflage-dressed men whispered.

"He's… a light thrower," Breanna murmured, "without him, we cannot get the children out."

Craig nodded slightly before entering. The sight of children chained, restrained and caged drew a shudder of anger from him.

"Who is the light thrower?" Craig asked.

A nearby teen struggled against his chains mumbling through the gag around his mouth. Craig met the enraged expression before removing the material from the teen's mouth.

"I am," the struggling teen said, "who are you?"

"Craig," Craig murmured, flexing his fingers a little, "the Lighter Thrower."

"Don't hurt them," the teen begged.

"Whatever you've been told is false," Craig pointed his fingers at the teen's restraints, "I'm not here to destroy you. We're here to save you."

The teen frowned, "What about the babies?"

"Them too," Craig said, moving around the room, destroying the chains and restraints and opening cages, "get the babies and go with my team. We are here to get you out."

Craig watched as the children left the room, all turning toward the room where the babies were held. He heard the sudden exchange of fighting. Moving quickly, he found the fanatics doing everything possible to stop the young lift thrower from getting to the room.

"Light thrower," he called, "protect the young."

Craig inhaled deeply before extending his hands toward the fanatics, watching the bodies fall as he moved past the protected group of children. Pointing his fingers, he opened the room for the babies.

"Quickly," Craig said, "get them out. Breanna," he called, "it's time."

Further down the corridor, Breanna exhaled, "That was impressive."

"Who is Breanna?" the man Iris called Todd whispered.

"That would be me," Breanna whispered, "let's get them out."