EPISODE 12: FINAL MILE ## Midnight Protocol — Season 1, Episode 12 (Season Finale) --- Season finales in the old world were TV. In the System world they were timers with teeth. ``` [SEASON NODE: FINAL MILE] Objective: Escort the Harbor Seed Core to Mercy Cross Roof Beacon Failure: Harbor instance destabilizes — mass failed integrations Reward: Class Evolution II · Network charter hard-lock · Personal rest (temporary) ``` The Seed Core was a sphere of blue glass heavy as guilt. Only a Protocol Runner could carry it without triggering detonation. ``` [QUEST ITEM: HARBOR SEED CORE] Carrier: Rae Voss (locked) Drop = cascade event ``` --- ## CHAPTER 1: EVERYONE WANTS THE PACKAGE Root Access hit first. Aegis second. Iron Marrow third because they hated being third. Spine Road formed a corridor of bodies and bikes. ``` [PARTY RAID: SPINE ROAD + MERCY ALLIES] Members: 18 ``` Rae ran the center line. Route Sense was a river of light. Sprint efficiency still scarred from Null, but AGI 34 made math kind. ``` [STATUS MID-RUN] HP: 81/100 STA: 44/100 Seed integrity: 92% ``` Kade Orr appeared not as rival—as escort, white flag burned off. "Don't get soft," he said, matching pace. "I still bill later." ``` [TEMPORARY ALLY: KADE ORR] ``` --- ## CHAPTER 2: THE ROOF Mercy Cross...