Guardian by Cathy McCrumb

Book 3 of Children of the Consortium

Summary:

The Recorder's fate has been sealed, but the Consortium is not the only enemy.

Labeled an aberration by the Consortium, the Recorder is not yet free. Time is running out as an engineered bioweapon wreaks havoc on friend and foe alike.

Stopping both the biological agent and the people who created it is no easy task, especially since the Recorder and her friends are trapped on a research station infested with behemoth insects. Without Consortium technology, the probability of neutralizing the threat falls to nothing. In order to save her allies, the Recorder must activate a drone, but her success might destroy any hope for freedom, a future, and a name.

Opening Lines:

Subzero surface air hissed through the closing hanger doors, its sulfur burning my nose and its cold creeping through my inadequate black jacket. Nate spun me around once again, and grit and dust swirled around our legs. I coughed into my elbow before resting my bare cheek against his armored chest while the debris settled.