A gas turbine engine may include an axial high pressure compressor having an air flow pathway positioned between the inner and outer rim of the rotor section. The air flow pathway includes an inlet port, a transition segment, an axial segment, and an outlet port. The pathway may be a tube having an ovoid cross sectional shape and is substantially co-planar to the outer surface of the outer rim. The pathway may traverse the rotor section from the first rotor segment to the rear hub.