nded by her allies. The air was thick with tension, the dim light casting jagged shadows that danced like predators on the

y and menace. "You always did have a flair for the dramatic, Alexander," she said, her voice sli

rectly at her. "This ends tonight, Sop

nto a faint, amused sm

network, all of it," he said, his voice steady

ctly? Do you think anyone in power will listen to you? This world doesn'

ands disappearing into their jackets

yes never leaving Alexander.

-

Desperat

r in Alexander's arm, the barely perceptible shift in Sophia's posture. It

carious stack of crates. If she could topple them, it mi

er breath shallow, her palms damp. The floor creaked under

-

Show

ice cold, "is that you think you're untouchabl

yours is a fatal weakness. You ca

ence. Emily shoved the crates with all her strength

outed, her voice cutt

and throwing the room into disarray. Sophia's men drew their weapons, but A

ang out, her calm demeanor cr

-

Ch

ly sprinted through the maze of corridors. The pounding of footsteps behind them was

barked, leading Emily

ight air hitting them like a wave. Parked

yelled, pulling Em

l as soon as they slammed the doors shut. The rear window shattered un

-

ia's

stood amidst the wreckage, her

roached cautiously

ut. "Hartley is resourceful," she said through c

ans for Project Falcon lay scattered

said to herself. "They think expos

ous gleam in her eyes. "Le

-

g at the

surrounded by dense woods and cloaked in darkness. I

ypted devices, and maps. He handed Emily a secure tablet. "We need to contac

e tinged with doubt. "Do we e

t was a scarce resource,

a former intelligence officer. I

esolve hardening. "

-

ly Re

a glass of whiskey. The retired intelligence officer was grizzled

at the encrypted number. Answeri

faint smirk on his lips. "I was

" Alexander replie

at bad, huh? What kind of tr

said. "She's running a global operatio

serious expression. "You're going af

r said. "But I do

is glass. "Then I guess

-

rap i

a glowing screen in her command cen

ieutenant. "It's the only move he has left.

old smile. "And when he

-

eir plan. With Jacob's help, they had a chance to turn the tide. But

climax, and the cost of