Chapter 14

We spent the next few hours preparing. Athena double-checked our weapons, ensuring every magazine was loaded and every suppressor was secured. Cloud paced near the entrance, stretching his injured arm, determined not to be a liability. I stayed glued to the blueprints, memorizing the layout and plotting multiple escape routes.

“We need eyes inside,” Athena said, snapping her pistol’s slide into place. “A scout to confirm the tunnel is still accessible.”

“I can handle that,” Cloud volunteered. “I’ll go in alone, check for motion detectors or recent activity.”

I hesitated. His injury was fresh, and I didn’t like sending him in alone. But he was the best at recon.

“Fine,” I said. “But keep radio contact every five minutes. Any sign of trouble, you pull out. No heroics.”

Cloud smirked. “You worry too much.”

Athena tossed him a small device. “Tracker. If you go dark, we come in after you.”

With a nod, Cloud slipped into the night. The tension in the room didn’t ease after he left. Athena busied herself with final checks while I monitored the comms. Minutes dragged by like hours.

“Tunnel’s clear,” Cloud finally reported. “No recent activity. Looks like Reed was right.”

I exhaled. “Get back here. We move in an hour.”

By the time Cloud returned, we were ready. Dressed in tactical gear, we moved through the city’s shadows, keeping off the main roads. When we reached the old maintenance tunnel, Athena went first, testing the rungs of the rusted ladder before descending. Cloud followed, and I took up the rear, sealing the entrance behind us.

The tunnel stretched ahead, damp and silent. The only sounds were our footsteps against concrete and the occasional drip of water. I checked the blueprints one last time.

“We’re close,” I whispered. “One more turn, then we hit the sublevel entrance.”

Athena raised a fist, signaling us to stop. We pressed against the walls as she moved ahead, scanning for traps. She motioned us forward once she was sure the path was clear.

We reached the access panel. Cloud knelt beside it, pulling out a small hacking device. “Give me a minute.”

A tense silence settled over us. The seconds ticked by, each one heavier than the last.

Then, a faint beep. Cloud grinned. “We’re in.”

The panel slid open, revealing a service corridor bathed in dim red light. We slipped inside, weapons drawn. Every step brought us closer to SynerTech’s secret.

Athena pointed toward the main chamber ahead. “That’s where they’ll keep the prototype.”

Cloud scanned the room with narrowed eyes. “Something doesn’t feel right.”

A sudden click echoed through the hall.

“Tripwire!” I shouted.

Too late.

The explosion rocked the corridor, sending us sprawling. Alarms blared as red lights turned to flashing strobes.

SynerTech was waiting for us.

Through the ringing in my ears, I heard footsteps. Armed guards flooded the chamber, rifles raised. Athena staggered to her feet, dragging Cloud up with her. I gritted my teeth, gripping my weapon.

We were trapped.

Athena locked eyes with me. “No running this time.”

Cloud wiped blood from his forehead and nodded. “We fight.”

I exhaled, raising my gun.

“Then let’s make them regret it.”

The first shots rang out, sparks flying as bullets ricocheted off metal walls. I dove behind a crate, returning fire. Athena rolled to the side, taking out a guard with a clean shot to the head. Cloud, despite his injury, fought like hell, ducking and weaving between cover.

More guards flooded in. We were outnumbered, outgunned, but we had one advantage—desperation.

“We need to move!” I shouted over the gunfire.

Athena pointed to an overhead ventilation shaft. “That’s our way out!”

Cloud covered us as we climbed, suppressing fire keeping the guards at bay. I pulled Athena up just as Cloud grabbed my arm, hauling himself in.

Below us, the guards weren’t stopping.

“Blow it,” Athena ordered.

Cloud didn’t hesitate. He tossed a grenade down before we scrambled through the vents. The explosion rocked the building, buying us precious seconds.

We emerged on the rooftop, gasping for air. The city stretched below, lights twinkling against the night sky. But we weren’t safe yet.

A helicopter hovered above, its spotlight locking onto us.

“They’re not letting us go,” I muttered.

Athena looked at me, then at Cloud.

“Time to improvise.”