Chapter 54: The Heist – Stealing Lisa's Research

Chapter 54: The Heist – Stealing Lisa's Research


Jake followed a finger tracing a line on the map, his forehead furrowed. "That's a risk, Fountain. If you get caught."

"I won't," Fountain interrupted, his voice thick with reassuring certainty. "I know their schedules. I know their habits. And we don't have any more time. Seraph's getting too sloppy. We need to take her down hard, and we need to do it now."

Mia nodded, her face grim. "He's right. We can't wait. We have to do something before she gives her any more of that stuff."

Zane, the pragmatist, groaned. "And then there's the formula. In and out is one thing, but pulling the data without triggering alarms is a completely different tale."

"That's where you come in," Fountain said to Zane. "You're the computer whiz. You'll be my backup, my eyes and ears. I'll need you to guide me through her systems."

Rico, quiet and foreboding up until now, interrupted, his voice low and level. "Security? Even if you're able to bypass the systems, there'll be guards." 

"We'll take care of the guards," Jake said, looking Rico straight in the eye. "We'll set up a diversion, lead them away from the lab. Give the two of you all the time you require."

It was a dangerous plan, a balancing act between catastrophe. There was no alternative, though. They had to infiltrate Lisa's lab, pilfer the Seraph formula from her, and bring her operation into the light of day. It was a gamble, but it was their best last chance to be beyond her grasp.

Rico snorted, bracing himself against the table. "And why are we believing you? You're human, and you just happen to know the doorway to one of the most lethal supernatural strongholds? That's a trap."

"I tracked Lisa for years," Fountain replied, unruffled but straightforward. "I know her weaknesses. I don't have personal bias clouding my judgment the way you do."

Jake placed a hand on Rico's shoulder before another brawl would ensue. "We can't be bothered with this. If we don't kill her now, she'll have all packs under her control. Let's go.".

The compound itself was located underneath an out-of-town abandoned industrial compound. It was fenced and heavily guarded, but they had prepared for that. Fountain had given the security database false entry codes, which would create a small window of entry and also close undetected.

Jake and Zane headed the raiding team with Fountain and Mia taking the outside, keeping an eye on security cameras. The strategy was simple enough—inside, retrieve the research, and out before Lisa's goons even knew they were there.

They slipped through the blackened corridors like ghosts at midnight, avoiding guards with faultless timing. Inside the main laboratory, Jake and Zane guarded the door while Rico worked on picking the lock.

"C'mon," Zane growled, looking for some action in the hall.
"Hack this with werewolf claws, be my guest. Your fun," Rico shot back, jabbing at the keypad with vicious thrusts. A gentle beep and then success, and the door opened.

A chilled cabinet in a corner of the room contained racks of vials of the obedience drug with various stages of testing labeled on them.

Jake shifted to the center console, slipping Fountain's device in. The screen flared to life in a data transfer flurry.

"We're in," Jake whispered into his earpiece. "Fountain, how long?"

Fountain replied over comms in a burst. "Five minutes or more. Just keep the room quiet."

Quiet would never be.

A wailing alarm screamed through the air out of nowhere, red lights flashing around the room.

"Shit!" Rico cursed. "They've locked on to us!"

Jake yanked the device from the terminal as the transfer completed. "We've got what we came for! Move, let's go!"

Zane filled some vials in his coat and joined the others in a dash out into the hallway.

Guards poured in from both directions, cornering them.

Lisa's threatening low voice on the intercom. "Did you think I would not have waited for you, Jake? You're so predictable."

Zane gritted his teeth. "We cannot play by her rules. We have to escape!"

Mia's urgent voice over the earpiece. "West, head west! There's a fire exit opening into the tunnel under the city. But be quick!"

They ran and fought, shooting and defending themselves from Lisa's goons who were hot on their heels. Rico got shot in the shoulder but continued running. Jake, who had the stolen research with him, fought his way forward while Zane covered the rear.

It was only when they reached the door that they discovered a giant of a man blocking the doorway. Donovan!

"Off in such a hurry?" he sneered, cracking his knuckles.

Zane did not hesitate, tackling Donovan in a frenzied battle. Claws swiped, fists punched, and bones broke. The hallway shook with their battle! Jake and Rico tried to find another way.

Fountain's voice appeared again. "There's another way! A service tunnel to your left!

Jake stopped, watching Zane battle with Donovan. "We can't leave him!"

Zane barely managed to shove Donovan back before yelling, “GO! I’ll catch up!”

Jake tightened his fists but continued on. Rico dragged him through the tunnel with cries of war following behind them.

They emerged into the night, gasping for air. Zane came out a minute later, battered but alive.

Mia and Fountain were already waiting in a getaway car.

Jake dumped the stolen information on the dashboard. "We've got it. Lisa's plans, her formula—everything."

Fountain's face was a mask as he looked at him. "Then you just declared war."

The reality struck all of them. Lisa wasn't looking for Jake anymore. She was looking for anyone who would stand in her way.

And this time, there was no place to hide.