Chapter 36
We climbed a rusted metal ladder that led from the reservoir up into a narrow mechanical maintenance room on the basement level.
The air here was hot and vibrant, filled with the loud, steady hum of massive industrial HVAC units and electrical transformers.
James cracked the heavy steel exit door open an inch, peering out into a long, sterile concrete corridor illuminated by flickering fluorescent lights.
The hallway was completely empty, but a red emergency light was pulsing slowly from the ceiling, confirming the facility's total lockdown status.
"Bennett's assault must have drawn most of their internal security forces to the upper levels and main gates," Collins whispered.
"But that means the path to the central elevator shaft is going to be a gauntlet of automated security systems and remaining loyalists."
Suddenly, a loud, heavy footstep echoed from the far end of the corridor, followed by the distinctive click of an automatic rifle safety disengaging.
James didn't hesitate; he lunged through the doorway, his suppressed pistol barking twice before the mercenary could even raise his weapon.
The soldier collapsed silently to the floor, his heavy combat gear clattering against the polished concrete like a bag of broken bones.
Collins sprinted forward, dragging the body into a nearby utility closet while I helped Claire and Ethan cross the exposed hallway.
We moved quickly, keeping our backs to the wall as we navigated a labyrinth of identical doors and security checkpoints.
We reached the central elevator bank, but the digital touchscreens were completely black, disabled by the building's emergency protocol.
"The elevator cables are locked down by the main computer frame," Claire said, her eyes scanning a mechanical schematic on the wall.
"The only way to reach the penthouse now is to climb the service stairs inside the central core of the tower."
"That is sixty flights of stairs," James stated, his face showing no emotion as he checked his remaining ammunition magazines.
"We don't have a choice," I replied, looking down at the silver drive in my hand as the phantom clock in my head continued to tick.
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With less than two hours left, every second spent climbing was a second closer to either total salvation or complete global ruin.
James pushed open the heavy fire door to the stairwell, and we began our long, exhausting ascent into the concrete throat of the enemy stronghold.
