Chapter 39
James walked to the edge of the white hallway, tossing a ruined tactical helmet onto the polished floor to test the automated defenses.
Within a fraction of a second, a hidden panel in the ceiling slid open, and a sleek, dual-barrel defense turret dropped down with mechanical precision.
A blinding stream of high-caliber rounds erupted from the turret, instantly obliterating the helmet and chewing the floor into a million plastic shards.
The turret then swiveled back into a neutral position, its glowing red optical sensor scanning the corridor for any other signs of movement.
"It runs on an independent thermal and motion-tracking sub-routine," Claire noted, her analytical mind working despite the overwhelming terror.
"The main power line for those turrets runs through the secondary server closet located directly beneath our feet on the lower floor."
Collins looked at James, a silent understanding passing between the two seasoned operatives without a single word needing to be spoken.
"We'll go down and cut the primary power relays," James said, his voice completely calm as if he were discussing a routine training exercise.
"You three stay here with Bennett; the moment that red optical sensor goes dark, you run down that hallway with the drive."
They disappeared back into the stairwell, leaving Claire, Ethan, and me standing in the ruined lobby alongside the remaining federal agents.
I looked down at the silver drive, my fingers trembling slightly as the sheer weight of generations of family suffering pressed down on me.
My grandfather had died in a cold cell to protect this truth, and my father had spent his entire life running through the dark to keep it alive.
Now, it was all down to a matter of minutes, standing in a shattered skyscraper while our friends risked their lives in the dark below.
Suddenly, the steady hum of the automated turret in the hallway changed pitch, its red optical sensor flickering violently before dying completely.
The dual barrels dropped loosely toward the floor, its power completely severed by James and Collins on the utility level below.
"Go!" Bennett yelled, coughing up a chestful of smoke as he pointed his weapon toward the far end of the cleared corridor.
May you like
I gripped Claire's hand tightly, and together we sprinted down the narrow white hallway, our boots pounding against the ruined floorboards.
We reached the massive circular vault door just as a heavy, mechanical hum groaned from within, signaling that time had officially run out.
