CHAPTER 20
We drove through the mountain roads,
heading toward the hidden server facility.
It was disguised as an underground research center,
carved directly into the solid alpine rock.
Natalie used the cloned credentials to open the outer gates,
the heavy steel bars sliding open silently.
We entered the facility,
the air chillingly cold to protect the machines.
Rows of massive server towers stretched out,
their blue lights blinking like a digital city.
"This is the heart of the shadow empire,"
Daniel whispered,
setting up his portable hacking terminal.
"Once I initiate the shutdown sequence,
every illegal account will be permanently frozen."
"How long will it take,"
Liam asked,
watching the security monitors nervously.
"Five minutes,"
Daniel replied,
his fingers moving like lightning.
Suddenly,
the facility sirens began to wail,
a loud red strobe light illuminating the room.
The main entrance doors slammed shut,
locking us inside the freezing server room.
A large video screen on the wall activated,
revealing the angry face of Julian Vance.
"You think you are clever,
Emily,"
he roared,
his voice echoing through the speakers.
"You stole my key,
but you walked straight into my trap!"
"Security forces are already on their way,
and you will never leave this mountain alive."
"Finish it,
Daniel,"
I screamed,
refusing to let panic take over.
"Don't look at the screen,
just finish the sequence!"
The sound of heavy boots echoed outside,
as Vance's security guards approached the door.
They began to use a plasma torch,
sparks flying through the cracks of the metal frame.
Liam grabbed a heavy iron pipe from the utility rack,
standing in front of Daniel to protect him.
"I will hold them off,"
Liam said,
his face filled with fierce determination.
"You help Daniel,
Emily!"
The heat in the room rose as the torch cut through,
the smell of burning metal filling the air.
"Eighty percent,"
Daniel shouted,
sweat dripping onto his keyboard despite the cold.
The steel door gave way with a loud crash,
and three armed guards rushed into the room.
Liam swung the iron pipe with incredible force,
knocking the first guard to the ground.
I grabbed a heavy network cable,
tripping the second guard as he tried to aim his weapon.
The third guard raised his rifle,
pointing it directly at Daniel's terminal.
Without thinking,
I lunged forward,
tackling the guard with all my remaining strength.
The gun fired wildly into the ceiling,
shattering the fluorescent lights.
In the semi-darkness,
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Daniel hit the final key with a triumphant shout.
"Enter!"
