The Gathering Storm(14)

Ariel's POV

Sitting in our makeshift safe home in a poorly lit room, the weight of the proof Victor handed us feels weighty on my shoulders. Alan and I labored for hours over the specifics, trying to fit Stella's forthcoming attack together. If we fail to stop her in time, my head runs with ideas of what might happen.

Alan is moving back and forth with a focused expression. He seems on edge; his stiff posture clearly shows the strain of the past several days. He stops and fixes me with a mixture of compassion and will in his gaze.

Breaking the stillness, he exclaims, "We have to act fast." "We have to be ahead of Stella if her plans call for something this size."

I nod, sense the same urgency. "I have been considering the occasion she is aiming at. Right, this is a well-known charity function. Should we be able to go there and intercept her intentions, we could be able to stop the turmoil she is hoping for.

Alan's eyes narrow. "That will be difficult work. Stella won't be simple to follow; security will be tight. Still, our best chance comes from here.

We start to formulate a plan. We want to blend in with the throng at the event and search for any evidence of Stella's operation. Alan will take care of the IT aspect and search for any signs pointing us in her direction. I will be the one on the ground compiling data and constantly watching for any unusual behavior.

Alan and I are ready when the gala night arrives. Trying to fit in with the throng, I dress sleek black. Alan is in a smart suit; his often confident manner has given way to a focused intensity. Tonight's high stakes are known to both of us.

The grandeur of the expensive facility is astounding as we arrive. Conversations and clinking drinks fill the area as glittering chandeliers swing from the ceiling. I search the throng for something unusual.

Alan moves to a quiet area where he arranges his tools. Though his hands are firm, I sense strain on his features. I attempt to act as naturally as I can as I negotiate the throng. As I head into the main area—where the highlight event of the gala is about to start—my heart races.

I mix and see a group of people seated around a table, their discussion modest and focused. I grab a few bits—words like "shipment" and "timing" that cause my heart to skip a beat. I approach more closely, attempting to hear without attracting notice.

Marie is walking toward the group just then. I'm surprised by her presence. She is doing something here.

I go straight over to her. " Marie?" Your activities are what?

Marie seems astonished, then relieved. "Ariel, I wasn't sure you would be here. Following up on a lead, I have been. Stella's people seem to be organizing something grand tonight.

My stomach closes. We are here for exactly that. We must ascertain their intended course of action and stop it.

Marie nods; her face is white. "I overheard them discussing a switch—something they are moving in and out of the arena. I believe their strategy depends critically on this.

A disturbance starts close to the stage before we can talk further. I turn to find Alan staring worried. My pulse accelerating, I dash back to him.

"What's happening?," I asked Trying to keep my voice cool.

Alan's face is stiff. I have picked up a signal. It's jumbled but coming from within the venue. Where is it coming from? We must discover.

Alan stayed to monitor the transmission while I searched the throng for anything strange. We divided up. I watch the exits and search for any indications of a covert operation.

I see a door slightly open as I walk by a side passage. I gently open it then slide inside. Though the place is dark, I can see several figures moving about. I know one of them—Daniel, Stella's right-hand man.

Though I try to hide, I turn around from a noise behind me. Marie shockingly walks into the room looking exactly shocked to see me. She whispers anxiously, "What are you doing here?

I say, "I could ask you the same thing." "We have to work out what is happening before it is too late."

The door slams close behind us suddenly. I whirl around and find Daniel and another man blocking the door. My heart leaps. We are caught.

Daniel says, a smile on his face, "Looks like we have company." "You ought not to have come here, Ariel."

Marie's complexion turns white. "This proved to be a trap. They were aware we had come looking.

The lights fluttered on before I could reply, exposing a set of monitors displaying live feeds from several sections of the venue. Stella's voice crosses a speaker, chilly and deliberate.

"Wonderful, Ariel. You have discovered my small surprise, I see.

My pulse freezes in my throat. "What are your preferences, Stella?"

Stella's picture shows on the monitor; her face seems to combine contempt with satisfaction. The event tonight was always supposed to be a diversion. While everyone is preoccupied with the event, I have been organizing something even more catastrophic.

I look at Marie; she looks terrified. "What is she talking about?"

Marie is staring wide with insight. She is not only bringing anarchy about. She is organizing an attack meant to destroy the city.

Stella's voice carries on, "A thorn in your side, Ariel. But tonight, I'll see to it that everyone you know as well as yourself are looking for.

I look behind me at a sharp noise. Daniel and his friend are moving forward, and their eyes clearly show evil intention. You're not going anywhere.

Alan walks determinedly into the room. "We have to stop her right now.

The circumstances seem hopeless. Though we outgunned and outnumbered, we cannot give up. Alan works quickly, involving Daniel while Marie and I try to turn off the monitors and throw Stella off course.

Working, I see the gala peeks through one of the screens. Already, the anarchy is beginning to play out, and the urgency of our work strikes me like a tidal wave.

Alan subdued Daniel, and then we broke out of the room together. Though the event is totally disorganized, we have an opportunity to change things.

"Marie, stay with Alan," I say. "I'll locate Stella and stop her."

Alan nods, eyes full of both concern and will. "Be cautious." We will deal with things here.

Pushing past terrified visitors and security guards, I dash across the arena. At last I find Stella close to the main control room, her face one of chilly enjoyment as she watches the horror play out.

"Stella!": I yell, my voice booming with rebellion.

She turns, startled but fast covering it with a haughtiness. "Ariel". I had not anticipated your making it this far.

"You're not getting away with this," I say, stepping forward. "I will stop you no matter what."

Stella's smile quickly disappears. You consider yourself to be quite bold. But boldness has little bearing on the result.

The air is filled with sirens as we face off. Stella's facial changes from assurance to anxiety. She is aware the authorities are close in.

Ariel continues, her voice low and menacing, "This isn't over." But you made a mistake believing you could call this off.

Stella turns with that and starts running for it. She is already vanishing into the night when I pursue her. The authorities and security rush the area fast, leaving me standing among the turmoil trying to gather my breath.

Alan and Marie discover me; their faces are relieved. "Are you good??" Alan enquiries.

I nod, still getting my breath under control. "We've stopped the worst of it; Stella's still out there.".

Marie looks at us with optimism mixed with tiredness. "I appreciate your belief in me. I will try to bring her down using all I have.

Our position sinks in as we depart the arena. Though the battle is far from finished, we have made improvements. Stella is still out there and more deadly than she was years before. But tonight we have proved that we are not caving in.

Though the storm is not yet gone, we have made major progress. We will confront whatever is to come together.