Chapter 5

As Andrew and Cipher charged forward, the chaos around them intensified. The sounds of gunfire echoed off the factory walls, creating a dissonant symphony of violence. Harris stood at the table, rage flashing in his eyes as he frantically reached for his weapon.

"Stop them!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the din like a knife. The remaining guards scrambled to obey, trying to put themselves between their boss and the two attackers.

Andrew and Cipher moved in sync, both trained for moments like this. Andrew fired two quick shots, taking down one guard who had raised his weapon just in time, while Cipher expertly sidestepped another guard, using a swift elbow strike to incapacitate him.

"Keep pushing!" Cipher yelled over the noise. "We can't let him escape!"

Andrew nodded, adrenaline coursing through him. He ducked behind a stack of crates, glancing around to assess their options. Harris was pinned against the table, but he wouldn't go down without a fight. Andrew felt a rush of anger thinking about everything Harris had taken from him—his father, his freedom, his peace of mind.

"Let's corner him!" Andrew shouted, signaling Cipher to flank Harris from the left.

As they moved, Andrew's heart raced. He could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on him. This was personal, and he wouldn't let Harris slip away again.

Cipher quickly moved into position, giving Andrew a nod. "On three," he said, his voice low and steady. "One… two… three!"

With a surge of adrenaline, they both lunged toward Harris. But just as they reached him, the last guard—the one Cipher had missed—made a desperate move, raising his weapon and firing.

Time seemed to slow. Andrew's instincts kicked in, and he dove to the side, narrowly avoiding the bullet that would have struck him. He heard the sharp crack of the gunfire and felt a jolt of fear spike through him. Cipher, however, was still moving forward, unfazed.

Cipher's blade glinted under the flickering factory lights as he lunged at the guard. A swift motion, and the guard was disarmed and down, leaving Harris isolated and cornered.

"Now, Harris," Andrew said, pointing his gun at the man's head. "You've run out of places to hide. This is your last chance to tell me everything."

Harris, breathing heavily, raised his hands in mock surrender. "You think you can just walk in here and kill me? You have no idea who you're dealing with!"

"Try me," Andrew replied, the intensity in his voice unyielding. "I know exactly who you are—a coward hiding behind his men. But they won't save you now."

The tension hung thick in the air. Harris glanced around, his mind racing for a way out. "You really think I'm alone? You have no idea what's coming for you, Agent Andrew. This is just the beginning."

Andrew narrowed his eyes, keeping the gun trained on Harris. "What are you talking about? You're finished here."

But just as he prepared to make his move, a loud alarm blared through the factory, drowning out their voices. Red lights began flashing, and a voice echoed over the PA system, warning of an intruder alert.

"Damn it!" Cipher cursed. "They've activated the lockdown protocols!"

Before Andrew could respond, the ground beneath them shook, and steel gates began to descend, sealing off their escape routes. Guards outside rushed to reinforce the doors, and Andrew could hear footsteps pounding in their direction.

"We're out of time!" Cipher shouted, frantically scanning the room for an exit. "We need to get out of here now!"

Andrew gritted his teeth, frustration boiling inside him. They had come so close. He turned back to Harris, who was now grinning maliciously. "Looks like your little victory is slipping away," Harris taunted, his voice dripping with contempt.

Andrew made a split-second decision. "You're coming with us," he said, grabbing Harris by the collar and dragging him toward the back of the room. "You're not getting away that easily."

As they made their way through the chaotic factory, Andrew could feel the pressure mounting. Guards were flooding in, and they had to move fast. Cipher led the way, using his knowledge of the layout to navigate through the labyrinth of machinery and crates.

"Follow me!" Cipher shouted, pointing toward a door that led to the loading dock.

They burst through the door just as a hail of bullets whizzed past them. Andrew shoved Harris ahead, forcing him to lead the way as they stumbled into the loading area, now illuminated by harsh overhead lights.

The loading dock was a wide-open space filled with large trucks and equipment. Andrew glanced around, searching for a way out while keeping Harris close.

"We need a vehicle!" Cipher called out, scanning the area.

Andrew's eyes fell on a truck parked at the far end of the dock. "There!" he shouted, pointing. "Get to the truck!"

Cipher nodded and dashed toward the vehicle. Andrew kept his gun trained on Harris as they moved. Harris seemed to sense the urgency, his bravado slipping as the reality of the situation dawned on him.

"You think you can just drive away?" Harris sneered, but his voice trembled slightly. "They'll hunt you down!"

"We'll take our chances," Andrew replied coldly. "But I won't let you escape this time."

They reached the truck, and Cipher quickly hopped into the driver's seat. "Get in!" he yelled, motioning for Andrew and Harris to join him.

Andrew shoved Harris inside, climbing in after him. "Buckle up," he said, keeping his gun on Harris. "This is going to be a bumpy ride."

Cipher fired up the engine, and the truck roared to life. Just as they pulled out of the loading dock, more guards flooded into the area, bullets ricocheting off the truck's metal frame.

"Floor it!" Andrew shouted, adrenaline spiking as Cipher slammed on the gas.

The truck lurched forward, crashing through the factory's exit and into the night. The sound of chaos faded behind them, but Andrew knew it wasn't over yet. They had made it out, but they still needed to regroup and come up with a new plan.

"Where to now?" Cipher asked, glancing at Andrew.

"Back to the safe house," Andrew said, glancing at Harris, who was now looking far less confident. "And keep an eye on our guest. I want him to understand that he's not in control anymore."

As they sped down the dark streets, Andrew felt the weight of the world pressing down on him. They had escaped, but the real battle was still ahead. Harris may have been cornered for now, but Andrew knew he wouldn't give up easily. He would do whatever it took to reclaim his life and bring Harris to justice.

The night was far from over, and as they raced through the city, Andrew couldn't shake the feeling that the next confrontation would be even more dangerous than the last. Harris had lost the battle, but the war was far from over.

---

The truck rumbled through the city streets, each turn echoing with the tension of what lay ahead. Andrew sat beside Harris, who was now visibly rattled. The man had lost his bravado, and Andrew could sense the fear emanating from him. Good. He deserved every bit of it.

"Let's make a pit stop first," Cipher said suddenly, his eyes scanning the road ahead. "We need to get some supplies and information."

Andrew frowned. "What do you have in mind?"

"There's a contact of mine a few blocks from here," Cipher explained. "He might have intel on Harris's operations and could help us gear up for the next phase."

"Fine," Andrew replied, glancing at Harris. "But if he tries anything, I'll put him down myself."

Cipher nodded, turning the truck into a side street. They drove for a few minutes before arriving at a small, inconspicuous storefront nestled between two larger buildings. Cipher parked the truck and quickly turned off the engine.

"Stay alert," Andrew said, keeping his gun trained on Harris. "No sudden moves."

Harris remained quiet, his eyes darting nervously between Andrew and Cipher. It was clear he was trying to calculate his odds, but Andrew could see the fear in his eyes. He was trapped, and Andrew intended to make sure he understood that.

Cipher hopped out of the truck, glancing back at Andrew. "I'll be quick. Just keep an eye on him."

Andrew nodded, watching as Cipher slipped into the storefront. He turned back to Harris, who was now fidgeting nervously in his seat. "You think you're going to walk away from this?" Andrew asked, his voice low and threatening.

Harris scoffed, but it lacked conviction. "You'll regret this, Agent. You're playing a dangerous game."

"Maybe," Andrew replied, leaning closer. "But at least I'm playing it on my terms. You think I care about your threats? You have no idea what I'm capable of."

Harris's bravado faltered further, and he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "You don't have to do this. We can work together—"

"Together?" Andrew interrupted, a harsh laugh escaping his lips. "You think I'd ever work with you after everything you've done? You're a monster, and monsters don't get second chances."

Just then, Cipher emerged from the store, carrying a duffel bag. "Got what we need," he said, tossing it into the back of the truck before climbing back into the driver's seat.

"Let's go," Andrew ordered.