Chapter Twenty-Two: Striking Back
The penthouse hummed with tension as Ethan, Mia, and Victor laid out their plan. The burner phone from the Eclipse ambush was their best lead. Tracing it could uncover the shadowy network still loyal to Damien Locke, but it wasn't going to be easy.
Ethan's contacts in cybersecurity had already decrypted the phone's data, revealing a series of encrypted messages and coordinates. One location stood out—a private estate on the outskirts of the city. It belonged to Gregor Kane, a known associate of Damien's with a reputation for running underground operations.
"We start with Gregor," Ethan said, his voice firm. "If he's connected to this, he'll have the information we need."
Victor leaned back in his chair, his bandaged arm resting on the table. "Kane isn't someone you just knock on the door and talk to. He's heavily guarded, paranoid, and dangerous."
Mia crossed her arms. "Good thing we're not planning to knock. We're planning to break in."
Ethan's lips curved into a grim smile. "Then let's make it count."
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The Preparations
Mia's experience as Veil gave her an edge in infiltrating high-security locations. She outlined the plan, relying on her agility and knowledge of human behavior to create a diversion while Ethan and Victor focused on extracting information.
"This isn't just about sneaking in," Mia said as she slid a blueprint of Kane's estate onto the table. "We need to be prepared for anything. Kane's known for his brutality. If we're caught, we won't be walking out of there."
Ethan studied the blueprint, his jaw tightening. "We won't get caught. And if we do, I'll make sure you're safe. No matter what."
Mia met his gaze, a flicker of vulnerability crossing her features. "This isn't just your fight, Ethan. I'm not sitting on the sidelines."
Victor cleared his throat, breaking the tension. "Then let's gear up. We'll need to move quickly once we're in."
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The Infiltration
Night cloaked the city as the trio approached Kane's estate. The sprawling mansion sat behind tall iron gates, surrounded by dense trees and patrolled by armed guards.
Mia slipped through the shadows, her movements silent as a whisper. She reached the perimeter first, disabling a section of the security cameras with a small jammer.
"Cameras down," she whispered into her comms. "Move now."
Ethan and Victor followed, scaling the wall and landing in the garden. They moved quickly, sticking to the cover of the trees as they approached the house.
Mia led the way to a side entrance, picking the lock with practiced ease. Inside, the mansion was eerily quiet, the air thick with the scent of expensive cologne and danger.
"Split up," Ethan instructed. "We cover more ground this way. Mia, head for the study. Victor and I will check the basement."
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The Study: Secrets in Shadows
Mia slipped into the study, her pulse quickening as she scanned the room. It was filled with antique furniture, bookshelves, and a massive desk that seemed out of place in the otherwise sleek mansion.
She rifled through the desk drawers, finding nothing but legal documents and correspondence. Frustration bubbled up as she moved to the bookshelf, running her fingers along the spines.
One book felt heavier than the others. She pulled it, and the shelf slid aside, revealing a hidden safe.
"Jackpot," she muttered, reaching for her tools.
The safe opened with a soft click, revealing a trove of USB drives, cash, and photographs. She grabbed the drives and took a closer look at the photos. Her breath hitched—several of them featured her at Eclipse.
Before she could process the implications, heavy footsteps echoed in the hallway.
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The Basement: A Trap Laid Bare
Meanwhile, Ethan and Victor descended into the basement, their flashlights cutting through the darkness. The air grew colder as they moved deeper, the walls lined with crates and locked doors.
"Over here," Victor said, pointing to a crate marked with Damien Locke's insignia. They pried it open, revealing weapons and counterfeit documents.
"This is enough to tie Kane to Damien," Ethan said. "But we need more."
They continued searching, but something felt off. The basement was too quiet, the air too still. Suddenly, the lights flickered on, and armed guards flooded the room.
"It's a trap!" Victor yelled, pulling out his gun.
Ethan ducked behind a crate as bullets ricocheted around them. The sound of gunfire echoed through the mansion, alerting Mia upstairs.
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The Escape
Hearing the commotion, Mia grabbed the USB drives and bolted from the study. She sprinted through the halls, her heart pounding.
She reached the basement door just as a guard aimed at Ethan from behind. Without thinking, she hurled a decorative vase, knocking the gun from his hand.
"Mia!" Ethan shouted. "What are you doing here?"
"Saving your life," she snapped, grabbing his arm and pulling him toward the exit.
Victor covered their retreat, firing at the guards as they made their way upstairs. The trio burst into the garden, alarms blaring behind them.
A black SUV screeched to a halt at the gate, driven by one of Victor's trusted allies. They dove inside, the tires squealing as the car sped away.
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The Fallout
Back at the penthouse, they reviewed the contents of the USB drives. The data confirmed their suspicions: Kane had been funding Damien's operations and planning further sabotage against Cole Enterprises.
But one file stood out—a video recording of Kane speaking with an unidentified figure.
"This isn't Damien," Ethan said, his brow furrowing. "Who is this?"
Mia leaned closer, her expression darkening. "Whoever they are, they're the real mastermind behind this. Damien's just a pawn."
Victor nodded. "Which means the game is far from over."
Ethan clenched his fists, his determination hardening. "Then we keep fighting. No matter what it takes."