Chapter 45 – The Enemy Within

Gunfire roared through the facility's outer perimeter as the Iron Hand Syndicate launched their assault. The automated turrets I had installed whirred to life, raining bullets into the blizzard-covered battlefield. The flashes of muzzle fire illuminated shadowy figures ducking for cover. The storm made visibility hell, but I could see enough to know this wasn't a simple raid.

They were organized. Tactically trained.

Ray barked orders over the comms, rallying the defenders. "Hold your positions! Keep them out of the inner perimeter!"

Daniel was already on the east barricade, laying down suppressive fire. Lily had taken cover with the other civilians deeper inside. At least they were safe—for now.

I gritted my teeth and took aim, picking off a Syndicate soldier trying to disable one of my drones. My rifle's recoil kicked hard against my shoulder, but the bastard went down.

Then a warning flashed across my vision.

[System Alert: Inner Perimeter Breached!]

I froze.

That shouldn't have been possible. Unless—

My mind snapped to Carter.

I turned sharply toward the holding cell, shoving through the chaos inside the facility. I slammed my shoulder into the steel door, rifle raised—

Empty.

The cuffs lay broken on the floor. The door's electronic lock had been overridden.

He was gone.

And that meant—

Boom!

An explosion rocked the facility, knocking me off balance. Sabotage.

I stumbled back onto my feet, ears ringing. The blast had taken out a section of our reinforced barricade, creating a new opening for the Syndicate to push in.

Rage burned through me. Carter had planned this.

I sprinted toward the nearest console, ignoring the sharp pain in my ribs. I needed to cut them off before they overwhelmed us. But as I reached for the system controls—

Pain.

Blinding. Sudden.

Something sharp drove into my side, just below my ribs. My breath hitched, and I barely caught the glint of a blade before it twisted deeper.

Carter's voice was a whisper in my ear.

"I told you, James. You were a threat."

I choked back the pain and swung my elbow back. It connected with his jaw, forcing him to stumble away. I turned, one hand pressing against the wound as warm blood seeped through my fingers.

Carter wiped his mouth, a smirk curling on his lips. "They only sent a fraction of their forces tonight. Next time, you won't be so lucky."

My vision blurred for a second, but I refused to show weakness. I raised my gun—

But Carter was already moving. Fast.

I fired. The bullet tore through empty air. He was gone.

No footprints. No trace.

Like a damn ghost.

[Warning: Critical Blood Loss Detected. Seek Medical Attention Immediately.]

I stumbled back, gripping the console. I forced my focus onto the system, overriding Carter's sabotage before the Syndicate could exploit it further.

Outside, the battle raged, but I could hear it shifting. The Syndicate was retreating. They had expected an easy target. Instead, they had lost too many men.

But it wasn't a victory.

Not with Carter gone.

Not with the knowledge that this was just the beginning.

I exhaled shakily, pressing against the wound, trying to stay conscious.

Ray's voice crackled over the radio. "James, they're pulling back. But you're hurt bad—we need to get you inside!"

I barely heard him. My eyes were locked on the dark horizon, the storm swallowing up our attackers.

And somewhere out there, Carter was watching.

Waiting.

Planning his next move.

---

Carter betrayed James at the worst moment—but was it all part of a bigger plan?

And how did he escape so cleanly?

What do you think James should do next?

Should he hunt Carter down before the Syndicate returns?

Drop your thoughts in the comments!