Chapter 18: FINAL CONFRONTATIONS

The auditorium erupted into chaos as Elliot's words hung in the air like a challenge.

Victor LaGraine's face twisted in rage on stage.

"Treason?! You dare accuse me – the founder of our Resistance, our savior from Umbra's tyranny?"

Elliot stood firm, pistol still holstered but hand resting on grip.

"You founded nothing but deceit, Victor. Archon Xandros was merely your puppet – you were always the true enemy."

Axel watched through sniper scope, Maya beside him whispering into comms.

"Crowd dividing – about 40% with Elliot, 30% loyal to Patriot, 30% unsure..."

Agent Kim added.

"Security teams moving in – still hacked out of commission, but Patriot must have backup plans..."

Ryder warned.

"He does – elite loyalists disguised as Resistance members – marking them on your scopes now, sniper team.

Axel's scope overlaid with Ryder's markings – he counted 17 elite loyalists scattered throughout the crowd.

Maya whispered.

"I've got 9 targets in my scope – you take the 8 on the left side, I'll handle the right."

Axel nodded silently, finger on trigger.

Below them, Elliot continued to confront Patriot/LaGraine:

"Your 'new world order' is just tyranny by another name, Victor. We won't let you enslave humanity twice!"

Patriot/LaGraine sneered, raising his hands to silence his loyalists.

"Enough words, Elliot. My loyalists – remove him as a threat... permanently."

The elite loyalists marked in Axel's scope began moving towards Elliot, hands reaching for hidden weapons.

Axel whispered into comms.

"Targets acquiring weapons – taking them out NOW."

Maya echoed.

"Fire!"

Axel and Maya's sniper rifles cracked in unison – 17 loyalists collapsed silently across the auditorium floor.

Chaos erupted – Patriot/LaGraine's eyes widened in rage as he realized his protection was gone.

Elliot drew his pistol, aiming directly at Victor.

"It's over. Surrender or face justice – your choice."

Patriot/LaGraine snarled, reaching behind his podium...

And pulled out a small detonator.

"You'll never take me alive...

Axel's heart sank as he realized the implications.

"DETONATOR – HE'S GOT A DEADMAN SWITCH FOR THE BUILDING!"

Maya's voice was laced with panic.

"We have to take him out – NOW – before he triggers it!"

Elliot seemed to sense the urgency, taking a step forward.

"VICTOR, DON'T – THOUSANDS OF INNOCENTS ARE IN THIS BUILDING

Patriot/LaGraine's finger hovered over the detonator button.

"You'll never stop my legacy... this city will burn with me!"

Axel squeezed the sniper rifle trigger – 

But just as the bullet was about to hit Victor's head, his hand moved slightly –

The bullet grazed his ear instead – Victor's eyes widened in surprise and pain –

Elliot seized the moment, tackling Patriot/LaGraine to the ground.

The detonator flew out of his hand... sliding across the stage floor... 

Stopping mere inches from the edge.

The auditorium held its collective breath as the detonator teetered on the edge of the stage.

Axel exhaled slowly through the sniper scope – his heart still racing.

Maya whispered urgently into comms.

"Somebody – ANYBODY – get to that detonator NOW!"

Elliot, still pinning Patriot/LaGraine down, kicked his leg out – barely reaching –

His toe nudged the detonator back onto the stage floor, away from the edge.

The room erupted into cheers and sobbing relief as reality set in – disaster had been barely avoided.

Agent Kim's voice came through comms, emotional.

"We're hacking into building systems – verifying no other traps... IT'S CLEAR. THE CITY IS SAFE."

Ryder added, exhausted.

"Resistance members are surrendering – Patriot/LaGraine's loyalists are being detained..."

Axel slid back from the sniper scope, Maya patting him on the back.

"It's over. We won."

As they stood up to head downstairs, Axel saw Elliot dragging Patriot/LaGraine away in handcuffs –

Towards a future of justice and accountability.