Chapter 14 - The Federal Breach
The deafening crash of the reinforced fire doors echoing down the corridor shattered whatever resolve Marcus had left. Heavy combat boots pounded against the checkered floor as heavily armed federal agents flooded the East Wing, their tactical lights cutting through the lingering darkness with blinding intensity.
“FBI! Drop the weapon! Drop it now!” a commanding voice bellowed, bouncing off the vaulted ceilings and filling the shaft with undeniable authority.
Marcus panicked, his thumb jerking downward on the detonator switch as he tried to scramble backward toward the emergency exit catwalk. But nothing happened—no explosion rocked the foundation, no fire consumed the wing. The toggle switch flashed red three times and went dead, neutralized by the master override code Clara had secretly transmitted to the federal servers an hour prior.
“It’s over, Marcus. The board secured the servers,” Clara said calmly, using the distraction to wrench her collar free from his loosening grip and kick out hard with her bare foot.
Her heel caught him squarely in the chest, sending Marcus tumbling backward off the narrow catwalk with a startled yell. He grabbed wildly at the air before plunging down into the safety net strung tightly across the lower level of the elevator shaft by the maintenance crew just minutes before.
May you like
Federal agents swarmed the catwalk instantly, their hands pulling Clara up to safety while pinning Marcus to the netting below. As the harsh lights blinded her, Clara looked up one final time at the security camera on the ceiling, watching its red light finally turn to a steady, peaceful green.
---
