Chapter 9 - The Power Grid Ultimatum
On the glowing screen, Marcus stood casually inside the high-security subterranean chamber of the municipal power station, surrounded by humming transformers and flashing warning lights. He held a heavy master override key in his right hand, smiling directly into the camera lens with eerie calm.
"Hello, little brother," Marcus’s voice echoed through the tinny speaker of Julian’s phone. "If you're watching this, it means you survived the alleyway trap and foolishly decided to play the hero. But you always were a bit slow on the uptake."
Julian gripped the phone so hard the plastic casing creaked. "Where are you, Marcus?"
"Down in the dark, right where I belong," Marcus laughed softly, the sound devoid of any human warmth. "More importantly, look at the timestamp on this video. It was recorded fifteen minutes ago. Right now, my automated system is counting down to a complete blackout of the downtown sector—including the secure hospital where Sarah's safehouse medical wing is located."
The screen flickered, displaying a digital countdown timer: 04:12... 04:11... 04:10...
"You shut off life support for an entire sector just to cover your tracks?!" Julian yelled at the screen in sheer disbelief.
"I'm tying up loose ends," Marcus replied smoothly. "You have four minutes to reach the maintenance tunnel junction before the blast doors seal permanently, locking you underground forever. Come alone, Julian. Let's settle this family business once and for all."
The video feed cut to black. The countdown timer vanished, leaving Julian standing alone in the damp twilight of the alleyway.
"Julian!" Officer Miller yelled, running back from the perimeter. "Backup is five minutes out! What just happened?"
"Marcus is at the central power grid," Julian said, his voice terrifyingly calm as he clicked on the heavy-duty riot flashlight. "He's cutting power to Sarah's safehouse district. I have to go down there."
"You can't go in alone, it's a suicide mission!" Miller protested, unhooking a spare tactical radio from his belt and shoving it into Julian’s hand. "Use this channel. I'll coordinate the SWAT team to breach the upper service hatch."
May you like
Julian took the radio, turned on his heel, and plunged headfirst into the pitch-black darkness of the subway maintenance tunnel, leaving the flashing police lights behind.
---
