Chapter 14 - The Convoy At The Ridge
The rumble of heavy diesel engines vibrated through the asphalt, growing louder as the military convoy descended the ramp toward the residential street.
The turrets on the leading transport trucks were unmistakable—heavy automated weapon systems operated by remote satellite links.
"Everyone take cover! Now!" Victor Vance bellowed, abandoning his usual bureaucratic restraint as he shoved Judge Robert Sterling down behind the wooden porch railing.
Elena pulled Maya backward, dragging her behind the engine block of her sedan just as the first heavy-caliber round slammed into the pavement where they had been standing seconds before.
The impact tore a crater out of the concrete, showering them in sharp stone fragments.
"They're going to level the entire block to erase the metadata," Maya whispered, her eyes wide with terror as she clung to Elena's arm.
"Not while this hard drive has a satellite uplink," Elena replied, pulling the aluminum device from her tactical vest.
The small screen on the drive was flashing a steady green percentage bar: UPLOAD STATUS: 87%... 88%...
Across the street, Judge Robert Sterling laughed hysterically from behind the porch railing, his voice carrying over the roar of the approaching military engines.
"You can't upload classified state secrets to a public server without triggering an automated orbital strike, Claire! You just signed our death warrants!"
Elena ignored him. She checked the battery indicator on her wrist console, calculating the transfer speed against the distance of the incoming convoy.
The lead transport truck rolled to a halt at the entrance of the cul-de-sac, its heavy armor gleaming dully in the morning light.
The roof hatch popped open, and a man in a high-ranking Department of Defense uniform stood up, leveling a targeting laser directly at Elena's house.
"Agent Bennett! Drop the drive and step away from the civilian!" the commander amplified his voice through a bullhorn. "This area is designated a national security hazard!"
Victor Vance raised his pistol over the hood of his sedan, shouting back at the convoy. "General Travis! This is Commissioner Vance! Stand down! The oversight committee has revoked all containment protocols!"
General Travis didn't even look down at Victor. He raised his hand, signaling the automated turret on the second truck to lock onto Elena's position.
The upload progress bar on the hard drive ticked upward: 96%... 97%... 98%...
Elena looked directly into the optical sensor of the automated turret, taking a slow, even breath as she gripped the drive with both hands.
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"Just a few more seconds," Elena murmured, her voice steady and resolute, staring down the barrel of the weapon that was about to end everything.
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