Chapter 10 - The Ghost of Berlin
The mention of Berlin hung in the smoky air like a curse. David stood frozen in the archway, his pistol slowly dropping toward the floor as Sarah stepped fully into the dim amber light of the living room. Her slate-grey tactical vest bore no insignia, only the ominous blank patch of an unregistered deep-cover operative.
"Berlin was ten years ago, Sarah," David said, his voice dropping to a gravelly whisper. "We left that life behind."
"You left it behind, David," Sarah corrected, her voice dripping with venomous calm as she kept her silenced carbine locked on his chest. "Some of us were sold out by our superiors and left to rot in foreign black sites."
From the doorway of the study, Clara stepped back into the room, leaning heavily on her wooden cane. Her face remained a mask of hardened indifference as she looked at Sarah.
"You always were an emotional liability, Sarah," Clara said coolly, tapping the tip of her cane against the floor. "That’s why your sector was scrubbed in the first place."
Sarah’s eyes flicked to Clara, a flash of pure hatred crossing her features. "And you’re the relic who pushed the button, General. Time to collect the debt."
Before Sarah could tighten her finger on the trigger, a loud metallic click echoed from the study behind them. Elena burst through the doorway, her face pale, holding a heavy satellite transmitter device with a blinking red light.
"I found it!" Elena shouted, panting heavily. "The tribunal emergency frequency is active. They're responding!"
Sarah’s head snapped toward the study. Without hesitation, she swung her carbine toward Elena.
"Drop the transmitter!" Sarah screamed, stepping past David.
David reacted with instantaneous, desperate speed. He lunged forward, tackling Sarah hard to the polished hardwood floor just as the carbine discharged with a muffled thud, sending a bullet harmlessly into the ceiling plaster.
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Clara raised her wooden cane, aiming the heavy handle downward with both hands, ready to strike, when the entire house suddenly lurched violently as a heavy explosive charge detonated against the exterior reinforced wall.
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