Chapter 11 - Trapped in the Conduit
The blinding glare of the searchlights illuminated the rising steam off the water in the drainage conduit, casting long, menacing shadows against the curved concrete walls. Julian shielded Leo with his body, pressing his back against the damp brickwork while the newborn slept fitfully against his chest, completely unaware of the danger surrounding them. Ahead, blocking the exit tunnel, stood a tactical response team from Vanguard—three operatives in heavy tactical gear holding suppression shields and non-lethal weapons.
"Mr. Vance, drop the infant and your son immediately and place your hands behind your head," the lead operative shouted, his voice echoing off the hard surfaces with intimidating clarity.
Julian felt a surge of cold fury replace his exhaustion. He looked down at Leo, whose lower lip trembled as he clutched his father's ruined suit jacket. "Don't worry, buddy. I've got you," Julian whispered softly, his mind calculating the distance to the side maintenance ladder just ten feet to their left.
"You're outnumbered, Julian. You can't outrun the network," the operative continued, slowly advancing with shields locked together in a solid phalanx.
Julian took a slow, deliberate breath, steadying his heartbeat. Instead of complying, he reached into his pocket, pulled out the glowing silver key, and hurled it with maximum force directly into the junction box of the overhead lighting grid above the tactical team.
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The key struck the electrical housing with a shower of blue sparks, instantly plunging the forward section of the tunnel into total darkness amidst a cascade of short-circuiting power lines.
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