Chapter 14: The Final Stand at Vance Manor
Twenty-two minutes later, the steady, rhythmic thrum of heavy helicopter rotor blades vibrated through the dense oak canopy surrounding Vance Manor, rapidly growing louder until two matte-black federal marshal transport birds flared their landing thrusters over the expansive front lawn. Simultaneously, a convoy of reinforced tactical vehicles rolled up the private drive, their emergency lights suppressed as heavily armored federal marshals poured out in a disciplined, professional deployment. But they weren't the only vehicles arriving. Just as the first marshals secured the perimeter gates, the high beams of three unmarked black SUVs tore through the darkness at the end of the private drive, roaring up the gravel path with reckless speed. It was Aegis Bio-Research’s corporate extraction and cleanup team, making one last, desperate attempt to intercept the evidence before it could be officially filed into federal custody. Contact! Multiple hostiles approaching from the eastern drive! Marcus shouted, dropping into a tactical stance by the reinforced study window, his hand resting on his service weapon. Sarah was already moving toward the heavy front doors, signaling the incoming federal marshals to form a defensive perimeter across the wraparound porch. Judge Vance remained calm, standing resolutely behind his mahogany desk with his hand resting firmly on the black duffel bag containing the solid-state drives. Hold your fire until they breach the perimeter! Sarah commanded the marshals, her voice cutting through the rising wind of the helicopter rotors. The first corporate SUV slammed to a halt at the edge of the lawn, its doors flying open as heavily armed security contractors poured out, raising assault rifles with tactical precision. Before they could fire a single shot, the federal marshals unleashed a deafening volley of non-lethal flashbangs and tactical suppressive fire, completely overwhelming the corporate security detail with superior numbers and absolute legal authority. Dr. Hayes, wearing his denim jacket and baseball cap, stumbled out of the lead SUV, hands raised in frantic surrender as two federal marshals tackled him hard onto the manicured lawn, pinning him face-down in the damp grass in an ex
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