ed beside Orion at the console, fingers flying across the keys as he bypassed layers of encryption. Mara kept watc

said quietly, scanning a hallway. Her eyes na

s hand trembled on the console, but Ethan's sharp voice g

m into darkness. A low alarm began to blare. Red

wn!" Mara shouted, voice te

ed. "Good. Means t

ewhere, had planned for every move. And the question Ethan couldn

n't match any of the attackers they had faced before. Ethan's instinc

A man in tactical black gear, face obscured by a

gure said. "I'll give

on the trigger. "Ide

es, ice-blue eyes. "You know me, Ethan. You work

rt skipped.

hought you'd understand the bigger picture. But here y

ook slightly. "

"Your team? My orders? Everything you believe

ut this cut deeper than most. A trusted ally, tur

demanded. "Wh

ome weapons... too powerful. You think you're heroes, Ethan. But

idened. "He...

hat you're capable of. Which makes you all

ra's eyes met his, full of trust and desp

taking cover, firing precise rounds. Ethan returned fire,

rabbed him. "Stay low!" he

e move, rolling behind cover, bullets cracking against steel walls. He was

ight. It would have to be cunning-speed, t

ts along the wall. "Mara!" he shouted

ut a small charge. Ethan covered her as she plac

parks flew, smoke filled the air, and Daria

asped.

n said grimly.

opening. Ethan grabbed Orion's arm.

red, firing rapidly, forcing them to dodge behind

n tripped over a cable. A second later

im into a console. Sparks and smoke exploded around them. Mara f

heart racing. "I..

han shouted. "Do e

e elevator. Ethan hit the button for the lower levels-t

arts. Every floor passed like an eternity. They didn't speak. Every sound-the hu

pened. And what they

e broken, others humming with energy. Equipment lined the walls, and a

t. "That... that's w

. They weren't just building weapons... they were b

d once again, flanked by heavily armed men. "Welcom

rifle. Mara flanked him. Orion

battle h

facility, secrets that co

would survive unscathed. And the war fo