bChapter /bb304 /b

The SUV came to a halt several hundred yards from the massive structure looming in the desert.

Miguel shifted nervously in the driver’s seat, squinting through the windshield. “This is insane,” he muttered, wiping sweat from his brow. “How the hell are we supposed to get in there? There’s not a single bit of cover for hundreds of yards. Even with the radar jammed, we’ll be spotted in seconds. No way to sneak in.” He turned to face me, exasperation clear in his voice. “What’s the n? Just charge in guns zing?”

I lowered the binocrs and gave him a t look. “We walk in.”

I turned my attention to Selene. Her wrists were still bound, though I’d loosened the restraints enough to prevent cirction issues. I had reset her dislocated leg earlier. “Time to move,” I told her.

Selene climbed out of the SUV, wincing as her injured leg hit the sand. I followed closely, positioning myself behind her slender frame. She’d make an excellent human shield if needed.

“What about me?” Miguel called through the open window.

“Stay with the vehicle,” I ordered. “Be ready to leave quickly if necessary.”

We trudged through the sand, the fortress growingrger with each step. Selene’s limp became more pronounced as we approached, but she didn’tin. Smart woman. The high walls stretched at least fifty feet into the airb, /bbuilt in a neo–ssical style that seemed wildly out of ce in the middle of the desert.

Four guard towers marked the corners of thepound, but as we drew closer, I could see they were unmanned. The main gate stood open, its electronic security systems dark and inactive.

We passed through the entrance without resistance, not a single rm or guard in sight. The moment we stepped inside the fortress walls, the howling desert wind died away, and the stinging sand no longer whipped at our faces. The silence was absolute–no footsteps, no voices, not even the hum of electronics.

“Where is everyone?” I whispered, more to myself than to Selene.

“I don’t know,” she replied, her voice tight with tension.

I pressed my gun into the small of her back. “Keep moving.”

The interior of the fortress was a stark contrast to its exterior. Instead of rough stone and desert functionality, the halls were lined with polished marble floors and modern art pieces worth millions. Recessed lighting cast a soft glow across leather furniture and ss tables. This wasn’t a military instation–it was a luxury residence.

“Which way?” I demanded, nudging Selene with the barrel of my gun.

She hesitated, eyes darting between three identical corridors. “I… I’m not sure. I’ve only been here once before.”

“Then guess.”

Selene reluctantly led me down the left corridor, her footsteps echoing on the marble floor. I kept close behind her, using her body as cover while scanning constantly for threats. The small drone I’d brought with me hovered silently above.

8:21 Tue, bSep /bb30 /b

The drone circled the space, encountering none of the infrared security measures Selene had warned about.

My earpiece crackled softly. “Master, signal jammingplete,” Ethan’s voice came through clearly. Ahead of us, the red indicators on several security cameras blinked and went dark.

We continued deeper into the building, passing through a series ofvishly decorated rooms. Each one empty. Each one silent.

“Master,” Ethan’s voice came again, “I’m detecting unknown signals directly beneath your position.” fnf54d ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? find·novel/fnf54d

Underground ifacility/i. iOf /iicourse/ii. /i

We found a grand staircase leading to the second floor. The marble steps gleamed in the soft light, curving gracefully upward. I motioned for Selene to ascend, following a few steps behind. The drone zipped ahead, scanning the upper level for threats.

The second floor was as deserted as the first, more luxurious rooms sitting empty and pristine. The drone hovered outside a set of ck ebony doors at the end of the hallway, its sensors detecting something unusual.

I approached cautiously, then fired a single shot from my silenced pistol, destroying the electronic lock. With a swift kick, I forced the door open and shoved Selene inside.