Chapter 17 - Into the Storm
"I have to go," Elara said, turning toward the window. "He's trapped in that tower. They’ll hunt him down like an animal."
"Are you crazy?" Silas shouted, spinning around in his chair. "Vanguard Tower is a fortress! It has biometric scanners, armed private military, and an automated lockdown system. You walk in there, you die."
"He is seven years old!" Elara screamed, slamming her hands on the desk. "He is terrified, alone, and fighting for his life against trained killers. I am not sitting here while they drag him back to a laboratory!"
Julian grabbed her shoulders, his face grave. "Elara, listen to me. Silas is right. A frontal assault is suicide. But..." He paused, looking over at the glowing screens. "If Silas can crack the omega files, maybe he can tap into the tower's network. Can you get us building schematics? Access codes?"
Silas grimaced, typing frantically. "I can try to piggyback on the secure line Victoria's security chief is using to coordinate the search. It might give me temporary admin access to the building's maintenance subroutines."
"Do it," Elara commanded. "Julian, you stay here. Make sure those files get published."
"No," Julian said firmly. "I'm coming with you. I know the medical wing’s layout in that tower. You’ll need me to navigate the bio-locks."
Elara looked at the disgraced doctor, seeing a resolute determination that mirrored her own. "Fine. Silas, how long?"
"Give me five minutes to clone the drive and bypass the firewalls," Silas replied, sweat beading on his forehead. "I'll upload the schematics to your phone. But listen to me carefully: once I initiate the mass data dump, Victoria's system will realize what's happening. She will shut down the entire grid. You will have a ten-minute window of absolute chaos before backup generators kick in and the building seals itself permanently."
May you like
"Ten minutes is all we need," Elara said, checking the battery on her flashlight and tightening her grip on her baton.
Outside, the storm raged on, thunder shaking the windows of the small apartment. Elara stared out into the rain. She was walking into the lion’s den, but for Leo, she would gladly tear the lion apart with her bare hands.
