Chapter 16
Chapter 16: The Override
In the library, the heat was becoming unbearable. Flames licked at the doorway, threatening to trap Michael and Clara.
"Come on, come on," Michael growled, typing furiously on the exposed terminal.
ACCESS DENIED.
ACCESS DENIED.
"She encrypted the physical lockdown with a rolling cypher," Michael shouted over the roar of the fire. "I can't bypass it without the root password!"
Clara coughed, covering her face with her apron. "What password? A word? A date?"
"I've tried everything! Her birthday, Daniel's father's birthday, the company founding date. Nothing works!"
Clara stared at the screen. "Victoria only cares about one thing. Power. What about her maiden name?"
Michael typed it. DENIED.
"Try 'Legacy'," Clara suggested, tears streaming down her face from the smoke.
Michael typed it. DENIED.
The ceiling above them groaned as burning timber shifted.
"Think, Clara! What did she always say to Daniel's father?"
Clara closed her eyes. "She always told him... 'I am the empire'."
Michael’s fingers flew. I_AM_THE_EMPIRE.
He hit enter.
The screen flashed green.
SYSTEM OVERRIDE INITIATED.
A loud, mechanical grinding sound echoed through the mansion. The heavy steel shutters covering the library windows began to slowly inch upward.
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"You did it!" Clara cried.
"Go!" Michael pushed her toward the opening window. "Get out and find the police!"
