Chapter 17 - Project Aegis
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"Project Aegis holds the secret records of every corrupt politician, billionaire, and cartel boss across forty nations," my father’s video message explained. "For thirty years, I managed this project from the shadows. But three years ago, a traitor inside the high command leaked our existence to an international syndicate known as The Sovereign."
Arthur Vance leaned closer to the camera, his expression gravely serious.
"The Sovereign ordered the execution of our family to get their hands on the master encryption key—the key that controls Project Aegis. They thought Julian could scare you into handing it over. But they underestimated you, my daughter."
The video paused, and a small drawer beneath the monitor popped open with a soft click.
Inside rested a sleek, black metallic drive shaped like an hourglass, pulsing with a faint blue light.
"That drive contains the master key," Arthur’s voice continued as the video resumed. "With it, you hold the power to expose every corrupt ruler on earth—or destroy the system entirely. But beware, Victoria... The Sovereign knows you have survived. And they will stop at nothing to claim it."
The recording faded to black, leaving the room in a heavy, pregnant silence.
I reached into the drawer and picked up the hourglass-shaped drive. It felt surprisingly heavy, pulsing softly against my palm like a metallic heart.
"Victoria," Sal said, his voice laced with uncharacteristic tension as he checked his tactical tablet. "We have a problem."
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"What is it?" I asked, looking up.
"Our thermal perimeter sensors just went dark," Sal reported, pulling his weapon from his holster. "We're surrounded."
