Chapter 19 - Storm on the Atlantic
The deck of the hijacked freighter was a nightmare of driving rain, crashing waves, and howling winds.
Raphael and Gideon dropped silently from the sky like phantoms, their tactical boots hitting the steel plating without a sound. Moving with absolute synchronization, they neutralized the deck guards within minutes, securing the bridge and locking down the ship's automated navigation system.
But as Raphael kicked open the heavy steel door leading down into the primary cargo hold, a cold voice crackled through his tactical earpiece.
“Welcome aboard, Mr. Orsini. We’ve been expecting you.”
It was a voice he hadn't heard since his military days—Director Vance Keller of the Federal Intelligence Oversight Division, a man rumored to be untouchable.
Raphael descended the metal stairs into the floodlit cargo hold, his rifle raised. Standing in the center of the room, surrounded by six armed federal operatives, stood Director Keller, holding the master archival hard drives in his hands.
“You’re playing a very dangerous game, Keller,” Raphael said, his voice echoing off the steel walls.
“I’m not playing games, Raphael,” Keller smiled coldly. “The syndicate era is over. The government is reclaiming its assets. Hand over your global network codes, and we'll let you and your brilliant little wife walk away with a clean slate.”
Raphael lowered his rifle slightly—not in surrender, but in preparation. “You assume we came here alone.”
Before Keller could react, the overhead cargo lights shorted out, plunging the entire hold into pitch-black darkness.
May you like
Through the secure comms channel, Josephine’s voice rang out crisp and clear from her command terminal in Chicago: “System override complete. Locking all exterior bulkheads and venting tactical tear gas across sector four.”
Chaos erupted instantly in the dark cargo hold.
