Chapter 12 - The Senator’s Last Card
The armored SUV hurtled down the mountain highway at over a hundred miles per hour, sirens wailing as the storm turned the asphalt into a black mirror. Inside, Julian checked the telemetry of the Foundry’s defensive systems on his tablet.
Senator Sterling had not fled the country. Realizing his political and financial empire was collapsing around his ears, the corrupt politician had used his high-level emergency federal credentials to commandeer a rogue SWAT detachment from the state tactical reserve, claiming the Foundry was an unauthorized domestic terrorist stronghold.
“He’s using legitimate law enforcement uniforms to bypass the perimeter,” Marcus said, reading the incoming reports. “They’ve breached the outer sub-level. Sarah and the girls are barricaded in the deep bunker, but they have thermal cutting torches.”
Julian looked down at Elena, who was barely conscious, hooked to an IV line. “Marcus, reroute the ambulance detail to the federal building downtown. Put Elena directly under the protection of the Department of Justice. I’m going into the Foundry alone.”
“You can’t take on a state tactical unit by yourself, Julian,” Marcus warned.
“They aren’t state tactical,” Julian spat. “They’re mercenaries on Sterling’s payroll using government shields. And they are standing between me and my children.”
Ten minutes later, the SUV screeched to a halt outside the industrial complex housing the Foundry. The entrance gates were torn apart, smoke still drifting from flashbang canisters. Two armed men in black tactical gear guarded the door.
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Julian stepped out of the vehicle, not into the shadows, but into the glaring high-beams of the gate lights, holding an assault rifle at the low-ready position.
“Tell Senator Sterling,” Julian said, his voice echoing off the concrete walls, “that his executioner has arrived.”
