Chapter 12 - Fire in the Sky
Elena rushed to the wide panoramic windows overlooking the financial district.
Down on the street below, chaos was unfolding. Three black delivery vans had parked in a triangular formation blocking the perimeter of the De Ville Financial Tower. Armed men in civilian clothing were pouring out, firing into the air to scatter pedestrians and laying explosive charges against the structural foundation pillars of the lobby.
""He’s burning the whole board down,"" Elena gasped, terror clutching her throat once more. ""He knows he’s ruined, so he’s taking everyone with him!""
Alexander remained eerily calm. He hit the intercom button on the wall. ""Lockdown protocol Omega. Seal all blast shutters from floors one to five. Evacuate all personnel via the subterranean transit tunnels immediately.""
""Sir, the helipad on the roof is our only clear extraction route,"" his head of security replied over the radio. ""Ward’s mercenary gunship is inbound. ETA four minutes.""
""Understood. Prepare the roof."" Alexander turned to Elena, his hand finding hers, fingers interlocking with unyielding firmness. ""Run.""
They sprinted through the private emergency stairwell, ascending the final five flights toward the rooftop helipad. The building shuddered beneath their feet—a dull, heavy explosion rocking the lower foundations as Ward's men breached the lobby. Alarms wailed, red emergency lights bathing the concrete stairs in blood-colored strobe flashes.
They burst through the heavy steel roof door into the blinding midday sun and whipping wind.
Waiting on the pad was Alexander’s private stealth helicopter, rotors already spinning at maximum velocity.
""Get in!"" Alexander yelled over the deafening roar of the blades, pushing Elena toward the open cabin door.
Before she could climb aboard, the terrifying roar of a second aircraft echoed through the skyscrapers. A matte-black military gunship rose from the southern side of the tower, hovering thirty yards away. In the open side door stood Senator Ward himself, holding a heavy anti-materiel rifle, his white hair whipping violently in the downdraft.
Ward aimed the heavy barrel directly at Alexander.
""DE VILLE!"" Ward screamed through an external loudspeaker. ""YOUR FATHER DIED IN A CELLAR, AND YOU DIE ON A ROOF!""
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Elena didn't think. Driven by pure instinct, she grabbed the heavy carbon-fiber door of Alexander's helicopter and swung it violently outward, putting the armored panel directly between Alexander and the line of fire.
A thunderous crack tore through the sky.
