Chapter 4 - The Voice on the Wire
“Valerio,” Declan’s voice crackled through the speaker, distorted by interference. “You always believed loyalty was earned with blood and silver. But you forgot that both can be bought cheaper by men who remember what your father took from them.”
Val stepped up to the microphone terminal, pressing the override switch with a steady thumb. “Where are you, Declan?”
“Close enough to smell the smoke, old friend,” Declan mocked. “Your girl has your eyes. Pity she won't live to grow into them. You think you’re hunting me, but look outside your steel door. Check the air vents.”
A soft hiss began to emanate from the circular ventilation grilles near the ceiling. A sweet, chemical aroma filled the enclosed room. Sarah sprang to her feet, pulling Mia close and soaking a strip of cloth from her apron with bottled water. “Hydrocyanic vapor,” she gasped, coughing. “He’s flooding the lower floors!”
Silas hammered on the electronic airlock panel, but the red bypass light remained solid. “The override is locked from outside! We have less than three minutes before the seals fail!”
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Val didn't panic. He walked directly to the weapon locker on the reinforced concrete wall, punching a mechanical combination into the tumblers. He pulled out a heavy breaching charge and turned toward the drainage tunnel access hatch behind the generator.
“Hold your breath,” Val warned, setting the timer to ten seconds.
