Chapter 11 - The Harbor Siege
""How did they bypass the sonar grid?"" Arthur barked, his demeanor instantly transforming from a remorseful father into a hardened military strategist.
""They didn't use a submarine,"" the operator replied, racking the bolt of his carbine. ""They came in on a civilian commercial trawler under a Panamanian flag. Dropped twelve fast-attack zodiac boats the second they entered the radar shadow of the northern cliffs. They have fifty men on the beach already, armed with anti-armor ordnance.""
Thomas cursed, ripping open a heavy weapons locker built into the wall beside the fireplace. He pulled out a combat vest, slipping it over his bandaged shoulder with a wince, and chambered a round into an assault rifle. ""Damian knows this is his last stand. If he doesn't kill Arthur and secure Nora today, the consortium's shareholders will execute him tomorrow for gross liability.""
""Thomas, take Nora and the child to the subterranean dock,"" Arthur ordered coldly. ""The submersible is fueled. It will take them to the mainland under twenty fathoms.""
""No,"" Nora said firmly, stepping between the two men.
Arthur turned, his brow furrowed. ""Nora, this isn't a debate. This rock is about to become a slaughterhouse.""
""I spent my whole life being moved around like a pawn on a board I couldn't see!"" she cried, her voice ringing clear above the screeching sirens. ""Julian lied to me, you hid from me, and Damian tried to butcher my daughter in her sleep! I am not running into another dark hole while you die for me!""
Arthur grabbed her shoulders, his eyes fierce. ""You have a child to protect, Nora! That baby is the only thing that matters!""
""She is an oak, Arthur,"" Nora snapped back, throwing his own words back in his face. ""And her trunk doesn't break. You told me the trust belongs to me. You told me the company belongs to me. Does the security mainframe here respond to my voice?""
Arthur stared at her, stunned by the sheer ferocity in her gaze. ""Yes. The biometric protocols were tied to your retinal scan and bloodline registry the day you were born.""
""Then give me the console,"" Nora said, adjusting Maya securely in her sling. ""If Damian wants this dynasty so badly, let's show him what happens when the rightful owner takes control of the locks.""
Thomas smiled—a grim, feral grin. ""She's your daughter, Arthur. No question about it.""
A thunderous explosion rocked the western wing of the estate, blowing out the heavy mahogany doors of the library down the hall. Smoke poured into the corridor, smelling of cordite and burned masonry.
""They're through the courtyard gate!"" the operator yelled, returning fire into the smoky corridor.
Arthur turned to Nora, his eyes burning with renewed resolve. ""Server room is behind the vault door in the study. Thomas, cover her! I’ll draw their vanguard toward the ballroom.""
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""Arthur, wait!"" Nora cried out.
He looked back at her, offering a sad, proud smile. ""I spent ten years hiding from these monsters, Nora. It's time I reminded them whose blood built their fortune.""
