Chapter 12 - Broken Glass and Bitter Regrets
The world exploded in blinding white light and a high-pitched, disorienting ring that completely shattered Julian's senses. The shockwave threw him violently against the mirrored vanity, shattering the glass into a thousand deadly needles that sliced across his cheek and shoulder.
Through the ringing in his ears, Julian heard the heavy thud of combat boots. Two figures in full tactical gear rushed into the smoke-filled room, their weapons raised to eliminate the survivors.
Acting entirely on instinct, Julian rolled across the carpeted floor, avoiding a spray of automatic fire that ripped through the mattress where Eleanor lay screaming. He fired twice from his hip. His bullets punched through the lead operative’s neck armor, sending the man crashing down in a fountain of dark blood.
The second operative pivoted his weapon toward Julian, but before he could squeeze the trigger, a gunshot roared from the corner.
Clara stood with both hands locked around the spare pistol, smoke drifting from its muzzle. The mercenary took the bullet through the side of his helmet, collapsing lifelessly to the floor. Clara was shaking uncontrollably, her eyes wide with shock at what she had just done, but her grip on the weapon remained ironclad.
Julian pushed himself to his feet, ignoring the blood dripping from his lacerated arm. He stepped over the dead men and quickly severed Eleanor's restraints with his combat knife.
""Get up,"" Julian barked, pulling Eleanor to her feet by her bruised arm. ""You want to live? You guide us to the bridge control room.""
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Eleanor nodded desperately, terrified of both Julian and the monsters she had aligned herself with. ""The master override is on the observation deck just below the bridge. But Richard has his personal bodyguard up there. The man is a butcher.""
""So am I,"" Julian said, checking his remaining ammunition.
