Chapter 15 - The New War Begins
“Sniper! Take cover!” Raymond roared, tackling Damon behind the reinforced steel corner of the shipping crate as high-velocity rounds tore through the concrete floor, kicking up showers of dust and stone.
Through the shattered skylights, the dark, menacing hum of a twin-engine stealth helicopter vibrated through the stormy sky. Powerful spotlights beamed down from the aircraft, illuminating the warehouse in blinding beams of blue-white light.
Over the helicopter’s high-power loudspeaker, an electronically altered voice resonated with chilling authority:
“Damon Vance. Drop the Genesis drive and step into the light. Your father’s debt has come due. You have ten seconds to comply, or Crestview Manor will be leveled by drone strike.”
Damon’s eyes narrowed into slits of pure, lethal fire. Maya. They were targeting Maya.
He didn't panic. He pulled his encrypted satellite communicator from his inner coat pocket and keyed a three-digit priority override code.
“Sovereign Command,” Damon spoke into the mic, his voice as cold as absolute zero. “Activate Protocol Nemesis.”
On the other end of the line, the automated defense grid of the Sovereign Consortium responded instantly: “Protocol Nemesis confirmed. Orbital defense satellites aligned. Air defense batteries deployed across Central City airspace.”
Above the storm clouds, far beyond the reach of human vision, the hum of supersonic interceptor jets tore through the atmosphere.
Two anti-aircraft missiles streaked across the dark sky, obliterating the hovering stealth helicopter in a blinding, thunderous fireball that illuminated the entire coastline. The burning wreckage tumbled harmlessly into the churning black waters of the harbor.
Silence returned to the docks, save for the crackle of burning fuel on the waves.
Raymond wiped soot from his brow, breathing heavily. “Chairman... they know where Miss Maya is.”
Damon looked up at the burning sky, his grip tightening around the Genesis drive. The local revenge was finished. Richard and Evelyn were rotting in cages. But the real enemy—the syndicate that had driven his father to a martyr's grave—had finally stepped into the light.
“Raymond,” Damon said, turning toward the armored SUV with an aura of absolute dominion.
“Yes, Chairman?”
May you like
“Call the entire fleet of the Sovereign Consortium. Mobilize our global assets. It’s time to show Project Genesis that the boy they orphaned has returned as their executioner.”
Damon climbed into the car and slammed the door shut, speeding into the stormy night toward the grand empire he would burn to the ground to protect his family."
