Chapter 9 - The Ultimatum
The heavy steel security doors of the server room suddenly slammed shut, locking them inside.
Thick, heavy metal shutters aggressively slid down over the small glass observation windows.
The room was instantly transformed into a massive, inescapable vault.
"He triggered the lockdown protocol," Elena panicked, slamming her hands against the unyielding steel door.
Richard's dark laughter echoed through the intercom system once again.
"You have two distinct choices, Alejandro," Richard announced calmly.
"You can surrender the flash drive, sign a legally binding marriage certificate with my daughter, and become my obedient puppet."
Richard paused, letting the heavy threat hang in the cold air.
"Or, I can activate the Halon fire suppression system and watch you both suffocate on the security cameras."
Alejandro looked at the frozen progress bar on the screen, his mind racing furiously.
The virus had reached the very core of the Sterling financial network, but the external firewall was actively fighting the final command.
"We are not surrendering to that monster," Elena declared, holding the shotgun tightly.
"If we die here, at least we die fighting his corrupt empire."
Alejandro looked deep into her eyes, seeing the absolute fierce determination of a true warrior.
"I am not going to let you die," Alejandro promised fiercely.
He ripped open the heavy casing of the primary server rack, exposing the complex electrical wiring.
He grabbed a thick copper power cable and violently ripped it out of its socket.
"What are you doing?" Elena yelled as bright sparks showered over the room.
"I am going to completely overload the backup generator," Alejandro yelled back over the loud buzzing noise.
"It will fry the physical lockdown mechanism and force the virus through the firewall!"
He jammed the live copper wire directly into the main data port of the terminal.
The terminal exploded in a massive shower of sparks, blowing Alejandro forcefully backward onto the floor.
The progress bar on the shattered screen flashed green for one split second, reading: UPLOAD COMPLETE.
The entire server room violently shook as the building's emergency circuits completely overloaded and blew out.
The magnetic locks on the heavy steel doors instantly disengaged with a loud, mechanical clank.
Elena rushed forward and pulled the heavy doors wide open, dragging Alejandro out into the lobby.
They collapsed onto the cool marble floor, gasping for fresh air.
The sudden, chaotic wail of dozens of police sirens filled the streets outside.
The massive glass doors of the lobby were completely shattered as heavily armed federal agents stormed the building.
The tactical team leader rushed over, his assault rifle raised.
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"Where is Richard Sterling?" the federal agent demanded loudly.
Before Alejandro could answer, a massive explosion rocked the top of the skyscraper.
