Chapter 5 - The Escape
The digital countdown on the security console began flashing in bright red numbers.
Daniel frantically searched the room for a ventilation shaft while I examined the electronic locking mechanism on the door.
The metal walls of the room were already beginning to heat up as a distinct smell of gas filled the air.
I knew that shooting the electronic keypad would only permanently fuse the locking pins inside the steel frame.
I pulled a small tactical knife from Daniel’s vest and pried the plastic casing off the control panel.
I had exactly twenty seconds left to bypass the primary circuit board using only a thin piece of exposed copper wire.
My hands remained perfectly steady, relying on the explosive ordnance disposal training I had mastered overseas.
I crossed the blue and yellow wires, praying that the internal schematics matched standard government security models.
The countdown clock froze at exactly three seconds, and the heavy steel door clicked open with a loud hiss.
Daniel and I sprinted out of the room just as the gas line ignited into a massive fireball behind us.
The force of the explosion threw us down the narrow hallway, leaving our ears ringing in the smoky darkness.
We picked ourselves up and headed directly toward the emergency stairwell leading to the underground garage.
The stairwell was completely pitch black, forcing us to use the night vision optics mounted on Daniel's helmet.
We descended three flights of stairs in total silence until we reached the sub-basement level.
I slowly pushed the heavy exit door open and scanned the sprawling concrete parking structure.
Caleb and Victoria were standing next to a black armored transport vehicle, handing the stolen hard drive to a foreign buyer.
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I raised my pistol and stepped out of the shadows to finally end their treasonous transaction.
Before I could speak, a cold gun barrel was pressed firmly against the back of my neck.
