Chapter 8 - The Desperate Rescue
Emily held her breath, her terrified eyes locked on mine through the thick glass.
I needed a surgical breach, something that would crack the glass without blowing it inward.
"Carter, give me your diamond wire and a thermite cap!" I ordered frantically.
Carter tossed me the specialized demolition tools without a second of hesitation.
I pressed the diamond-coated wire against the glass, tracing a large circle near the bottom of the tank.
I attached the tiny thermite cap to the end of the wire and struck the igniter.
A blinding white spark hissed violently, burning a superheated ring deep into the reinforced glass.
The extreme shift in temperature weakened the structural integrity of the barrier instantly.
"Stand back!" I shouted, grabbing a heavy steel wrench from the destroyed console.
I swung the wrench with every ounce of strength I had, striking the exact center of the heated circle.
The glass cracked with a deafening screech and blew outward under the massive pressure of the water.
A tidal wave of freezing water blasted into the control room, knocking me off my feet.
I scrambled through the rushing flood and dove through the shattered hole into the tank.
I pulled a combat knife from my boot and rapidly cut the heavy leather straps binding Emily to the bed.
She gasped for air as I pulled her out of the ruined chamber and held her tightly in my arms.
She was freezing, shivering violently, but she was finally safe.
"I've got you, Emily. I'm right here," I whispered, kissing her wet forehead.
Miller and Hayes rushed over, wrapping her in a thermal emergency blanket from their med kits.
We needed to get her to a hospital immediately, but our mission was not over.
A slow, mocking applause echoed from the metal catwalk high above the control room.
Cameron Voss stepped out of the shadows, holding a high-powered sniper rifle.
"Very impressive, soldier, but you are not leaving this dam alive," he sneered.
A tiny red laser dot appeared directly on the center of my chest.
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Cameron pulled the trigger, the gunshot echoing like a cannon in the cavernous room.
Carter violently shoved me out of the way, taking the heavy sniper round directly in his shoulder.
