Chapter 5 - The Sabotage
Gregory's terrifying ultimatum echoed endlessly in my mind as I stared at the hidden thermal camera.
He wanted me to panic, to rush blindly into heavily fortified enemy territory out of desperation.
He had severely underestimated the psychological discipline forged in the fires of Marine Corps training.
I didn't run toward the bridge; I turned my attention directly to the massive engines humming in front of me.
If he wanted to play a high-stakes game of control, I was going to rewrite the rules of the board.
I moved swiftly through the shadows, avoiding the remaining three guards on the catwalks.
I reached the primary coolant control terminal for the ship's starboard engine turbine.
My fingers flew across the complex keyboard, relying on mechanical knowledge from my days maintaining armored transports.
I systematically overrode the safety protocols, dramatically reducing the flow of cold water to the massive engine block.
Warning lights immediately flashed a brilliant, angry red across the engineering bay.
The deafening hum of the turbine rapidly escalated into a terrifying, high-pitched mechanical scream.
The three mercenaries panicked, aiming their rifles uselessly at the massive, overheating machinery.
"What did she do?" one of the guards yelled into his radio, his voice cracking with genuine fear.
Before Gregory could answer him, the starboard engine automatically initiated an emergency shutdown procedure.
A massive cloud of blinding white steam vented violently into the room, creating an impenetrable fog.
The entire luxury cruise ship violently shuddered, groaning loudly as it suddenly lost half of its propulsion power.
In the chaotic, steam-filled confusion, I systematically eliminated the remaining three guards using silent, brutal efficiency.
I stripped the heaviest tactical vest off the largest man, strapping the ceramic plates tightly over my chest.
I loaded every spare magazine I could carry into the deep pockets of the maintenance uniform.
I was no longer just trying to survive the honeymoon from hell.
I was actively launching a one-woman counter-offensive against a private army.
I keyed the stolen radio mic, breaking my radio silence for the very first time.
"You wanted me, Gregory," I said, my voice cold, calm, and utterly devoid of fear.
"I just crippled your getaway vehicle, so you aren't going anywhere anytime soon."
The radio remained dead silent for a long, agonizing moment before it finally clicked in response.
"Very clever, my love," Gregory replied, though his voice had completely lost its smug, arrogant edge.
"But you forgot that I still hold all the important cards in this little game of ours."
A sudden, sharp scream echoed loudly through the radio channel.
My blood turned instantly to ice, completely freezing me in place.
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It wasn't the scream of a random cruise ship passenger or a scared crew member.
It was the unmistakable, terrified voice of my younger sister, Chloe.
