Chapter 5 - The Digital Race
I furiously typed on the keyboard, trying to build a firewall to protect my files.
The progress bar on the screen showed my life's work being erased block by block.
I managed to isolate a single, crucial schematic before the virus completely destroyed the drive.
It was the structural stress diagram proving Julian’s current, unadjusted design for the new Apex Tower was fundamentally unstable.
I saved the single image directly to the projector’s hard drive, but it required a manual trigger from the catwalk above the stage to display.
Behind me, Briggs suddenly lunged with the heavy metal flashlight aimed directly at the back of my skull.
I ducked at the last possible second, feeling the wind of the heavy weapon graze my ear.
I drove a heavy construction boot into his knee, sending him crashing to the floor in agony.
I left him groaning in the security room and sprinted toward the service ladder leading up to the ballroom ceiling.
The climb was grueling, my lungs burning as I ascended into the dark, dusty space above the glittering event.
I finally pulled myself onto the narrow steel catwalk that hovered directly above the crystal chandeliers and the billionaire crowd.
I could see Julian down on the stage, smiling as the master of ceremonies prepared to hand him the gold trophy.
I took a step toward the manual projector switch located at the center of the walkway.
A cold, metallic click echoed in the darkness right behind me.
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I slowly turned around to face a man in tactical gear holding a suppressed pistol aimed squarely at my chest.
He smiled coldly and told me that Mr. Vance sends his regards.
