Chapter 9 - The Traitor Within
The horrifying revelation echoed through the ruined ward, sending a massive shockwave of betrayal through our ranks.
Arthur's most trusted head of security, a man named Marcus, had secretly sold us out to the syndicate.
Suddenly, the heavy steel blast doors of the intensive care unit slammed shut with a deafening crash.
The electronic locking mechanisms engaged with a heavy magnetic hum, completely sealing us inside.
A mechanized voice over the intercom announced that the hospital's emergency quarantine protocol was active.
Marcus's voice crackled through the speakers, dripping with arrogant, unapologetic treason.
"I am sorry, Mr. Vanguard, but the syndicate offered me a payout that I simply could not refuse," Marcus gloated.
He announced that he had armed a massive incendiary explosive device in the hospital's basement.
We had exactly ten minutes to transfer the Vanguard empire's core assets, or the entire building would burn.
Arthur did not panic or beg the traitor for mercy.
He looked at his loyal mercenaries and issued a series of complex, highly tactical hand signals.
I continued to manually pump the ventilation bags for my babies, tears of frustration streaming down my face.
"We cannot break through these blast doors in ten minutes," the lead mercenary reported grimly.
Arthur walked over to a seemingly normal electrical panel on the wall and smashed the plastic cover with his cane.
He pulled a hidden, biometric scanner from the wall and pressed his thumb directly against the glowing glass.
"I built this hospital, and I never leave myself without a backdoor," Arthur stated confidently.
The entire quarantine system violently short-circuited, and the heavy blast doors slowly hissed open.
The mercenaries poured out into the hallway, sprinting toward the basement to neutralize the bomb.
I stayed behind with a small guard detail, desperately keeping my fragile twins breathing.
The agonizing minutes ticked by as the fate of the entire hospital hung in the absolute balance.
May you like
Suddenly, a massive explosion rocked the foundation of the building, violently shaking the incubators.
The lights flickered and died completely, plunging the ward into absolute, terrifying darkness.
