Page 74 of Final Sins

The air grew cooler as they descended into the bowels of the amusement park, the musty scent of disuse mingling with the faint ozone tang of old electrical equipment. Shadows danced on grimy walls as their flashlights cut through the gloom, revealing a vast underground labyrinth of machinery and utility systems.

His feet hit the flat surface of the basement parking area. They were almost home free. Just a little farther to their waiting van, and they would have their valuable bargaining chip secured.

Whichever side he was on, the general would be Seven-Five’s downfall.

The rest of the team filed into the parking garage, forming a semi-circle around Jason and their prisoner.

“We’re taking a little ride,” he told the general, pushing him gently toward the waiting van.

The general straightened, rolling his shoulders back, his demeanor shifting from defeated to commanding in the blink of an eye. Gone was the haggard, coerced man they’d captured above ground. In his place stood a figure of authority, radiating confidence and control.

“No,” the man said, “we’re not.” He raised his chin, fixing Jason with a cold stare. “You people have made a huge mistake. Now it’s time to pay.” He held Jason’s gaze. “Nox Aeterna,” he shouted.

Darkness crashed over them like a tidal wave.

Jason blinked furiously, his night vision worthless against the inky blackness. The hum of electricity died, leaving only the sound of ragged breathing and the rustle of clothing.

“Anybody copy?” He checked the comms.

His earbuds echoed with a deadly silence.

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Alex couldn’t even seeher hand in front of her face. She froze, ears straining for any sign of an attack.

“Jason?” Alex reached out, finding nothing but empty air.

What just happened?

Before she could formulate a plan, the lights blazed back to life.

All of them.

Her retinas burned. She squinted, blinking rapidly as her vision swam with afterimages. As the world came back into focus, her jaw dropped.

Seven-Five operatives materialized like ghosts. Where there had been darkness, now stood an army.

Not ghosts. Clones. Four and five and six replicas of each man. All indistinguishable from the real agents.

They were using Gabe’s holographic imagery against them.

At least eight different operatives, each replicated multiple times, filled the space around them. Some crouched behind illusory cover, others trained assault rifles on their team, their expressions a mix of determination and cold efficiency. The effect was dizzying, like being trapped in a hall of murderous mirrors.

Where had they come from?

Tai looked like he was going to throw up. “You hijacked my drone feeds. That’s impossible.”

Munsinger eyed Tai as if the big man were an underperforming student. “Clearly not, Mr. Kaholo.” His face hardened again. “Weapons on the ground. All of them,” he ordered.

Everyone instantly complied. Munsinger gestured at his men, who quickly scooped up the weapons before roughly patting down the entire team one by one.

Gaze fixed on Tai again, Munsinger pointed at his closest operative. “You. Get that controller.”

One of the original security men lunged forward, his meaty hands closing around Tai’s drone controller. Tai yanked back, but the operative to Tai’s left slammed the butt of his rifle into Tai’s midsection.

Jason started to leap forward, but before Alex could even put a hand on his arm, he stopped himself, watching stoically, his eyes blazing with fury.

Tai doubled over, gasping for air.

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