Page 84 of Lost Hope

Maya suddenly sat forward. “Wait. Pull up the power grid readings.”

Ronan did, his shoulder protesting. The numbers scrolled across his screen.

“Look at the usage patterns,” she said. “For a facility this size, running this much security ...” She pointed to specific sections. “These sectors are drawing almost no power.”

“Because they’re empty,” Ronan realized. He studied the tactical overlay with fresh eyes. “They’re not defending the facility. They’re ...” His military training kicked in. “ All teams, hold position. This isn’t a defense pattern—it’s an evacuation.”

“What?” Jack’s voice crackled through comms.

“They’re pulling out,” Ronan explained. “Leaving just enough security to make it look normal from the outside. The real action’s somewhere else.”

Maya was already pulling up the building schematics. “There has to be another exit. Something not on the plans ...”

“All that matters is Pantone’s still here,” Christian cut in. “Thermal’s showing a cluster of heat signatures in the main command center. Has to be him.”

Ronan’s instincts screamed trap, but they couldn’t risk losing their only lead to Richardson. His shoulder throbbed, reminding him he was stuck here while the teams went in.

“Proceed with infiltration,” he ordered. “But watch your backs. Something’s not right.”

Maya looked at him, and he saw his own concern mirrored in her eyes. They both knew what happened when things seemed too easy.

His arm burned. He shifted again, catching Maya’s quick glance.

“You should take something for that,” she said quietly.

“I’m fine.” But he couldn’t quite hide his wince as he reached for the comm controls. “Deke, status?”

“Approaching command center from the west. Still no resistance.”

“Christian?”

“East corridor secured. Something’s hinky here. These security measures look active, but ...”

“But they’re not actually protecting anything,” Ronan finished. He’d seen enough military operations to recognize the signs. “They’re for show.”

On the thermal imaging, the heat signatures in the command center remained stationary. Too stationary.

“Contact, east wing!” Christian’s voice cut through comms. “Ethan, I need eyes on that corner!”

“On it.” Through the drone feed, they watched Ethan smoothly redirect his surveillance. “Two tangos, moving tactical. Wait—confirmed Sentinel gear.”

“Taking them,” Jack reported. “Austin, cover that exit.”

Multiple shots fired, precise and controlled.

“Tangos down,” Christian said. “But these guys are definitely Sentinel. Professional training, top-tier gear.”

“More movement,” Deke reported. “They’re falling back to the command center.”

“Ethan,” Jack cut in, “get me thermal on the north corridor.”

“Already scanning. Got multiple signatures converging on your position.”

Maya grabbed Ronan’s good arm. “Look at the power signatures in the sub-basement.”

He saw it immediately. While everyone was focused on the command center, something was drawing power three levels down. “It’s a diversion,” he said. “Deke, hold position. Christian, get eyes on that sub-basement. Jack?—”

“Taking fire!” Austin’s voice. “Heavy resistance from the west.”

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