Page 69 of Pursuit of Her

"And if you both don't make it?" Hammond pressed.

"Then the evidence we've gathered releases automatically to every federal agency and news outlet simultaneously. The mission succeeds even if we don't survive."

Reagan activated her communications device. "Phoenix Two, this is Command. I'm en route to your position. Proceed with data extraction. We'll exfiltrate through tertiary route Charlie once I reach you."

A beat of silence before Eve's response. "Negative, Command. Your injury compromises operational parameters. Maintain position."

"Not open for debate," Reagan replied, already moving through the underground passage toward the Capitol Complex. "You walked into a trap to complete my mission. I'm not coordinating your potential execution from a safe distance."

"Reagan," Eve's voice softened, "you can barely move with that injury."

"I managed with worse for ten years," Reagan countered. "Extraction in fifteen minutes. Don't be late."

As Reagan sealed the sanctuary passage behind her, she heard Hammond's final warning through communications. "If those sutures tear completely, apply pressure pack and emergency coagulant. You'll have approximately ten minutes before shock sets in."

Reagan moved through the dimly lit tunnel, the pain in her shoulder only sharpening her focus. The service tunnel opened into a maintenance closet in the Capitol Complex's west wing. Reagan emerged silently, her body moving with ease despite the wound that sent waves of pain through her shoulder.

"Position check," she murmured into her communications device.

"Phoenix Two moving through north corridor," Sophia relayed. "Tac team converging from east, ninety seconds from intercept."

Reagan analyzed her options through the haze of mounting pain. Standard approach routes would expose her instantly. The ventilation system offered the only alternative—painful with her injury, but the most direct path.

She accessed the maintenance panel and pulled herself into the ventilation duct. The wound in her shoulder flared, a warm wetness beneath her tactical vest confirming Hammond's prediction: the sutures were tearing. Blood trickled down her side as she navigated the narrow passage, each movement precisely calculated despite the growing pain.

"Tactical team moving to junction seven," Elena warned. "Secondary team repositioning to block extraction route Charlie."

"Any sign Martinez suspects my approach?" Reagan asked, continuing despite the blood loss.

"Negative. All resources are focused on Phoenix Two."

A tactical advantage Reagan would exploit fully. She reached the ventilation outlet abovejunction six, observing the empty corridor below.

"Phoenix Two, location check," Reagan prompted urgently.

"Repositioned to utility alcove adjacent to junction six," Eve whispered. "Tactical team passed thirty seconds ago."

Reagan removed the ventilation cover silently and descended with control, landing with minimal sound despite the fire radiating from her shoulder. The blood loss was becoming problematic, a growing dampness spreading beneath her tactical vest. She injected a military-grade coagulant directly into the site, the burning sensation providing momentary clarity through the encroaching fog.

"In position at junction six," Reagan reported. "Phoenix Two, approach my location."

Eve emerged from the utility alcove twenty feet away, her eyes widening as she noticed the blood visibly seeping from beneath Reagan's tactical vest.

"You're bleeding through," Eve stated as she reached Reagan's position, concern evident beneath her professional demeanor.

"Operational necessity," Reagan dismissed, analyzing their extraction options. "Tactical teams have compromised route Charlie. Alternative required."

Eve produced the data drive containing Barrow's evidence. "We have what we came for. Complete server records, communications, and financial transfers—everything connecting him to the trafficking operations."

"Which makes us an even higher value target," Reagan observed. "Martinez won't risk this evidence reaching federal authorities."

Their communications crackled. "All sanctuary systems compromised," Elena reported urgently. "Martinez's team triangulated the connection. Evacuation in progress."

"Time til extraction completion?" Reagan asked.

"Four minutes until the Sanctuary is fully evacuated."

"Maintain communication as long as possible. If connection terminates before confirmation, execute emergency protocol Delta."

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