Chapter 68 - The Swiss Link
"Naomi!" Clara threw her arms around the operative, weeping against her shoulder.
Naomi’s expression softened for a fraction of a second, her hand gently resting on Clara’s back before her tactical instincts pulled her upright. "We have three minutes before secondary power redirects to the propulsion and internal security doors seal permanently. We need to reach the flight deck."
"You shouldn't have survived the sub," Ethan said, his voice thick with unsaid gratitude.
"I was taught to hold my breath," Naomi replied flatly. "Move."
As they reached the central elevator lobby, the wall screens suddenly flared back to life on emergency battery power.
Julian Whitmore’s face appeared once more. But this time, he wasn't smiling. His eyes were cold, calculating, and fixed entirely on Naomi.
"You really are a masterpiece, Number Nine," Julian murmured from his Swiss sanctuary. "Unflinching. Lethal. Even now, defying the override."
"Your contract with me expired seven years ago, Julian," Naomi said, stepping between the screen and the siblings.
"A weapon doesn't have an expiration date," Julian answered. "It only has an operational lifespan. And yours just reached zero. *Ares-Seven-Omega.*"
A sharp, high-frequency acoustic pulse tore through the ship’s internal communication speakers.
May you like
Naomi stopped dead in her tracks.
***
