Malachi’s phone buzzed as he reviewed the city’s status reports. Power grids were fluctuating, street cameras were failing, and alarms were malfunctioning.Tara looked up from her laptop. “Sera is active. She’s hacking multiple systems at once. Whoever she is, she knows the city inside out.”Malachi frowned. “Trace her. Find where she is controlling the grid.”Tara typed quickly. “I’m trying, but she’s using layered VPNs, reroutes, and decoy servers. She’s covering herself well.”Malachi’s eyes narrowed. “She won’t stop. We need to get to her before she triggers anything serious.”Meanwhile, Malachi tracked Arlen’s movements using signals from the city’s logistics. “He’s moving into the industrial zone near the old warehouse district,” Malachi said.Tara monitored network activity. “That area has several abandoned labs. If he’s there, it’s probably a toxin lab.”Malachi moved fast, reaching the industrial zone. Dust and broken metal littered the floor. He spotted Arlen working with ch

Katherine’s voice suddenly joined the channel. “Malachi, Tara shared the location with me. The surge is stable. It is not accidental. Someone is there.”Malachi responded, “The master control is in the metro tunnels.”Ramesh tightened his grip on his weapon. “Then that is where we go next.”Malachi looked around the chamber one last time. The soldiers were still working, but most units were disabled now.Katherine spoke again. “I traced the power lines. The source is not moving. Whoever is there is waiting.”Malachi breathed out slowly and nodded. “That is where he is.”Malachi moved down the metal steps into the metro tunnels with a small strike team behind him. Their flashlights cut through the dust as they advanced along the narrow path. Ramesh walked beside Malachi, holding his rifle with steady hands despite the tension in the air.Ramesh checked the scanner. “We are close. The signal is strong here.”Malachi nodded. “Be ready. Marek knows we are coming.”One of the soldiers whis

Malachi pressed his palm against his bleeding shoulder. Marek stepped forward again with the knife raised. Malachi gritted his teeth and said, “Stop.”Marek said, “You are finished.”Malachi grabbed Marek’s wrist as the blade came down. Their arms shook from the pressure. Malachi pushed the knife sideways and forced Marek off balance. Marek tried to pull back, but Malachi twisted his wrist and shoved his elbow into Marek’s chest.Marek stumbled. The knife slipped from his hand.Malachi kicked it away. “This ends now.”Marek growled, “You never knew when to quit.”Malachi stepped in and pushed him against the console. Marek swung his fist. Malachi blocked it and struck him across the face. Marek staggered again, but he still grabbed Malachi by the collar and tried to slam him into the wall.Malachi pushed back hard. “You are done, Marek.”Marek said, “You should have stayed dead with the others.”Malachi forced his hand upward, grabbed Marek’s wrist, and reversed it. Marek cried out as

Malachi stood outside the ruined car while soldiers marked the area with caution tape. The blast had torn through the vehicle as if it was made of thin paper. Ramesh walked toward him, holding a report.“This was planned,” Ramesh said. “They timed it to when you usually leave.”Malachi folded his arms. “They thought I would be inside. That means Korr already has my schedule.”Tara jogged over with a tablet. “I checked the fragments. The wiring matches a batch of explosives Korr handled when he was still an officer. It is his work.”Katherine approached the group with two security escorts. “I want increased protection at my company. The transfers traced through my firm could make us a target.”Ramesh nodded. “I already sent a team. But we need to move fast. If Korr has this level of access, he will strike again.”Malachi looked at the broken remains of the car. “Then we find him now.”A doctor stepped forward from behind the soldiers. “Major, your body is not fully recovered. You were

The wind was quiet outside the mining zone as Malachi watched the surveillance turrets shift slowly across the cliffs. His team crouched behind broken rocks, waiting for his command. Tara’s voice came through the earpiece.“Malachi, the turrets are still tracking movement. You need to act fast.”Malachi whispered, “We disable them quietly. No loud shots.”One of his soldiers, Nadeem, nodded. “I can climb up the left ridge. If I reach the base of the closest turret, I can pull its power cable.”Malachi said, “Do it. The rest of us cover.”Nadeem moved through the shadows, staying low. Malachi watched the turret’s barrel shift slightly, but it did not fire. After a tense minute, Nadeem reached the device, grabbed the power cable, and yanked it free.The turret powered down with a soft click.Tara said, “One down. Two more.”Malachi pointed to the far right ridge. “Your turn, Idris. Same method.”Idris nodded and moved out. Within moments, the second turret shut down. The final turret to