"How did he even get in?" one of the guards asked. "This is supposed to be a secure facility. Multiple checkpoints, biometric scans, background verification for all personnel.""Questions we're all going to be asking," General Carl Gerald said grimly. "But right now, we need to secure the perimeter and review security footage. I want to know exactly how this person penetrated our security."They made their way back up to the administrative level, where the hospital's security command center was located. The head of hospital security...a former Elite Division tactical officer named Marcus Chen...met them there with an expression that mixed professionalism with barely concealed horror at the security breach that had just occurred."General Gerald," Chen said, his voice tight. "I've already initiated a full lockdown review. I want you to know that this shouldn't have been possible. We have protocols...""Protocols that were clearly inadequate," General Carl Gerald interrupted, his voice

"We need to treat this as a critical security failure," General Carl Gerald said to Doctor Anderson and Captain Chen. "Full review of all protocols. Complete audit of all personnel with facility access. Enhanced screening procedures. And I want a report on my desk within twenty-four hours detailing exactly how this breach occurred and what steps are being taken to ensure it never happens again.""You'll have it, sir," Chen promised."And I want Debra Zachs to coordinate additional security for the funeral," General Carl Gerald added. "If this message is accurate...if there's a secondary attack plan targeting civilians...we need to expand our perimeter security significantly.""I'll get on it immediately," Debra Zachs said, already pulling out her phone to start making calls.General Carl Gerald turned back to Doctor Anderson, some of his anger fading as he recognized that the doctor was genuinely distressed by the security breach."Doctor Anderson," he said, his voice calmer now. "I c

"A woman," Sara said, and now the tears were flowing freely, tracking down her pale cheeks. "Blonde hair, maybe late twenties or early thirties, dressed all in black. Professional-looking gear...tactical pants, fitted jacket, gloves. And her eyes... God, her eyes were so cold. So absolutely devoid of warmth or mercy. She looked at me like I was a target, not a person. Like I was just an obstacle to be dealt with."General Carl Gerald felt rage building in his chest, a white-hot fury that threatened to overwhelm his professional composure. This woman...this Razor...had invaded his home, terrorized his sister, looked at Sara with cold, calculating eyes while planning violence."She had a knife," Sara continued, her voice shaking now. "Not a big knife, but professional-looking.”“Some kind of tactical blade. And she said, in that same pleasant voice from the intercom, 'Sara Gerald. I'm so glad we finally get to meet. Your brother has caused me a great deal of trouble. I thought it was t

"That's not fair!" the nurse protested. "We did everything by the book. We followed standard emergency protocols...""Your book is inadequate," Debra Zachs said flatly. "Your standard protocols failed. And now we're in a situation where a patient who survived a brutal attack might die anyway because the medical team was too focused on the obvious injuries to investigate the less visible threats."Doctor Anderson looked genuinely distressed now, the professional confidence that usually characterized his demeanor completely shattered. "General Gerald, Debra, I take full responsibility for this oversight. You're right that we should have investigated Sara's claims more thoroughly. But I promise you, we're going to fix this. Right now. We're going to run every test we have available, screen for every possible toxin, and identify what was injected into her system.""And if you can't identify it?" General Carl Gerald demanded. "If it's something exotic, something not in your database? Wha

Doctor Anderson nodded and turned to leave, then paused at the door."General Gerald Carl, I want you to know...I've treated hundreds of patients over my career. Combat injuries, emergency trauma, complex medical cases.”“But I've never had a case where I felt more personally invested in the outcome. Sara will get every resource, every expert, every possible intervention. I stake my entire reputation on that.""Your reputation is the least of what's at stake," General Carl Gerald said quietly. "But I appreciate the sentiment. Now go. Find out what Razor put in my sister's bloodstream."Anderson left, and the room fell into a heavy silence.Debra Zachs moved to stand beside General Carl Gerald, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "She's going to be okay. Sara's strong. She's a fighter. She'll get through this.""She shouldn't have to," General Carl Gerald said, his voice rough with emotion. "She shouldn't have to fight for her life because some psychopath decided to target me. She's