Geneva stumbled through the darkened parking garage like a wounded animal, her systems failing one by one but her core programming still driving her to eliminate the intruders. Sparks flew from damaged circuits in her torso where the emergency flares had melted through her armor plating."Power reserves at thirty percent," Geneva announced automatically, her voice becoming increasingly distorted. "Estimated operational time remaining: six minutes."Professor Nakamura was helping Diego bandage his shoulder wounds with strips of cloth torn from their jackets. The young man had lost some blood, but he was still conscious and mobile."Six minutes is still too long," Diego said through gritted teeth. "She could kill us all in six minutes."Michael crouched behind a concrete pillar, Wagner's pistol in his hand. The unconscious general lay nearby, but Michael kept glancing at him to make sure he stayed down."Professor, is there any way to speed up her power drain?" Michael asked.Nakamura t

Some days later, Michael sat in his office watching multiple news broadcasts on different screens. It was 6 AM Denver time, which meant it was evening in Southeast Asia where the first phase of their media campaign was launching."Thailand National Television is going live now," Zara announced from her position at a bank of computers. She had spent the week coordinating with journalists across three continents, timing everything for maximum impact.The Thai news anchor spoke in rapid Thai with English subtitles scrolling below. The story was devastating: "Foreign Factory Owner Poisoned Our Water Supply.""Vietnam News Network is broadcasting now," Zara continued. "And the Philippine Daily Star just posted their online story."Michael watched footage of contaminated rivers, dead fish floating on the surface, and families holding pictures of children who had died from cancer. The visual evidence was undeniable and heartbreaking."What about domestic coverage?" Alexis asked. She had been

Michael woke up at 5:30 AM to the sound of his phone ringing continuously. Before he was fully conscious, he knew something was very wrong. The caller ID showed Zara's number."Michael, you need to get to the office immediately," Zara said without preamble. "Victoria's revenge just hit us.""What happened?" Michael asked, already getting dressed."Federal agents raided our offices twenty minutes ago. They have search warrants, asset seizure orders, the whole package. And that is not even the worst part."Michael felt his stomach drop. "What is the worst part?""Turn on Channel 7 news. Now," she said.Michael grabbed his remote and switched to the local news station. A breaking news banner scrolled across the bottom of the screen: "FEDERAL INVESTIGATION INTO DENVER CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE."The news anchor was speaking over footage of FBI agents carrying boxes out of Sullivan Solutions' offices."Federal authorities conducted pre-dawn raids on multiple locations associated with businessman

The Sullivan Solutions boardroom had never looked so different. If Michael thought it'd been well furnished before, he didn't know what to think recently: the office was now filled with quality leather chairs, chairs and cabinets made from rare materials. The transformation was almost unreal to Michael as he stood at the head of the table, looking at his expanded office."I still cannot believe the government actually let us claim her assets," Alexis said, reviewing a stack of legal documents. "All of Victoria's properties and resources in Denver, just handed over as compensation for her slander campaign.""Believe it," Salvatore replied with a grin, pouring himself a glass of expensive scotch from the new bar cart. "When public opinion turns against someone that hard, the government wants to correct their mistakes and distance themselves as fast as possible."North was examining architectural plans spread across one end of the table. "These properties are worth millions. I mean look

Michael had been sitting in the corner of his cell for what felt like hours when the sound of approaching footsteps echoed down the corridor. Korvich looked up from where she had been quietly examining the cell's walls, her expression immediately hardening."He's coming," she said in a low voice.The heavy door slid open with a sharp hiss, and Octavian stepped into the cell. He looked nothing like he had yesterday. The shy calm man who had hunched his shoulders as if trying not to take up space was gone. Now he stood tall, chest out, hands clasped behind his back, his face twisted with disgust. His eyes swept over the room like a predator claiming its ground."Good morning, Michael," Octavian said pleasantly, as if they were meeting for coffee instead of in an underground prison. "I hope you slept well. These accommodations are not exactly five-star, but they serve their purpose."Two guards flanked the doorway, their weapons ready but not directly threatening. Michael noticed they ke