Red Dot Protocol: Survival of the Logistics Officer

Chapter 6: The Doctor's Ransom

The truck’s engine roared, protesting the steep incline as Wei Xian pushed it toward the gleaming facade of Marina Bay Sands. The city was glowing, but the purple tint in the sky was deepening, an ominous, sickly bruise spreading across the skyline.

"We’re really doing this, right?" Ah Beng gripped the dashboard, his knuckles white. "Targeting a gala at the Sands? That’s suicide, man."

"It’s not suicide, it’s a rescue," Wei Xian said, eyes fixed on the road. "Dr. Sarah Low is the only one who knows the actual vaccine synthesis. If she stays in that ballroom, she’s either a government pawn or a casualty."

"She’s a genius virologist, not a soldier. You think she’s just going to jump into a truck with a guy who looks like he survived a mud wrestling match?"

"She will once she sees the numbers," Wei Xian muttered, his neural implant firing a sharp warning spike. [NEURAL INTERFACE: PROXIMITY TO VIRAL CLUSTER - 2.4 KM.]

"Wei Xian, your nose is bleeding again," Ah Beng pointed out, his voice trembling.

Wei Xian wiped it with his sleeve, dismissing it. "Just drive, Beng. Keep the truck in the valet bay. If I’m not back in ten minutes, leave. Don’t wait for me."

"Are you crazy? Leave you there?"

"If I don’t make it out, the truck is yours. The supplies, the bunker, everything. Just keep her safe."

*

The lobby of the Sands was a whirlwind of silk, champagne, and forced laughter. Wei Xian ignored the stares of the security detail. He felt out of place in his tactical gear, his eyes scanning the crowd for the elegant, dark-haired woman he’d last seen in a sterile lab-coat three years ago.

"Hey, buddy, this is a private event," a guard blocked his path.

"I’m with the logistics team," Wei Xian lied, his voice dropping into a professional, icy tone. "There’s a gas leak in the kitchen. If you want everyone in this room to be inhaling carbon monoxide by midnight, keep standing there."

The guard hesitated, then paled. "Wait, really? Nobody told us—"

"Go check. I’ll clear the VIP sector."

Wei Xian moved through the ballroom, his heart hammering against his ribs. He spotted her near the stage, sipping wine while a diplomat gestured wildly. Sarah Low looked younger, her eyes bright and unaware of the ruin that would be her life in three weeks.

He approached, his presence suddenly eclipsed by a familiar, crisp voice.

"Dr. Low, I’m glad you could make it. The Minister is eager to discuss your latest research."

Wei Xian froze. Major Gabriel Koh stood beside her, clad in a perfectly tailored charcoal suit, his presence commanding even in a room full of power brokers.

"Major Koh," Sarah smiled, polite but distant. "I thought you were busy with the new task force."

"Always time for progress, Doctor," Gabriel replied, his gaze flickering across the room, landing sharply on Wei Xian. He didn't blink. He just sipped his drink. "You look like you’ve seen a ghost, Tan."

Wei Xian stepped forward, forcing a casual smile. "Just looking for the exit, Major. It’s a bit stifling in here."

"I can imagine," Gabriel said, his tone dripping with subtext. "You’ve been moving quite a lot of cargo lately. I suppose it’s hard to keep a low profile when you’re building a kingdom in the woods."

"I just like camping," Wei Xian replied, stepping closer. "Sarah, we need to talk. The research—it’s compromised."

"Excuse me?" Sarah frowned, looking from Gabriel to the disheveled man. "Who are you?"

"I’m the guy who’s going to keep you alive when this building starts screaming," Wei Xian said.

"Major?" Sarah looked to Gabriel, her voice rising in alarm.

"It’s a long story, Doctor," Gabriel said, his hand moving to his side, his smile not reaching his eyes. "Tan, leave. Before I have the security team escort you out in a way that involves handcuffs."

Wei Xian leaned in, whispering, "If you want to know why your blood samples are showing a non-linear mutation, look at the server logs tonight. Not the official ones. The hidden partition."

Sarah’s expression shifted, the curiosity of a scientist overriding her fear. "What did you say?"

Suddenly, a loud crash echoed from the lobby. A woman in a glittering gown burst into the ballroom, shrieking about a cheating husband. It was the distraction he’d paid for. As the guests turned, Wei Xian grabbed Sarah’s arm.

"Dance with me," he whispered, spinning her into the crowd.

"What are you doing?" she gasped, stumbling into his frame.

"Staying hidden. Look at him," Wei Xian glanced at Gabriel, who was tracking them through the dancers.

"You’re insane," Sarah hissed, though she followed his lead.

"I’m desperate," Wei Xian countered. He spun her toward the balcony. "Gabriel is a good man, but he’s playing for a team that doesn't exist anymore. We have to go."

"Why should I trust you?"

"Because you know the vaccine you’re working on doesn't target the protein spike. It fuels it."

Sarah went rigid. "How did you know that?"

"Because I’ve seen the end of the script," Wei Xian murmured.

As they reached the edge of the terrace, he saw the valet bay. The truck was there, idling.

"Major, stop!" Gabriel’s voice boomed from the doorway. He was walking toward them, his hand no longer on his glass, but hovering near his jacket pocket. "Don't do it, Tan. You’re taking her into a death trap."

"It’s already a trap, Gabe!" Wei Xian shouted, pulling Sarah onto the fire escape.

"I have snipers on the roof!" Gabriel warned, though he didn't pull his weapon. "I don't want to kill you, but I will not let you take her!"

"Then shoot!" Wei Xian yelled back.

He lunged for the railing, Sarah screaming as they dropped to the service ladder. They scrambled down, landing hard on the concrete. Wei Xian threw her into the cab of the truck, slamming the door.

"Go, Beng!"

The engine roared, tires screeching against the asphalt as they tore toward the exit. Wei Xian looked back, his breath hitching.

Gabriel Koh stood in the middle of the road, the moonlight glinting off his face. He held a handgun aimed directly at the truck’s engine. He stood perfectly still, his eyes locked on Wei Xian.

"He’s not going to shoot," Sarah whispered, her face pale.

"He is," Wei Xian said, watching the Major’s finger tighten on the trigger. "He’s a soldier, Sarah. He does exactly what he’s told, even when he hates it."

The gun fired. The windshield shattered.

The truck swerved, slamming into the concrete barrier. Wei Xian felt the world go dark as the truck spun.

When the dust settled, the cabin was eerily quiet. Wei Xian looked up, blood streaming down his forehead. Gabriel was walking toward them, gun raised, his face a mask of cold, professional resolve.

"End of the line, Tan," Gabriel said, his voice quiet.

Wei Xian looked at Sarah, then at the detonator in his hand. He clicked the button.

"Maybe," Wei Xian whispered.

Behind them, the Sands’ main power grid exploded in a blinding white flash.