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Chapter 17: Zero Hour
Author: Wonderful65
last update2025-05-09 00:21:47

The wail of the alarm echoed through the archive room like a death knell.

Red lights flashed violently along the walls, signaling the start of something far more dangerous than just a security lockdown.

Frank’s breathing was ragged as he backed away from the blood-scrawled warning on the floor.

Protocol Zero.

The name alone sent chills down his spine.

Ella’s voice snapped him back. “Frank, we have to move. The building’s sealing itself!”

Frank turned, grabbing her hand. Adrian cursed under his breath as the steel blast doors began slamming shut, one section at a time, booming like thunder.

“What the hell is Protocol Zero?” Adrian demanded as they sprinted through the corridor.

Frank didn’t slow. “It was a failsafe mentioned in one of Corbin’s blacksite documents. A full-scale purge. Erase data, destroy evidence, and eliminate threats. We’re the threats now.”

Ella paled. “Are we locked in?”

Frank stopped abruptly as the hallway trembled. A thick metal door slammed shut inches from his
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