anwhile, in the cellar of the manor, Pika, Tyga, and the entire cybersecurity unit worked together. So controlled drones that flew around the manor, equipped with thermal caras. Others attempted to regain control of the CCTV system that had been hacked.
They were packed into the wine cellar like sardines, each focused on their respective tasks.
Earlier, Pika and Tyga had tried to leave the manor. However, they quickly realized it would take too long, and it would be risky. Tyga was the only one with acceptable combat skills, and his leg was bleeding.
So instead, they searched for a safer place where the smoke wouldn’t reach them or at least sowhere they could block it off. While moving, they ran into others from the sa departnt and inford them of the situation. Following protocol, many of them joined Pika to assist.
Now they were cramd inside the wine cellar, compact devices open, fingers flying across keyboards.
Identifying enemies from allies wasn’t easy, especially since they were only monitoring movents. The only clear indicator was the masks the attackers wore: either on their faces or hanging loosely around their necks. However, Pika deliberately withheld that detail. If the enemies realized that was how they were being identified, it would put those fighting on the field at greater risk.
Pika flinched when soone tapped his shoulder. He turned to see Tyga pointing at his screen. Pika quickly muted his microphone and leaned over.
"They’re taking down our drones," Tyga whispered. "We don’t have many left."
If they had been in the main office, they could have deployed more. But they had only grabbed what they could before relocating.
"Try to dodge their fire," Pika whispered back, making sure he was still muted. "We’re almost clear. We’ve been pushing them back; just hold out a little longer."
He looked up and saw everyone in the cellar watching him. So of them were from the Ravah team and had worked with him before.
"You heard the boss," one of the n snickered. "Don’t get your drones shot. We’re almost there."
"Yeah!" several others chid in, their morale high. "Let’s defend our territory!"
Their unified voices made the wine bottles rattle.
Pika panicked. "Guys, keep it down!"
They only chuckled, shaking their heads in disbelief that the genius leading them was such a worrier. Still, they returned to work without hesitation, assisting the teams on the ground and trying to reclaim control of their systems.
Everyone worked tirelessly, trusting their lookouts to keep watch.
"I’m close," Tyga announced quietly, loud enough for the team but not for Pika’s microphone. "Assist . I’m taking back the caras."
He didn’t call anyone by na, but those who understood imdiately helped. Soon, Tyga’s screen lit up with the manor’s CCTV feeds. If they had regained access earlier, they wouldn’t have needed to rely so heavily on thermal imaging.
So caras were down—shot out—but many still functioned.
Tyga quickly distributed access, especially to Pika. Now six people were verifying footage while drone operators monitored movent. Minutes passed as they continued assisting the teams clearing out the remaining enemies.
Then Tyga froze. Not just him, but everyone who had regained access to the caras did.
"Shit," Tyga hissed.
Pika glanced up, noticing several pairs of eyes on him. Before he could ask, Tyga pressed a key, adding another cara feed to Pika’s screen.
The mont Pika saw it, his breath hitched. Now, he understood why everyone was staring at him in shock.
"Madam!" he blurted, his voice echoing through the manor and bringing everyone to a halt.
*****
anwhile, in an open area of the family wing, Lola stood frozen.
Her eyes were wide, her face pale. Her hands were raised, her weapons on the ground.
A few steps away, Florida gasped for breath, clutching his stomach where he had been shot.
How had it co to this?
While following Pika’s directions, Lola and Florida had worked tirelessly to clear the family wing. Pika’s guidance had been invaluable. They were close—so close—to reclaiming the manor.
But then they ca face to face with a man holding Henrik’s son captive.
The boy hung limply in the man’s arms, unconscious, a gun pressed to his head. And Kiara—unconscious as well—was slung over another man’s shoulder like a sack.
They had no choice but to follow the captors into this open space. The mont they arrived, gunfire erupted.
Florida had taken the bullet. Hence, why he was on the ground.
"Let him go," Lola whispered hoarsely, referring to Florida as she stood near him. "Please... let him go."
Her breathing was ragged as her eyes flicked between Henrik’s son and Kiara. She couldn’t act recklessly, not with all their lives at stake.
"I’ll go with you," she added, her voice steady despite the tremor beneath it. "Just... don’t hurt them."
Slowly, she lifted her gaze to the person standing several ters away in front of the ard n. The last person she had expected to face.
"lissa," Lola breathed. "I’m begging you."
lissa’s lips curled into a vile smirk as she took in the sight of Lola. She gave a subtle nod to one of her n. He approached Lola. She didn’t resist as he grabbed her hands behind her back and cuffed them.
As the cuffs clicked shut, lissa glanced coldly at Florida.
"Kill him."
Without hesitation, another man raised his rifle and aid. When he pulled the trigger, Lola lashed out, her foot kicking backward and catching the man off guard.
BANG!
Instead of striking Florida, the bullet hit the man who had cuffed her. Everything happened in a blur. All they knew was that, Lola had shoved him directly into the line of fire.
Even lissa flinched, barely registering the movent.
"I said... let him go, and I’ll co with you," Lola growled, her eyes sharpening as she grabbed the wounded man by the hair and shoved him away from Florida. She was already cuffed, but she still managed to take down one of them in the blink of an eye.
That spoke volus to everyone in there.
When her gaze locked onto lissa, it burned with fury.
"Kill him," Lola warned, her voice deadly calm, "and I’ll drag every single one of you to hell. Especially you, lissa Young."
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