Chapter 70: Countdown to Chaos

The metallic clang of boots against the cold, hard floor echoed down the hall, sending a wave of adrenaline through Ava. The humming of the servers around them provided an unsettling backdrop to the ticking clock in her mind. They were running out of time. “Callum, how long?” Ava whispered sharply, her back pressed against the cold wall, eyes darting toward the entrance where Meridian’s security forces were approaching. Callum’s fingers moved rapidly over the terminal before him, his face taut with concentration. “I’m almost through the firewall. Just a few more seconds.” Seconds they didn’t have. Ava clenched her teeth, her heart hammering in her chest. She could hear the footsteps getting louder, the low murmur of voices growing closer. They were cornered. Lucas stood beside her; his rifle trained on the door, his expression grim and focused. “They’re close,” Lucas growled, his voice low but tense. “We’re going to have to fight out of here.” Ava nodded, gripping her weapon tight