Chapter 8 - THE TRAP CLOSES
Nathaniel immediately shielded Elena with his body, his hand dropping to his sidearm. "Marcus. This ends tonight. You've abused your authority and committed treason against the United States for over a decade."
Sterling chuckled softly, stepping closer into the muddy plaza. "Treason, General? History is written by the survivors. In two hours, the news media will report that General Nathaniel Graves snapped under psychological stress, took a civilian woman and her child hostage, and was neutralized during a tactical rescue operation."
"You monster," Elena spat, clutching the rusted ammo box tightly against her chest. "You tried to murder my family!"
"And I will complete the job tonight, Miss Vance," Sterling said coldly. He raised his right hand, signaling his snipers. "Take the General down first. Secure the box."
Inside the van, Captain Ross didn't wait for orders. "Hold on, Ruby!" he shouted.
He slammed the armored van into gear, smashed through the rusty park gates, and roared into the plaza, flipping on the van's high-intensity high beams and throwing smoke canisters out the window.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
A wall of smoke engulfed the fountain area as gunfire erupted from all sides. Nathaniel reacted instantly—he grabbed Elena by the arm, fired three precision shots into the nearest floodlight, smashing it into darkness, and pulled her toward the arriving van.
"GET IN!" Captain Ross yelled, kicking the side sliding door open.
Nathaniel hoisted Elena inside, but as he scrambled in behind her, a sharp rifle shot echoed through the park. Nathaniel flinched, a burst of blood blossoming from his upper shoulder, but he forced himself inside and slammed the door shut.
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"GO! GO! GO!" Nathaniel roared through gritted teeth.
Captain Ross floored the accelerator. The armored van smashed through two mercenary patrol cars blocking the exit, its tires screaming on the wet asphalt as we burst out onto the main avenue and vanished into the storm.
