Chapter 44

There was a heavy hush in the room as Selena's door closed behind her. Isabella felt a mixture of frustration and shame as she gazed at the place where her best friend had just been.

Michael's cool voice disturbed the quiet. "She will return."

Isabella dropped into a chair and shook her head. "This time, I don't think she will."

Xander folded his arms, his normally composed demeanour beginning to waver. "This is not something we have time for. We can't expect the Alliance to wait. We must maintain our focus.

"Attentional?" Isabella fired back. "Xander, our squad is disintegrating. You want to discuss emphasis because Selena just left?

Xander's face became stern. When the Alliance comes for us, do you think they will be concerned about our issues? They won't allow us to reassemble.

Michael held up his hands in a soothing motion. "Everyone, take a deep breath. We cannot afford to be disloyal to one another.

Isabella tried to relax by running her fingers through her hair. Since Selena had always been there for her, losing her was like losing a piece of herself; everything seemed too much to handle without her.

"What should we do next?" Silently, Isabella enquired.

On the table, Xander unfurled a map and used his finger to draw locations. Here, on the fringes, is where they have their communications centre. They will be blind for a few days if we remove it, which will give us time to organise our next course of action.

Isabella noticed the high level of security surrounding the hub as she peered over the map. While difficult, it would not be impossible.

"A lot of coordination will be needed for this," Michael replied, furrowing his brow. "Everyone must be on board."

The reminder of Selena's absence made Isabella's heart sink. They were lacking one member, and accuracy was needed for this operation.

"Is there a backup plan?" She looked at Xander and enquired.

With a gruff reply, Xander said, "We'll have to make do with what we have." "No one else can be trusted."

Each step felt heavier than the last as Selena exited the safe house, her footfall echoing in the deserted hallway. Although she hadn't wanted to go, the ongoing risk had became intolerable.

She stopped to look around the deserted street as she rounded a corner. She took a long breath and took out her phone, pondering who she should call for advice, torn between fear of the repercussions and loyalty to Isabella.

Isabella, Michael, and Xander were deep in conversation discussing their strategy back at the safe home when Xander's face darkened when an alert showed up on his screen.

While typing quickly, he mumbled, "They're moving faster than I thought."

"What is it?" Tensed, Michael asked.

With a live video from one of the Alliance's internal servers visible, Xander swivelled the laptop in their direction. "They have a backup plan in place. They are enlisting outside assistance.

Isabella felt sick to her stomach. "What sort of assistance?"

As he retrieved files, Xander's fingers swept across the keyboard. "Hunters with plenty. Among the greatest in the industry.

Michael gave a gentle whistle. "They mean it."

Xander gave a sad nod. "They are no longer only protecting their assets. They are pursuing us.

As Isabella took in this information, her heartbeat accelerated. They were now the targets, and the situation had shifted. It was a matter of survival.

"We must take action immediately," Xander stated forcefully. "We won't have another chance if we wait."

Michael turned to Isabella to see what she would decide. "Are you prepared to do this?"

Isabella inhaled deeply to regain her composure. There was no going back. "Let's get it done."

As they got closer to the communications centre, a steel and concrete stronghold, the night was calm and dark. The perimeter was patrolled by guards, their shadows looming like sentinels.

Xander took the lead and moved swiftly and effectively. He had mapped all of the security cameras' blind spots and entrances. Breathing shallowly, they edged closer.

As they arrived at the first checkpoint, Isabella's heart began to race. With quick keystrokes, Xander turned off the security system, and they crept inside.

The murmur of machines filled the sterile, frigid atmosphere. In order to plant a virus that would impair the Alliance's communications, they hurried through cramped hallways and made their way to the primary server room.

However, a voice called from behind them as they arrived at the server room door.

"Are you going somewhere?"

Isabella's heart froze. Slowly, she turned to see a man in the shadows who seemed dangerous.

"Who are you?" Michael's hand hovered above his weapon as he demanded.

With a chilly grin, the man moved into the light. "Let's assume that I'm here to pick up."

He swung viciously at Michael before they could respond. Michael stumbled back, but he immediately got back on his feet and pulled out his weapon.

Xander attempted to stop him, but the man dodged his blow and kicked him quickly in the chest, causing him to crash into the wall.

Isabella had a racing mind. This was one of the bounty hunters Xander had forewarned them about, not just any guard. He was also good. 

Very good.