Chapter 22: [22] Caught Between Her Legs and the Law
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Pierre bolted down the corridor, his boots slapping against polished floors as shouts erupted from every direction. The ensign’s voice still echoed through the halls, amplified by the base’s communication system.
"All units converge on Section C! Repeat, all units converge on Section C! The red-haired terrorist is armed and dangerous!"
Terrorist? When did I get upgraded from menace to terrorist?
Pierre skidded around a corner, nearly colliding with a maintenance cart someone had abandoned in their haste to respond to the alarm. Behind him, the thunder of Navy boots grew louder as what sounded like half the base mobilized. Voices barked orders, weapons clicked as safeties disengaged, and the systematic search pattern of trained soldiers closed in like a net.
The main corridor ahead swarmed with blue uniforms. Pierre spotted at least fifteen sailors forming a perimeter around the area where he’d left Diana and her unconscious colleagues. Lieutenant Commander Reynolds stood at the center, gesturing sharply as he deployed search teams.
Up. Only way to go is up.
Pierre spotted a stairwell marked "Authorized Personnel Only" and sprinted toward it. The metal door slammed open under his shoulder, revealing a narrow staircase that spiraled upward into the building’s upper levels. He took the steps three at a time, his enhanced agility making the climb feel effortless despite the growing chaos below.
The second floor buzzed with activity as more Navy personnel rushed toward the alarm. Pierre pressed himself against the stairwell wall as a squad of marines thundered past, their heavy boots shaking the floor. Through the small window in the stairwell door, he watched them disappear down the corridor, assault rifles at the ready.
Raven’s going to murder me. "Just grab a map," she said. "Simple infiltration," she said.