Chapter 8: When They Arrived
Four black drones hovered above the street. Smooth, silent, and armed.
Behind them rolled two armored vehicles with silver NovaCore logos on their sides. They stopped right at the edge of the Westside lot.
Six figures stepped out.
All wore sleek black suits with glowing chest plates. Their boots thudded against the pavement like warning drums.
At the front stood a tall man in a grey jacket. No helmet. Clean-shaven. His name badge read: Director Mason.
He looked around slowly. Then raised a scanner and pointed it at the building.
The AI Apartment Block lit up briefly in response. Smart windows shimmered. Data flowed silently inside the walls. The building was alive—and the system was fully linked to it.
"Lock all exits," Mason ordered. His voice was sharp, emotionless.
Jaden and the team stood on the roof, watching.
Carl handed Jaden a headset. "Talk to them. This is your project."
Jaden’s heart pounded. He placed the earpiece in and connected to the public broadcast channel.
"This is private property," Jaden said. His voice cracked, but he spoke again, stronger. "You don’t have clearance to enter."