Chapter 84 - The Emergency Lockdown
Red warning lights replaced the soft white illumination throughout the corridor.
The calm computerized voice repeated every thirty seconds.
Unauthorized access detected beyond Level Four. Security protocol initiated.
Steel shutters began sliding over several side passages.
The sound echoed through the underground complex like distant thunder.
Samuel quickly packed the documents from File Zero into a protective case.
"We're leaving with the evidence."
Elias shook his head.
"If you leave now, you'll never reach the central archive."
"If we stay," Samuel replied, "we may never leave."
Daniel looked toward the security monitor mounted beside the entrance.
Several camera feeds suddenly appeared.
Hallway A.
Hallway C.
Storage Wing.
Loading Tunnel.
Every corridor remained empty.
Then...
One monitor flickered.
A single figure walked calmly toward their position.
Not running.
Not hiding.
The person carried no visible weapon.
Only a leather briefcase.
The cameras switched automatically from one angle to another as the stranger continued forward.
Lily stared at the screen.
"I've seen that walk."
Daniel looked at her.
"Where?"
"I don't know."
"It feels familiar."
The final camera showed the stranger stopping beneath another security door.
Instead of entering a code, the person simply placed a hand against a biometric scanner.
The door unlocked immediately.
Samuel's expression hardened.
"They have authorized access."
Elias slowly whispered,
May you like
"That shouldn't be possible anymore."
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