Page 48 of A Ballad of Blackbirds and Betrayal

“Negative,” Cal replied.“But we’re picking up a secure video feed being broadcast to the main building.He’s running this remotely, as expected.”

Sabrina’s attention shifted to the demonstration platform, where technicians in hazmat suits were making final adjustments to the dispersal system.Beside the platform, a windowless van had arrived, its rear doors opening to reveal what looked like medical transport stretchers.

“They’re bringing in the test subjects,” she said, dread pooling in her stomach as figures in lab coats emerged from the van.“We need to move now.”

“Not yet,” Atticus cautioned, though she could feel the tension radiating from him.“Wait for?—”

“Alpha Team in position,” Nate’s voice came through the comms, followed immediately by Eden’s confirmation.“East access secured.”

“Bravo Team ready,” Jade reported.“I have eyes on the primary deployment system.Four technicians, two security personnel.Clean shots available on command.”

“Hold positions,” Atticus ordered.“We need to assess the bioweapon before engagement.Doc?”

Sabrina studied the deployment system through her optics, analyzing the components with the experienced eye of someone who’d dedicated her life to understanding how things worked—whether human bodies or mechanical systems.

“Central cannister is the primary deployment unit,” she identified.“Based on the configuration, it’s designed for aerosol dispersal with a coverage radius of approximately one hundred meters.The smaller cylinders are likely backup samples or calibration controls.”

“Can we disable it from here?”Atticus asked.

She shook her head.“Not without risking accidental deployment.We need direct access to the control systems.”

“Reynolds just arrived,” Max reported.“Southeast entrance, with four security personnel.He’s carrying what looks like a reinforced case—similar to what we saw at the airfield.”

“The primary bioweapon sample,” Atticus concluded.“Mitchell’s not putting all his eggs in one basket after the airfield loss.”

“They’re moving the test subjects into position,” Eden added urgently.“Five individuals, civilian clothing, appear to be sedated or drugged.One elderly male, two middle-aged females, one younger male and one younger female.”

Sabrina’s heart clenched.Five innocent lives, selected for slaughter to demonstrate a weapon’s effectiveness.Everything in her rebelled against the calculation, the cold disregard for human dignity.

“We need to move now,” she said, already reaching for the aerosol countermeasure.

Atticus nodded, decision made.“All teams, execute infiltration.Jade, on my mark, neutralize the security personnel at the platform.Viper, create a diversion at the west perimeter on my command.Warlock, Nightshade, secure the civilians.Doc and I will neutralize the bioweapon.”

The Dynamis team acknowledged their orders with professional efficiency.Atticus turned to Sabrina, his expression grim but determined.

“Remember, if something goes wrong, the countermeasure is the priority,” he said.“Those five lives represent thousands more if that weapon reaches the market.”

“I know,” she replied, though the words tasted bitter.“But we’re going to save them all, Atticus.That’s what we do.”

Something flickered in his eyes.His hand found hers briefly, a warm pressure that conveyed more than words could express.

“Ready?”he asked.

“Ready,” she confirmed, tightening her grip on the countermeasure container.

“All teams, execute on my mark,” Atticus said, his voice steady with lethal purpose.“Three, two, one…mark.”

The world erupted into controlled chaos.Two sharp cracks split the air as Jade eliminated the security personnel at the deployment platform, each shot finding its mark with lethal finality.Simultaneously, an explosion rocked the western perimeter as Max’s diversion drew attention and resources away from their primary target.

Atticus and Sabrina sprinted toward the deployment platform, using the momentary confusion to cross the exposed ground between their position and the bioweapon.The technicians scattered in panic, abandoning their equipment as gunfire erupted across the compound.

They reached the platform just as Reynolds turned in their direction, recognition and alarm flashing across his face.He reached for his weapon, but Atticus was faster, a single shot striking center mass.Mitchell’s security chief dropped to the ground, the threat permanently neutralized.

“Secure the case,” Atticus ordered, gesturing toward the reinforced container Reynolds had been carrying.“I’ll handle the deployment system.”

Sabrina moved toward the case, keeping low as bullets ricocheted off the platform’s metal supports.Inside the main building, the assembled buyers were scattering, their casual interest in weapons of mass destruction replaced by the very real fear of becoming casualties themselves.

“East side secure,” Nate reported.“Civilians located and confirmed alive.Moving to extraction point alpha.”

---