Page 67 of Pursuit of Her

"Ambush at the courthouse," Ingrid reported, wincing as a medic examined her injury. "Security teams were waiting in the maintenance corridor. Someone knew our exact approach route."

Reagan processed this with cold precision. "Did you secure any evidence?"

Ingrid withdrew a small drive from her pocket. "Partial download from Stroud's auxiliary server. Not the primary target, but enough to establish connections."

"We've confirmed additional tactical teams at the Capitol," Elena reported. "Moving to cut off all exit routes."

Reagan faced the inescapable truth: both operations had been compromised from the beginning. Martinez had known precisely where and when they would strike, which meant only one thing—someone inside their network had betrayed them.

"All communications may be compromised," Reagan concluded. "Switch to tertiary emergency channels, authorization Blackout."

As the team implemented the protocol change, Reagan focused on Eve's position. She was now dangerously close to Barrow's office, her path to primary extraction rapidly closing as security teams advanced.

"Phoenix Two," Reagan transmitted on the secure channel, "mission fully compromised. Multiple tac teams converging on your position. Abort and proceed to emergency extraction point."

Seconds passed with no response, the tension ratcheting higher with each moment of silence.

"Phoenix Two, acknowledge," Reagan repeated, her voice tight with urgency.

"I'm too close to abort," Eve finally responded. "Barrow's server is twenty meters from my position. The evidence we need is right there."

"They're setting a trap, Eve." Reagan abandoned call signs in her frustration. "Martinez has deployed tactical teams to both locations simultaneously. This is coordinated."

"Which means they're terrified of what we'll find," Eve countered. "I can reach the server, download the evidence, and extract through the tertiary route before they close the net."

Reagan studied the thermal imaging, calculating extraction possibilities against rapidly diminishing options. The rational decision was clear: abort immediately. But the evidence against Barrow was the linchpin of their case against the entire network. Without it, the remaining conspirators could distance themselves and escape justice.

"Satellite tracking shows six tactical officers approaching Phoenix Two's position from east and north corridors," Sophia reported. "Window closing rapidly."

"Foster confirms Martinez has ordered shoot-on-sight authorization," Elena added grimly. "They're not taking chances."

The weight of command pressed against Reagan's chest like a physical force. Eve was willingly walking into lethal danger to complete the mission. The mission Reagan had started. The vengeance she had pursued for a decade while Eve had maintained faith in the system's capacity for reform.

Now that faith was gone, and Eve was risking everything to finish what Reagan had begun.

"Time to extraction point from current position?" Reagan asked, checking her final equipment.

"Ninety seconds minimum," Sophia calculated. "Tactical team will intercept in approximately seventy seconds."

"Phoenix Two," Reagan transmitted, making her decision. "Proceed to server room. You have a maximum three-minute window to extract data. We'll create a diversion at the east entrance to draw tactical resources."

"Acknowledged," Eve responded, certainty evident in her voice.

Reagan turned to Sophia. "Activate Contingency Epsilon at Capitol east entrance. Full spectacle, maximum disruption."

As Sophia coordinated the diversionary operation, Reagan completed her field preparations, securing communications and extra medical supplies. Her shoulder throbbed beneath fresh bandages, but the pain only sharpened her focus.

Dr. Hammond watched with professional resignation, recognizing the futility of further protest. "What's your extraction plan?"

"Whatever's necessary," Reagan replied. She loaded a syringe with military-grade stimulant—a last resort that would keep her functioning despite catastrophic blood loss, at tremendous physical cost.

"That compound will keep you operational for approximately thirty minutes," Hammond warned, "but the physiological damage will be severe, possibly permanent."

"Thirty minutes is all I need," Reagan replied, securing the syringe in her tactical vest's inner pocket. She wouldn't use it unless absolutely necessary—the physical toll was extreme—but she wouldn't leave Eve without every possible contingency planned.

As the sanctuary erupted into coordinated emergency protocols, Reagan felt a strange calm settle over her. The mission parameters had shifted, the variables recalculated, but the objective remained unchanged: justice against those who had corrupted the system, exposed to the light after a decade in shadow.

And now, something equally important: protecting Eve Morgan, the woman who had sacrificed everything to stand beside her in this final fight.

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