Frustration hung heavy in the hideout air. The stolen data their only chance to bring down the Syndicate was gone. Vanished by one mocking message from Colonel Bryce Carter.
James stood in the waning light of the flickering monitor on the island, fists clenched at his sides. He could still see the words searing into his brain:
"Nice try, James. But you’re not the only one who can play the game.”
Lina closed her laptop, muttering a line of curses under her breath. “They were waiting for us. They allowed us to steal that data so they could watch us fail.”
Malik was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, and his usual smirk was absent. “This wasn’t merely a countermeasure. They wanted us to know that they’re still in control.”
Sarah took a sharp breath, pacing the room. “Then what do we
