Chapter 24: The Original
The strike team regrouped six blocks from the collapsed Lazarus building. Thirty-seven survivors out of fifty. Captain Vasquez was alive. Dr. Chen was on the phone. Coordinating. Everyone was covered in dust and blood.
Phoenix sat on the curb. Head in his hands. "She played us. Again."
"She's been doing this for two hundred years," Jayce said. "She's had practice."
Dr. Chen walked over. Ended his call. "My facility in Nevada is secure. We lost twelve people. Killed forty-three of Elizabeth's operatives. Seven escaped. But we captured their equipment. Their communications. Their orders."
"Does it tell us where Elizabeth is?"
"No. But it tells us what she's planning next." Dr. Chen pulled out a tablet. Showed them intercepted messages. "She's consolidating. Cal
