The echoes in the static.

Chapter 18: Beyond Oakhaven

By nightfall, Elias and Riley had packed two tactical backpacks with clean off-grid gear, portable signal jammers, and modified hardware tools.

They left the harbor behind in Riley's unmarked utility van, heading north along the winding mountain highway toward Apex Ridge. The city lights of Oakhaven slowly faded in the rearview mirror, replaced by the towering dark silhouettes of pine trees lining the mountain pass.

"The backup server at Apex Ridge is automated," Riley explained while keeping her eyes on the dark road. "If it doesn't receive a confirmation ping from the Blackwood hub within twenty-four hours, it will automatically publish the archived surveillance logs to a private network."

"Exposing thousands of innocent civilians," Elias said. "We have less than twelve hours before the timer runs out."

The van climbed higher into the mountains, where the rain had turned into a light, icy slush. As they rounded a steep curve near the ridge crest, the van's dashboard electronics suddenly flickered and died.

The engine sputtered, and the headlights cut out, plunging them into pitch blackness.

Riley quickly hauled the steering wheel around, coasting the dead vehicle into a gravel turnout beside the tree line.

"High-density electromagnetic field," Riley muttered, reaching for her flashlight. "Something nearby is putting out an intense directional jammer."

Elias unbuckled his seatbelt and grabbed his pack. He stepped out into the freezing night air, the crunch of snow beneath his boots breaking the mountain silence.

Ahead through the thick tree cover, a tall radio tower stood atop the ridge, its red aviation light blinking steadily against the starless sky. Surrounding the base of the tower was a heavily fenced compound guarded by automated perimeter lights.

"That's the relay site," Elias said, adjusting his strap. "They know we're coming."