Chapter 47
Chapter Forty-Seven
RIGEL
“This is bad, Rigel,” Blake says quietly. “If Malfor has eyes inside Guardian HRS—” Blake suddenly cuts off whatever it was he was going to say next, and instead activates his comms. “Activate Protocol Zero. I repeat. Activate Protocol Zero.”
“What the fuck is Protocol Zero?”
“It’s a failsafe, a complete lockdown and investigation of all personnel in the event of a suspected breach. It’s a drastic measure, but one we can’t afford not to take.”
“I need more than that.” I feel two steps behind.
“Malfor is the mastermind behind Sentinel. We learned of his existence a short while ago. One of our operatives, Stitch, used to work for Malfor.”
“She’s a mole?”
“Not a mole. Not even in the slightest. Stitch is a good kid who got involved with the wrong people. She hacked into the NSA and was caught for crimes against the U.S. Mitzy recruited her not too long ago. We took down a human trafficking operation called the Citadel with her help, and then we discovered they were working for Sentinel. In addition to the human trafficking, there was organ harvesting and identity erasure. ”
“Erasure?”
“Plastic surgery to permanently alter the women who were sold.”
“That’s monstrous.”
“After that mission, Malfor sent Stitch a message.”
“Blake, I need to be briefed on Sentinel, Citadel, and whoever this Stitch is.”
“Agreed. But not here. Not now.”
As the emergency response teams finish their work, Guardian HRS personnel are finally released. It’s time to leave.
We secure the scene. The assassins’ bodies are removed. The house is cleared, and the vineyard is once again silent. Tomorrow, my sister will receive a fat check from Guardian HRS for remodeling.
Blake and I, along with the rest of Charlie team, regroup and head to our vehicles. As we drive back to Guardian HRS, the weight of the recent events and the note from Malfor hangs heavily in the air.
When we arrive at Guardian HRS, there’s no downtime. We’re immediately ushered into a secure debriefing room. The leadership of Guardian HRS joins us, including Forest, Skye, Sam, CJ, and Mitzy.
Mitzy brings in Stitch, a striking young woman with long, raven-black hair and a goth vibe that contrasts sharply with Mitzy’s colorful pixie cut.
Sam stands at the head of the table, his expression severe. “I’ve read the message,” he says without preamble. “This changes everything.”
I take a seat. Mia is in the medical bay, being checked over by Skye’s team, but I wish she was with me.
“He claims to have eyes everywhere, even within Guardian HRS,” Blake says. “If that’s true, if we have a mole…”
The weight of that statement hangs heavy in the air. I’m the newest member of this organization. We all know what we signed up for when we joined Guardian HRS and the risks we agreed to take .
But this… This is different.
Forest leans forward, his hands flat on the table. “Our first priority is to lock down all operations and review all personnel. I refuse to believe there’s a mole, but I’ll let you decide how to proceed on that point.” Forest directs that statement to Sam. “If there’s a security breach, we need to find it, and fast.” That comment is addressed to Mitzy.
“We’re already on it,” Mitzy pipes in almost before Forest finishes his sentence.
CJ looks around the table, his eyes sharp. “This is going to be a thorough investigation. No stone unturned. We need to be absolutely certain about everyone’s loyalty.”
Mitzy taps her fingers on the table, her colorful nails a stark contrast to the seriousness of the situation. “My team is already pouring through all our communications, past and present. If there’s a breach, we’ll find it.”
Sam crosses his arms, his gaze steady. “We need to keep this quiet. The last thing we need is panic spreading through our ranks. Protocol Zero will be executed discreetly.”
“What about Mia?” I ask. “If Malfor is targeting Guardian HRS, she’s not safe here anymore.”
“I need to talk to Mia, but there are options,” Skye, who has been silently listening, speaks up.
“What does that mean?”
“Well, one of two things is true. Either way, the fix is the same.” Skye shifts in her seat to speak to me directly.
“And that is?”
“As horrible as Citadel was, and while the things they did are reprehensible, it was brilliant.”
“I need more than that.”
“These days, it’s nearly impossible for a person to disappear. Facial recognition is pervasive. Whether Malfor buys Mia’s death or doesn’t, she still has to deal with facial recognition.”
“So, what are her options?” I press, needing to understand the full picture.
Skye takes a deep breath before continuing. “Mia can either hide out from the world forever, avoiding any place with cameras, which is impossible, or she needs to change her facial features.”
My heart sinks at the thought. “Change her facial features? You mean… plastic surgery?”
Skye nods. “Yes. It’s not an easy choice, and it comes with its own set of risks and challenges, but it might be the only way for her to have a semblance of a normal life.”
“What are the pros and cons of that?” I ask, trying to wrap my head around the implications.
“The pros are obvious,” Skye says. “Mia could start over without the constant fear of being recognized. She could move freely, live without the shadow of Malfor and Sentinel looming over her.”
“And the cons?”
“The surgery itself is risky. There’s no guarantee it will be completely successful; even if it is, there’s the psychological impact to consider. Mia would have to adjust to a new face, a new identity. It’s a significant change, one that could affect her mental health.”
I glance at the rest of the team, seeing the weight of the decision reflected in their eyes.
“She’s strong,” Skye says, “but this is a lot for anyone to take in. We’ll support her, whatever she decides. Ultimately, it has to be her choice. No matter what we do, Mia will always be identified by her DNA. We can’t change that. However, as long as there’s no reason to search for her DNA, it shouldn’t be a problem.”
The room falls silent as we all process the gravity of the situation. The choice Mia faces is daunting, but I’ll stand by her no matter what.
Mitzy looks at Stitch, who has been quiet until now. “Stitch, you know Malfor better than anyone. Any insight?”
Stitch’s eyes flash with determination. “He’s a ghost. Phenomenal at what he does, but he’s not perfect. There will be digital footprints. I just have to find them.”
“He’ll expect that,” Forest says. “He could lead you into a trap.”
Stitch nods, a wry smile playing on her lips. “He will definitely lead me into a trap. That’s a given, but I’ve learned a thing or two since then. When I was a kid learning how to code, he was the ringleader, the master of the deep dark web. He taught me everything I know about hiding and misdirection. But now, I have an edge he won’t expect.”
“What’s that?” I ask, intrigued.
“I have the might of Guardian HRS behind me. I know his patterns and his weaknesses. Malfor thrives on being a step ahead, on making people think they’re closing in on him when he’s already moved on. I’ll lead him down a false path. I’ll make him think I’m coming at him head-on while I’m really circling around behind him.”
Mitzy leans forward, her interest piqued. “So, a feint. Draw his attention one way while we discover his secrets another way?”
“Exactly,” Stitch confirms. “I’ll engage him where he expects, in the places he’s fortified, making noise and drawing out his defenses. Meanwhile, I’ll be working in the shadows, piecing together the clues that will lead us to his real location. It’s a delicate balance, but if I play it right, he’ll never see it coming.”
“It’s a risky plan, but it might be our best shot.” Forest nods, his expression thoughtful. “Stitch’s plan is daring, but it gives us a way to take control of the situation.”
Sam nods. “Every available resource will be dedicated to this. We’ll coordinate with international agencies if we have to. Malfor is not getting away.” Grim determination fills his face.
“That isn’t going to be easy,” Blake says quietly.
“Easy or not, we don’t have a choice,” Forest says.
There’s a moment of heavy silence, the weight of what we face settling over us.
Then Skye speaks, her voice quiet but steady. “I know who you are.” She looks around the table, meeting each of our gazes. “Your strength, your courage, the sheer stubbornness that drives each and every one of you. If anyone can stop Malfor—it’s us.” Her words hang in the air, a rallying cry, a call to arms.
And as I look around at those gathered, at the resolve in their eyes and the set of their jaws, I know she’s right.
Guardian HRS doesn’t back down.
They don’t give in .
We don’t give in.
I’m one of them now. I’ve found what was lacking when I was in the Navy. For the first time in what feels like a very long time, I’m exactly where I belong.
I was born for this job.
Because I’m a Guardian.
“Let’s get to work,” Forest says, bringing the meeting to a close. “We have a ghost to hunt, and time is not on our side.”
As we file out of the room, I can’t help but feel the weight of the decision that lies ahead for Mia.