Split Seconds (Chroniverse League Book 1) by William Baker Zero

Author:William Baker Zero [Zero, William Baker]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Chroniverse Books
Published: 2023-06-17T16:00:00+00:00

20

The Chase

From that moment on, Montgomery couldn’t shake the feeling he was being watched. It started as a vague unease that crept up on him as he made his way through the bustling halls and corridors of the laboratory complex. He shrugged it off at first, chalking it up to overwork. But as the week wore on, the feeling intensified.

He started to vary his routines, taking different routes to the cafeteria or restroom, checking over his shoulder every few steps. He still felt he was being followed.

When he entered the supply room to gather some materials for his research, he sensed someone watching him, even though he was alone. He scanned the shelves and took what he needed as quickly as possible. As he made his way back to the lab, he was sure he heard footsteps echoing behind him. He quickened his pace.

When he returned to his desk, his papers were in disarray, and the folders Lucia had given him were gone.

He reported the break-in to Dr. Lane.

“It’s possible your feelings are simply running on high alert. I don’t like to use the word paranoid, but I understand. We’ve been working on this project for so long that it’s natural to feel a little bit anxious about it. But everything’s going to be fine.”

As she spoke, he tried to push the thought of Dr. Lane’s suspicious behavior to the back of his mind, but it lingered there, like an itch he couldn’t scratch.

A few days later, when he saw her talking in hushed tones with the head of security, he knew his worries were far from unfounded. As Dr. Lane concluded her conversation, she glanced over her shoulder and saw Montgomery and Thomas watching her. For a moment, she froze, and the scientists could see the fear in her eyes. But then she regained her composure and turned away, disappearing around the corner.

Montgomery and Thomas exchanged a worried glance before moving to the window to see what was happening outside. What they saw made their blood run cold. A battalion was assembling in the courtyard below, preparing to storm the laboratory complex.

“There are soldiers outside,” he reported. “Soldiers or police. I can’t tell the difference. They’re all wearing black uniforms, with helmets and face shields.”

Before long, the two scientists heard a cacophony of heavy footsteps and the distinctive clatter of military gear rising up from the ground floor.

The intercom on the wall squawked a warning. “This is a test of emergency operations procedure. All personnel remain at your stations. This is only a test.”

Montgomery and Thomas looked at each other skeptically. “Something tells me this isn’t a drill.”

Distant sounds of a squadron of uniformed men echoed from the floors below. The soldiers were going from door to door, their boots pounding against ceramic tiles, footsteps reverberating through the corridor. The metallic jingle of weapons, ammunition, and equipment added a sharp, dissonant undertone to the relentless advance.

In the distance, the faint sound of shouted orders and the occasional crackle of radios painted a vivid picture of a well-coordinated military operation in progress.

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