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Your Briefing:

Hannah Carmichael is a spy inside the CGT agency. When her husband Zeke, told her that CGT works for profit and chaos instead of the greater good, she went undercover, reporting to him to take them down. While working with CGT, Hannah is also chasing down her mother, Evelyn Carmichael, who is a known terrorist planning an attack. With a USB drive that Evelyn wants and needs for her next attack, Hannah and her fellow agents and friends Stephanie and Ian were trapped in an underground bunker and left for dead. Newcomer Moroz had been taken out and gunshots were heard above them. When Zeke found Hannah and the others (against his boss’ orders), they were let in on the undercover operation. Will CGT believe what Hannah and the others tell them happened? Will they be able to stop Evelyn? Will Zeke be able to keep his job? Will Hannah and Zeke’s relationship survive?

 

TWENTY-FOUR

The fire was slowing as firefighters contained the blaze. Zeke was sitting in the driver’s seat with Hannah by his side. Stephanie leaned forward, crunching chips next to Zeke’s ear.
“The cops bought the explosion then?” She asked. Zeke nodded and turned the radio up louder. Behind him, Stephanie snorted and moved back into her seat. Zeke glanced in his rear view mirror to where Ian was sitting, arms crossed with the scowl that had been glued to his face since this afternoon.
“These clothes are a close match to what we had on.” Hannah sounded impressed and Zeke smiled.
“Well we have been doing this sort of thing for quite a while.” He said, throwing her a side glance. She stifled a smile and looked back to where Evelyn’s barn used to stand.
“So you’re just going to drop us off somewhere and we find our way back to CGT? Hoping they believe our story?” Ian asked, his voice strained. Zeke sighed,
“Did you believe Hannah when you found her after the raid on CGT?” Zeke smiled as Ian huffed and looked out his window.
“Anthony will believe you because there isn’t an alternative story right now. The explosion will be caught by the news as soon as the reporters we tipped off get here.” Zeke turned in his seat and frowned. “All you have to do is use your training and fake it.”
Beside him, Hannah put a hand on Zeke’s arm and he looked over at her. Her eyes were soft but her mouth was pulled into a small tight smile.
“We’ve got this Zeke.” She said, waiting for him to visibly relax his shoulders. As Zeke pulled the car out of their camouflaged position, he waited until they were a reasonable distance from the barn then parked. He had already told Baxter to go back to the office and distance himself from what he was sure would be a suspension.
As the three CGT agents got out, Hannah leaned in through the window, her elbows resting against the window frame.
“Thanks,” she shrugged with a small smile. “For saving me. Not that I needed it or anything.”
He smiled and tried not to laugh. “Always and Forever.” He said, waiting for her to back away from the car. He watched her grow smaller in his rear view mirror as he drove further away.
Back at the office, Zeke slowly made his way towards his desk. He wasn’t looking forward to the conversation he owed his boss. As he stepped through the elevator doors, he saw Oliver across the room, perched on Zeke’s desk. He was tapping his foot and checking his watch.
Zeke fought the urge to duck into the break room and walked confidently to his boss. When Oliver looked up, he frowned and motioned for Zeke to follow him into his office. As Zeke walked inside, Oliver closed the door behind him.
“Sit.” Oliver’s voice was cold and hard. Zeke took a breath and sat on the chair closest to the door, counting the seconds until his getaway. When Oliver sat behind his own desk, Zeke started to explain but Oliver raised his hand.
“I don’t need to know why. I have a wife too, I can guess.”
Zeke shrunk back into his chair and waited as his boss thought for a moment.
“The higher ups wanted the CGT mess tied up as soon as possible. Now, it seems there are more loose cannons than assets.” Oliver’s mouth twisted and he shook his head.
“Baxter suspiciously arrived just before word of the explosion came through the pipeline.” Oliver stood and moved to the window of his office which looked out to the agents’ desks. “I’ve been informed that Stephanie Winchester and Ian Longford are both now aware of our operation.”
“They’re willing to help, Sir.” Zeke said, straightening in the chair. Oliver spun and narrowed his eyes.
“Loose cannons, Anderson! I could understand recruiting your wife,” he spat the last word and Zeke frowned. He waited silently for Oliver to compose himself. “But we don’t know what these other people’s motives are.”
Zeke sighed. Oliver was right. He watched as Oliver walked to his door and put his hand over the doorknob.
“You’re being suspended for two weeks, pending a review.” He opened the door and Zeke stood, shoulders slumped.
“Baxter, innocent though he is not, will be handling the updates from Hannah Carmichael until further notice.”
Zeke nodded as he was escorted to his desk to collect his personal items. Searching through his desk drawer, Zeke found the paperweight Hannah had given him on their first anniversary. Baxter walked up to him and patted him on the shoulder.
“Don’t worry man. I’ll make sure Hannah doesn’t get into any more trouble.”
Zeke smiled and nodded, “I know you will.” He pulled his shoulder bag over his body and winked.
“Besides, now I have two weeks of time on my hands.” He shook Baxter’s hand and started walking away.
“Who knows what I’ll get up to?” Zeke said as he walked towards the elevator and turning to look back. Baxter was subtly reading the note he had slipped into his hand, instructing him to tell Hannah to meet him at their spot.

---

Author’s Note:

Thanks for reading this week’s instalment of the Hannah Carmichael Chronicles! Hannah will be back next Thursday for the next part of her adventure – we both look forward to seeing you there!

Christy Grace 

Your Briefing:

Hannah Carmichael has been trapped underground in her mother, Evelyn’s secret bunker. With her friends and fellow CGT agents Stephanie and Ian, they had no way out. CGT is not who they claim to be, working for profit and chaos and Hannah had been undercover, reporting to Zeke Anderson – her husband and a real government agent. While Hannah was chasing her mother Evelyn, a known terrorist, she was trapped for not handing over a drive with plans that Evelyn needed for her next attack.

Zeke went out in search of Hannah after she failed to check in with his partner and friend Baxter. When they arrived at the bunker, they heard noises below them; Hannah. What will Zeke find when he opens the bunker? Will Hannah and the others be ok? What will they tell Ian, who doesn’t know the truth about CGT? What is their next move? Find out now with TWENTY-THREE!

 

TWENTY-THREE

Zeke watched as his wife was led out of the bunker and towards the waiting ambulance outside. He hung back a moment while they asked her questions and she shrugged off their blanket. When she spotted him, she nodded in his direction and he made his way over to her.
“Evelyn shot Moroz.” She said, reaching up and grabbing onto a chain nestled underneath her shirt. “She wanted the drive.”
Hannah’s voice was almost clinical as she stared at him. Zeke reached out and put a hand on her arm, softening his eyes. Her shoulders loosened and he saw the hint of a smile. Stephanie came up behind him and slapped him on the shoulder.
“Nice to know you’re alive.” She said, rolling her eyes. “Thanks for letting us know who we were working for before now.”
Zeke stiffened and glared at Hannah. She shrugged,
“Would you have preferred her to kill me?” Hannah asked, a smile behind her eyes. Zeke rolled his shoulders and glanced over to Ian being examined by paramedics.
“Does he know too?” Zeke asked, unable to hide the disdain behind his words. Hannah rolled her eyes and folded her arms across her chest.
“No he doesn’t.” She frowned and he cleared his throat.
“Although I’m sure now he’ll be suspicious.” Stephanie said next to him, nodding to where Ian was staring at the three of them huddled together. Zeke nodded and sighed,
“We’re going to have to loop him in.” He said, dragging his feet as he walked over to Ian Longford. Ian frowned when he saw Zeke and looked behind him to Hannah and Stephanie. Zeke stopped in front of him and nodded to the paramedic, who left them alone.
“Longford.”
Ian narrowed his eyes at Zeke.
“Anderson. Nice to see you’re alive.” His words were flat and insincere and Zeke clenched his jaw.
“There are some things that will obviously need to be addressed about this…” Zeke paused and looked back to Hannah. “Situation.”
Ian rolled his eyes.
“You could say that.” He said, standing and shuffling off the blanket the Paramedic had placed over his shoulders. The two men were similar height but Zeke had more muscle tone than Ian. He was confident that he would win in hand to hand combat. Smiling at Ian, Zeke took a breath.
“It seems you’re now being dragged into a situation with two choices.”
Ian frowned and glanced back at Hannah. Zeke cleared his throat and took a step to his right, blocking Ian’s view of his wife.
“And what would those be?” Ian asked, staring at Zeke.
“You’re an agent of CGT, correct?” Zeke asked, watching as the subtle indicators on Ian’s face pointed to his answer of yes. When Ian didn’t reply, Hannah moved past Zeke and next to Ian.
“Ian, Zeke works for the Defence Strategic Policy and Intelligence Group.”
Ian’s eyebrows raised slightly and he looked over at Hannah, his gaze softening.
“CGT isn’t who they told us they are.” Stephanie said. Zeke stepped forward and motioned for Baxter to join them.
“Ian, CGT is not working for the government as you were led to believe. They are working for their own profit and chaos throughout the world.” Zeke said, shifting his position slightly, to where Baxter was quietly approaching. Ian shook his head and took a small step backwards, glancing at his angles for escape.
“I don’t believe you.” Ian said, looking at Hannah. She gave him a small smile and shrugged.
“That doesn’t really matter at this stage,” Hannah said simply. Zeke pulled back slightly, his eyebrow lifting.
“All that matters now, is that we stop Evelyn.” Hannah shrugged her right shoulder, “What happens with CGT after that is not up to us.” Hannah looked over at Zeke and gave him a half smile as Ian looked over to Baxter. Zeke tried not to smile and nodded.
“Evelyn Carmichael is more important than CGT right now. We need to stop her imminent attack, then we can talk deals.” He said. Ian snapped his head back to Zeke and scowled.
“Even if your story is true, I wouldn’t make a deal with you.” Ian spat his words and Zeke tried to remain calm. After a few moments, Ian moved with Baxter to be debriefed and Stephanie left Hannah and Zeke standing alone.
“I thought about you, when I was stuck down there.” Hannah said quietly, staring to where agents were collecting evidence and preparing the inside of the barn. Zeke exhaled.
“I will always come for you. You have to know that by now.” Zeke’s voice was low and he watched the love of his life, her long hair falling across her face in the wind. They had been through too much to jump back to where they had been before, but he couldn’t help leaning forward and moving a strand of hair behind her ear.
Hannah leaned her head into his hand and a small smile appeared. She cleared her throat and spun, walking back to where Stephanie and Ian were talking logistics with Baxter. Zeke sighed, they would make it through this if it killed him.

---

Author’s Note:

Things are heating up for Hannah and will only be getting more exciting and complicated as she moves forward in her journey.

Thanks for reading this week’s instalment of the Hannah Carmichael Chronicles! Hannah will be back next Thursday for the next part of her adventure – we both look forward to seeing you there!

Christy Grace 

Your Briefing:
Hannah, Stephanie and Ian (agents of CGT spy agency) are trapped, but nobody knows. Zeke Anderson, Hannah’s husband, Is a government agent who is trying to take down CGT who are really just out for profit and chaos, not the safety of the country. While undercover inside CGT, Hannah was also chasing her mother, Evelyn Carmichael, a known traitor who was planning a terrorist attack. When Hannah missed her check in, Zeke got worried and against his Boss’ orders, has gone with his partner and friend, Baxter, to look for Hannah at her last known location, Evelyn’s safe house. What will he find when he gets there? Will Hannah still be alive? Will Zeke be able to find her in the underground bunker?

 

TWENTY-TWO:

Zeke moved swiftly into the small barn, his gun raised. A quick sweep with Baxter cleared the room and they holstered their weapons.
“No one’s here.” Baxter said, putting a hand on Zeke’s shoulder. Zeke shook his head.
“They have to be here. Look for some sort of secret opening.” Zeke rolled his eyes, “Evelyn is classically cliche.”
As they searched, Zeke heard Baxter clearing his throat.
“Anderson, you may want to see this.” He said, his voice low. Zeke turned and moved to where Baxter was standing behind a bale of hay and looking down. Zeke took a deep breath and moved behind the hay bale. Exhaling, Zeke rolled his eyes.
“You scared the hell out of me!” He said, hitting Baxter’s arm and crouching down. A large pool of blood was drying on the ground.
“It’s not her body, but it could be-“
“It’s not.” Zeke cut Baxter’s thought off and stood straighter. “Hannah is still alive.” He turned and glanced around the room for signs of a passageway.
“I’ll collect samples to test for DNA.” Baxter said, reaching into his bag and pulling out evidence collection bags. Zeke took a breath and stood in the middle of the room. He was sure there would be a room somewhere, but it had to be underground.
They could tunnel under if they had the right equipment, but they may risk a cave in down below if they got the wrong spot. Baxter was tapping his foot and broke Zeke’s train of thought. He spun,
“Can you be any louder with that?” He asked nodding towards Baxter’s foot. He looked up and frowned,
“What? I’m not making any noise at all.”
Zeke sighed and pointed to Baxter’s foot. “I heard you tapping your foot. It’s breaking my concentration.”
Baxter rolled his eyes, “I’m not tapping my foot. You’re losing it man.” He went back to zipping up his bag of DNA evidence and Zeke took a step closer. The tapping sound came again and both men paused.
“Ok, I heard it that time.” Baxter said, standing and moving to join Zeke. They stood for a few minutes and waited for the tapping again.
“It’s coming from below us.” Zeke said, smiling. “Call for backup. She’s here.”

---

Author’s Note:
Thanks for reading this week’s instalment of the Hannah Carmichael Chronicles! Hannah will be back next Thursday for the next part of her adventure – we both look forward to seeing you there! Christy Grace

Your Breifing:

Hannah, Stephanie and Ian are agents of CGT – a spy agency who Hannah and Stephanie have just discovered are not working for good, but profit and chaos. Now undercover, Hannah is secretly working with her husband, Zeke who she just discovered is working for the real government to take them down. While undercover, Hannah also has to stop her mother, Evelyn, who is planning a large terrorist attack. While tracking her down, Hannah, Ian and Stephanie got locked in an underground bunker, possibly forever! A new agent, Moroz, told Evelyn he had the drive with plans for her attack and was taken to the surface, followed by gunshots. What happened above them? Are they trapped forever? Who, if anyone, can save them?

 

TWENTY-ONE Entry

Zeke Anderson tapped his pen on his wife’s file. It had been too long since her last check in. She had missed last night and it had just passed the time for tonight’s check in. Standing, he walked over to Baxter Young’s desk, still fiddling with his pen.
“Hey, you heard from her?” Zeke asked his partner. Baxter looked up from his paperwork and sighed.
“Not since five minutes ago when you asked me last.” He said, rolling his eyes and looking back at his work. Zeke leaned on the side of Baxter’s desk and tapped his foot. Baxter stopped reading and leaned back in his chair.
“It’s only been one day. You know how these things go sometimes. She may be stuck where she can’t call for the moment.”
Zeke stopped twirling the pen and turned to face Baxter.
“That may be worse.” He said, taking a breath.
“It’s just because it’s Hannah.” Baxter said, shrugging. “Any other asset, and you wouldn’t be this worried.”
Zeke started to deny it, but he stopped, knowing it was the truth. When he had been told to recruit Hannah as an undercover operative at CGT, he didn’t realise that he would be assigned as her handler. Baxter snapped his fingers in front of Zeke’s face and he snapped back.
“Boss wants to see you.” Baxter said, pointing towards Oliver Johnston’s office door. Zeke sighed and nodded, getting up and slowly making his way to Oliver’s office. He was going to want an update, but Zeke didn’t have one.
He knocked on the open door and Oliver looked up from his computer, motioning with his head for Zeke to come in. As Zeke sat, Oliver leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest.
“What’s the latest for the CGT operation?” Oliver asked, raising his eyebrows. Zeke cleared his throat and shifted in his seat.
“Well, they’re hot on the trail of Evelyn Carmichael.” Zeke said, straightening. “It would be beneficial to take Evelyn out of the game. She has an attack prepared and if Hannah can capture Evelyn, then we can-“
“I don’t care about Evelyn Carmichael.” Oliver said, his tone hard. “I care about taking down CGT once and for all.” Oliver stood, towering over Zeke.
“It wasn’t planned that you would end up marrying Hannah Carmichael. Now that she knows the truth about CGT, she’s a loose cannon in there, undercover or not.”
Zeke stood and squared his shoulders.
“Hannah Carmichael is a great agent, regardless of who she’s married to.” He said, setting his jaw. “I’m waiting on a further update but…” Zeke’s voice trailed off and Oliver stepped forward.
“But what?” he asked, tapping his foot.
“She missed her last two check in’s.”
Oliver exhaled sharply and frowned.
“Evelyn is dangerous Sir, and I think we need to consider going in after Hannah.” Zeke’s voice was soft and Oliver shook his head.
“If she’s been compromised, we need to keep the safety of our agents as top priority. We could be walking into a trap.” Oliver moved back to his desk and reached for his phone.
“I’ll give Hannah two more days, then we’re moving on to the next asset.”
Zeke shook his head and moved closer to the desk,
“Sir that’s my wife!” He said, his voice louder than he intended. Oliver looked up and raised his left eyebrow. Zeke moved back slightly and sighed.
“It’s out of the question Anderson. You’ll just have to wait for her to check in.” Oliver pointed to his door and Zeke bowed his head, closing the door behind him. He fell into his desk chair and put his head in his hands.
“Hey partner, what did he say?” Baxter’s voice was low and Zeke groaned.
“He isn’t going to let you go after her is he?”
Zeke looked up and frowned.
“Hey I know you better than you think. I knew that was where your head was at.” Baxter crossed his arms and leaned against Zeke’s desk, glancing at Oliver’s office.
“So are we going or what?” Baxter asked, winking. Zeke started to argue then smiled and nodded.
“Now.”

---

Author’s Message

Thanks for reading this weeks instalment of the Hannah Carmichael Chronicles! Hannah will be back next Thursday for the next part of her adventure – we both look forward to seeing you there! Christy Grace

FLASHBACK INSTALMENT

The snow was cold and wet as Hannah trudged through, ankle deep. She wasn’t used to snow at Christmas time. Russia was a far cry from her Australian home. Sleigh bells sounded and the faint Christmas music from the nearby strip of shops was getting softer as they moved further away.

Beside her, Stephanie nudged her in the ribs and raised her eyebrows.

“What?” Hannah asked, trying to remember what Stephanie had been saying a moment ago. Steph rolled her eyes and smiled,

“I asked you what was happening with Ian. Are you guys still doing the break up thing or what?”

Hannah sighed and shook her left leg, trying in vain to disperse some of the water collecting on her pants.

“I told you, I just don’t feel a connection anymore.” Hannah pulled out a pair of binoculars from her pack and Stephanie turned to face her, walking backwards.

“What does that matter? Just have some fun.”

Hannah rolled her eyes and scoffed.

“I’m not that kind of person. I want something meaningful.” She looked behind Stephanie and nodded towards their target’s meeting spot. Steph turned and Hannah handed her the binoculars.

The two sat at the observation station and Stephanie pulled the binoculars to her eyes, following the target on the ski slope below.

The Russian Politician was selling secrets detrimental to Australia’s National Security and Hannah and Stephanie were reporting on a transaction with an unknown buyer.

Hannah pulled out another pair of binoculars and tried to focus on the target. They sat and watched silently, waiting for the buyer to appear.

“Is it just me, or is this the most boring assignment ever?” Stephanie asked, exhaling loudly. Hannah chuckled,

“Steph, this is our first assignment unsupervised.” She heard Stephanie snorting next to her and she smiled behind the binoculars. The target sat and drank a cup of coffee and Hannah took a deep breath, feeling the cold.

“It’s cause we’re girls isn’t it?” Stephanie asked. Hannah laughed,

“I think it’s because we’re green, not girls.”

“Just you wait. At least one of us will be running CGT in ten years’ time.” Stephanie said, shifting in her spot. Hannah started to reply when she saw the Politician stand.

“Here we go,” she said. They watched as the buyer shook the targets hand and Hannah lowered her binoculars, pulling out their known buyer’s photo list. She scanned through their options before she came across a man listed simply as ‘The Mercenary’.

“Got him,” she said. Stephanie lowered her binoculars for a moment and glanced at the photo. She nodded then raised them again.

“They’re sitting down but the target hasn’t pulled out the papers yet.” Stephanie said as Hannah pulled out her encrypted phone. She dialled their agency contact and waited for verification to go through.

“Carmichael, give me good news.” Their supervisor, John, barked down the phone line at Hannah and she rolled her eyes.

“Eyes on the target, the buyer just arrived. Confirmed by both agents that the buyer is ‘The Mercenary’.” She said, using her right hand to raise her binoculars and watch the two targets talking below.

“Have they made the exchange?” John asked. Hannah waited a moment and watched as the target pulled out a large yellow envelope and placed it onto the table.

“In the process now.” She said, hearing the urgency in her voice. Silence on the other end of the line added to her panic and she lowered her binoculars, looking over to Stephanie.

“New orders coming through Agent Carmichael.” John said finally. She straightened,

“Take out both the target and buyer in the interest of National Security.” John’s voice was cold, with no emotion. Hannah was new at compartmentalizing, but something felt odd about his instructions. She tapped Stephanie on the shoulder and she lowered her binoculars.

“What?” Steph asked, shaking her head. “They’re doing the exchange now, what is it?”

Hannah swallowed the lump in her throat and lowered her voice.

“Orders to take them both out.” She said, feeling her words stumbling. Stephanie’s eyes widened and they sat silently for a moment.

“Carmichael!?” The sound of John yelling through the phone snapped Hannah back to focus and she cleared her throat.

“Affirmative. Instructions received, stand by for confirmation.” She put the phone on mute and turned back to Stephanie.

“I can’t..” her voice trailed off and she took a deep breath. “I didn’t realize it would be a…” With her sentences fragmented, Stephanie gave her a soft, sympathetic smile. She quietly reached into her pack and started to unload a long range rifle.

“When did you pack that?” Hannah asked, looking back through her binoculars at their targets, the exchange almost complete.

“They told me to add it into my pack just in case.” Stephanie said, finishing setting up the shot and the angle.

“What about wind direction, or, or..” Hannah stopped talking as she spotted the small flag three feet from their target. They had already set it up. This wasn’t a spur of the moment decision.

Hannah felt her breathing slow as she watched their targets, waiting for Stephanie to pull the trigger. A teenage boy appeared next to the Politician and Hannah ripped the binoculars away, facing Stephanie.

Before she could say anything, two shots echoed through the white fields. The sound drowned out the nearby Christmas bells as Hannah felt the world slow down. Turning back to the scene below, Hannah raised the binoculars and watched as the teenage boy hovered over the Politician, tears streaming down his face.

They had killed the boy’s Father.

Stephanie reached for the phone in Hannah’s hand as she kept watching the chaos below.

“The target and buyer have been eliminated.” Stephanie’s voice next to Hannah felt a million miles away. After a moment of silence, Stephanie took a sharp breath.

“Hannah Carmichael.”

The sound of her name sent her heart slamming into her chest. Stephanie had just confirmed that Hannah had been the one to take the shot. Hannah lowered the binoculars and stared at Stephanie. She was frowning and listening for further instructions then nodded in the direction of their car.

Hannah felt numb as she pulled herself away from the scene below and moved quickly to their vehicle. They told her the first one would be difficult, but she didn’t feel prepared. She didn’t think she would ever be prepared for her first real kill.

---

See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace 

Your Briefing:

Hannah Carmichael, Stephanie, Ian and Moroz are agents for CGT – but Hannah is undercover. Stephanie discovered this while Hannah was updating her husband, Zeke, who works for the real government. While chasing down her mother, Evelyn, a known terrorist, Hannah discovered a safe house bunker. Her mother was one step ahead of her and locked all four of them inside. She wants a flash drive containing information she plans to use to carry out a terrorist attack. Will Hannah give her the drive? Can they escape? Find out below!

 

TWENTY:

“No need to shout, Mother Dear.” Hannah said. Stephanie tapped her on the shoulder and she looked over to the wall of weapons, nodding. Stephanie, Ian and Moroz went over to inspect their arsenal and Hannah took a breath.
“What makes
you think I have the drive?” She asked, “CGT headquarters were attacked and I
don’t know where everything scattered to.”
Evelyn laughed and Hannah shivered as a chill ran down her back.
“Oh Hannah,
I have spies everywhere.” Evelyn paused a moment and Hannah held her breath. “I
know you have the drive.” She said, her voice like ice. Hannah felt for the
drive around her neck and held it in her hand.
“What’s on
it Evelyn? Before I hand it over, I should know what I’m giving you.” Hannah glanced
over to Stephanie, quietly delegating options for a defence. Evelyn finally
cleared her throat through the intercom.
“I suppose
it wouldn’t hurt to tell you. Since you’re going to be down there for quite a
while.”
Hannah
rolled her eyes at the pride Evelyn failed to disguise.
“The drive
contain blueprints to an important building which I have decided needs to have
some,” she paused, “work done on it.”
Hannah
waited for Evelyn to continue but after a few minutes of silence, she took a
step closer to the intercom.
“That’s it?
That doesn’t explain anything. What building? Are you going to destroy it?
Why?” Hannah asked, her voice shaky as the anger escaped.
“Well Dear,
you don’t actually expect me to tell you my whole plan do you? That wouldn’t be
very smart, would it?”
Hannah took a deep breath and started counting in her head.
“Well I
don’t have the drive anymore.” She said, trying to keep her voice even. The
sound of the doors to the bunker screeching open, jolted everyone to attention.
Hannah pulled out her gun from her holster and Stephanie and the boys aimed
their newly acquired weapons at the entry point.
When no one
came down, Stephanie cautiously led the boys in an advance.
“If any of
you are under the delusion that you could come out of those doors and win in a
firefight, I would rethink your strategy.” Evelyn’s voice came through the
intercom and echoed just outside the doors. They paused and Hannah turned back
to the little box.
“Fine.
We’ll just stay here then. We have supplies after all.”
Evelyn
chuckled and a ticking started, filling the room.
“Hannah,
you’re in my safe house. Don’t you
think I had a fail safe built in? The whole place is set to blow in two minutes
if you don’t come up and give me the drive.”
Hannah
inhaled sharply and lowered her shoulders. She’d have to go. Before she could agree,
Moroz moved past her and closer to the box.
“I have the
drive Evelyn. I’ll come and bring it to you.”
Hannah
reached out for his arm and shook her head violently. He set his jaw and
nodded, handing her his weapon. Leaning in close to her ear he lowered his
voice to a whisper.
“Protect
it.” He moved towards the doors, hands raised and took the stairs slowly. As he
disappeared from view, the sounds of the doors banging closed echoed down below.
Hannah, Stephanie and Ian ran to the entry.
When Evelyn
found out Moroz didn’t have the drive, she would kill him. Or worse, he would
bluff his way to taking her somewhere else and she would leave them all trapped.
Hannah
heard the intercom switching off and moved further inside the room. Stephanie
and Ian followed behind her.
“What now?”
Ian asked as they stood, waiting. Hannah shook her head and opened her mouth as
the sound of a machine gun firing above them penetrated the solid steel doors
locking them inside.

---

See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace

Your Briefing:

Hannah, a spy undercover at the CGT agency, is chasing her mother, Evelyn Carmichael. Evelyn is a traitor who is planning a terrorist attack that has something to do with a USB drive which Hannah is currently holding onto. While looking in her childhood home, Hannah found co-ordinates to a mysterious safe house. With her fellow agents Stephanie, Ian and Moroz, they headed towards the location armed with a key to unlock the door. While on their way, Hannah gave her husband Zeke (a real agent with the government), an update on their current mission, only to turn and see her friend, Stephanie, pointing a gun at her. Hannah was able to explain and convince Stephanie to join her quest to take CGT down while also trying to stop Evelyn’s plans. Now at the safe house, Hannah and the others are about to discover just what Evelyn had stored at the safe house. What will they find? Will they be able to stop Evelyn? Is there danger behind the door?

NINETEEN:

The lights flickered above them as Hannah looked inside another box.
“Just more supplies in here.” She said, turning and watching Stephanie nodding at the contents of another box.
“Here too,” Stephanie tried to keep in a sneeze but failed. The sound echoed in the small room and Hannah smiled as Steph shrugged.
“Hey, check this out!” Ian yelled from the main room. Hannah and Stephanie walked into the large space. There were three cots and a small kitchenette on the West Wall and a door to the bathroom at the far corner.
Ian and Moroz were standing in front of what used to be a solid wall. A door had slid across, revealing an impressive cache of weapons for every occasion. Stephanie whistled low,
“Good old Ev sure is prepared.”
Hannah rolled her eyes and looked towards the stairs that led them down.
“How long did she think three people could stay down here?” She asked, spreading her arms wide and turning. “All this space, and enough supplies for six months. What was she planning?” Hannah asked, feeling for the drive around her neck.
Faint voices made the four pause for a moment. Hannah and Stephanie drew their weapons and took silent steps towards the entrance as Ian and Moroz followed behind. They paused, one situated on each side of the stairway and Hannah took a breath. As she glanced back to Ian, the sound of doors above them sliding shut hit with a deafening bang.
Hannah tucked her weapon back in her holster and lunged forward. The stairway was dark as she climbed three steps at a time. Behind her, Ian was cursing and Stephanie was breathing heavily as she followed her.
When Hannah reached where the opening used to be, she reached up to the steel doors. They were clinging together tight and she grunted as she attempted to open them herself. Stephanie attempted to help and Hannah heard the footsteps of Ian and Moroz going back down the stairs.
A moment later the boys came back with a steel bar. After a few minutes of trying to pry the doors open, Hannah dropped the bar and started pounding on the doors.
“Hello?!”
Stephanie reached out and touched Hannah’s arm, shaking her head.
“Is there another exit in this ridiculous place?” Moroz asked, moving back inside. Hannah stood silently, staring at the doors above her. She strained to hear what was happening through the doors when she heard a crackling sound from behind her. She moved down the stairs to where Stephanie, Ian and Moroz were huddled around a small intercom on the far wall.
“I didn’t see that when we came in.” Hannah joined the three and Stephanie nodded.
“It was behind a box. We only heard it when it started making-“
“Hannah dear?” A familiar voice interrupted Stephanie and Hannah froze.
Evelyn.
Hannah moved forward,
“I’m sorry, Hannah is indisposed at the moment. May I take a message?” Hannah kept her voice monotone, listening to the shuffling and muted voices on the other end of the intercom.
“I think we need to have a Mother/Daughter chat.” Evelyn said, her voice void of teasing.
“I was just thinking that myself. And what better way to have a Mother/Daughter chat than through three tons of steel?”
Hannah tried not to grit her teeth as she heard Evelyn chuckle. A moment of silence passed until Evelyn shouted something inaudible.
“You know what I want, Hannah.” Evelyn’s voice was cold and Stephanie nodded towards the chain still safely tucked underneath Hannah’s vest.
“Give me the drive!”

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See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace