Page 6 of Red Zone Awakened

“Of course.”Rueben gave the crowd a reprimanding glare.

The press managed to keep from uttering a collective sigh of relief, and Keiko moved on to the last of the section leaders.Unlike Rueben, the department heads and their teams behind them would rather have been back in their labs than performing for the continuously greedy news cycle.Keiko would have preferred they were there too.There was no need to drag every scientist involved in the project onto the platform to meet the press.That had been all Rueben’s idea.His ego needed the large numbers in attendance to make him feel important.

“Please give a warm welcome to Andrew Moray.”She indicated the last of the department heads, an older man with laugh lines around his eyes and a ready joke for everyone who took the time to talk to him.“Andrew’s new to our research center here in Houston, having come across from our Scottish base a few months ago.He’s a genius at manipulating and developing new materials.He’s also the reason our new lens is thinner and softer than ever before, creating a truly irritation-free experience.Trust me, I’ve tried it, and you can’t even tell it’s in your eye.Would you like to say hello, Andrew?”

“Aye, I would.”He smiled at her as he took a step forward.

Rueben let out an irritated huff, but Keiko ignored him.The Scottish scientist swept his hair to the side of his forehead as he addressed the crowd, knowing the directional mics would pick up his voice and magnify it for everyone to hear.

“I’d just like to say one wee thing before we get into the presentation.”He took a deep breath and thrust his fist high in the air.“Freedom for the people!Down with CommTECH!”

Keiko gasped and staggered backward.

Camera drones zoomed in on the scientist as the press frantically shouted their questions.At the rear of the terrace, a scuffle broke out.Security, dressed in black and armed with laser guns, ran for the stage.

A shot was fired.

Someone screamed.

“Abigail!”Keiko hollered, but she couldn’t see her friend in amongst all the chaos.

“Everybody, down!”someone shouted.“We are Freedom, and we’re taking over this building.Do as you’re told, and you won’t get hurt.”

Freedom?The terrorists?They were there?

A hand clasped her arm and jerked her from the platform.She fell, squealing and calling for help—just as a loud blast shook the terrace, filling the air with smoke.

“Breach, breach!”one of the security team shouted.

A large arm wrapped around Keiko’s middle, and her feet swung as she was lifted.She twisted, straining to see who held her, fearing she already knew.

Mace.

“Wait!Stop!We need to get Abigail.”She kicked and struggled, but it was no use.Her fingernails tore at the arm shackling her, but his hold was unbreakable.He ignored her and ran, dodging left and right, weaving his way through the pandemonium.

“Where’s the press secretary?”a voice shouted.“Get Keiko!”

Gunshots.

Screaming.

Chaos reigned.

The haze began to clear as the smoke dispersed.Reporters sat huddled on the ground.Crying.Shocked and afraid.

“Let me down right now,” Keiko demanded.

A hand slammed over her mouth.“Damn it, woman.Shut up.I’m trying to save your life.”

Mace swerved sharply, and she glanced down to see what he’d dodged.The body of a security team member lay sprawled on the hand-painted tile, dark red blood spreading like an inkblot beneath him.

This wasn’t real.It couldn’t be…

“On your knees,” a woman ordered from the platform where, seconds earlier, Keiko had stood, holding court with the press.

Through the dissipating smoke, she saw the scientists kneel on the stage.Abigail among them.Her friend was deathly white as a woman held a gun to her head.

“Bring Keiko Sato to me,” she shouted.“Now!”

Mace jumped over something before banging through a door, all the while carrying her under his arm.The door slammed shut behind them, blocking Keiko’s view of the terrace, leaving her with the image of Abigail kneeling before the terrorists.

Leaving Abigail alone without Keiko to protect her.