Page 76 of Mr. and Mrs. Novak

A heavy silence falls. Expressions tighten, some exchanging loaded glances. I press on, my voice steadier.

"What looked like underground trade is actually covert financing. Stanford isn’t just selling to the highest bidder. He’s arming and funding extremist paramilitary groups, notably led by a man named André Korzton."

I let the information sink in.

"Do you have tangible proof or just cross-references?"

I hold his gaze.

"A key witness. His wife. She confirmed that certain shipments were intended for these militias. Stanford sent her as an intermediary to calm Korzton’s anger after the recent seizures."

He drums his fingers on the table, deep in thought.

"Alright. We launch the operation."

When I meet Ruslan at the safe house, he watches me with that mix of pride and concern.

"And?"

"We hit them all at once. Three road interceptions, two at sea, and an assault on Stanford’s HQ."

The hours leading up to the operation are suffocating. Protocol rehearsals, final checks. Ruslan and I stay together until the end. He knows I have to be there, but he doesn’t like it.

At the hangar, the units gear up. Vests adjusted, weapons loaded, orders reviewed.

Alpha Team: Main assault on-site.

Bravo Team: Server security.

Charlie Team: Locking down exits and tracking Stanford.

Mobile Unit: Road interceptions.

I take my place in the coordination vehicle. My role: monitoring information flow and guiding the teams.

The black SUVs stop at a distance. Drones hover over the area. Four men on guard. Two at the entrance of a warehouse. They have no idea what’s coming.

"Green light," the chief murmurs.

Hell breaks loose.

Charges blow the gate. The assault is immediate. Beams of light slice through the darkness. Sharp commands.

"Internal security! NOBODY MOVE!"

Shots fired. A man goes down under Alpha Team’s fire. Bravo rushes to the servers. But something feels off.

I stare at my screens.

"Stanford is gone."

My heart skips a beat.

"There’s a hidden exit! Underground tunnel, northeast access!"

The units pivot. An alert flashes— a vehicle is speeding away.

"Interception in progress," crackles the radio.