Agent Red

Chapter 14: Plot after plot

Autumn chose to avoid confrontation, knowing their mission was too important to derail. Lily followed silently as they navigated through narrow paths. The air grew colder as they approached the mountain's base. Autumn checked her map again, pointing to a cave that would serve as their rest stop. Lily admired her accuracy. Autumn always seemed to know where to go.

Inside the cave, the sisters set up a temporary campfire. Lily wrapped a blanket around them both. Autumn leaned her head back, staring at the cave ceiling with tired eyes. Lily studied her expression, sensing the weight she carried. "We'll finish this," Lily whispered. Autumn smiled faintly, murmuring, "Together."

Outside, thunder rumbled as storm clouds gathered. The forest trembled under the weight of heavy winds. Lily tightened her grip on her rifle, feeling unease crawl through her chest. Autumn placed a hand on her shoulder to reassure her. Storms meant fewer patrols from the Escape Company. It was the perfect cover.

As the storm worsened, Autumn switched their radio to encrypted mode. Lily monitored nearby frequencies carefully. They intercepted fragments of the boss's furious orders. He demanded updates on Autumn's location. Lily frowned, realizing how desperate he sounded. Autumn simply sighed, expecting nothing less.

At dawn, the rain eased, leaving the forest soaked and misty. Autumn stretched her muscles, preparing for the long trek ahead. Lily tied her hair into a tight braid, ready for combat. The sisters moved quietly through the wet terrain. Their boots left faint prints in the mud. Every sound echoed in the fog.

Autumn spotted a drone in the sky and immediately pulled Lily into the bushes. The drone circled twice before flying off. Lily held her breath, waiting for danger. Autumn whispered that the boss was definitely tracking them now. Lily felt her pulse quicken. Their confrontation was getting close.

When they reached a cliff overlooking the nearby city, Autumn stopped. Smoke still rose from the explosion site. Lily's eyes widened, realizing the extent of destruction. Autumn stood calmly, knowing she had set the chain of events in motion long ago. Lily asked if she felt guilty. Autumn replied, "Only for those who didn't deserve it."

They descended the cliff carefully, heading toward a hidden bunker their allies marked. Lily carried binoculars to scan for threats. Autumn remained quiet, calculating their next move. When they reached the bunker, a disguised soldier greeted them. He saluted them respectfully. Autumn nodded, acknowledging his loyalty.

Inside the bunker, maps and screens covered the walls. Lily studied the layout while Autumn coordinated with the soldier. They discussed enemy routes and predicted movements. The atmosphere was tense yet hopeful. This was the first time in years that Autumn felt supported by a team. Lily felt the same.

The soldier explained that the boss had relocated to a fortress-like compound. He warned that it wouldn't be easy to infiltrate. Autumn smirked, replying that difficulty never stopped her before. Lily agreed, confidence building in her voice. The soldier admired their determination. He promised backup when needed.

Autumn asked if the children had reached safety. The soldier confirmed they were in a protected facility. Lily let out a sigh of relief. Autumn felt her shoulders relax slightly. Knowing the children were safe fueled her resolve. The mission now felt more manageable.

Autumn updated her device, adding new coordinates of the fortress. Lily memorized every entry. They prepared new disguises to blend with local workers near the fortress. Autumn's disguise was a mechanic; Lily's was a medic. They practiced brief scripts to avoid suspicion. Everything needed to be perfect.

The sisters moved out shortly after, following a narrow trail through thick trees. The walk was long and silence heavy. Lily wondered if their parents would be proud. Autumn nodded, saying their parents fought for freedom too. Lily felt motivated by that thought. They walked with renewed purpose.

As night fell again, Autumn marked another checkpoint on her map. Lily prepared sleeping mats in a hidden corner near an abandoned shed. They ate quietly, saving energy for the battle ahead. Lily mentioned she wanted a normal life after all this. Autumn agreed wholeheartedly. They smiled dreamily at the thought.

The next morning, they finally reached the outskirts of the fortress. The building towered above the city, guarded by steel walls and armed patrols. Lily swallowed nervously. Autumn patted her back gently, telling her fear was natural. But fear should never control them. Lily nodded determinedly.

Autumn observed guard rotations for twenty minutes. Lily took mental notes. The fortress had weak points in the north and east sections. Autumn pointed out the best infiltration path. Lily memorized each step. Their teamwork flowed effortlessly.

They approached the outer wall disguised as local workers. A guard questioned them briefly. Autumn spoke calmly using a perfect accent. Lily kept her head down, playing her part flawlessly. The guard eventually waved them through. Relief washed over them as they entered.

Inside, the fortress bustled with activity. Soldiers carried crates, analysts studied screens, and engineers repaired equipment. Lily and Autumn blended in perfectly among the chaos. Autumn subtly scanned for the boss. Lily stayed close, prepared for anything. The air smelled of metal and tension.

Autumn located a secure elevator that likely led to the boss's private bunker. Lily prepared to enter, but they noticed increased surveillance. Autumn whispered that they needed a distraction. Lily offered to create one by triggering a false fire alarm. Autumn agreed with a nod. The plan was risky but effective.

Lily executed the distraction flawlessly. Alarms blared, forcing guards to scramble toward the western corridors. Autumn took the chance and accessed the elevator using a stolen keycard. Lily slipped in before the doors shut. The elevator descended in eerie silence. Both sisters braced themselves mentally.

When the doors opened, they saw the long hallway lit with sterile lights. Lily tightened her grip on her weapon. Autumn scanned the area, sensing something off. She signaled Lily to follow closely. Their footsteps echoed softly on the tile floor. Tension filled the air.

Suddenly, a screen on the wall flickered on. The boss's face appeared, twisted with rage. He taunted them, congratulating them for reaching this far. Lily felt her blood boil. Autumn simply smirked. Their enemy was finally cornered.

The boss claimed that even if they reached him, Agent X would protect him. Autumn scoffed, knowing Agent X was strong but not unbeatable. Lily rolled her eyes, tired of his arrogance. They continued down the hall, ignoring his attempts to provoke them. The boss's voice cracked with frustration. He hated being powerless.

As they approached the final door, Lily took a deep breath. Autumn placed her hand on the door, feeling the vibrations of machinery inside. She whispered that this was the moment everything changed. Lily nodded, heart pounding. Together, they pushed the door open. It was time to face the final phase.

Inside, the bunker was empty, confirming the boss fled once again. Lily cursed under her breath. Autumn only sighed, expecting this outcome. The boss was a coward who thrived on running. But running only delayed his fate. And Autumn was patient.

Autumn checked the computer systems and found traces of the boss's recent escape route. Lily quickly copied the data. They realized he fled to another hidden base near the coast. Autumn grinned darkly, saying they were getting closer. Lily felt adrenaline surge. Their mission continued.

Autumn stood in the center of the bunker, staring at the boss's abandoned equipment. Lily approached her quietly. Autumn whispered that everything the boss built would crumble soon. Lily agreed wholeheartedly. Their parents deserved this justice. Their childhood deserved closure.

The sisters exited the bunker and signaled their allies. The soldiers responded quickly, confirming they were ready for the next operation. Lily felt stronger than ever. Autumn felt lighter, knowing Lily stood by her side. They were unstoppable together. The world was finally shifting in their favor.

Autumn looked at the rising sun, the sky painted with hues of red and gold. Lily joined her, admiring the beauty for a moment. Both felt a strange calmness. "We finish this together," Lily said softly. Autumn nodded firmly. The battle ahead no longer frightened them.

The sisters gathered their equipment and faced the path ahead. The boss may have fled again, but he was running out of places to hide. Autumn tucked the detonator into her suit. Lily loaded her weapon with steady hands. Their footsteps synced as they walked toward the next battlefield. Justice was finally closing in.