Chapter 11 - Night of the Federal Storm
The dark convoy of armored SUVs sped through the rain-soaked streets of Chicago,
their heavy V8 engines roaring against the thundering sky.
Inside the lead vehicle,
I sat in the dark,
checking the tactical magazine of my primary rifle,
my jaw set like iron.
Dominic navigated through the torrential downpour,
his eyes darting constantly between the side mirrors and the tactical radar screen.
"Boss,"
Dominic said,
his voice low and calm despite the chaos,
"Federal Marshals have set up three blockades along the Expressway."
"They aren't real Marshals,
Dominic,"
I replied,
my eyes fixed on the rain-streaked windshield.
"Sterling bought those officers months ago.
They are paid mercenaries wearing federal badges,
sent to ensure I never reach downtown."
"How do we handle the blockade?"
Julian asked from the rear seat,
racking the bolt of his sniper system.
"We don't negotiate,
we don't stop,"
I declared cold and clear.
"Deploy the military-grade frequency jammer.
Blind their communications,
cut their radio links to Sterling's command center."
Julian flipped a series of toggles on the center console.
A high-frequency hum echoed through the cab,
severing all cellular and radio bands within a five-mile radius.
Up ahead,
the flashing red and blue lights of four heavily armored police cruisers blocked all six lanes of the highway.
Men in dark tactical vests stood behind their doors,
weapons raised,
shouting orders into dead radios.
"Hold on!"
Dominic yelled,
slamming his foot onto the accelerator.
Our lead armored vehicle smashed directly into the center of the blockade.
Metal tore violently,
sparks showered into the black night,
and broken glass exploded into the air.
The heavy bull-bars of our SUV spun the lead cruiser sideways,
clearing a path directly through the gap.
Gunfire rattled against our reinforced armor plating,
the bulletproof glass cracking into spiderweb patterns but holding firm.
We broke through into the open highway,
the towering skyline of Chicago rising like a dark fortress out of the storm.
"Courthouse is two miles out,"
Dominic reported,
keeping the vehicle steady.
"Sterling thinks she has won,"
I said softly,
staring at the flickering neon lights of the city.
"She thinks she can erase my family and hide behind her title.
May you like
Tonight,
the entire world will see what lies beneath her golden badge."
