Chapter 15 :THE RAID

Over the next 3 days we planned our raid.

Commander Reyes gave us some maps, blueprints and some of her best fighters. The lab was in a remote mountain range, around 100 miles North of the Haven. It was heavily guarded with 20 men on guard duty, automated turrets and a state of the art security system.

"We go in at sunrise. The guards change shifts at 6am so there’ll be a 15 minute window where there’s no one on the perimeter." I pointed to the blueprint.

Adrian nodded.

"Once we’re in we’ll find the research wing. The formula will be in the main server room. We d******d the formula and destroy the servers."

"It’s a good plan but also very risky. If anything happens you’ll be stuck in there." Reyes crossed her arms.

"Nothing’s going to happen."

We set off at sunrise. Me, Adrian, Trent and 3 of Reyes' best fighters. Cole, a snipper with great eyesight. Finn, an explosives expert who doesn’t talk much. And finally Maria, a former police officer.

Jason was left behind. He begged to go with us, saying he wanted to prove his loyalty. But I couldn’t trust him. He was weak, cowardly and would stab me in the back at the first chance he got.

We travelled North in silence. The mountains were in the distance. The air was cold and fresh, and the sky was a dark blue.

We arrived at the lab as the sun started to rise.

"Get into position."

We all dispersed and hid behind the trees and rocks. The lab was a huge concrete building dug into the side of the mountain. There was one guard at the front door. He was holding his rifle on his shoulder. Two turrets were slowly spinning on the roof.

Cole aimed his sniper rifle and shot the guard. He fell silently to the ground.

"Next the turrets." Finn said.

He took out a small bomb from his pack and chucked it straight at the nearest turret. It exploded with a loud bang and sparks flew from it. The second turret turned towards us.

"GO!" I shouted.

We all ran towards the door. The turret fired. Bullets whizzed through the trees. I fired 3 shots from my crossbow. They bounced off the turret's armour.

"Finn! Take it out!"

Finn chucked another bomb. The turret exploded and sent us all flying.

We got up and ran through the main doors. Inside the lab was sterile and white like a hospital. There were alarm noises and scientists in white coats running around in panic.

"The research wing is on the 3rd floor." Maria said. "Let’s go."

We all ran up the stairs. Shooting any guards in our path. I shot one in the chest with the crossbow. Adrian shot accurately and silently. To my surprise Trent did well. He knocked out a scientist with his baseball bat.

"Not bad."

Trent grinned. "I learn quickly."

We made it to the 3rd floor. The server room was at the end of the corridor. It had a thick steel door.

"Finn. Blow the door up."

Finn attached the bomb. He stepped back. The door exploded.

We ran into the room. It was cold and dark. There were rows of computers. One scientist sat at the main computer typing furiously.

"Don’t move!"

The scientist turned around. He was young, wore glasses and was shaking. "Please don’t kill me! I’m just a technician!"

"We’re not here to kill you. We’re just here for the formula. The vaccine."

His eyes widened. "You want the formula? It’s not here. It’s been moved."

My blood ran cold. "Moved? Where?"

He replied quickly. "To the new facility. Commander Vance moved it all after the safe zone was destroyed. It’s in the mountains. 300 miles East. It’s called Blackwood."

I looked at Adrian. Blackwood. I’d heard of that place before. It was a legendary prison. It was built to house the worst criminals in the country. If the Syndicate had taken it over it would be a fortress.

"You’re lying!" Trent said, stepping forward with his bat.

"I’m not! I swear! They moved it 2 days ago! They’re going to start mass producing the vaccine but they’re going to sell it to the highest bidder. Only the rich will survive."

I clenched my fists. Vance was worse than I thought. Not only was he hoarding the vaccine but he was planning a new world order where only the rich can survive.

"We’ll d******d as much as we can. Then we’ll destroy the servers."

Finn started typing quickly. "Got it. Downloading now."

The door burst open. Armed guards ran in.

"Don’t move!"

I grabbed the technician by the collar and held my knife to his throat.

"Don’t come any closer or he dies."

The guards paused.

"NOW!"

Adrian and Maria opened fire. The guards fell. The remaining ones ran but we could hear more approaching.

"D******d complete!" Finn shouted.

"Destroy the servers!"

Finn dropped the small bomb onto the main server. We ran out as it exploded. Smoke and debris filled the hallway.

We fought our way down the stairs and out the front door. The remaining guards were fleeing. Their vehicles drove off into the mountains.

We all jumped in the Jeep and sped off.

We didn’t stop driving until we got back to the Haven. Reyes was waiting for us. Her face was pale.

"The mission was a success but we’ve got a problem." I said getting out of the Jeep.

I told her about Blackwood. Vance planned to sell the vaccine to the highest bidder. It was a fortress.

She listened quietly. When I was done she exhaled slowly.

"Blackwood. I’ve heard stories about that place. It’s a death trap. No one ever comes out."

"So we will be the first."

Reyes looked at me. "Are you serious? Are you really planning on fighting an army?"

I stared back. "I’m not just going to survive. I’m going to win. And I’m going to make sure the Syndicate never hurts anyone again."

She was quiet for a while. Then she nodded slowly.

"We’ll do it together. I’ll get all our fighters together. We’ll march on Blackwood and burn it to the ground."

I smiled coldly.

"Perfect. Because we leave at sunrise.”