Chapter 12 - THE LAST ORDER
The entire ship changed within minutes.
Doors locked.
Communications went offline.
Security teams moved through the corridors.
But something felt wrong.
They weren’t protecting the ship.
They were controlling it.
Admiral Voss appeared on every monitor.
His expression was calm.
Professional.
Almost comforting.
That was what made him dangerous.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he said.
“We are currently dealing with a security issue involving unauthorized personnel.”
My face appeared on the screen.
A photo from my service record.
Then my information.
Petty Officer First Class Hannah Mercer Cole.
“Agent Cole has violated operational security procedures.”
Reed cursed quietly.
“They’re making you the enemy.”
Voss continued.
“She has stolen classified information and compromised this vessel.”
I laughed.
Because it was almost impressive.
The truth was being rewritten in real time.
Then Voss said something unexpected.
“She is not to be harmed.”
I looked at Kane.
“That sounds like mercy.”
Kane shook his head.
“No.”
“What then?”
“Containment.”
My blood went cold.
“He doesn’t want me dead.”
“No.”
Kane looked at me.
“He wants you alive long enough to take the blame.”
The ship suddenly shook.
A loud impact came from below.
Reed checked his radio.
“Engine room reports a pressure problem.”
Kane’s expression changed.
“That’s not an accident.”
“How do you know?”
“Because that’s what happened on Deck Four.”
We moved quickly.
The lower decks were filling with smoke.
Not enough to kill.
Enough to create panic.
We reached the control area.
And there she was.
Commander Elena Brooks.
Standing beside the system controls.
I stopped.
“Why?”
She looked at me.
For the first time, she didn’t look afraid.
She looked defeated.
“You found the files.”
“Yes.”
“You saw the video.”
“Yes.”
Her eyes closed.
“I knew this day would come.”
Kane stepped forward.
“You should have told the truth.”
Brooks looked at him.
“You think I had a choice?”
“Yes.”
“No.”
Her voice broke.
“You don’t know what they threatened.”
I stared at her.
“Who?”
She looked toward the ceiling.
Toward the command deck.
“Everyone.”
Then the lights went out.
When they returned…
Commander Brooks was gone.
May you like
And on the floor where she had been standing…
was a blood-stained NCIS badge.
