Crowned by Code - Chapter 4: The Countdown ~ (9/11) Divided Fronts

While Kara dove into the technical battle, Selena faced her own challenge. Public panic was spreading like wildfire. News channels were reporting sporadic outages and unusual financial activity, and Erevania’s citizens were demanding answers. Selena quickly assembled a team of communicators and media experts.

“We need to control the narrative,” Selena said, her tone sharp and decisive. “Focus on transparency, but don’t incite further panic. Emphasize that the situation is being managed and that measures are in place to ensure public safety.”

One of her team members hesitated. “What about Viktor Sarren’s involvement? If we reveal that, won’t it make things worse?”

Selena’s eyes narrowed. “If we hide it and the truth comes out later, it will destroy what little trust the public has left. Frame it as a challenge we’re rising to meet, not a threat we’re powerless against. Honesty is our ally here.”

The team nodded, and Selena returned to Darius’s side to update him. “Public messaging is under control for now, but we need to ensure there are no major disruptions. If the power grids go down, all our efforts will unravel.”

“I’ll check on Kara,” Darius replied. “Keep me updated on public sentiment. The people need to see us working together.”

As Darius moved back to Kara’s station, Elior intercepted him. The former soldier’s face was grim but resolute. “Physical security is tight, but I’ve identified a potential vulnerability in the eastern sector. If they’re planning a hybrid attack, that’s where it will hit.”

Darius nodded. “Can you deploy additional personnel there?”

“Already done,” Elior replied. “But if they’ve got boots on the ground, we’ll need more than manpower. I’ll coordinate with Athena for drone support.”

“Good call. Do whatever it takes to secure the sector,” Darius said. He watched Elior stride off, his movements purposeful and confident. Despite their differences, Darius trusted him implicitly.

The minutes ticked by like hours as Kara’s team worked furiously to trace the sleeper cells. Every few moments, Athena provided updates on new developments, her voice steady amidst the storm.

Finally, Kara’s triumphant cry broke the tension. “Got it! They’re using a decentralized network with three primary nodes. If we take out the nodes, the entire system collapses.”

“Locations?” Darius asked.

Kara pointed to the map. “One is in the western sector, another in the industrial district, and the last is…” She hesitated, her expression darkening. “It’s inside a government facility.”

Darius’s jaw tightened. “That’s no coincidence. Viktor’s sending us a message.”

Selena joined them, her expression one of concern. “How do we approach this without causing a public relations disaster? If the public finds out we’re compromised at that level…”

“We keep it contained,” Darius said firmly. “Kara, can your team neutralize the nodes remotely?”

“The first two, yes. But the government facility node will need a manual shutdown,” Kara replied. “It’s too secure to access from here.”

She frowned, muttering to herself. “That’s weird.”

Darius raised an eyebrow. “What now?”

Kara exhaled sharply, zooming in on a segment of the attack logs. "Viktor’s digital footprint is all over this, but there’s something else. Someone else is in the system, hiding in the noise of his assault."

Athena’s voice interjected, precise as ever. "Clarify your findings."

Kara adjusted her AR glasses, isolating a cluster of erratic signals. "Viktor’s hackers are invasive, but they leave trails. This, though? Someone’s using his attack as cover, slipping through Erevania’s systems unnoticed. It’s subtle, almost surgical."

Selena frowned. "A rival faction?"

Kara hesitated. "Maybe. Or someone working toward a completely different goal."

A silence settled over the room. For the first time, Viktor wasn’t the only threat in play.

Darius exchanged a glance with Athena, his gut tightening. If there was another player in this war, they had no idea what side they were on.

He exhaled, pushing the thought aside. One problem at a time.

Right now, the government facility was still a primary target. If they didn’t move fast, whatever Viktor—or this unknown entity—was planning could escalate beyond their control.

Darius turned to the team, then hesitated. This was the first time he was putting himself in the direct line of fire since taking on this role.

For years, he had fought from the shadows—manipulating networks, dismantling firewalls. But leading in the field? Making real-time, life-or-death calls? That was something else entirely.

He exhaled, shaking off the thought. No room for that now.

His resolve hardened. "We deal with the immediate threat first. We shut down the government facility node manually. I'll bring Elior with me."

Selena stepped forward, her voice rising. “Hold on! You’re the leader, Darius. You can’t just throw yourself into danger like this.”

“I won’t ask anyone to do what I’m not willing to do myself,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Besides, if Viktor’s watching, he’ll expect me to delegate. This is the last thing he’ll anticipate.”

Selena looked as though she wanted to argue further but relented. “Fine. But you’d better come back.”

Darius allowed himself a small smile. “That’s the plan.”

Athena’s voice chimed in. “Time until first wave reaches critical levels: ten minutes. All teams, execute directives.”

With the countdown looming, Darius checked his gear and turned to his two escorts—the same security personnel who had accompanied him to the forum meeting with Selena. They had proven themselves sharp and reliable, and he was going to need that tonight.

Elior was already en route to the eastern sector, coordinating defensive measures with Athena’s oversight. The plan was simple: rendezvous en route, exchange final intelligence updates, and then split toward their respective objectives.

Darius tapped his earpiece. "Elior, I’m moving now. I’ll meet you at the intersection near Corridor 17."

Elior’s voice came through steady and focused. "Copy that. I’ll be there in three minutes. Make it quick—we don’t have time to waste."

Darius motioned to his escorts. "Let’s move."

The three of them strode through the dimly lit corridors of Haven Point, passing teams of analysts and security personnel hurrying between command stations. The tension in the air was thick with anticipation, but there was no time to dwell on it.

As they reached the rendezvous point, Elior emerged from a side corridor, his pace brisk, his presence commanding. "He had already geared up—light tactical armor, a compact energy blaster holstered at his side, EMP tech on his wrist and belt, and a data tablet clutched in one hand. His forearm-mounted tactical interface flickered with live security feeds, feeding him real-time updates on structural vulnerabilities and movement patterns."

He wasted no time. "Eastern sector security reinforcements are in place. No disturbances yet, but if anything escalates, we’ll need contingency plans."

Darius gave a quick nod. "Understood—we can’t afford any surprises now."

Elior’s eyes flicked to the two personnel flanking Darius. "Your team ready for this?"

One of the escorts, a hardened soldier named Vance, gave a curt nod. "We’re here to keep the boss breathing. That’s all that matters."

Darius smirked. "Let’s hope it stays that way."

Elior clapped a hand on Darius’s shoulder, his grip firm. "Stay sharp. Viktor won’t play fair, and I don’t like how quiet it’s been so far."

Darius exhaled sharply. "You think we’re dealing with drones or mercenaries?"

Elior’s gaze remained sharp, scanning the distant cityscape as if expecting trouble. "Both. Maybe worse. Viktor has resources, and he knows how to use them. If he's planning a hybrid assault, we could be walking into more than just automated defenses."

Darius clenched his jaw. "Then we assume the worst. We adapt. We win."

He turned to his team, his voice steady but firm. "We move now. Stay sharp. No hesitation."

With that, they set out, leaving the safety of Haven Point behind and stepping into the unknown.