The Million-Dollar Heart

Vivienne was on the perimeter, her gaze locked to the thermal imager as she monitored Anna's progress through the darkened alley. Percival was at her side, fingers dancing across the laptop keyboard. Three seconds later, he declared, "Vivienne, we're in."

Pressing her earpiece, Vivienne called out, "Strike team, come in. Do you copy?"

The entire team, including Anna, was momentarily startled.

Through the earpiece, Anna tapped back in Morse code-Ms. Vivienne?

"That's right. Follow my lead. There are more bombs than your initial infrared scan detected. Tread carefully."

Everyone at the Vanguard Agency knew that Vivienne was Percival's fiancée, and they would heed her commands without question. And, of course, Percival would obviously be right by her side.

This brought an unspoken comfort to the strike team as they navigated the treacherous terrain.

"Alpha and Bravo, move left. Charlie and Delta, keep a 3-feet distance behind. Anna, take the others and advance from the nine o'clock position. Watch the walls-electrified nets are set up to alert the hostiles inside."

The strike team executed Vivienne's orders flawlessly, avoiding numerous triggers and drawing ever closer to the bomb-laden stronghold.

Back in the command vehicle, Thomas watched the heat signatures move and immediately understood.

Percival and Vivienne were undoubtedly nearby. This meticulous, calculated approach was Vivienne's signature Careful and deadly.

Thomas, who had spent years working alongside Percival and Vivienne, knew this all too well.

Moreover, the equipment in Vivienne's possession was far more advanced than that of the Vanguard Agency, revealing traps that had previously gone undetected.

With her guidance, Anna would be able to complete the mission much faster.

The National Intelligence Bureau, led by Astrid, was also in position, ready to provide support. Although they were not bomb disposal experts, they were more than capable of backing up the team. Under Vivienne's direction, Anna swiftly defused the first bomb site.

taps on her earpiece

satisfaction. Astrid's team received the signal and

from the command vehicle, couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss with

the Vanguard Agency suggested a significant threat. Could it be the GTO they

GTO was compromised, she knew the punishments she would receive would be severe. She could not afford

Micah, and Vance were deep in tactical discussion, oblivious to

stealthily approached the command console and, without a sound,

returned, he didn't notice the speakers were on a device typically untouched unless they were ready to encircle and intimidate criminals. For a covert mission like this, flipping

the microphone and began to speak, "Second squad, prepare to flank from the

shock

Vivienne and Percival on watch outside, as well as Anna and Astrid

serene Holiday Resort. Starting from a hidden passage, in

the command vehicle shook violently, its special bulletproof glass shattering under the force of the

special squad. Leopold and

outermost edge, felt a ringing

strewn across the floor, with Gillian knocked unconscious against the machinery. The events unfolded in

Vivienne, was the first to snap into action. He quickly

still ringing, Percival's voice echoing like a distant

alerted, and in the event of such destruction, there would undoubtedly be escape routes planned. In this dire situation, they had to

his weapon as he

are

debris, his legs, abdomen, and shoulders ravaged by glass. Blood seeped from his wounds. "I'm alive, damn it!

abdomen, yet he still managed to get

that, Soren headed toward

team was