Chapter 14 - The Neon Dragon.The main gaming floor of the Golden Dragon Casino was a sensory assault of ringing slot machines, cheering gamblers, and blinding gold decor.
I moved gracefully through the crowded room, my emerald silk gown turning heads, while my eyes systematically scanned for security cameras and blind spots.
Hidden beneath the elegant fabric strapped to my thigh was a loaded weapon, and tucked into my diamond clutch was a military-grade localized EMP emitter.
I placed a small earpiece deep into my right ear, tapping it twice to open the encrypted radio frequency.
“I’m in the ventilation shaft above the sub-basement; give me two minutes to bypass the thermal sensors,” Sterling’s voice cracked over the comms.
“Copy that; I’m moving toward the VIP elevators,” I murmured softly, pretending to sip from a glass of complimentary champagne.
Two massive, heavily tattooed enforcers guarded the gilded elevator doors, their eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses despite the indoor lighting.
I timed my approach perfectly, waiting for a loud, drunken group of high-rollers to distract the guards before slipping an active cloning device near their card reader.
In less than three seconds, the device replicated the encrypted security key needed to operate the elevator.
“Jamming field is down, Celeste; you have exactly five minutes before the system reboots and flags the intrusion,” Sterling reported.
I swiped the cloned digital key, stepping into the elevator just as the heavy brass doors slid seamlessly shut.
The ride to the penthouse was agonizingly slow, the digital display ticking upward as the tension in my chest tightened like a coiled spring.
When the doors finally opened, I stepped into a lavish, multi-level suite overlooking the entire city through floor-to-ceiling bulletproof glass.
A dozen international arms dealers and warlords were seated around a massive circular table, sipping scotch and examining holographic projections.
At the head of the table stood Arthur Vance, looking healthier and more arrogant than he had on the day of his arrest.
He was holding a customized data drive, speaking to the syndicate boss—a terrifyingly calm man with a dragon tattoo snaking up his neck.
“With this proprietary algorithm, your submarines will become entirely invisible to current sonar detection grids,” Arthur boasted to the room.
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I stepped out of the shadows of the foyer, raising my suppressed pistol and aiming it directly at the data drive in his hand.
“I’m afraid the auction has been permanently canceled,” I announced, my voice cutting through the thick atmosphere of the penthouse.
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