Whispers in the storm

The meeting with Dr. Ross took place in a secluded park just before sunrise. The air was crisp, and the park was deserted save for the three of them.

Dr. Ross approached cautiously, her face pale and drawn. She clutched a small briefcase, her eyes darting around nervously.

"Are you alone?" she asked.

Nathaniel nodded. "We don't have anyone else to trust."

Dr. Ross handed them the briefcase. "This is everything I've been forced to work on—blueprints, chemical formulas, delivery schedules. It's all tied to Athena."

Eleanor opened the briefcase and gasped. The documents detailed plans for a biological weapon—something that could be deployed subtly and devastate entire populations without immediate detection.

"This… this is what they've been working on?" she whispered.

Dr. Ross nodded, her voice trembling. "It's why they won't let me go. I helped design the dispersal method."

Nathaniel's expression darkened. "We need to get this to the right people—people who can shut this down for good."

But before they could plan their next move, the sound of distant engines shattered the quiet.

"They found us," Dr. Ross said, panic rising in her voice.

Nathaniel grabbed the briefcase and pulled Eleanor and Dr. Ross toward the tree line. "Run!"

The three of them sprinted as black SUVs screeched into the park. Armed men poured out, shouting orders and spreading out to search.

Eleanor's heart pounded as they weaved through the trees, the briefcase clutched tightly to her chest. Nathaniel led the way, his instincts keeping them one step ahead of their pursuers.

Dr. Ross stumbled, and Eleanor quickly grabbed her arm, helping her up. "Come on, we're almost there!"

They reached a nearby drainage tunnel and slipped inside. The darkness was suffocating, but it provided cover as they crouched and waited.

The sound of footsteps grew louder, then faded as the attackers moved further into the forest.

Nathaniel exhaled sharply. "We can't stay here. We need to keep moving."

Eleanor nodded, clutching the briefcase. "We have what we need. Now we just have to survive long enough to use it."

The fight was far from over, but they had a new weapon against the enemy—and the will to keep fighting.