Whispers in the storm

A distant rumble reached their ears—the unmistakable sound of vehicles approaching. Nathaniel grabbed his rifle, his face grim.

"They're coming," he said. "We need to hold them off until the upload finishes."

Eleanor's stomach twisted, but she nodded. She grabbed her handgun, her fingers tightening around it.

The first vehicle appeared through the trees, a black SUV that skidded to a halt outside the cabin. Armed men poured out, their weapons drawn.

Nathaniel fired the first shot, taking out one of the attackers before they could find cover. Eleanor crouched by the window, her gun aimed at the next figure that moved.

The cabin's walls shook as bullets pounded into them. Nathaniel had reinforced the structure, but it wouldn't hold forever.

"Thirty percent," Nathaniel called, glancing at the upload progress.

Eleanor fired, her shot grazing an attacker's arm. She ducked as return fire shattered the window beside her.

"Keep them back!" Nathaniel shouted, reloading his rifle.

More vehicles arrived, and the attackers spread out, trying to flank the cabin. Nathaniel tossed a smoke grenade, obscuring their vision.

"Fifty percent!" he shouted.

Eleanor's hands trembled, but she forced herself to focus. She fired again, hitting a man in the leg.

The attackers began pushing closer, their determination growing. Nathaniel grabbed a makeshift explosive he had prepared and hurled it toward the vehicles. It detonated with a deafening roar, sending flames and shrapnel through the air.

"Seventy percent!" Eleanor shouted, her voice hoarse.

An attacker broke through the back door, but Eleanor turned just in time to fire, her shot hitting him squarely in the chest. She felt a surge of adrenaline as she turned back to the front.

Nathaniel was relentless, his rifle taking down anyone who dared approach.

Finally, the laptop emitted a single beep.

"Upload complete!" Eleanor cried.

Nathaniel didn't hesitate. "Go! Out the back!"

They fled through the rear exit, disappearing into the dense forest. Behind them, the cabin erupted in chaos as the attackers stormed inside, finding nothing but the glowing screen of the completed upload.

Hours later, Nathaniel and Eleanor reached a hidden bunker miles away. Exhausted but alive, they tuned into the news.

Every major outlet was running the story. The leaked files were everywhere, and the world was finally paying attention. Names were being called out, and investigations were being launched.

Eleanor leaned back against the bunker wall, tears streaming down her face. "We did it," she whispered.

Nathaniel sat beside her, his expression unreadable. "We bought time. But this isn't over."

Eleanor nodded, her determination renewed. "Then we keep fighting."

And as the world began to awaken to the truth, Eleanor and Nathaniel prepared for the next battle—one they would face together.