You sure about going in alone? Ramirez questioned. Jonathan nodded, his expression grim. Vog wants me. He'll be focused on watching for my approach.
That gives us the advantage. They synchronized their watches and radio frequencies. As Jonathan prepared to move toward the tunnel entrance, Ramirez caught his arm. Carter, she said quietly. We get the boy out first.
Vulk is secondary. Understood, Jonathan agreed, though something in his eyes suggested Vulk wouldn't be escaping this encounter. The tunnel entrance was concealed behind years of overgrowth and debris, exactly as the plans had indicated. Jonathan moved silently through the darkness, his tactical light illuminating just enough to navigate without giving away his position. The air was thick with dust and the musty smell of decay.
Above him, Jackson's voice came through his earpiece. "Movement at the east entrance. Vehicle approaching." "Description?" Jonathan asked, pausing.
"Black sedan. Two occupants. Looks like they're expected. Guards are waving them through. More players joining the party," Ramirez commented from her position.
"Could complicate things," Jonathan continued forward, reaching a junction where the tunnel split into three directions. The tracker indicated Malik was directly above the rightmost path. "I'm underneath the main floor," he reported quietly, moving to find access point. The tunnel eventually led to a rusted ladder that ascended to what appeared to be a utility closet. Jonathan climbed carefully, listening for any sound of movement above.
Reaching the top, he tested the hatch. Locked from the outside as expected. With practiced efficiency, he attached a small breaching charge to the lock mechanism. The device was designed for minimal noise, a contained implosion rather than explosion. He triggered it and waited for the soft thump before pushing the hatch open.
The utility closet was empty, filled with abandoned cleaning supplies and broken equipment. Jonathan emerged silently, drawing his weapon as he moved to the door. "I'm inside," he whispered into his comms. "Status?" "All quiet outside," Jackson reported.
"Wait, I see movement in the second floor office windows. Looks like yes, confirmed visual on a child matching Malik's description. Second floor, northwest corner office. Two guards with him. Jonathan's heart raced at the confirmation that his son was alive, but he maintained his professional calm, acknowledged, moving to second floor.
The warehouse interior was cavernous with a central floor space surrounded by offices and walkways on the second level. From his position, Jonathan could see armed men patrolling the main floor, four in total, plus the two with Malik upstairs. "Jackson, do you have eyes on Vulk?" He asked. Negative.
He must be inside, but I haven't spotted him yet. Jonathan assessed the situation. The stairs to the second floor were exposed, offering no cover. He'd be spotted immediately if he tried to use them. Instead, he noticed a freight elevator on the far wall.