The Last Defiance

By Jaxon Wolfe

The Last Defiance: A Gripping Tale of Rebellion and Truth

In a near-future world dominated by an authoritarian global government, truth is a weapon, and resistance is all but crushed. The Last Defiance follows a group of unlikely heroes—former soldiers, journalists, and hackers—who defy the regime that controls the world. Their mission: to expose the lies that triggered a war for power and resources, a war built on manipulation and deception.

Led by Ethan Carter, a journalist with a fractured past, the group embarks on a high-risk journey to infiltrate the heart of the regime: a secret archive where the truth is hidden. As they uncover evidence that the war was intentionally engineered, they face unimaginable challenges, from deadly security systems to ruthless government operatives sent to eliminate them. But their fight for truth is not just about survival; it's about reclaiming freedom for the world.

Each member of the team brings unique skills to the table. Marcus Hale, a disgraced ex-soldier, seeks redemption in the face of a war he helped fight. Isla Vance, a brilliant hacker, holds the key to accessing the regime's darkest secrets. Samuel Kessler, a former scientist turned whistleblower, provides invaluable knowledge of the government's sinister agenda. Together, they must navigate a treacherous web of lies, betrayal, and moral dilemmas, where every choice could be their last.

As tensions rise and the walls close in, the group begins to question not only the world around them but also their own motivations. How far will they go for the truth? What price will they pay for defying the powerful regime that controls their lives? And when the cost of resistance is death, will they still fight for freedom?

The Last Defiance is an exhilarating psychological thriller that explores themes of manipulation, sacrifice, and the human cost of standing against tyranny. With its fast-paced narrative, unexpected twists, and richly developed characters, this novel will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. The future of the world lies in the hands of those brave enough to challenge the lies of the past—will they succeed, or will the regime's grip on power be unbreakable?

In a world where truth is a luxury and freedom a distant dream, The Last Defiance is not just a story—it's a call to action.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jaxon Wolfe
• Release date: Feb 19, 2025
• ISBN: 9798230733317

Book preview

Table of Contents

The Last Defiance

Prologue: The Spark of Rebellion

Chapter 1: The Silent War

Chapter 2: Digital Ghosts

Chapter 3: The Infiltration Plan

Chapter 4: The Tightening Noose

Chapter 5: The City of Shadows

Chapter 6: Breaking the Firewall

Chapter 7: Blood and Betrayal

Chapter 8: The Final Assault

Chapter 9: Truth in Chains

Chapter 10: The Broadcast

Epilogue: The Cost of Defiance

Copyright © 2025 Jaxon Wolfe

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

– Martin Luther King Jr.

​The Last Defiance

​Prologue: The Spark of Rebellion

​1.1. The Journalist’s Last Contact

The rain drummed against the windows of the small apartment, each drop a reminder of the seconds slipping away.

Ethan Carter sat hunched over his laptop, the glow of the screen casting sharp shadows on his unshaven face. His fingers hovered above the keyboard, hesitant. The message he was about to send could be his last. The encrypted connection flickered, a silent warning that time was running out.

He exhaled slowly, his pulse steady despite the danger. Years of experience as an investigative journalist had hardened him, but this—this was different. He wasn’t just uncovering corruption or exposing hidden scandals. He was about to send proof that the entire war was built on a lie. A lie that had already cost millions of lives.

The cursor blinked, waiting.

Hale. If you’re receiving this, I don’t know if I’ll make it out. But the truth is here. They lied. It was never about security. Never about freedom. It was always about control.

A sharp knock at the door.

Carter’s breath hitched. Too soon. He wasn’t supposed to be found this quickly. The message wasn’t sent yet. He scrambled to his feet, heart pounding as he reached for the drive containing the files. Footsteps echoed in the hallway—heavy boots, moving fast.

No time.

He shoved the drive into a hidden slot inside the old leather jacket draped over the chair. If they found him, they’d tear this place apart. But maybe, just maybe, the drive would be overlooked.

The door burst open.

Armed men flooded in, black uniforms, visors down. The insignia of the World Security Directorate gleamed under the flickering light.

Ethan Carter, the lead officer said, voice cold, detached. You’re coming with us.

Carter raised his hands slowly, his mind racing. His last contact had failed. But the truth was still out there. Someone would find it. Someone would fight.

As they dragged him away, the laptop screen remained open, the cursor frozen over the word Send.

The apartment was silent after they took him. Only the hum of the laptop and the steady drip of rain against the window remained. The cursor still blinked, but no one was there to press the key.

Down in the alley, the armored transport waited with its doors open. Ethan Carter was forced inside, his wrists bound with reinforced restraints. The air inside the vehicle was thick with the scent of sweat and metal. Opposite him, a man in a gray suit watched him carefully—no uniform, no insignia. Someone higher up.

Mr. Carter, the man said, his voice calm. You’ve been very persistent. But you must have known it would end like this.

Ethan forced a smirk despite the ache in his ribs from the rough treatment. If you’re here personally, I must’ve hit a nerve.

The man leaned forward slightly. You should have stayed out of this.

Carter let out a breath, leaning back against the cold metal wall of the vehicle. You people always say that.

The man studied him for a moment before nodding to one of the soldiers. A sharp jab of a needle against Ethan’s neck, the cold sting of a sedative flooding his veins. His vision blurred, his body slumped, but just before the darkness took him, he caught one last sound—

His laptop, upstairs, beeping once. The message had sent.

---

Somewhere across the city, Hale Connors leaned over his terminal, watching the incoming data stream in.

The encryption was heavy—Carter had been careful. Hale’s fingers moved quickly, running the decryption protocols while his heart pounded. If Ethan was compromised, this could be the last thing he ever sent.

Lines of text began to emerge. Images. Government files. A map. Then, at the bottom, one final message:

They found me. But it’s not over. The proof is here. Run.

Hale’s blood turned to ice. He pushed back from the terminal and reached for his bag. If Carter was taken, they’d come for him next. He had to disappear—now.

Hale didn’t waste a second. He yanked the hard drive from his terminal and shoved it into his bag, slinging it over his shoulder as he moved toward the door. His apartment was a safehouse—or at least, it had been. If Carter had been caught, it meant the net was already tightening. The government’s enforcers, the Sentinels, would be on their way.

He checked his watch. Sixty seconds, maybe less.

Outside, the city was alive in its usual state of controlled chaos. Neon advertisements flickered across towering buildings, selling illusions of safety and prosperity. Below, the streets were lined with surveillance drones humming through the rain, scanning pedestrians with cold, unfeeling precision.

Hale forced himself to slow his breath. Rushing led to mistakes. Mistakes got you caught.

He reached into his jacket, pulled out a small device, and pressed the button. Instantly, the room behind him erupted in a controlled burst of static interference—frying his terminal, the routers, and any trace of his location. No evidence. No trail.

Then he was moving.

Down the fire escape, boots splashing against rusted metal steps. He dropped into the alley, pulling up his hood just as headlights rounded the corner. The black vehicles moved with quiet menace, their engines humming just beneath the surface of the rain.

Too late. They were already here.

Hale didn’t stop to think. He bolted.

The alley was narrow, cluttered with dumpsters and old supply crates, but he knew the way. Past the old diner, through the maintenance tunnel, up into the abandoned train station. He had planned escape routes for months—preparation was the only reason he was still alive.

As he reached the tunnel entrance, his earpiece crackled. A voice—low, urgent.

Hale. It’s Nova. You need to get out—now. They’re tracking you.

He cursed under his breath but didn’t slow down. I figured. Carter’s been taken.

A pause. Then Nova’s voice, sharper. Did he send it?

Hale clutched his bag tighter. Yeah. And if we don’t move fast, it’ll die with us.

A sudden snap of gunfire echoed through the alley. A bullet ricocheted off the wall inches from his head. The Sentinels weren’t just here to capture—they were clearing the board.

Hale gritted his teeth.

They weren’t going to take him. Not tonight.

Hale dove forward, rolling behind a stack of discarded crates as another burst of gunfire shredded the air where he had just been standing. The Sentinels weren’t hesitating. Kill orders. That meant Carter wasn’t just captured—he was dead or worse.

He didn’t have time to process it. Survival came first.

His mind worked fast, scanning his surroundings. The alley was a death trap—only one exit, and they had it covered. Think. Move. Stay ahead.

A rusted service ladder led up the side of a crumbling warehouse. Higher ground. He lunged for it, fingers gripping the cold metal as he hauled himself up. Bullets slammed into the brick just below his boots, but he didn’t stop climbing.

He reached the rooftop, heart pounding, and sprinted across the gravel-covered surface. The city stretched out before him, a maze of shadows and neon. He had to disappear. Fast.

Nova, he panted into his earpiece, I need an extraction point.

I'm working on it, she shot back. You have Sentinels in a five-block radius. They're triangulating you. You need to—

A loud whirring sound cut her off.

Hale turned his head and saw it—a drone, sleek and silent, hovering just above him.

His gut clenched. No escape now.

A red light flickered on its underbelly, locking onto him. Target acquired.

No.

Adrenaline surged. He ripped the pistol from his waistband and fired.

The first shot went wide, but the second connected, sending the drone spiraling out of control before it exploded in a shower of sparks.

But the damage was done. They knew exactly where he was.

Nova, he growled, already sprinting toward the next rooftop. Now would be a really good time.

A pause. Then: Head west. Abandoned metro station. Platform C. You have three minutes.

Hale didn’t waste time answering. He ran.

Behind him, the sounds of pursuit grew louder—more drones, more boots hitting pavement. The Sentinels were closing in.

But Hale had one advantage.

He knew this city better than they ever could.

And he wasn’t dying tonight.

Hale’s boots pounded against the rooftop as he leapt over a gap between buildings, barely clearing the edge. He landed hard, rolling to absorb the impact before scrambling to his feet. He could already hear the hum of approaching drones, their scanners sweeping for movement.

Three minutes.

That was all he had.

He skidded down a rusted fire escape, jumping the last few rungs before hitting the ground. The alley reeked of oil and decay, but he didn’t stop. Sprinting toward the main street, he ducked into a crowd of late-night workers and vagrants. He yanked his hood up, kept his head low.

The Sentinels wouldn't risk firing into civilians—not yet.

Nova, talk to me, he muttered, his breath ragged.

You’re close. Down the next block, service tunnel entrance to the old metro. It’s still intact—mostly.

That mostly didn't sit well with him, but he had no choice.

The moment he turned the corner, the streetlights flickered—a pulse, a glitch. That wasn’t an accident. They were locking down the grid.

Hale pushed harder, reaching the service tunnel just as a high-pitched drone whine echoed from above. Without hesitation, he slipped through the rusted gate, sealing it behind him.

The air inside was thick with dust and the stench of stagnant water. His boots splashed as he moved deeper, his pulse hammering. No time to think—only forward.

Nova, I’m in. Where’s the platform?

Fifty meters down. Tunnel curves left. Go. But, Hale—

What?

They’ve rerouted a patrol unit. You have two minutes, max.

Of course.

Hale gritted his teeth and ran.

The tunnel opened into a vast underground platform, long abandoned. Flickering emergency lights cast eerie shadows over broken benches and shattered glass. A derailed train sat in the distance, rusted over like the skeleton of a forgotten era.

And then—movement.

A hooded figure stepped from behind a column.

Hale’s grip tightened on his pistol. Show me your hands.

The figure obeyed, lifting both hands slowly.

Then they pulled back their hood.

It was Carter.

Alive.

But something was wrong.

Carter looked thinner than Hale remembered, his face gaunt, eyes sunken from exhaustion. His usual cocky smirk was gone, replaced by something else—something grim. His hands trembled slightly, though whether from fear or fatigue, Hale couldn’t tell.

You look like hell, Hale muttered, lowering his gun but not holstering it.

Carter huffed a laugh. Nice to see you too, old friend.

Hale took a step closer, scanning the platform. We don’t have time for a reunion. You said you had something big. Where is it?

Carter reached into his coat, and for a brief second, Hale tensed, fingers flexing over the grip of his pistol. But Carter only pulled out a small, encrypted data drive. He held it up between two fingers.

This is it, he said. The proof we need.

Hale snatched the drive and examined it. You’re sure?

Carter nodded. Hundred percent. This has everything—the falsified battle reports, the internal memos, even classified transmissions between the High Council and weapons manufacturers. This war was never about security or peace. It was bought and paid for before the first shot was fired.

Hale exhaled sharply, the weight of the drive heavier than it should have been. We leak this, and the whole system cracks open.

That’s the idea, Carter said.

A low vibration trembled through the ground, a distant mechanical whine growing louder. Hale’s stomach twisted.

They found us.

Carter pulled his own gun, his grip steady despite the fear in his eyes. We need to move. Now.

Hale pressed two fingers to his earpiece. Nova, tell me you have an exit.

Back tunnel, northwest. It’s tight, but it'll get you to the drainage tunnels. Move fast, you've got—

A sharp burst of static cut her off.

The lights on the platform flickered, then turned blood red.

The lockdown had begun.

Hale cursed under his breath. We’re out of time.

A metallic clank echoed from the tunnel behind them. Heavy boots. Armored.

The Sentinels were here.

Carter gave him a hard look. We can’t outrun them.

Hale clenched his jaw. Then we don’t.

He flicked the safety off his pistol.

Hold the line.

Carter’s eyes widened, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he took position beside Hale, crouching low, his pistol raised, scanning the darkened edges of the platform. The distant sounds of boots grew louder, closer. Hale could hear their metallic footsteps echoing, a steady march that would soon drown out every other sound.

They were closing in.

Hale’s fingers itched for action, his pulse quickening. His mind raced. He had only one chance to get them both out of here—and it had to be now. He nodded to Carter. We’re going to have to fight our way out.

Carter didn’t respond immediately, but his eyes glinted with something akin to resolve. They’d been through hell together before; they knew what had to be done.

A shadow flitted across the far end of the platform. Hale’s muscles tensed, and then—a flash of movement.

Go! Hale barked, diving to the side just as a blinding shot rang out. The bullet whizzed past him, grazing the edge of his jacket.

He rolled, firing blindly in the direction of the incoming threat. A sharp yelp followed by the sound of crumpling metal told him he’d hit something.

Carter fired too, the sharp staccato of his shots blending into the cacophony of noise. But the Sentinels didn’t slow down. They had the advantage. Armor, numbers, and firepower.

Where’s that exit? Hale shouted into his earpiece.

Nova’s voice crackled through the static. Thirty seconds, Hale. The tunnel’s almost there—just keep pushing.

Hale’s heart hammered in his chest as he scanned the platform again. The Sentinels were moving in fast, their heavy boots clicking on the cracked concrete. The angle was wrong. They were surrounded.

We have no choice, Hale muttered. Split up!

Carter looked as if he might protest, but Hale didn’t give him the chance. He bolted toward the far end of the platform, taking cover behind a broken pillar. The beam of a Sentinel’s flashlight swept dangerously close to him, and Hale froze, his breath catching in his throat.

A few feet away, Carter dashed for the opposite side, disappearing into the shadows. Hale didn’t have time to check if his friend was safe; he had to trust him. The plan—whatever was left of it—was in motion.

The sound of gunfire cracked again, followed by another sharp scream. This time, it wasn’t from their side.

Hale didn’t hesitate. He sprinted for the darkened hallway at the far side of the platform, the air thick with the smell of burning gunpowder and adrenaline. His footsteps were drowned out by the chaos, but he knew the Sentinels wouldn’t take long to react. They had the advantage, but Hale had the element of surprise—and he intended to use it.

As he rounded the corner, his earpiece crackled. Hale, they’ve locked down the entrance to the tunnel! Nova’s voice was frantic. I’ll try to override, but you’ll have to hold on until I can get you through.

Understood, Hale grunted, his eyes scanning the hallway for any sign of movement. The wall felt too close, the air too thick. He couldn’t see anything—just hear the faint hum of distant machinery and the rush of his own heartbeat.

This wasn’t over.

But for a brief, fleeting moment, he felt something else. Hope.

It was a dangerous thing, and he knew it.

Hale forced himself to push the feeling aside. Hope was a luxury they couldn't afford right now.

The sharp sound of boots echoed again, louder this time. The Sentinels were advancing, closing in on his position. He pressed his back against the cold, concrete wall, his eyes narrowing as he listened for the faintest shift in the air. They were methodical. The way they moved, their synchronized footsteps, it was like they were hunting. He needed to act fast.

Another few seconds passed, the stillness almost suffocating, until Nova’s voice crackled back in his ear. Hale, get ready. I’m unlocking it now.

There was a long pause before the faint hum of a door unlocking reached his ears. The entrance to the tunnel was just ahead, but it wasn’t a clean exit. There were too many variables, too many ways this could go wrong.

But there was no other choice.

He darted toward the entrance, slipping through the narrow gap just as a beam of light sliced through the darkness. Hale felt the hot rush of air on his neck as he barely avoided the bright light aimed his way. The Sentinels had spotted him.

He dove through the door, rolling as he hit the ground, heart racing. His vision blurred for a split second as he skidded across the dirt floor of the tunnel.

The door slammed shut behind him with a deafening clang, and Hale didn’t waste time looking back. His breath came in sharp bursts as he scrambled to his feet and bolted down the dark, narrow passage. The tunnel felt endless, a vast, oppressive emptiness stretching before him. Every step was heavy with the weight of the mission—and the knowledge that failure meant death.

Nova’s voice echoed in his ear again, distorted by static. I’ve got the override, Hale. The tunnel’s clear for now. Keep moving.

Where’s Carter? Hale panted, his voice tight with urgency.

There was a slight delay before Nova responded, her voice trembling. I’m working on it. Just keep going. I’ll get him out.

Hale didn’t respond. He couldn’t afford to think about Carter right now. Focus on the mission. That’s what mattered.

The further he went, the darker and colder the tunnel became, the silence broken only by his breathing and the occasional echo of his footsteps. There was a low hum in the distance, an ominous sound, like machinery working deep underground. But nothing was certain anymore.

Hale’s hand instinctively reached for the pistol holstered at his side, but he knew the real danger wasn’t behind him—it was ahead.

He rounded another bend, and suddenly, the tunnel split in two. The faint light from Nova’s system illuminated one side, but the other remained cloaked in darkness.

The decision was quick. He took the left path.

Minutes turned to hours, or at least that’s how it felt. Hale’s senses were on high alert as he continued through the winding tunnels, not allowing himself to stop. He had no idea how long it would take for the Sentinels to track him here, but the deeper he went, the more he realized—there were no guarantees.

He rounded another bend, the faint glow of a control panel in the distance, and suddenly, his earpiece crackled again.

Something’s wrong, Hale, Nova said, her voice sharp and urgent. You’re too close to the central core. Get out of there now.

Hale didn’t hesitate. The fear in her voice was enough to push him into motion, but his mind raced. He could see the control panel ahead now, the soft glow of green lights illuminating the otherwise pitch-black passage. This was it. The information they needed. It was all just one step away.

But it came at a price.

He didn’t know if they’d make it out alive. The weight of the truth was heavier than he could imagine.

And the countdown had already begun.

Before he could reach the panel, the ground trembled beneath him. The tunnel shook, dust falling from the ceiling in small clouds. It wasn’t an earthquake. No, it was the sound of something much worse.

A countdown—an explosion.

Hale’s eyes widened in realization. He had to move, and he had to move fast. The central core was about to go up in flames, taking everything with it.

​

1.2. A Silenced Truth

ETHAN CARTER SAT IN the dimly lit room, the hum of the fluorescent lights above the only sound piercing the silence. His eyes, bloodshot from lack of sleep, scanned the stack of files in front of him. Each page held evidence, fragments of a truth that had been buried by those in power. His fingers trembled as he flipped through the documents, each word on the page a weight heavier than the last.

It wasn’t just a war they had created—it was a cover-up, a lie so elaborate that the very foundations of society were built on it. The global conflict that had ravaged countries for the past five years was not the result of some inevitable clash of ideologies, but a premeditated scheme designed to secure resources and consolidate control. They had manipulated the world into believing the enemy was everywhere. And those who fought in the war were too far gone, too enmeshed in their roles as soldiers or pawns, to ever realize they had been duped.

But Ethan knew better. He had seen the signs. He had uncovered leaks in the system, cracks in the stories told by the government and the media. He knew the truth, or at least enough of it to understand that this war was a farce, a charade. The resources they were fighting over, the territories they were supposedly liberating—they had always belonged to those in power. This war was just a tool, a way to control the narrative, to shift the world's focus away from the real power struggles happening behind closed doors.

But no one would listen.

No one, except for a small group of rebels, fighters, journalists, and hackers who had come together in secret. They knew what he knew, or at least they were starting to see the same pattern, the same chilling truth. And together, they would expose it.

Ethan leaned back in his chair, his eyes closing for a moment. The weight of the mission pressed down on him. They had to act fast. The government was closing in, tightening its grip on the world. Information was being erased, dissidents silenced. And yet, the truth could not be erased. Not completely. Not while people like Ethan were still out there, fighting in the shadows.

His phone buzzed, breaking his reverie. A new message. He unlocked it and read the short, cryptic text: They're onto us. Move fast. We have one shot.

The fear that clenched his stomach was real, but it wasn’t fear that would stop him. It was anger, a fierce, burning need to see justice done. To see the truth unleashed, even if it meant his own life would be the cost.

Ethan grabbed the stack of papers, stuffing them into a satchel. The truth was out there, and no matter how many lies the regime spun, no matter how many people they silenced, he was going to make sure the world knew. The clock was ticking. It was time to move.

As he left the room, the door clicked shut behind him, and the world outside remained as silent as the truth he was carrying.

The city was alive with movement, but Ethan felt as if he were moving through a different world, one that existed in the shadows. The streets, crowded with people, appeared normal on the surface. Cars zoomed by, conversations were exchanged, and the bright advertisements on every corner promised the ideal life—a life that most people blindly accepted. But beneath that facade, there was a darkness that no one dared to acknowledge. The truth had been buried so deep that most had forgotten what it looked like.

Ethan's footsteps quickened as he moved toward the underground meeting place, a forgotten building tucked between two massive government surveillance hubs. The location had been chosen for its isolation, far from the prying eyes of those who might be watching. As he approached, a figure stepped out of the shadows—Jenna, the hacker who had been working tirelessly to uncover the encrypted data that would expose the government's lies.

Did you get it? Jenna's voice was low, her eyes darting around nervously.

Ethan nodded, pulling the satchel from his shoulder and handing it over. Everything's in there. The proof. The missing pieces.

Jenna opened the bag, scanning the contents. Her face, usually composed and confident, flickered with a mix of disbelief and anger. I can’t believe it. They really went that far...

Ethan ran a hand through his hair. It's not just the war. It's everything. Control, resources, power. They're orchestrating a whole new world order.

Jenna exhaled sharply, her fingers trembling as she sifted through the documents. This is bigger than we thought. We’ll need to move fast, get this out to the people. But...

Her voice trailed off, and Ethan knew what she was thinking. The consequences. The world they were living in had no place for rebels, for those who dared to question the narrative. The government’s propaganda machine was powerful—far more powerful than any one person or group. They had always managed to silence the dissenters, to make them disappear without a trace.

Jenna met his eyes. We’re not just up against a government, Ethan. We’re up against something much bigger. The corporations, the military-industrial complex—they're all in on this. They won’t stop until we’re silenced.

We won’t let that happen, Ethan said, his voice low but firm. We’ve got the truth now. They can’t erase that. Not completely.

She hesitated, then gave him a nod. I’ll get to work. But you need to get to the safe house. We can't afford any more mistakes.

Before Ethan could respond, the sound of distant sirens echoed through the air, followed by the unmistakable hum of drones overhead. The regime was closing in faster than they'd expected.

Go, Jenna urged, her voice urgent. Now!

Ethan didn't hesitate. He turned and sprinted down the narrow alley, his heart pounding. The world seemed to blur around him as he ran, the familiar buildings now transformed into looming structures of oppression. His mind raced—every moment, every decision, every step they took, felt like they were walking on the edge of a blade.

As he reached the corner, a loud crash echoed from behind him. A burst of gunfire rang out, and he felt a jolt of adrenaline surge through his veins. They had found them. They were already too late.

But Ethan wouldn’t stop. Not now. Not after everything they had sacrificed. His eyes narrowed as he scanned the street ahead, searching for an escape. His hands clenched into fists, determination flooding through him. The truth had to be exposed, no matter the cost. The battle was just beginning.

Ethan pushed himself harder, weaving through the crowd, heart pounding in his chest as he moved deeper into the city's underbelly. The safe house was within reach, but the footsteps behind him grew louder, closer. He could feel the presence of the regime’s enforcers, the ones who were trained not to show mercy, not to let anyone stand in the way of the narrative they had crafted. He knew their methods—swift, silent, and ruthless.

The alleyways he raced through were dark and narrow, perfect for hiding, but also a perfect trap. He darted into a small door to his right, slipping into a dimly lit stairwell that led to the building’s underground levels. The safe house wasn’t far now—just a few more flights of stairs, then he would be hidden.

His mind raced with thoughts of the mission. The data in Jenna’s hands, the proof they had uncovered—it was everything. If they could get it into the right hands, if they could expose the truth to the people, then maybe, just maybe, they could break the chains that had bound them for so long. But the cost would be high. It always was.

The echo of heavy boots on the pavement above him broke his thoughts. They were closing in. Ethan pushed forward, his breath ragged but controlled. As he reached the door at the bottom of the stairwell, he slammed his palm against the buzzer. Seconds later, the door clicked open, and he was pulled inside.

Jenna? His voice was hoarse with urgency.

Right here. Jenna stepped out from the shadows, her expression tight with concern. Did they follow you?

Ethan didn’t have time to answer. He could already hear the pounding of boots, the relentless pursuit. There wasn’t much time left.

We need to move, he said, grabbing her arm. They’re almost here.

Jenna nodded, pulling him toward a reinforced steel door at the back of the room. She unlocked it with a few quick turns of the codebreaker, revealing a narrow passageway. This leads to the network station, she said, her voice steady despite the tension. We’ll get the data uploaded and send it to the world. Then they’ll have no choice but to listen.

The passageway was cramped, but they moved swiftly, adrenaline keeping their steps light and fast. Behind them, the safe house was beginning to shake with the distant thud of heavy military vehicles rolling into the area. They knew they had no more than minutes before they would be surrounded, trapped.

Jenna had a small device in her hand, a compact piece of technology capable of bypassing the government’s most secure networks. It was a long shot, but it was their only chance. As they reached the underground station, Jenna plugged the device into the terminal, her fingers moving with practiced precision.

Give it a minute, she muttered, her eyes fixed on the screen as the data began to upload. It’s going through.

Ethan stood by the door, listening intently for any sign of the soldiers. He could hear them getting closer, their voices rising in urgency. Sweat dripped down his neck as his mind ran through their options. There was no way out through the front, and the rear exit was blocked. They were cornered.

Done, Jenna said, her voice sharp with relief.

The screen flashed, confirming the upload. The truth was out there now. There was no taking it back.

But even as the data left their hands, a new thought nagged at Ethan. The regime would never let this go. They had been too careful, too ruthless. This was only the beginning of the real fight.

The sound of boots outside the door snapped him back to reality.

They’re here, Ethan said, his voice calm but urgent. We need to go.

Jenna grabbed the device, tucking it into her jacket. Where to now?

Ethan turned toward the far corner of the room, where another passageway lay hidden behind a false wall. We run.

Without another word, they sprinted into the tunnel, the sound of pursuit growing louder behind them. The truth was in the hands of the world now—but at what cost? What would happen when the government, the corporations, the military complex realized what they had lost?

Ethan didn’t know. But he knew one thing: they weren’t stopping. Not now. Not ever.

As they ran deeper into the tunnel, the walls closing in around them, Ethan’s mind raced. Their plan had been risky from the start, but now that the truth was out there, there was no going back. The world would begin to question the war, the narrative the regime had carefully crafted. But would they believe it? Or would the government find a way to bury it, to silence those who dared challenge their power?

The air grew colder as they descended, the echo of their footsteps reverberating off the concrete walls. The tunnel seemed endless, the only sound the rushing of their breaths, ragged and strained. They had no idea where it would lead, only that it was a chance—a small one, but a chance nonetheless.

Jenna glanced over at him, her expression tight with both exhaustion and determination. Do you think it’ll work? she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, the weight of their mission heavy in her words.

Ethan didn’t answer right away. He knew what she was asking. They had given everything for this moment. Their lives, their freedom—everything hinged on the hope that the truth would set the world on fire, that it would ignite the spark needed to topple the regime’s iron grip on power. But there was no guarantee. There never was.

I hope so, he said finally, his voice low but resolute. But we’ve already done the hardest part. Now it’s up to the people.

They reached another junction in the tunnel. This one seemed even more isolated, the walls covered in damp moss, the air thick with the smell of earth and decay. They slowed, listening for any signs of pursuit, but there was nothing. The silence was oppressive.

Jenna moved forward cautiously, peering around the corner. The tunnel stretched ahead into darkness, but something about it felt different—distant. And then she froze, her hand reaching out to stop Ethan.

What is it? he whispered, his eyes scanning the shadows.

She motioned for him to stay quiet, then pointed to a faint glow in the distance. It wasn’t the soft, natural light of the tunnel’s end—it was the unmistakable shine of artificial lights. They weren’t alone.

Ethan’s heart skipped a beat. They had reached the government’s underground network. This was it—the point of no return. If they were caught here, there would be no escape. The regime would silence them for good.

We have to keep moving, he said, his voice tight with urgency. They’ll be looking for us down here.

Jenna nodded, her hand still gripping the device in her pocket. We can’t stop now. The world has to know what’s happening. They’ll never stop until we make them.

They pressed forward, their steps now even more cautious. Each turn brought them closer to the heart of the regime’s power, a place where the truth they had fought so hard to uncover could be buried forever. Ethan’s mind raced with plans, with contingencies. If they couldn’t get out of here, they needed to make sure the truth would still spread—no matter the cost.

And then, as if in response to his thoughts, the ground beneath them trembled. A low, guttural rumble echoed through the tunnel, vibrating up from the deep foundations of the complex. It was a warning, one that made their hearts sink.

They’ve found us, Ethan muttered. We’re running out of time.

Jenna glanced over at him, fear flashing in her eyes for just a moment before she steeled herself. Then we make time.

Without another word, they sprinted forward, the faint light growing brighter ahead. The tension in the air was thick, suffocating. Each step felt heavier than the last, each breath more labored. They were close—so close.

As they turned a final corner, they saw it: the entrance to the government’s main control center. Guards were scattered around the perimeter, their weapons trained and ready. The chances of slipping past undetected were slim to none.

Jenna’s eyes flickered to the device still tucked in her jacket. We don’t have much of a choice anymore, she said softly. We’ll have to use it.

Ethan nodded. Do it.

Jenna took a deep breath, then pressed a series of buttons on the device, activating a signal jammer. The soft hum of interference filled the air, and for a moment, the world outside seemed to stand still. The guards, momentarily confused, glanced around, their communication disrupted.

Ethan’s heart pounded as he grabbed Jenna’s hand, pulling her toward the control center’s entrance. They couldn’t stop now. They had come too far.

The guards were scrambling now, their radios crackling, trying to regain control. But it was too late. Jenna had already planted the signal, and it would give them just enough time to breach the facility. It was a risk, but it was their only shot.

With the device still humming in his pocket, Ethan pushed through the door, leading Jenna into the heart of the enemy’s domain. The final battle had begun.

As they entered the control center, the atmosphere shifted. The harsh, sterile lighting flickered above them, casting long, unsettling shadows across the metallic walls. The low hum of machinery and the distant buzz of communication systems echoed through the vast room. Every corner was filled with blinking monitors, surveillance feeds, and security stations—eyes that watched, listened, and reacted at a moment’s notice.

Ethan’s heart raced. The facility was a fortress of data, where the truth they sought was buried beneath layers of encryption and security protocols. But they had come this far. There was no turning back now.

Stay close, he whispered to Jenna, his voice low and tense. He could feel the weight of their every step pressing down on him, the knowledge that every second could be their last. They had no time to waste.

Jenna nodded, her eyes scanning the room with calculated precision. She had been in situations like this before—dangerous, high-stakes environments where every move mattered. But this was different. This was personal.

They moved swiftly, sticking to the shadows, avoiding the guards who were still scrambling to restore their communications. The device in Jenna’s pocket continued to emit its interference, ensuring that the guards couldn’t call for backup or send out alerts. It was a temporary advantage, but it was all they had.

The control center was divided into several sections, each more secure than the last. Ethan knew that at the heart of this facility was a vault—a vault containing the documents, the files, the evidence that could expose the war for what it truly was. The regime had been manipulating the world for decades, manufacturing crises and wars to tighten its grip on power. But they couldn’t control the truth forever.

They reached a secured door at the far end of the room. A biometric scanner stood between them and the vault beyond it. Jenna’s fingers brushed the device in her pocket again, her eyes narrowing with focus.

Can you hack it? Ethan asked, his voice low.

I have to, Jenna replied, her tone sharp but steady. This is the only way.

She moved in front of the scanner, her fingers working deftly to connect her portable terminal to the system. The hum of electronics filled the air as she bypassed the security protocols one by one. Ethan kept watch, his breath coming in shallow gasps as he scanned the room for any sign of movement.

The seconds stretched into what felt like hours. Each moment that passed increased the risk of discovery. But Jenna didn’t falter. She had been in the trenches of the digital battlefield before. This was her domain.

Almost there, she muttered under her breath, sweat beading on her forehead. Just a few more seconds...

Suddenly, a loud crash echoed from the other side of the room. The guards had regained their communication systems, and now they knew they were here. Ethan’s pulse quickened.

We don’t have much time! he urged, his hand instinctively reaching for the gun at his side. They needed to move, and they needed to move fast.

Jenna’s eyes locked onto the scanner as it blinked green, signaling that the door had been unlocked. Without a word, she pushed it open, revealing the vault’s interior—a small, dimly lit room filled with rows upon rows of secure files and storage devices.

This is it, Jenna breathed. Everything we need.

Ethan didn’t hesitate. He stepped inside, quickly moving toward the closest terminal. We need to download everything. All of it. Every file, every document. We have to make sure nothing gets left behind.

Jenna was already at a second terminal, her fingers flying over the keyboard as she began the process of extracting the files. They were moving in sync, their hearts beating in time with the growing urgency of the mission. The walls felt like they were closing in, the silence punctuated only by the faint clicking of keys and the growing sound of footsteps approaching.

Download complete, Jenna said, her voice tense but triumphant. We’ve got everything.

Let’s go, Ethan said, his hand on the door as he motioned for Jenna to follow. Now we just need to get out of here.

But as they moved to exit the vault, the lights suddenly went out. A loud, mechanical screech echoed through the building as the security lockdown was initiated. The door slammed shut behind them with a deafening clang, sealing them in.

We’re trapped, Ethan muttered, his eyes darting around the room. How long until they get here?

Jenna’s fingers flew across the console, trying to regain control of the system. The security lockdown is a fail-safe. It’ll keep us here unless we can override it manually. And we don’t have time for that.

Suddenly, the unmistakable sound of boots pounding on the concrete floor reached them. The guards were closing in.

Time’s up, Ethan said, his voice tight with urgency. We need to move—now!

They ran toward the back of the vault, where a maintenance tunnel was hidden behind a false wall. Jenna found the latch and pulled it open, revealing a narrow passageway that led deeper into the facility.

Without another word, they scrambled through the tunnel, the sound of pursuit growing louder. They didn’t know where it would lead, but they didn’t have a choice. This was their only chance.

As they moved through the dark, winding passage, the weight of their mission settled heavily on their shoulders. They had the evidence. They had the truth. But at what cost?

The government would stop at nothing to erase them, to bury the truth. But Ethan and Jenna weren’t about to let that happen. They would fight until their last breath. The last defiance.

​

1.3. Ethan Carter Goes Underground

ETHAN CARTER SAT IN the cramped apartment, the flickering light from a single lamp casting long shadows across the room. His fingers drummed nervously on the table, the weight of the decision pressing on him more heavily with each passing second. The world outside was a ticking time bomb, and the authorities, once a distant threat, were now closing in. It wasn’t just his life at risk anymore. It was everything he had spent years fighting for.

The journalist had always been a man of words, of truths and stories that needed telling. But now, words alone wouldn't cut it. The last investigation he’d pursued, an innocuous story about government corruption, had unearthed far more than he had anticipated. His discovery—a trail leading to a secret network of manipulation and lies orchestrated by those in power—had turned him into a target. For the first time, he realized just how deep the rot went.

The government had perfected the art of control. Every narrative was crafted to keep the masses complacent. Every protest, every resistance movement, was crushed under the weight of a carefully constructed reality. Ethan had seen it firsthand, had uncovered the corruption that had been quietly steering the world toward war, using lies to justify military action, to strip the world of its resources for nothing more than power and profit. And now, with the evidence in his hands, he was the one in danger.

He needed to disappear.

The decision was made. Ethan’s best chance was to go underground—just another face lost in the crowd, a shadow among thousands of others. But even in hiding, he knew that the government’s reach would extend far beyond anything he could imagine. There was no safe place left. If he stayed in the city, it was only a matter of time before they found him.

His phone buzzed. A message from an encrypted source, someone from his past who had once helped him get too close to the truth. The message was short, precise, and all business: Meet at the usual place. It’s time.

Ethan stood up, grabbing his coat and slipping it on. He moved quickly but quietly, knowing that even the slightest mistake could cost him his life. Every shadow seemed to be watching him now, every passerby a potential informant or an agent of the regime. It was strange, he thought, how everything in life could change so quickly. One minute, he was just a journalist, chasing stories. The next, he was a hunted man, a defector.

As he walked into the night, Ethan could feel the weight of the world bearing down on him. He was no longer a bystander. This was no longer about a single story, no longer about uncovering the truth for the sake of it. This was survival. His survival—and the survival of everyone who had ever trusted him to tell their stories.

He had crossed a line. Now there was no turning back.

The underground world he was about to enter was one of shadows, deception, and danger. There would be no guarantees, no promises of safety. But he wasn’t alone in this. He had allies, some in plain sight, others hidden in the deepest corners of the web. The journey ahead was uncertain, fraught with peril, but it was the only path left