Helena Cross was tenacious, and as the crew headed back to their safehouse, Ethan couldn't rid himself of the feeling that they were still playing into her game. The industrial complex was a setup but not for an ambush; Helena was preparing for something much bigger—something that had the potential to spiral wildly out of control.
"Garrett," Ethan said, breaking the tense silence. "Start digging into any recent chatter tied to Helena. Contracts, high-value deals, anything unusual."
Garrett nodded, already typing away on his laptop. "I'll need a couple of hours, but I'll find something. She's good, but no one's invisible."
Frank leaned back, arms crossed. "You think she's got backup? A bigger crew?"
Ethan shook his head. "Not just a crew. She's rebuilding Victor's empire-on her terms. The question is, what's her next move?"
Back in the safe house, they worked feverishly. Garrett's fingers flew over the keyboard, pulling data off encrypted networks and piecing together Helena's trail. Ethan and Frank poured over blueprints and surveillance footage from earlier encounters, searching for any patterns that might tell them what Helena was planning.
After digging for hours, Garrett called them over. "Got something. Private airstrip just outside the city. Inactive for years, but has had strange activity over the last few days. Deliveries, fuel shipments, even new security system installed."
Ethan leaned over Garrett's shoulder to study the screen. "You think Helena's using it?
I bet on it. It is in a secluded area, with heavy security and is ideal to move contraband around or for high-level meetups," Frank cracked his knuckles. "So we go in. Hammer and nails."
Ethan nodded. "This can give us a chance to outsmart her. But before doing that, we need more information. Garrett, hack into their surveillance."
"Just on that. Give me an hour.
By nightfall, the team was ready. Garrett had hacked into the cameras of the airstrip and found a small contingent of guards and a private jet parked on the tarmac. Helena was nowhere to be seen, but the activity suggested she would be arriving soon.
"This is it," Ethan said, strapping on his gear. "We go in quiet, neutralize the guards, and secure the area before she gets here. Garrett, you're our eyes and ears."
The drive to the airstrip was tense. Ethan's mind raced with possibilities. If they could capture Helena, they'd finally have leverage to dismantle whatever she was planning. But if she slipped away again, it could spell disaster.
The airstrip was shrouded in darkness, the only light coming from the hangar and the jet's illuminated cabin. Ethan, Frank, and Garrett moved into position, using the surrounding brush for cover. Garrett remained in the van, monitoring the guards' movements through the hacked cameras.
"Three guards near the hangar," Garrett whispered through the comms. "Two more patrolling the perimeter. You're clear to take the east side."
Ethan and Frank crept together, quietly eliminating the outer perimeter guards with tranquilizers. They got to the hangar, where the other guards were positioned.
"I take left," Frank whispered. Ethan nodded his head and motioned to him. In no time at all, the guards had been incapacitated, and the hangar was safe.
"Garrett, status?" Ethan asked.
"Jet's still on the ground. No sign of Helena yet, but there's movement in the cockpit. Looks like a pilot.
Ethan stepped into the hangar, his eyes scanning each corner. He heard a distant noise—the quiet purring of an arriving vehicle. He ran to the door and peeked out into the night.
A black SUV rolled onto the tarmac, its headlights piercing through the darkness. The vehicle stopped near the jet, and Helena stepped out, surrounded by two bodyguards. She looked as poised as ever, her expression unreadable.
"She's here," Ethan whispered. "Garrett, can you disable the jet?"
"Already working on it. Give me thirty seconds."
Ethan signaled Frank, and the two moved into position, flanking the SUV. Helena's guards were on high alert, their hands hovering near their weapons. Ethan waited for Garrett's confirmation.
"Jet's grounded," Garrett said. "She's not going anywhere."
Ethan stepped out of the shadows, his weapon trained on Helena. "It's over, Helena."
Her bodyguards were quick to react, pulling their guns, but Ethan and Frank were quicker. Shots started ringing out, and before seconds had passed, the guards were disabled. Helena was still standing, holding her hands up in pretend surrender.
"Ethan Kane," she said with icy tone. "You really are persistent, I must admit."
Ethan took one step forward, his weapon steady. "No games. Tell me what you plan."
Helena smirked. "Too late. It's already in motion."
A sudden explosion rocked the hangar, throwing Ethan off balance. Smoke and debris filled the air as chaos erupted. Helena used the distraction to dart toward the SUV, but Ethan was on her heels. He tackled her to the ground, pinning her down.
"Call it off!" Ethan shouted over the noise.
Helena laughed, her voice cold and unwavering. "You don't even know what you're fighting against."
Before Ethan could respond, the sound of approaching helicopters filled the air. Bright searchlights illuminated the tarmac as a fleet of black choppers descended. Ethan's heart sank. Helena had reinforcements, and they were heavily armed.
"Ethan, we've got to move!" Frank yelled, pulling him away from Helena as gunfire erupted.
Ethan clenched his fists in frustration as Helena was pulled aboard one of the choppers. Her smirk was the last thing he saw as that aircraft lifted off.
He returned to the safe house, where the team met up again. It felt heavy with defeat, but Ethan refused to give in. Helena had slipped from their grasp, but they did learn something crucial: she was not working alone.
"We'll find
her," Ethan said firmly. "We'll find her. And when we do, we'll end this."