Volume Two
Chapter Twelve: Aftershocks
INT. COALITION SAFE ROOM – EARLY MORNING
The room was heavy with exhaustion and unease. The adrenaline from last night's raid had faded, replaced by the weight of uncertainty. The coalition gathered around the table, faces drawn, eyes wary.
Walter tapped his fingers nervously on the table. "We got the evidence, but the CIA rogue cell was just a fraction of the problem. There's more—much more—lurking in the shadows."
Gibbs leaned forward, voice low and steady. "The agency's not happy. Expect pushback—political, legal, and maybe worse."
Olivia Benson's jaw tightened. "And the cartel? They're going to retaliate. They know we're closing in."
Paige glanced at Samara, who stood silently, arms crossed. "Lieutenant Commander, what's your take? Can we trust the Navy in all this?"
Samara's eyes flickered with a guarded honesty. "The Navy's interests don't always align with ours. There are factions within every agency. But right now, we have a common enemy."
Suddenly, the door opened. Detective Hank Voight strode in, his presence commanding attention.
"We've got a leak," Voight announced grimly. "Someone tipped off the CIA rogue cell before the raid. They were ready."
A murmur rippled through the room. Penelope's fingers hovered over her keyboard. "I'm running a trace now. Whoever did this is good—ghost level good."
Sylvester swallowed hard. "Could it be someone in our coalition?"
Gibbs's gaze hardened. "That's what we need to find out."
INT. TECH HUB – LATER
Penelope and Sylvester worked side by side, their earlier connection now a source of strength amid the chaos.
Penelope sighed. "Trust is a luxury we can't afford, but it's the only thing that'll save us."
Sylvester nodded. "I'm with you. Let's find the ghost."
INT. SAFE ROOM – NIGHT
The coalition reconvened, tension thick in the air. Walter projected intercepted communications onto the screen—coded messages between unknown operatives.
Samara pointed. "These are CIA channels. Someone inside our ranks is feeding them intel."
Olivia clenched her fists. "We need to root out the traitor before they destroy us from within."
Gibbs's voice was steel. "No one leaves this room until we find out who's playing both sides."
EXT. CITY SKYLINE – NIGHT
As the city lights flickered below, the coalition faced an uncertain future. The ghosts of betrayal haunted their every move, but united, they vowed to fight—no matter the cost.
END OF CHAPTER TWELVE