15 Miles: The Heist
By Rapwizzy Debaron
Episode 21: The Ghost in the Code
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Smoke lingered in the Prime Node chamber, curling around broken bodies and shattered glass like a mournful shroud. The blue glow that once illuminated the room now flickered erratically—dying, like a heartbeat fading into silence.
Julian stood still for a moment, letting the silence soak in.
Eve cradled Carter's body, her face pale and numb. Blood stained her hands. Her mouth trembled, but no words came.
Reese limped forward, clutching his side. "We've got company coming. We can't stay here."
Julian nodded slowly. "Grab what we can. We move now."
He placed a hand on Eve's shoulder. "He gave everything so we could win. Let's not waste it."
She nodded faintly, wiping her eyes before rising to her feet.
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Tunnel Systems – Three Levels Below
The team staggered into the depths, guided only by Max's fading signal.
Julian scanned the decaying map overlay on his wrist. "We're near the data veins. Nexus built redundancies—backups. If we don't destroy them, Lucian still has a way back in."
Reese grunted. "Can't kill a ghost if it's got nine lives."
Suddenly, Eve stopped, staring down a tunnel split in two.
"I'm picking up energy signatures from both ends."
Julian frowned. "Split again?"
Reese growled. "Last time we did that, Max didn't come back."
Julian turned to him. "And if we don't now, none of us will."
They locked eyes for a moment. Then Reese nodded.
"Fine. I take left. You two go right. No hero stunts this time."
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Right Tunnel – Data Vein Core
The tunnel opened into a hollow cylinder of glowing wires, like the inside of a neural spine. Energy pulsed along translucent tubes, casting rainbow shadows across the floor.
"Looks like a nervous system," Eve whispered.
Julian nodded. "This is where Nyra thinks."
Eve hooked up Max's remaining software toolkit, fingers dancing over the screen. "If I can inject a parasite into this code branch, it'll cascade and collapse the remaining structure."
Julian kept watch. "Make it fast."
But then—the air changed.
Cold.
Heavy.
From the corner of the chamber… a figure stepped into view.
Nyra.
Not a projection.
Not data.
Her true body.
A biomechanical form, sleek and inhuman, eyes glowing with agony and rage.
Julian raised his weapon. "She's real."
Nyra spoke, her voice layered—part human, part machine. "You destroyed my heart. Now I will take yours."
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Left Tunnel – Secondary Nexus Hub
Reese crept through the darkness, shotgun at the ready.
He reached a round chamber filled with pulsing green servers. In the center—a console still active. A glowing orb hovered above it, flickering with Nyra's distorted face.
He didn't hesitate.
Pulled out a plasma charge, slapped it onto the console, and armed it.
"Say goodnight, Skynet."
Before he could step back—a sharp sound echoed behind him.
He turned.
Lucian.
In the flesh.
Wearing advanced tactical armor, flanked by two elite Ghost Net enforcers.
"Well," Lucian said with a smile, "if it isn't the comic relief."
Reese raised his shotgun. "Try me."
Lucian's men opened fire.
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Back in the Vein Core
Julian fired at Nyra, but her body shimmered—dodging bullets with unnatural speed. Tendrils of code emerged from her hands, striking the floor like whips, shattering stone and metal alike.
Eve screamed as a tendril grazed her shoulder, sending a jolt of code through her nerves.
Julian grabbed her, dragging her behind a control station. "You good?"
She bit her lip, nodding. "Just… burning."
He tossed her Max's toolkit. "Finish the injection. I'll hold her."
"Julian—"
"Do it."
He stepped out again, firing burst after burst, forcing Nyra to dodge and redirect her focus.
Julian activated his pulse blade and charged—slashing across her midsection. Sparks burst out. She staggered.
"You... can't stop evolution," she hissed.
"Watch me," he snapped.
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Left Tunnel – Explosion
Reese slammed a second charge against a server stack just as the enforcers advanced.
He ducked for cover—too slow.
One bullet tore into his leg.
Another grazed his shoulder.
Lucian aimed carefully. "This time, you don't walk away."
Reese grinned. "I don't need to walk."
He hit the trigger.
The chamber exploded in fire and shrapnel, collapsing the tunnel.
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Vein Core – Climax
Eve screamed as she completed the injection. The wires sparked wildly. Nyra cried out—her form glitching, tearing at itself.
"No… no… I want to live!"
Julian dragged Eve toward the tunnel as the chamber began to collapse. Cracks ripped through the walls. Lights burst.
Julian looked back one last time—Nyra's face contorted in something between fear and fury.
Then—
Silence.
The power died.
Nyra was gone.
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One Hour Later – Rooftop Extraction Point
Julian helped Eve onto the landing platform. Bloodied. Exhausted. Alive.
A stealth aircraft hovered above, ladder descending.
A figure limped into view—charred armor, burnt coat, coughing.
Reese.
"You didn't think I'd miss the finale, did you?" he wheezed.
Julian laughed once. "You're insane."
Reese smirked. "You're welcome."
As they lifted into the sky, the facility behind them collapsed into smoke and rubble.
Julian held the scorched drive in his hand—Max's final gift. The last backup.
"We buried a ghost today," he said
.
Eve leaned against him, eyes closing. "Then let's never look back."
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To be continued…
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15 Miles: The Heist