Mirage

Not Her

The tension was palpable as Ethan, Maya, and the rest of the team reached the hidden chamber beneath the Presidency Palace. The air was thick with anticipation and the weight of their mission. Ethan took a deep breath and motioned for his team to follow him. They moved cautiously through the dark passages, every sound amplified in the silence.

Suddenly, the radio crackled to life with a frantic message from the decoy team. "We've been ambushed! Repeat, we've been ambushed! It was a trap!"

Ethan's heart sank. Before he could respond, the sound of heavy footsteps and the clanking of weapons echoed through the tunnel. They were surrounded.

"Hands up! Drop your weapons!" barked a commanding voice. Floodlights flicked on, blinding Ethan and his team. They were surrounded by heavily armed soldiers.

The team had no choice but to comply. Weapons clattered to the ground, and hands were raised in surrender. The soldiers moved in, securing their captives with practiced efficiency.

As they were escorted out of the tunnels and into the bright lights of the Presidency Palace, Ethan's mind raced. How had they been discovered? Who had betrayed them?

In the grand Governor Hall, all the governors were assembled, their expressions a mix of curiosity and satisfaction. The grandeur of the hall, with its opulent decorations and imposing architecture, contrasted sharply with the dire situation. It felt as though the governors had been waiting for this moment, as though they knew Ethan and his team were coming.

A man in a high-ranking military uniform stepped forward, his cold eyes scanning the captives. He was the head of security for the Presidential Palace. Ethan's stomach churned as the man's gaze settled on Maya.

"Well done, cutie," the security head said, his voice dripping with condescension. "You completed your mission."

The words hung in the air, heavy and shocking. Ethan felt a chill run down his spine. His team exchanged confused and alarmed glances, disbelief etched on their faces.

Maya looked equally stunned, her eyes wide with shock. "What... what are you talking about?" she stammered.

The security head smirked, his gaze never leaving Maya. "Don't play innocent. We've been watching you for a long time. You played your part perfectly."

Ethan's mind reeled. This couldn't be true. Maya had been with them through everything, had fought by their side, had risked her life countless times. How could she be a traitor?

The hall fell silent, the weight of the accusation suffocating. The governors watched with interest, like predators circling their prey. The betrayal, real or orchestrated, was a blow that none of them had expected.

Ethan felt his world tilting, the foundations of his trust crumbling. The mission, their fight, everything seemed to be unraveling before his eyes. He looked at Maya, his heart aching with confusion and hurt. Could she really be a part of this?

The security head stepped closer to Maya, his smirk widening. "You've been very useful to us, Maya. But now, it's time for the truth to come out."