Screen Runner

EIGHT: LETHAL GAMBIT

"So my cybernetics caused the bombing?" Samson said firmly, his voice tinged with disbelief and anger. "What kind of bomb was used in the car bomb? D4 or D9?"

Lacey looked over at him, her mind racing as she considered his words. "Samson, it's not that simple," she replied, her voice steady but urgent. "The cybernetic glitch was serious, but it was meant to be fixed before the attack. Aairic Sorenson and Ariana were working on a solution. The bombing was a tactical move designed to eliminate him and disrupt the mission. It wasn't just about the cybernetics; it was about silencing him."

Raven's eyes flickered with a mix of confusion and anger. "But if the cybernetics were compromised, couldn't that have provided a way for them to manipulate the drones? Couldn't they have used that to carry out the attack more effectively?"

Lacey nodded, understanding where Raven was coming from. "Yes, if the glitch had been exploited, it could have led to a serious breach in security. But the car bomb was a separate issue. We suspect it was a D9, a more advanced explosive designed for maximum impact. It wasn't just a random act of violence; it was a calculated strike. Whoever orchestrated this knew exactly what they were doing."

Raven clenched her fists, her mind racing as she connected the dots. "So, someone intended to take my father out before he could disable the drones? They wanted him dead to ensure the drones remained operational?"

"Exactly," Lacey replied, her heart heavy with the weight of the revelation. "Your father was a target because he held the key to stopping a much larger threat. The cybernetic drones could have been used to carry out mass attacks if left unchecked. They wanted to silence anyone who stood in their way, and Aairic was a significant threat to their plans."

Samson's frustration was palpable as he processed the implications. "So the people behind this bombing were not only responsible for Raven's father's death but also for the chaos that followed. They wanted to ensure the drones remained a tool for destruction, regardless of the cost."

"Yes," Lacey confirmed, her voice resolute. "And that's why it's crucial for us to uncover the truth. We need to expose those responsible for the bombing and the subsequent cover-up. This isn't just about revenge; it's about preventing further violence and ensuring that those who orchestrated this are held accountable."

Raven nodded, her anger now channeled into a sense of purpose. "I want justice for my father and for everyone affected by this. If there are people out there who orchestrated this attack, they need to be brought to light."

Lacey felt a surge of hope as they rallied around a common goal. "Together, we can investigate this further. We can dig into the intel, uncover the evidence, and expose the truth behind the bombing. We owe it to Aairic, to the victims, and to ourselves to see this through."

The atmosphere shifted, the heaviness of their past giving way to a resolute determination. Though the road ahead would be fraught with challenges, they now stood united in their quest for justice, ready to confront the shadows of their shared history and uncover the truth that had eluded them for far too long.

(FLASHBACK)

In the heart of a high-tech lab illuminated by the glow of computer monitors, Aairic Sorenson and Ariana Wyler worked tirelessly, their faces etched with concern. The room was cluttered with blueprints and schematics for the cybernetic drones they had developed, a project that promised to change the landscape of security and defense. But a critical glitch had emerged, threatening their work and endangering countless lives.

"Ariana, we're running out of time," Aairic said, his voice tense as he leaned over a terminal. "This glitch isn't just a minor error; it's a serious vulnerability. If someone exploits it, the drones could become a weapon against us."