ISAAC MORANO

**16**

Chapter Sixteen- The Meet Up

Catherine's expression turned serious as she spoke. "When I received the file from the secretary of state, I knew it was crucial to protect it. So, I created a software copy and encrypted it."

The room fell silent as everyone leaned in, intrigued. Isaac raised an eyebrow. "Where is it?"

Catherine reached for her military dog tag, her fingers brushing over the engraved metal. With a flick of her wrist, she detached it from her neck and held it up for all to see. "This is more than just a piece of jewelry. It contains the software copy of the file. I embedded the encryption into the tag itself."

Isaac's eyes widened. "You're kidding. That's brilliant."

Catherine nodded, a hint of pride in her voice. "If anyone tries to access it without the right credentials, the data self-destructs. I wanted to ensure it couldn't fall into the wrong hands."

Marco whistled in admiration. "That's some serious tech, Doc. You've really thought this through."

Catherine smiled, but the gravity of their situation still weighed on her. "We need to keep it safe. If the wrong people find out about this—"

Isaac cut her off, his tone firm. "Then they'll have to go through us first. We'll protect you and that data at all costs."

Catherine met his gaze, a surge of determination passing between them. "I trust you, Isaac. But we have to move quickly. The longer we wait, the more danger we're in."

With a renewed sense of urgency, they gathered around Catherine, strategizing their next steps. The stakes had never been higher, but together, they felt ready to face whatever threats lay ahead.

Catherine's phone buzzed, and she glanced down to see a message with the coordinates. Her heart raced as she shared the information with Isaac and the others.

"Here it is," she said, displaying the screen. "This is where the terrorist group is operating. We need to prepare ourselves for a confrontation."

Isaac studied the coordinates, his expression steely. "We need to move quickly. They might be expecting us, and we can't afford any mistakes."

Catherine nodded, her mind racing through the logistics. "I'll gather the equipment we need. We can't go in unprepared."

As they quickly packed gear—bulletproof vests, weapons, and explosives—Catherine's demeanor shifted back to that of a determined leader. She felt a rush of adrenaline coursing through her as she checked everything twice.

"Isaac, I'll need you to coordinate with your men on the outside. We'll need backup in case things get out of hand," she instructed.

He nodded, already pulling out his phone to relay orders. "Consider it done. We'll create a perimeter to ensure we don't get flanked."

"Good," she said, her focus narrowing. "I'll lead the charge inside. We have to find the file and neutralize any threats."

"Are you sure you want to be on the front lines?" Emma asked, concern etched on her face.

Catherine met her gaze, her expression unwavering. "I have to be. This is personal now. They're not just after the file; they're after everything we care about."

As they suited up, the weight of the mission settled on their shoulders. With each piece of equipment strapped on, they steeled themselves for the fight ahead. Catherine felt a sense of purpose igniting within her—this was her chance to protect her loved ones and make a difference.

"Let's move out," Isaac said, determination in his voice. They formed a tight unit, ready to face whatever lay ahead. With the coordinates set and their resolve firm, they left the safety of their headquarters, stepping into the unknown with courage.