ISAAC MORANO

**31**

Chapter Thirty One- New Threat

As the meeting continued, the atmosphere shifted abruptly when a sharp alert sounded from everyone's smartwatches. Catherine glanced down, her heart racing as the notification flashed on the screen: New Threat Detected.

The room erupted into action as everyone stood up, adrenaline pumping through their veins. Isaac instinctively reached for Catherine's hand, intertwining their fingers as they moved toward the surveillance monitors. "Stay close," he whispered, his grip reassuring.

They arrived at the surveillance station, where the large screens displayed various camera feeds from the area surrounding their headquarters. The team quickly began analyzing the footage, each member focused and alert.

Catherine felt the tension in the air, her heart pounding as she and Isaac stood side by side, watching the screens intently. The feeds revealed a group of unfamiliar vehicles approaching their location, moving with an unsettling precision.

"Looks like they're coordinating an attack," one of the team members, Marco, said, his eyes narrowing at the screen. "But how did they know we'd be here?"

Catherine's mind raced as she connected the dots. "It has to be related to our plans. They're trying to catch us off guard."

Isaac squeezed her hand tighter, his expression fierce. "We need to be ready for anything. If they think they can surprise us, they've underestimated our team."

The team sprang into action, moving quickly to position themselves defensively. Catherine felt a rush of determination, bolstered by Isaac's presence beside her. She turned to him, her voice steady. "We have to keep our focus. We know how they operate now. We can use that against them."

Isaac nodded, his eyes locked on the screens. "Let's prepare for their entry and counteract. We'll show them they chose the wrong target."

As the vehicles drew closer, the tension escalated. The room buzzed with urgency, but with their hands intertwined, Catherine found a sense of calm amidst the chaos. They were a united front, ready to face whatever threat was approaching. Together, they would protect their mission—and each other.

As the vehicles approached their location, the tension in the room peaked. Catherine felt her heart racing, but she stayed focused, determined to see her plan through. Isaac, still holding her hand, gave her an encouraging nod, silently assuring her that they were in this together.

"Now!" Catherine shouted, her voice cutting through the adrenaline-filled air. The team executed their plan flawlessly. The hidden explosives, disguised as wires along the perimeter, activated with precision as the enemy vehicles crossed into the designated zone.

The screen lit up with footage of the vehicles suddenly halting, alarms blaring. A split second later, a series of controlled explosions erupted, sending debris and smoke into the air. The sound was deafening, but it was music to Catherine's ears.

"Yes!" she exclaimed, her heart swelling with pride as the explosions sent the attackers into disarray. The screen displayed chaotic scenes of confusion among their adversaries, who were now scrambling to regroup.

Isaac squeezed her hand tighter, his voice filled with excitement. "It worked! They didn't see it coming!"

The rest of the team erupted in cheers and applause, their spirits lifted by the successful execution of Catherine's plan. "Great job, Catherine!" Tony shouted, high-fiving Marco, who was grinning widely.

Catherine couldn't help but smile, but her focus remained sharp. "This isn't over yet. We need to take advantage of their disarray and move in quickly before they can regroup."