Lazarus Protocol

Chapter 6: Fragments of the Past

The safe house was a nondescript apartment in the heart of Le Marais, its windows overlooking the cobblestone streets and centuries-old buildings that defined the historic Parisian district. Alexander stood at the window, his eyes scanning the street below for any sign of pursuit. The adrenaline from their narrow escape was beginning to wear off, replaced by a gnawing anxiety and the dull ache of exhaustion.

Behind him, Jacques Moreau worked at a computer terminal, his fingers flying over the keyboard as he attempted to decrypt the flash drive. Sarah sat on a worn leather couch, wincing as she wrapped her injured ankle.

"Any luck?" Alexander asked, turning from the window.

Jacques shook his head, frustration evident in his voice. "This encryption is like nothing I've ever seen. It's not just complex; it's... adaptive. Every time I think I'm close to cracking it, it changes."

Alexander frowned. "Adaptive encryption? Is that even possible?"

"With normal technology? No," Jacques replied, leaning back in his chair. "But if what Sarah's told me about Chimera is true, then we're dealing with capabilities far beyond what's publicly known."

Sarah looked up from her ankle. "Alex, do you remember anything about this drive? Anything at all?"

Alexander closed his eyes, concentrating. Flashes of memory danced at the edges of his consciousness, tantalizingly close but frustratingly out of reach. "I... I remember a room. Dark, filled with servers. The sound of gunfire. And a face..." He trailed off, the image slipping away like smoke.

"What face?" Sarah pressed, her voice eager. "Can you describe it?"

Alexander shook his head, opening his eyes. "It's gone. Just fragments, nothing solid."

Jacques turned back to the computer, his expression grim. "Well, whatever's on this drive, Chimera wants it badly enough to tear Paris apart looking for you. We need to-"

He was cut off by a sharp crack. The window behind Alexander exploded inward, showering the room with glass. Alexander dropped to the floor, his body moving on instinct.

"Sniper!" he yelled, crawling towards Sarah. "Get down!"

More shots rang out, splintering wood and shattering the remaining windows. Jacques dove for cover behind an overturned table, pulling a sleek pistol from beneath his jacket.

"There's a panic room," he shouted over the chaos. "Behind the bookshelf. Go!"

Alexander helped Sarah to her feet, half-carrying her as they made their way across the room. Bullets whizzed past, thudding into walls and furniture. Jacques provided covering fire, the sharp report of his pistol a counterpoint to the heavier sound of the sniper rifle.

They reached the bookshelf, and Alexander's hands moved of their own accord, finding a hidden latch. The shelf swung open, revealing a small, reinforced room beyond. He ushered Sarah inside, then turned back for Jacques.

"Come on!" he yelled. "We have to go!"

But Jacques shook his head, a sad smile on his face. "Someone has to hold them off, my friend. Go. Find the truth. Bring them down."

Before Alexander could protest, Jacques stood, firing rapidly as he moved towards the shattered windows. It was a suicide run, meant to draw fire and buy them time.

"Jacques, no!" Sarah cried, but Alexander was already pulling her into the panic room. The last thing they saw before the door sealed was Jacques, silhouetted against the Paris skyline, his gun blazing as dark figures rappelled down from the rooftops opposite.