Chapter 9 - The Breach and the Chase: Escaping into the Colorado Night
The thunderous roar of the twin fighter jets rattling overhead shook the airport terminal building to its foundation.
Outside the reinforced windows of the aircraft, the panicked Vanguard tactical operatives scattered away from the boarding bridge, scrambling back toward their unmarked Humvees as the threat of an active military intervention materialized above them.
“They’re breaking formation!” Ortega shouted, watching the security convoy scatter across the tarmac through the side window.
“They know the National Guard is descending on their position.”
“They have less than two minutes before military police vehicles secure this entire ramp,” I said, unbuckling my seat harness and throwing my canvas backpack over my shoulder.
“We need to get off this aircraft right now before Vance regains his composure.”
Captain Mercer shook his head firmly, stepping into my path.
“You can't just walk out onto an active military tarmac, Vale,” the captain argued.
“Vance’s men will hunt you down before you reach the perimeter fence.”
“They won't be hunting me for long once the federal investigators pull the flight data recorder from this cockpit,” I replied, looking him straight in the eye.
“My job here is finished, David.”
“You and Luis saved one hundred and eighty-three innocent lives today.”
“Make sure you tell the NTSB investigators the exact truth about what happened in Denver last night.”
Mercer grabbed my forearm with a heavy, respectful grip.
“And what about you?” he asked quietly.
“Where do you run when the entire defense establishment thinks you’re a ghost?”
“Back into the shadows where I belong,” I said with a faint, tight smile.
Without waiting for another word, I unlocked the emergency exit door over the starboard wing, pulled the inflatable evacuation slide release handle, and leaped out into the cool, rushing night air of Colorado.
The bright yellow slide hissed and deployed instantly onto the tarmac below.
I slid down with practiced speed, hitting the pavement in a low tactical roll just as the distant sirens of military police vehicles began wailing across the airport perimeter.
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I didn't look back.
I melted into the shadows beneath the towering cargo hangars, blending seamlessly into the industrial darkness.
