The men in black sprang into action, their radios crackling with urgency as they barked orders into the devices. "Lockdown protocol alpha-1, repeat, lockdown protocol alpha-1. We have a high-priority target attempting to flee the area. All units, converge on the city center. Do not let her escape." The radios squawked with acknowledgement, and the men in black mobilized, their vehicles screeching out of the forest and onto the roads with a deafening roar.
The lockdown alert flashed on screens across the city, warning civilians of the impending shutdown. Sirens wailed in the distance, and the streets began to empty as people scrambled to find shelter. The air was electric with tension, and the sense of urgency was palpable.
Meanwhile, Wren remained oblivious to the chaos she had unleashed, her focus fixed on getting to the city center.
The bus rumbled along the highway, the driver's eyes fixed on the road ahead as he pushed the vehicle to its limits. The speedometer needle hovered at the edge of the red zone, and the engine growled in protest.
As the bus approached the outskirts of the city, Wren noticed a change in the atmosphere.
The streets were deserted, and the few pedestrians she saw seemed to be hurrying to get out of the way.
Roadblocks were being set up, and men in black were swarming the area. Wren's heart sank as she realized the lockdown was already in effect.
The bus driver seemed to sense it too, his eyes darting nervously towards the rearview mirror. "What's going on?" Wren asked him, her voice low and even. The driver hesitated, his eyes flicking towards the radio.
"I don't know, but I think it's a lockdown. Maybe there's a security threat or something. We're not going to make it out of here, are we?"
Wren's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with possibilities. She knew she had to get out of there, and fast.
The bus was not going to be able to outrun the lockdown, not for long. She needed a plan, and she needed it now.
She glanced around the bus, her eyes scanning for any signs of weakness or vulnerability. The driver's nervous glances told her that he was getting anxious, and she knew she had to act fast.
The bus driver's phone rang, shrill and insistent. He answered it, his voice trembling. "Yes, sir. I understand. I'll try to get her to cooperate." He looked at Wren, fear in his eyes.
"They want to talk to you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Wren's eyes locked onto the phone, her grip on the seat tightening. She knew she was running out of time.
The men in black were closing in, and she had to think fast if she wanted to escape.
Meanwhile her eyes never left the phone as she reached out and took it from the driver's trembling hand.
She put it to her ear, her voice cool and detached. "Yes?"
The voice on the other end was cold and menacing. "Wren, you're a hard person to catch up with.
But you're not going to escape us this time. You're going to come with us, and you're going to hand over the minerals. Do you understand?"
Wren's grip on the phone tightened, her mind racing with options. She knew she couldn't outrun the lockdown, not without a plan.
She glanced around the bus, her eyes scanning the deserted streets outside. The men in black were closing in, and she knew she had to think fast.
"I understand," Wren said, her voice neutral. "But I'm not going anywhere with you. I'll meet you at the city center, and I'll hand over the minerals. That's the best offer you're going to get."
The voice on the other end laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "You think you're in a position to negotiate? You're in a lockdown, Wren. You're not going anywhere. Surrender now, and we might let you live."
Wren's eyes locked onto the driver's, and she saw the fear in his eyes. She knew she had to act fast, before the driver cracked under the pressure. She smiled, a cold, calculating smile.
"I'll meet you at the city center," she repeated, her voice firm. "That's my final offer. Take it or leave it."
The voice on the other end hesitated, and for a moment, Wren thought she had won. But then the voice spoke again, its tone dripping with malice.
"Fine. We'll meet you at the city center. But if you're not there, or if you're trying to escape, you'll regret it. Do you understand?"
Wren's smile grew wider, her eyes glinting with amusement. "I understand," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I'll be there. With bells on."
The line went dead, and Wren handed the phone back to the driver. She leaned back in her seat, her mind racing with possibilities. She knew she had to get out of the bus, and fast.
The men in black were closing in, and she had to think fast if she wanted to escape.
The driver looked at her, his eyes wide with fear. "What are we going to do?" he asked, his voice trembling.
Wren's smile grew wider, her eyes glinting with determination. "We're going to get out of here," she said, her voice firm. "And we're going to make it out alive."