Just two blocks ahead, the group had to cross an abandoned commercial building to avoid a heavy patrol of armored vehicles blocking the central square.
The interior of the building was a crumbling structure of exposed concrete, electrical wires dangling from the ceiling and shattered windows that let the wind howl through the empty floors. They quickly climbed the service stairs toward the roof, from where they could access the neighboring rooftop that led directly to Erik's contact's address.
But the echoes of heavy boots reverberating through the lower floors indicated that another tracking expedition had intercepted their trail inside the building itself.
"They came up through the ground floor. They're coming after us," Erik warned, checking the magazine of his pistol. "We're trapped on the stairs."
"Don't worry," Arthur said, his voice firm. "Leave the grounds to us."
Hanna took the lead on the upper landing, crouching on the curve of the stairs with the reflexes of a predator lurking. Arthur positioned himself right behind her, covering the blind spot with his weapon drawn.
When the first CIA agents managed to get around the lower spear railing, all hell broke loose.
Hanna lunged down with terrifying agility, disarming the first shots with a flying kick to the chest and using his body as a shield against the crossfire. The second agent tried to fire, but Arthur's predictive accuracy, enhanced by his improved skills, anticipated the movement: a single, precise shot to the mercenary's weapon sent the rifle flying from his hands, followed by a devastating physical blow that knocked him unconscious against the concrete wall.
[Successful choke point defense in a vertical environment.] Proficiency gained: +4. [Talent Multiplier 100x Activated!] Proficiency gained: +400!
The rest of the government, disoriented by the overwhelming speed of the counterattack and the instant casualties, retreated in panic to the lower floor, not daring to climb the final flight of stairs.
Silence fell again over the building, broken only by the panting breath of the retreating enemies and the sound of wind in the broken windows.
Erik Heller stared at the two, letting out a long sigh of conflict mixed with disbelief. He saw, at that very moment, that the protection he had tried to give Hanna throughout her life was no longer necessary. She had by her side a partner as lethal and ruthless as herself.
Hanna returned to the upper level, stopping right in front of Arthur. She breathed deeply, but her blue eyes were calm, reflecting a profound sense of security. She reached out and lightly touched Arthur's cheek, checking if he was unharmed after the confrontation. Arthur covered her hand with his own, smiling slightly.
"Let's go," said Erik, breaking the moment with a pragmatic tone, though with a slight smile at the corner of his mouth. "The contact is right there on the roof next door. It's time to find out what Utrax is hiding."
The she-wolf, her shadow, and the old soldier opened the roof's emergency door, advancing toward the next chapter of the battle against the CIA.