A loud thud shook the house.

It sounded like a battering ram hitting the reinforced front doors.

The glass in the study windows vibrated.

“They’re trying the service entrance,” Marco’s voice crackled over Ryker’s radio. “The hydraulic locks are holding. But they have heavy equipment.”

“Hold your position, Marco,” Ryker said into the radio. “Do not engage.”

“Copy that,” Marco replied.

I typed frantically, adding the specific details of the Amber Alert.

*The active Amber Alert is a fabrication initiated by Chief Vance to cover up the abduction of the Steel heirs,* I wrote.

The progress bar reached *72%*.

“They are cutting the power lines at the street,” Ryker said, watching the driveway.

The auxiliary monitor flickered.

“No,” I whispered, grabbing the screen. “Don’t die now.”

The screen stabilized, but the connection speed dropped.

“They must be using a signal jammer,” Ryker said. “They want us completely dark before they breach.”

He reached down and manipulated a small switch on the side of the terminal.

“Switching to the emergency satellite band,” Ryker said.

The progress bar jumped to *88%*.

“Come on,” I muttered. “Come on.”