Chapter 296 - Dead of the Night (1/2)
”Code Black. I repeat, Code Black,” a person yelled through the comms, startling MIB1. He was standing guard outside the Prime Minister's study when all hell broke loose.
In a split second, he kicked the locked door open and quickly ushered Maxen outside. They were walking down the hallway leading to the staircase when a loud booming sound shook the walls of the mansion.
”Entrance clear,” a voice echoed in the comms. ”Code Black. Highlands under attack, confirmed.”
Dust sprinkled in the air as another bomb detonated from the vicinity. Maxen's security detail acted in sync and precision, as though what was happening happened before.
Circling Maxen, they walked towards the entrance of the mansion where the waiting envoy was.
Boarding the car, Maxen spoke, ”Guns.” His face was devoid of any emotion. He watched MIB1 from the backseat of the car as the former opened the glove compartment and took out 2 guns inside.
MIB1 then passed it to Maxen, who then checked the bullets loaded in the magazine. Both prayed that they wouldn't use it tonight.
The convoy whizzed down the road, flying towards the military's naval base where a helicopter would wait for Maxen.
Protocol had it that should a war rise, Maxen was to leave the country and be flown to a secure location through the military's naval base.
On their way to their destination, Maxen accessed the cameras in Notios Estate, but all he saw was the carnage. A portrait of smoke, debris, and silhouettes of fallen comrades were all what's left.
Checking Olivia's location, he saw that she was still somewhere in Notios Estate, and he guessed that she must have been hiding in the tunnels.
After what felt like an eternity, Maxen could let out a sigh of relief knowing that Olivia escaped.
Peering to the windows, Maxen's jaw clenched at the sight of civilians' terrified faces on the streets.
They were watching in horror as The Highlands, sitting on top of a hill, burned brightly, illuminating almost half of the hill with its dancing flames.
For a brief second, Maxen closed his eyes and imagined The Highlands and how it was once the impenetrable fortress.
He was prepared for this attack long before he even understood what the word really meant. His father, King Alistair, would repeatedly ingrain it to his consciousness.
But things you learn in the books would often differ from in reality, and no matter how much you memorized each leaf, you would always be surprised to stumble upon an outlier.
”Your Highness, King Alistair is wounded but safe, so is Princess Maya and her family,” MIB1 informed Maxen.
Maxen nodded and paused when it dawned on him that there was no mention of Queen Isla.
”How about mom? Where is she?”
”I can't get a word yet, but she was at Notios when it happened.”
”Can you reach Shadow in your comms?”
”I'll try.”
Maxen held his breath, waiting for MIB1s update. In the meantime, he dialed Wyatt's number, but he was not picking it up.
Dialing Wyatt's number for the fourth time, the call finally went through four minutes before ten in the evening.
”Maxen, are you safe?”
”Yes, thank you for your concern.”
”Okay. That's good to hear. Can you meet me at the open grounds? Aerith. Please take care of Aerith.”
”Wya—,” Maxen's voice tapered off before he could utter Wyatt's name. His friend already dropped the call and when he dialed Wyatt's number one more time, but went straight to voicemail.
Meanwhile, MIB1 skipped the comms in contacting Shadow, and pulled out his phone. He speed dialed her number, and the call connected right away.
”Oh?” he stuttered, shocked that his call was answered on the first ring. ”Hello?”
”Mmm.”
F*ck. He cursed in his mind. ”Are you shot?”
”Yeh.”
”Are you with the queen and the princess?”
”No. Library.”
”Where are they?”
”Tunnel.”
Covering half of his phone, MIB1 looked over his shoulder and informed Maxen, ”Your Highness, the Queen is with Princess Olivia in the tunnel.”
”How many are inside?”
MIB1 repeated the question and nodded his head upon hearing Shadow's answer.
”Three, Your Highness.”
Maxen didn't probe more and just nodded his head. ”Thanks. That would be all.” His tone was flat, but the hint of relief was still audible.
To Maxen, there was nothing else he could do but wait it out. He couldn't run back to Notios and save his wife and mother, even if he wanted. Doing so would only put their life at jeopardy. At that moment, following their extraction procedures was the safest option for everyone.