Page 69 of Hardline Torque
“They made their choice,” Tane said.“So did Niko.”
Victor nodded once.He inhaled, grounding himself in the room—the hum of systems, the presence of people who would not stop.
“Okay,” he said.“Then we don’t react emotionally.We stay ahead.”
Luca snapped his fingers once.“Got something.That offshore route?The jet didn’t file a destination as such—but it pinged a private refueling contract tied to an airstrip outside Jakarta.”
“That is too far for the first leg,” Kai said immediately.
“Exactly,” Victor replied.“Which means that’s not the end.It’s a waypoint.”
The map updated again, the line extending, branching.
Victor felt something settle into place.Purpose slotting cleanly over fear.
“They think time is on their side,” he said.“It isn’t.”
Kael’s mouth curved, sharp and grim.“Then we move.”
Victor straightened fully now, shoulder protesting but holding.He looked around the room—at the faces on the screens, at Tane beside him.
Niko wasn’t gone.
Not yet.
And Victor would not let the Directorate decide the shape of this ending.
The hunt wasn’t just on.
It was personal.
Epilogue
The first thing Nikobecame aware of was the vibration.
Not the violent jolt of takeoff—not yet—but the steady, muted hum that traveled through metal and bone alike.He was strapped down, arms secured at his sides, legs locked straight, body immobilized on a narrow medical bed bolted to the floor of the aircraft.A restraint crossed his chest, firm enough to keep him from moving, not tight enough to bruise.
