Capítulo 43: Chapter 43: The Summit in Geneva
The war room at Zenith Tower was humming with quiet intensity as Ethan Carter and his team finalized their plans for the Geneva operation. The intercepted communications from the Athens hub had revealed a critical piece of intelligence: a high-level meeting involving The Broker's inner circle. It wasn't just a routine gathering—it was a rare convergence of power within the shadow network.
Jessica's fingers flew over the keyboard as she pulled up a satellite image of the meeting location: an opulent estate perched on the outskirts of Geneva, surrounded by dense forest and high walls. "The estate belongs to an anonymous holding company. It's a fortress—surveillance cameras, armed guards, and private drones patrolling the perimeter."
Mark Zhou studied the layout on the screen, his expression grim. "They're not taking any chances. Getting in will be hard. Getting out will be harder."
Sophia crossed her arms, her brow furrowed. "If The Broker is there, this is our best chance to take him down. But if we misstep, we could lose everything."
Ethan stood at the head of the table, his gaze sharp and commanding. "This isn't just about The Broker. It's about sending a message to the entire shadow network. If we strike here, we don't just disrupt their operations—we dismantle their confidence."
Jessica glanced at Ethan. "And if The Broker doesn't show?"
Ethan's smirk was faint but cold. "Then we make sure he regrets not being there."
The operation was divided into three phases. The first team, led by Mark, would infiltrate the estate's security system, disabling cameras and drones to create a temporary blind spot. The second team, led by Sophia, would enter the estate under the guise of catering staff, gaining access to the main event. The third team, controlled remotely by Jessica, would monitor communications and provide real-time intel.
Ethan would oversee the entire operation from Zenith Tower, coordinating the teams and making critical decisions as the situation unfolded.
As the sun set over Geneva, Zenith's teams moved into position. Mark's team approached the estate under the cover of darkness, their movements precise and silent. Using specialized equipment, they hacked into the estate's security grid, rerouting camera feeds and disabling drone patrols.
Jessica's voice came through their earpieces, calm and focused. "You've got a ten-minute window before the system reboots. Make it count."
Mark signaled his team forward, bypassing the outer perimeter and gaining access to the estate's control room. There, they installed a backdoor into the security network, allowing Jessica to maintain control remotely.
"Phase One complete," Mark reported. "Moving to Phase Two."
Sophia's team, disguised as catering staff, entered the estate through the service entrance. Their forged credentials passed inspection, granting them access to the kitchen and dining areas. From there, they positioned themselves strategically, blending in with the legitimate staff while keeping an eye on the gathering guests.
Sophia observed the attendees carefully, her earpiece transmitting her observations back to Ethan. "We've identified several key players—regional operatives, financiers, and at least two known associates of The Broker. No sign of The Broker himself yet."
Ethan's voice came through, calm and authoritative. "Keep watching. If he's not there, one of these people knows where he is."
As the event progressed, the tension in the estate grew. The shadow network's operatives were on edge, their conversations guarded and cryptic. Sophia noticed one man in particular—a tall, middle-aged figure with a commanding presence and an air of authority. He moved through the crowd with purpose, speaking in hushed tones to several key attendees.
Sophia whispered into her earpiece. "I've got a lead. Male, mid-50s, gray suit, appears to be giving orders. He's either in charge or very close to it."
Jessica pulled up the surveillance feed, cross-referencing the man's face with Zenith's database. "That's Henrik Volkov, one of The Broker's top lieutenants. He oversees operations in Western Europe."
Ethan's voice was sharp. "He's our target. If The Broker's not here, Volkov will know where to find him."
Sophia's team shadowed Volkov as he moved toward a private study on the second floor of the estate. Using a concealed microphone, they intercepted his conversation with another operative.
"The Broker is secure," Volkov said, his tone low but firm. "Phase Two is still on schedule. We'll regroup in Istanbul after this."
The second operative hesitated. "But what about Zenith? Their response has been...unexpected."
Volkov smirked. "Carter is playing a dangerous game, but he's overextending. Let him think he's winning. When the time comes, he'll fall like the rest."
Sophia relayed the conversation to Ethan, her voice steady. "They're regrouping in Istanbul. That's where The Broker will be."
Ethan's smirk was cold and calculating. "Good. Let them regroup. We'll be waiting."
With the critical intel secured, Sophia's team prepared to extract. However, their movements didn't go unnoticed. A guard in the hallway spotted one of the operatives planting a listening device and raised the alarm.
Jessica's voice came through the comms urgently. "You've been made. Security is mobilizing."
Sophia cursed under her breath. "We're moving out."
Mark's team, still monitoring the estate's security grid, triggered a series of false alarms on the opposite side of the property, drawing guards away from Sophia's position. The distraction gave her team the opening they needed to escape, but it was a close call.
Back at Zenith Tower, Ethan reviewed the intel with his team. The Geneva operation had been risky, but it had paid off. The Broker's next move was clear: Istanbul. And this time, Ethan wouldn't just disrupt his plans—he would dismantle them entirely.
Sophia joined Ethan in his office, her expression serious. "We got what we needed, but it was close. Too close."
Ethan leaned back in his chair, his smirk faint but confident. "Close doesn't matter. What matters is results. And we have everything we need to finish this."
Sophia studied him for a moment, then nodded. "I just hope you know where to draw the line, Ethan. The shadow network isn't just a web—it's a trap. And if you're not careful, you might get caught in it."
Ethan's gaze hardened. "Let them try. The more they push, the harder I'll push back. This ends in Istanbul."
The Broker's shadow loomed large, but Ethan Carter wasn't afraid of the dark. The pieces were falling into place, and soon, the shadow network would learn the cost of underestimating him.
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