Yvette's screens suddenly exploded with financial activity. "Vincent, look at this. They're liquidating assets, moving money offshore. But these aren't escape funds - they're combat pay rates. Hazard bonuses."
"They've escalated from corporate security to private military contractors," Vincent said, studying the data over her shoulder.
Bates was shouting into her phone again. "I don't care about budget approvals! We have PMCs attacking federal personnel! Get me air support, get me whatever you can authorize right now!"
"How long until backup arrives?" Yvette asked.
"SWAT is twenty-five minutes out if they can break free. FBI tactical is thirty." Bates's face was grim. "And Curtis knows our response times. That's why he's moving now."
"I need to ask you something," Yvette said, confusion and anger clear in her voice. "We've identified Larry Curtis. We have evidence of the conspiracy. Why isn't he in custody already? Why are we letting him run around with private armies?"
Bates rubbed her temples. "The arrest warrants are hung up in legal challenges. RareCore's lawyers filed injunctions claiming the evidence was obtained illegally, corporate privilege violations, constitutional challenges. It's tied up with three different federal judges."
"But he's actively attacking federal agents right now!"
"Which gives us grounds to act, but we need personnel to actually make arrests. And Curtis isn't stupid - all his teams stay mobile, never in one place long enough for local police to respond."
Vincent joined the conversation. "What's his endgame? He's been identified. His company's finished. Why isn't he cutting his losses and running?"
"Because he can't run successfully," Bates replied. "Yvette's investigation froze most of his assets. International law enforcement is watching his escape routes. He knows the evidence trail leads straight to him personally - this isn't just corporate fraud anymore, it's murder conspiracy."
"So he's trapped," Yvette realized.
"Worse than trapped. He's facing life in federal prison, and his military background means he knows exactly how this ends if he surrenders." Bates checked her weapon. "His only play is eliminate the witnesses and destroy the evidence before reinforcements arrive."
"Even if he nukes this house from orbit, he won't get the evidence," Yvette said, turning back to her workstation. "I've got automated processes sending signed affidavits to my boss, copies to DCAA's legal department, files to congressional oversight committees. The evidence is everywhere."
Bates's expression grew even darker. "Yvette, your boss and DCAA headquarters are under attack too. Curtis sent teams there twenty minutes ago."
Yvette's hands froze over the keyboard. "What?"
"Three-team assault on the DCAA building. They're trying to take out your entire department and destroy the servers." Bates checked her phone for updates. "Local police are responding, but Curtis planned this to overwhelm multiple response networks simultaneously."
"My colleagues..." Yvette's voice was tight with worry.
"Are evacuating the building as we speak. But Curtis isn't just trying to eliminate you - he's trying to eliminate your entire support network and destroy every copy of the evidence he can reach."
"Then it's a good thing I'm paranoid about multiple copies," Yvette said, her voice hardening with resolve as she dove back into her work. "He has no idea how many locations have this data."
Her fingers flew over the keyboard as she exploited a vulnerability she'd been tracking. "Wait... I think I can crack their communication network. If I can get inside their encryption protocols..."
She worked in intense concentration for several minutes, lines of code scrolling across her screens. Vincent watched her process multiple data streams simultaneously, turning her investigative skills into digital weapons.
"Got them," she announced triumphantly. "Full access to their communication network. I can see all their teams, approach routes, tactical plans."
"Outstanding," Vincent said, moving behind her chair to study the displays. "What can you do with that access?"
"Watch this." She began inputting carefully crafted false intelligence into RareCore's network. On her screens, they could see some of the peripheral assault teams receiving redirected orders, moving away from optimal positions toward empty locations.
"You're turning their own coordination against them," Vincent said with admiration.
Bates looked up from her tactical planning. "How much time does that buy us?"
"Maybe ten minutes while the outer teams reposition based on false intel," Yvette replied, still working. "But Curtis's main force is too close to fall for misdirection. They'll be here regardless."
"That's still not enough time for federal reinforcements." Bates turned to Vincent. "How defendable is this position?"
"Very, if we use every advantage." Vincent was already shifting into tactical mode. "Reinforced construction, multiple escape routes, excellent sight lines. But we're outnumbered three to one."
