BREAKING POINTS

Lena's POV I could nearly taste the heavy tension in the air. My pulse rushes with a mixture of panic and resolve as we stoop behind a stack of goods close to Beckett's compound. Finn's jaw is clearly set in that familiar manner—resolved and ready for anything. He looks at me and I detect concern in his eyes. His voice almost audible, he says, "We're almost there". Indeed, almost, I say, my throat is dry. I wish I had his faith. The truth of our circumstances hangs much on my shoulders. One mistake might cause all we have battled to burn. Looking about the squad, I see Jacob tensely lurking close to the perimeter of our group. I once would have welcomed his presence and thought he might guide us to success. But nowadays? I'm not too sure right now. The treachery stings like a new cut. "Lena," Jacob says, interrupting my ideas. We should talk about the next action. I inhaled deeply, steadying myself. "What's your strategy??" I inquire, my voice sounding solid now. He glances from Finn to me, his face austere. "We ought to set up a diversion all across the complex' east side. Beckett's men are leaving, but we can sneak in from the rear door. Finn lifts an eyebrow, doubt all across his features. And how can we be sure this is not another trick? You nearly got us dead last time. Jacob bristles, but I sense some sorrow in his eyes. I'm not meant to be playing you. I want to be of assistance. All of us want to see Beckett overthrown. "Do we?," I turned back, resentment boiling under the surface. "It's difficult to believe someone who has already let us down." Enough, Finn says, his voice steely. "We have no time for this. We won't have an opportunity to act if we continue to argue. So let's concentrate on what is important: searching within for Beckett. I cannot dispute the accuracy of his comments. We have to act; the clock is running. I pause to gather my ideas and nod, prepared, at least momentarily, to set aside my questions. "Alright." Lead, Jacob. Every sound is heightened in the silence as we silently negotiate the darkness. My heart thumps in my chest, and I sense the usual knot of nervousness developing in my gut. Every stride brings us closer to Beckett's operations' core as well as the risk that resides there. Jacob guides us eastward over the complex. He turns back, his face a mix of resolve and something gentler that I can not quite identify. "This is it," he says quietly. Keep near. We can see guards on patrol around the fence, their rifles at hand. The weight of my own revolver in its holstered reminds me of the life and death stakes of this moment. Jacob begs, "now," and before I can register it, he tosses a little explosive device across the compound's other end. It thuds and the globe bursts into anarchy. Deafening, the sound of the explosion rings in my ears as Finn runs closely behind me toward the rear door. The guards dash to look, and I can see the brief disorientation among their ranks. "Leave!" As we duck into the enclosure, Finn yells, pushing me ahead. The poorly lighted corridor welcomes us and I can feel my heart racing. Though the threat is far from gone, we are inside. Tension permeates the air, and I understand we have to move quickly. "Which way?" I asked, struggling to get air. Jacob calls down the hall. "We are looking for the control room. Should we be able to access the security feeds, we might find Beckett. I nod, clearing my uncertainty. This is the opportunity to flip the tide in our advantage, the one we have been waiting for. The environment changes as we enter the compound farther. The flickering lights produce ghostly shadows dancing across the floor, and the walls seem to be closing in on me. My head runs with ideas of what is ahead. Shall we locate Beckett? What happens if we do? From behind us, a huge boom resonates suddenly. "They're coming!," said Finn yells, desperation coloring his voice. "We have to hurry!!" My pulse hammering in time with my feet, we dash down the hall. I feel the heat of terror rising in my chest as distant gunfire explodes. This is survival, not only about overthrowing Beckett now. "Here! " Pushing open a door marked "Control Room," Jacob calls. Hurrying inside, we bang the door behind us. As Jacob moves toward a computer terminal, Finn locks the door. "We can find Beckett if I can access the security feeds," he adds, typing rapidly. "Do you know How?" My annoyance bubbling up, I inquire. "I can figure it out," he says with unflinching attention. "Just let me have a minute. Anxiety tightens firmly around my throat as time seems to be running through my fingers. I turn to look back at Finn, attentive and tensely watching at the door. "Lena," he whispers gently, shattering my focus. "Are you alright?" Indeed, I say, although my voice is unsteady. " Just a little on edge." Finn moves forward with calm eyes. "We will make it through this. Remember what we are battling for. His comments really speak to me; I inhale deeply to help me to ground myself. I have to be concentrated. " Got it!," Jacob cries, his face lighting up as the screen comes alive. "There he is." With my heart beating, I slant over his shoulder to see the fuzzy Beckett picture on the screen surrounded by armed guards in a well-fortified office. I gasp, pointing, "He's in there." Still, we have to figure out how to reach him. Finn nods and looks over the video for alternative paths. "His office has a back entrance, but it's under close security." Then we'll set off another diversion, adrenaline pumping through my blood vessels. "We can move them away, then—' The door opens before I can complete my thinking, and a guard charges into the room with a lifted rifle. "Hands up!!" All changes in a split second. Reacting right away, Finn tackles the guard to the ground before he can shoot. The two guys fight; I reach for a nearby metal item, prepared to step in. As the little space echoes with anarchy, my heart accelerates. Lena, assist me here. Grasping the upper hand, Finn growls. I hurry forward, swinging the metal item with all my force. It strikes the skull of the guard, who crumples to the floor unconscious. Panting, I glance at Finn, who is breathing heavily and has wide shocked eyes. "That was close," he exclaims, his voice an explosive mix of relief and excitement. "Are you fine?" I inquire, heart full with anxiety pouring. "Yeah, I'm good; just brushing off the dust," he says. We cannot stay here, though. We have to migrate. Jacob observes us, his face inscrutable. "We cannot let this divert us. We have to follow the strategy exactly. I can sense the tension building after we pass the guard's body. We have little time, and I am aware that the stakes have never been more critical. My pulse is beating in my chest as we approach Beckett's office from the rear door. This is it—that which we have been waiting for. "Are you game?" Finn probes, his voice calm despite the urgency of the matter. I nod and hold my gun securely. "Let's do this." Jacob opens the door gently, and we slide inside as our eyes search the space for Beckett. The workplace is extravagant, full of pricey décor and furniture. But given what is ahead, the grandeur seems empty. "There! " Jacob gestures to a man seated behind a large desk whose back faces us. "It's him!!" Beckett glances up, a smile across his face at seeing us. "Well, well, well," says Look who chose to wreck the celebration. Enough games, Beckett, Finn yells, coming forward. You've done it. Beckett laughs not thinking twice about our presence. "You believe you could bring me down? You are only pawns in a far more expansive game. "Not anymore," I reply, approaching closely with determination driven by rage. "We're pulling you down permanently." I could sense the tension rising in the air as we got ready to face Beckett. This is the moment we have battled for. But the door opens once more before I can move, and more guards rush into the hall. Get down! Finn yells and anarchy breaks out. My pulse racing as bullets fly by, I slide behind the desk. Finn and Jacob return fire, but I can feel the chances running against us. Though I have always fought, this seems different. This time I cannot afford to second-guess. "Lena!": Finn shouts.