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The co-op bookstore for avid readers
Echo Company Book 3: The Shutdown Zone
The video feed flickered on the secure terminal. The image stabilized to reveal a stark white room with a single metal table. At that table sat Colonel James Davis, his usually immaculate uniform now wrinkled, dark circles under his eyes suggesting he hadn't slept in days.
"Authorization verified," said a computerized voice. "Secure recording initiated."
Davis leaned forward, his expression grim. "This may be my final testimony. If you're viewing this, then my suspicions were correct, and I've been compromised." He glanced at his watch-a nervous habit from thirty years of military service. "What I'm about to disclose violates multiple security protocols, but the alternative is far worse."
He pulled a folder marked "CLASSIFIED" from beneath the table. "Six months ago, I deployed Echo Company to Siberia to investigate what we believed was a Russian research outpost conducting illegal weapons tests. What Captain Chen and her team discovered was something else entirely-a multinational black site operating under the codename 'Prometheus.'"
Davis spread photographs across the table: satellite images of the facility, strange equipment schematics, and personnel files with multiple nationalities represented.
"Echo Company recovered data proving that Prometheus isn't a rogue operation-it's funded and sanctioned by elements within multiple governments, including our own. They're developing technologies that violate every international treaty on the books: targeted electromagnetic weapons, autonomous drone swarms with kill capabilities, and something they're calling 'cognitive infiltration networks.'"
A bead of sweat traced down Davis's temple. "When Echo returned with this intelligence, I followed protocol and submitted everything to Central Command. Within twenty-four hours, the entire mission was classified above my clearance. The team's debrief was heavily redacted, and I was ordered to cease all inquiries."
He pulled out another document-a deployment order. "Now they're sending Echo Company to the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone on a supposedly routine reconnaissance mission. But nothing about this op is routine. The mission parameters, the timing, the lack of backup..." He shook his head. "They're setting Chen and her team up. Either to eliminate them or to use them for something worse."
The colonel looked directly into the camera, his expression resolute. "I've tried working through official channels, but I'm being stonewalled at every turn. My security access is being systematically revoked. My communications are monitored. I don't have much time left."
He slid a small USB drive across the table toward the camera. "Everything I've gathered on Prometheus is here, including contingency plans to extract Echo Company when the inevitable happens. I've contacted the only person I still trust outside the system-Miguel Torres. Former Delta, now operates independently. If anyone can get them out, it's him."
A sound in the background-footsteps approaching. Davis tensed but continued speaking quickly.
"Whoever receives this, you need to understand: Prometheus isn't just developing weapons. They're positioning for a new kind of warfare-one fought with information, infrastructure, and plausible deniability. They need a triggering event, something to justify expanding their operations. I believe the Chernobyl mission is meant to provide that catalyst."
The footsteps grew louder. Davis gathered the documents hurriedly.
"Find Captain Sarah Chen. Tell her what I've told you. And warn her-the bear wasn't the real threat in Siberia."
The door behind him began to open. Davis reached forward, and the video cut to static.
"Authorization verified," said a computerized voice. "Secure recording initiated."
Davis leaned forward, his expression grim. "This may be my final testimony. If you're viewing this, then my suspicions were correct, and I've been compromised." He glanced at his watch-a nervous habit from thirty years of military service. "What I'm about to disclose violates multiple security protocols, but the alternative is far worse."
He pulled a folder marked "CLASSIFIED" from beneath the table. "Six months ago, I deployed Echo Company to Siberia to investigate what we believed was a Russian research outpost conducting illegal weapons tests. What Captain Chen and her team discovered was something else entirely-a multinational black site operating under the codename 'Prometheus.'"
Davis spread photographs across the table: satellite images of the facility, strange equipment schematics, and personnel files with multiple nationalities represented.
"Echo Company recovered data proving that Prometheus isn't a rogue operation-it's funded and sanctioned by elements within multiple governments, including our own. They're developing technologies that violate every international treaty on the books: targeted electromagnetic weapons, autonomous drone swarms with kill capabilities, and something they're calling 'cognitive infiltration networks.'"
A bead of sweat traced down Davis's temple. "When Echo returned with this intelligence, I followed protocol and submitted everything to Central Command. Within twenty-four hours, the entire mission was classified above my clearance. The team's debrief was heavily redacted, and I was ordered to cease all inquiries."
He pulled out another document-a deployment order. "Now they're sending Echo Company to the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone on a supposedly routine reconnaissance mission. But nothing about this op is routine. The mission parameters, the timing, the lack of backup..." He shook his head. "They're setting Chen and her team up. Either to eliminate them or to use them for something worse."
The colonel looked directly into the camera, his expression resolute. "I've tried working through official channels, but I'm being stonewalled at every turn. My security access is being systematically revoked. My communications are monitored. I don't have much time left."
He slid a small USB drive across the table toward the camera. "Everything I've gathered on Prometheus is here, including contingency plans to extract Echo Company when the inevitable happens. I've contacted the only person I still trust outside the system-Miguel Torres. Former Delta, now operates independently. If anyone can get them out, it's him."
A sound in the background-footsteps approaching. Davis tensed but continued speaking quickly.
"Whoever receives this, you need to understand: Prometheus isn't just developing weapons. They're positioning for a new kind of warfare-one fought with information, infrastructure, and plausible deniability. They need a triggering event, something to justify expanding their operations. I believe the Chernobyl mission is meant to provide that catalyst."
The footsteps grew louder. Davis gathered the documents hurriedly.
"Find Captain Sarah Chen. Tell her what I've told you. And warn her-the bear wasn't the real threat in Siberia."
The door behind him began to open. Davis reached forward, and the video cut to static.
Book Details
- Publisher: Independently Published
- Publish Date: Mar 22nd, 2025
- Pages: 128
- Language: English
- Edition: undefined - undefined
- Dimensions: 9.00in - 6.00in - 0.27in - 0.40lb
- EAN: 9798315113850
- Categories: • War & Military