Chapter 3 3

A black helicopter, sleek and devoid of any markings, hovered ten feet above a small, hidden clearing just beyond the Sterling's prize-winning rose garden, shielded from the main house by a thicket of ancient oaks.

The downwash was violent. It tore leaves from the branches, sending a confetti of green swirling into the night.

Two figures in full tactical gear fast-roped down, hitting the grass with heavy thuds.

Agent Miller straightened up, ignoring the debris flying around him. He walked straight to Nova and snapped a salute.

"Dr. Vance," he shouted over the roar of the rotors. "We are red on time."

Nova nodded. She tossed her bag to him. "Equipment is secured."

Inside the mansion, Mr. Henderson pressed his face against the glass. His eyes went wide. Through the thrashing trees, he caught glimpses of dark shapes, the glint of metal, and the impossible silhouette of the aircraft. He couldn't see faces or uniforms, only terrifying efficiency.

"Sir!" he screamed, running into the living room. "Sir! Something's happening on the back lawn! Men in black, and some kind of aircraft! They're taking Miss Nova!"

Richard Sterling jumped up from his armchair, spilling his drink. "What did she do?"

Chloe gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. "I knew it! All those times she disappeared... she was dealing drugs! Or worse!"

On the lawn, Nova grabbed the harness lowered from the bay door. She clipped in with a practiced snap of her wrist.

The helicopter banked sharp and hard, lifting her into the air. Within seconds, they were just a set of fading red lights in the sky.

Victoria stood by the window, shaking with rage. "That little criminal! What was that? The cartel? She had them land on my property! The neighbors will talk for years!"

"Call the police," Richard barked, grabbing his phone. "We need to distance ourselves. I won't let her drag the company stock down."

High above the city, inside the cabin, Nova pulled on a noise-canceling headset. She opened a ruggedized laptop.

Agent Miller handed her a secure folder. "General Knight is not happy about the delay."

"I was taking out the trash," Nova said, her eyes scanning the screen.

Miller looked at her. "Do you want us to scrub them? NDAs? intimidation?"

Nova shook her head. "Don't waste the budget. They aren't worth the paperwork."

Back on the ground, Richard was shouting at a 911 operator.

"Yes! Armed men! A black helicopter! They took my daughter!"

"She's dangerous," Chloe added from the background, her voice shrill. "She might have weapons!"

Bryce stood by the fireplace, staring at the empty spot on the lawn where Nova had stood. The sound had been muffled by distance and trees, but it was unmistakably military. The people who met her hadn't dragged her. They had moved with a chilling deference.

He frowned, pushing the thought away. It was impossible. She was Nova. She couldn't even parallel park.

Sirens wailed in the distance, getting closer.

Nova looked down at the grid of New York City lights. Her expression hardened. The girl in the polyester dress was gone.

"ETA to the facility?" she asked.

"Forty minutes," the pilot responded.

Nova typed a command into the terminal. "Good. Let's get to work."