Chapter 5
The airport’s PA system was suddenly cut off, replaced by an authoritative voice.[]
“Attention all passengers, due to an emergency situation, Gate A area is now under highest level security lockdown!“]
“Please remain calm and stay where you are until personnel can guide you to evacuation!“[]
“Repeat, remain calm and stay in place! No unauthorized movement! No photos or videos! Violators will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law!“[]
The entire arrivals hall went dead silent.[]
Only the sound of security personnel rúnning, brief commands crackling through radios, and Celine’s teeth chattering.]]
Elliot had gone pale, all his earlier arrogance and composure completely gone.[]
He tried to force down the panic rising in his chest, attempting to find some of that CEO composure, but his slightly trembling hands betrayed his inner turmoil.]
He took a deep breath, looked at me with complicated eyes, his voice hoarse.]
“Calista, what the hell is…“[]
Before he could finish, more urgent footsteps echoed from the sealed corridor.
Several men in crisp suits with airport executive badges practically tumbled in, covered in sweat and looking almost as pale as Elliot.
The master of airport security – aged guy who usually had pull even with Elliot–was now completely forgetting about his image.]
He jogged up to the security captain, his voice cracking.
“Sir! I’m Olive Reed, head of airport security! We got word to provide full cooperation! What’s… what’s the situation? What do you need us to do? Absolutely full cooperation! Absolutely!“[]
The captain remained stone–faced, just nodded at him without saying much, scanning the scene before his eyes finally settled on me with a questioning, confirming look.
Right then, more rushed and chaotic footsteps approached, along with breathless voices.]
“Move! Move! The experts are here!“]
Several elderly men in casual clothes, scholarly in appearance, all in their fifties and sixties, were practically running into the secured area under security escort.[]
They looked like they’d traveled hard and fast, clearly having rushed here at top speed after getting the call.[]
The lead figure – an elderly man with silver hair and gold–rimmed glasses – immediately spotted the white ceramic fragments
scattered on the ground and the overturned aviation case.
His steps stopped dead!]
The next second, this distinguished–looking expert’s body swayed violently, his face going pale![]
‘He pushed away the person supporting him and stumbled toward the pile of fragments, his hands trembling as he reached out but
に
didn’t dare touch them.[]
His lips shook violently, instantly overwhelmed by grief and disbelief, his eyes filling with tears.]
“It’s real! It really is Artemis–9!”
His voice was choked with tears, filled with desperate anguish, each word seeming to be forced from his chest.
“Destroyed! All destroyed! How could this happen!“]
He suddenly looked up, his bloodshot eyes filled with grief and anger, looking at Celine collapsed on the ground, then sweeping over- Elliot’s ashen face, his voice suddenly rising.
“This is the national treasure Artemis–9 of United States! This is the honor that Chief Engineer Richard Arden earned with his life!This is priceless! Do you damn guys understand?!”
“You! How dare you?! How dare you let it be destroyed?! You destroyed history! Honor!“]]
