Chapter 7

7

SCARLETT

S carlett sat at her workstation, the soft hum of servers around her providing a faint background noise that was usually soothing. Today, however, the noise seemed grating, adding to the cacophony in her mind. The night she spent with Ros replayed over and over, a mix of elation and dread twisting her stomach into knots. She couldn't shake the feeling that eyes were on her. Every whisper, every glance seemed laden with meaning and suspicion. She knew the risks and what it would mean for both of them if they were found out. But no matter how many times she reminded herself of the danger, she couldn't bring herself to regret a single moment she had spent with Ros.

The console in front of her beeped, drawing her out of her thoughts. Scarlett's eyes snapped to the screen, where a red alert flashed ominously. A security breach.

Scarlett's fingers flew across the keyboard, her mind shifting gears. From what she could see, the breach was deep, targeting sensitive military data that could jeopardize not only their current operations but the safety of every soldier on the base. She quickly relayed the information to the cybersecurity team, who was already scrambling to assess the damage and trace the source.

"Captain Bennett, we need you on this," one of the lead cybersecurity officers said.

Scarlett nodded, steeling herself. The weight of responsibility settled on her shoulders, and for a moment, it drowned out the noise in her head. The only thing that mattered now was stopping the breach.

Scarlett's fingers danced across the keyboard with practiced precision, her mind fully engaged in the task before her.

She quickly assessed the situation, her eyes scanning the lines of code that streamed across the monitor. The attackers had embedded themselves deep within the network, bypassing security checks and firewalls completely. It was like trying to root out a parasite that had burrowed into the very core of the base's digital infrastructure.

Scarlett felt a surge of anxiety tightening in her chest, but she pushed it down. She didn't have the luxury of time to worry about what might happen if she failed. The only thing that mattered was finding the breach and neutralizing it.

"Focus, Scarlett. Focus," she muttered to herself, her voice barely audible over the low hum of the servers around her.

However hard she tried to keep her mind on the task, her thoughts kept drifting back to Ros, to the night they had shared and the secret they were desperately trying to keep. Every time she thought she'd gotten a grip on her emotions, a memory of Ros's touch or the way her lips felt against Scarlett's skin would surface, threatening to distract her. But Scarlett forced those thoughts aside, channeling all her energy into the task.

"Captain Bennett, we've got multiple intrusion points!" one of the cybersecurity team members called out, pulling Scarlett back into the moment.

"I see them," Scarlett replied, her voice tight with concentration. "They're using a distributed attack pattern, trying to overload the system by hitting multiple weak spots at once. We need to isolate each one and shut them down, or they'll bring the whole network down."

She brought up several diagnostic windows, her fingers moving faster than ever as she issued commands to the system. Scarlett traced the flow of data, following the digital trail left by the intruders. They were smart, using encryption protocols and routing their attack through multiple servers around the world to mask their origin.

Scarlett's mind raced as she worked through the layers of the attack. She knew she had to outthink them and anticipate their next move before they could execute it. She began setting up traps within the system—digital honey pots designed to lure the attackers into revealing themselves. It was a risky strategy; if the attackers realized what she was doing, they could switch tactics, making it even harder to stop them.

"Come on, show me where you're hiding," Scarlett whispered, her eyes narrowing as she watched the data streams.

One by one, the traps sprang. The attackers took the bait, sending packets of data into the decoy systems Scarlett had set up. For a moment, she felt a flicker of hope. Maybe she could contain this before it got worse.

But then, the main system alarm blared, and Scarlett's heart sank. The attackers had found a way to bypass one of her traps, breaking into a critical subsystem that controlled communications. If they gained control there, they could cut off the base's ability to coordinate its defenses, leaving everyone vulnerable.

"Damn it!" Scarlett hissed, her frustration mounting.

She quickly rerouted the communication channels, creating a temporary backup system to keep the base connected. It wasn't a perfect solution, but it bought her a little more time to track down the source of the breach. Scarlett could feel the pressure building, the weight of the entire base's safety resting on her shoulders. Every second mattered.

"Okay, okay, think." Her brain worked overtime to find a solution. "They're fast, but they're not infallible. There has to be something they've overlooked."

Scarlett's eyes scanned the code, looking for any anomalies, any pattern that didn't fit. And then she saw it: a small, seemingly insignificant piece of code that didn't belong. It was well-hidden, buried deep within the normal traffic, but Scarlett's trained eye caught it.

"There you are." She exhaled, her fingers flying over the keys.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she found the breach's point of origin: an unprotected access point buried deep within the system. Scarlett isolated the threat, cutting off the attackers and sealing the vulnerability. The relief that flooded through her was almost enough to bring tears to her eyes.

"We're secure," Scarlett announced, her voice strained from hours of tension.

Scarlett slumped back in her chair, the adrenaline slowly ebbing away, leaving her drained but triumphant.

"Status report!" Ros barked, her voice cutting through the controlled chaos of the command center. Officers and technicians scrambled to provide updates, their faces taut with concentration.

"Communications are stable, General Carson," one officer reported. "But the power grid is under heavy attack. We're diverting resources to reinforce it, but it's touch-and-go."

Ros clenched her jaw. The power grid was the lifeblood of the base; without it, they'd be plunged into darkness, both literally and figuratively. She knew Scarlett was down in the cybersecurity wing fighting tooth and nail to keep the grid stable. The thought of Scarlett alone and under pressure twisted Ros's stomach into knots.

She pushed the thought aside. She couldn't afford to be distracted—not now, not with everything on the line. Scarlett was one of the best engineers she had ever known. If anyone could pull them through this, it was her. Ros had to trust that Scarlett would do her job while she focused on hers.

"General, we've got reports of increased insurgent activity on the north perimeter," another officer informed her, his voice tinged with urgency. "They're testing our defenses, looking for a weak spot."

Ros nodded sharply. "Send a reinforcement team to the north perimeter. Double up on the patrols and make sure the turrets are fully operational. We can't let them breach the fence."

The officer relayed her orders. Ros's gaze flicked to the map on the central screen where red dots that indicated insurgent positions seemed to be multiplying by the second. They were everywhere, pressing the base from all sides. It was clear that the cyberattack was just one prong of a larger, more coordinated assault.

"General, there's an issue with the south gate," another voice called out. "The automated defense system is glitching, likely due to the malware. We're trying to reroute."

Ros felt a cold sweat break out along her spine. If the south gate failed, it would create a breach large enough for the insurgents to storm the base. She could almost see it in her mind—the flood of armed men pouring through the gate, overwhelming her soldiers and reaching the command center. Reaching Scarlett.

"Get a team down there now," Ros ordered, her voice steely. "If the system can't be fixed in time, they're to defend the gate manually. We cannot let it fall."

The officer nodded and moved to carry out her orders, but Ros couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom. The insurgents were too close, their tactics too precise. They knew exactly where to hit, and they were hitting hard.

"General Carson," a technician called out, pulling her from her thoughts. "We've got an anomaly in the command center's systems. Looks like the malware's trying to breach our firewalls. It's targeting our operational controls."

Ros's blood ran cold. If the insurgents gained control of the command center, they could cripple the base's defenses from within. Everything would fall apart :communications, power, automated defenses, everything they relied on to keep Fort Independence secure.

"Divert all resources to protect the command center's systems," Ros commanded, her voice tight with urgency. "Lock down any non-essential functions and isolate the compromised sectors. We cannot lose control."

As the team scrambled to follow her orders, Ros's mind raced. The insurgents were relentlessly attacking on all fronts. She needed to stay one step ahead and anticipate their next move before they could execute it. This wasn't just a physical assault; it was a calculated strike at the very core of the base's operations. And it terrified her in a way that bullets and bombs never could.

The command center hummed with tense silence as the final lines of code flickered across the screens. Ros stood rigid, her hands gripping the edge of the console in front of her, knuckles white with strain. The entire base seemed to be holding its breath, waiting for the outcome that would determine their fate.

"Come on, Scarlett," she whispered under her breath, her eyes fixed on the screen that tracked the progress of the cybersecurity team. They were close, so close, but the insurgents' malware was insidious, slipping through their defenses like water through a sieve. Ros could only imagine the pressure Scarlett was under, the weight of the entire base resting on her shoulders. The thought made Ros's heart ache in a way that was almost unbearable. For what felt like an eternity, nothing happened. The dots on the screen representing critical systems continued to flash red, teetering on the edge of collapse. Ros's mind flicked through the worst-case scenarios: power failures, loss of communication, the base's defenses falling like dominoes. She could almost see the insurgents closing in, their victory handed to them without a single shot fired.

Then, suddenly, the red dots began to turn green.

One by one, the systems stabilized. The breach was closing, the malware being purged from their networks. Ros barely dared to breathe as she watched the progress bar creep toward completion, every second feeling like a lifetime.

"General Carson," a voice broke through the tension, "the breach has been contained. All systems are back online."

Ros's body sagged with the release of tension. She exhaled a long, shaky breath, the knot in her chest loosening as the reality of their victory set in.

They had done it. Scarlett had done it.

Scarlett walked the length of Fort Independence, her boots striking the ground with a steady rhythm, but something was off. Each step she took seemed to echo louder than usual, accompanied by the subtle yet unmistakable shift in the atmosphere as she entered various rooms across the base.

In the mess hall, she paused to grab a quick bite, her mind still buzzing from the intensity of the morning's events. She noticed a few glances in her direction. Nothing unusual at first—she was an officer, after all—but when the conversations around her started to fade into uncomfortable silence, she felt a prickle of unease. A couple soldiers at the far end of the room exchanged hurried whispers before turning their attention back to their trays, avoiding her gaze. Scarlett furrowed her brow but shrugged it off, assuming they were simply discussing the recent cyberattack.

Later, as she entered the communications center, the effect was more pronounced. The room, usually buzzing with activity, seemed to stutter to a halt the moment she stepped inside. Technicians and junior officers stopped what they were doing, their eyes flicking toward her before quickly darting away. A few hastily turned their backs, pretending to be absorbed in their work. The uneasy quiet that followed her was almost tangible, like a dark cloud creeping in her wake. Scarlett's heart pounded. She forced herself to keep her expression neutral, but her mind raced with possibilities. The base was a close-knit environment, and while professionalism was paramount, rumors had a way of spreading like wildfire.

What was it now? Her performance during the breach? Doubts about her ability to handle the pressure? Her secret dalliance with the general?

Her answer came soon enough. As she exited the communications center, a young lieutenant—one of her junior officers—approached her, glancing around nervously before speaking in a low voice.

"Captain Bennett," he began, his tone hesitant, "I think you should know…people are talking."

Scarlett's stomach tightened. "Talking about what?"

The lieutenant shifted uncomfortably, clearly wishing he could be anywhere else. "It's…well, some of the soldiers, they've noticed that you've been leaving General Carson's quarters early in the morning. More than once."

The air seemed to grow colder around Scarlett as the words hit her. She felt a chill run down her spine, her mouth going dry. Rumors. Of course. She tried to keep her expression calm, but inside, panic began to creep in.

How long had this been going on? How many people had noticed? And what were they saying?

"Thank you, Lieutenant," she managed to reply, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "I appreciate the heads-up."

The lieutenant nodded quickly, clearly relieved that she wasn't angry, and walked off, leaving Scarlett standing alone in the corridor. She stared at the wall in front of her, her mind racing. This was bad—worse than she'd feared. Rumors like this could destroy careers. She couldn't let this go on any longer. Scarlett knew she had to confront Ros to figure out what they were going to do. As much as she hated it, they needed to face this head-on.

That evening, Scarlett made her way to Ros's office, her steps heavy with dread. The corridors were quieter now, the base settling into the evening routine, but the tension she felt earlier hadn't dissipated. If anything, it was worse.

As she approached Ros's office, Scarlett noticed two officers standing a short distance away, their conversation falling silent as she drew near. They didn't bother hiding their curiosity; one of them even gave a pointed look toward Ros's door before glancing back at Scarlett. They were watching her, waiting to see what she would do. It wasn't just whispers anymore; they were openly tracking her movements, looking for confirmation of the rumors. She wasn't surprised. After learning about the gossip, she'd known any time they spent together would be eagerly observed. Her even being alone with Ros was a risk for the both of them. It wasn't just her own career on the line if they got caught. Ros had worked her whole life to get where she was now. Scarlett wasn't going to let a rumor trash all that hard work. They would have to be discreet. No more being alone in the briefing room, no more lingering glances. She wasn't going to let some petty gossip ruin this for the both of them. Scarlett clenched her fists, her resolve hardening. This couldn't continue. She pushed open the door to Ros's office without hesitation, closing it firmly behind her. The sight of Ros sitting behind her desk brought a brief moment of comfort, but it was quickly overshadowed by the reality of their situation.

Ros looked up, surprise flashing across her face before it was replaced by concern. She could tell immediately that something was wrong.

"Scarlett? What's going on?"

Scarlett took a deep breath, her eyes meeting Ros's with a mixture of determination and fear. "We need to talk," she said, her voice steady but laced with tension. "There are rumors going around—about us. They're saying I've been seen leaving your quarters early in the morning."

Ros's expression darkened, and she leaned back in her chair, her jaw tightening. The weight of the situation pressed down on both of them, the room suddenly feeling too small, too suffocating.

"I've noticed," Ros said quietly, her voice carrying the same tension Scarlett felt. "I was hoping it wouldn't come to this, but it seems we're out of time. We always knew this was a risk." Her voice was steady but laced with concern. "But we've got to face the facts. If people are already talking, it's only a matter of time before someone takes this up the chain."

Scarlett's heart pounded , but she refused to back down. "Ros, I don't want to lose this. I don't want to lose you. We've faced worse threats than gossip, and we can handle this too."

Ros studied Scarlett's face, seeing the resolve in her eyes. There was a moment of silence as she weighed the options and risks. Ending their relationship would be the safe, logical choice. But the thought of losing Scarlett, of turning their connection into just another casualty of military life, was unbearable.

"Then we have to be careful," Ros finally said, her voice firm but soft. "No more slipping out in the early hours. No more risky meetings. We have to keep this under wraps, and that means we don't let anyone see us together outside of a professional setting."

Scarlett nodded, relief washing over her. The thought of ending things had terrified her more than any battle she'd ever faced. But hearing Ros suggest a way forward gave her hope.

"I can do that," she said, her voice almost a whisper. "Whatever it takes."

Ros reached out, taking Scarlett's hand in hers, the contact sending a warm, reassuring current through her. "We'll have to be smart about this. We can't give anyone a reason to suspect anything. But we'll find a way to make this work."

Scarlett squeezed Ros's hand, a small smile playing on her lips despite the gravity of the situation. "We always do."

Ros let go of Scarlett's hand and stepped back, returning to her usual authoritative demeanor. "We'll need to be discreet, Scarlett. We'll make sure no one has any reason to question us. But for now, we have to act as if nothing's changed. We have to keep our focus."