Codename: Jumping Spider [Published]

Two

“You will go down within ten minutes. Take my word for it,” Catherine said smoothly, giving the guy in front of her a lazy smirk.

The guard sneered at her. “You think?” he scoffed. “I’m the one with a gun here. All you have with you is a big bowl of nothing, if you count that as your weapon.” He let out a derisive laugh.

She merely raised her eyebrows at him, studying him with narrowed eyes. “For some reason, I’d like to see you handle a gun,” she stated in a challenging tone. “Maybe then you’ll be able to look intimidating.”

A corner of his eye twitched slightly at her words, and she knew that she’d hit a nerve.

She leaned back against her chair, crossing a leg over the other. “Look around you. I heard that this place is built with the highest-level security system, yet I managed to slip into the core of the building unnoticed – alone. Do you really think that I would have come unprepared?”

“Too bad you can’t get out now,” he jeered. “The whole building is on lockdown, and there is nothing you can do about it. You’re stuck here with me.” Her ears pricked at the information, and she let out a low chuckle. “And who did you think put the building on lockdown? Hacking into your security system wasn’t that hard, you know.” That was a lie, of course. She wasn’t that tech-savvy. She was going to have to deal with that problem later. For now, she would have to take him down first before security backup arrive.

For the first time, a hint of uncertainty passed the guard’s face. The guard pointed his pistol at her, narrowing his eyes. “Do you think that I would believe that? Locking down the building is the dumbest act for a solo thief like you.”

“A solo thief?” She pretended to frown, only to smooth out her forehead a moment later. “Right, I am in this alone.” She nodded to herself. Then she gave him a taunting smile. “Or am I?”

A confused look appeared on the guard’s face. Her eyes went to the exit door, and she gave a small nod in that direction. The guard caught her sudden movement, and immediately he spun around, bracing himself for an ambush. She quickly stood up, taking this opportunity to wrap her arm around his neck, pulling him into a headlock. Using the other hand, she smashed his head on the chair behind her. Immediately, the guard went limp in her grip.

She checked her watch. It had taken her less than five minutes. She laughed quietly, shaking her head. She had underestimated herself.

She briefly scanned her surroundings before sweeping out of the room, leaving the unconscious guard behind. Next stop: the database.

~

“You wished to see me, sir?” Catherine asked politely, knocking on the door before entering the major general’s office.

The man behind the desk raised his head and smiled when he saw her. He was in his mid-forties, but the twinkle in his piercing blue eyes made it hard to tell his real age. He was properly groomed, with short blond hair, giving him a professional look. He stood up to greet her, addressing her with apparent delight.