CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Johannesburg, South Africa –

In a rundown townhouse, the team gathered to work on their plan. Of the servers in question, the one in Johannesburg would be the easiest to access. They sat around their wobbly dining table for dinner and discussion.

"While I was holed up in Prague, I found a way to stun The Entity using part of the code I found in my hard drive. I don't think it would stay down for more than five minutes. By then, The Entity would find a way to come back online," Luther said.

"Can you use that code to force The Entity out of the other servers, trapping in this one?" Ethan asked.

"I can, but it'll know I'm trying to hack it. It might double back on my signal and shut me down before I can shut it down," Luther responded.

Benji pointed at a crate with his fork. "We have that."

"Good point. That might work," Luther agreed.

"Will Gabriel know we're coming to this server?" Grace asked.

Ethan and Ilsa spoke in unison. "Definitely."

"Smashing. The whole gang will be back together again," Grace returned sarcastically.

"We can do this," Ethan assured the team. "I know we can do this because we have something Gabriel and The Entity don't have. We have love. Love for each other and love for humanity. Love that'll drive us to win this fight no matter what we're up against. Gabriel and some AI wouldn't know love if it bit them in the ankle, and that is what separates us."

Benji nodded his head with a discreet sniffle. "That was beautiful, Ethan. You could be a poet."

"I wouldn't go that far," Ethan chuckled. "Let's just finish our dinner and get some rest before tomorrow. We'll need it."

They finished their dinner in good spirits. Benji and Luther left the table to discuss how they were going to use the source code as a weapon. Brandt and Grace stayed in their seats to chat over coffee. Meanwhile, Ethan and Ilsa went to the rooftop for some time alone.

"Not as pretty as Venice, but I suppose it'll do," Ilsa murmured.

Ethan stood behind her with his arms circling her waist. His cheek moved forward to balance against hers. "I don't like Venice. It reminds me of how I almost lost you."

"Almost. I'm right here."

"You're ready for tomorrow?"

"I'm ready," she confirmed. Her arms overlapped his as she thoughtfully hummed. "After we complete this mission, I think we should go on holiday. A short sabbatical would be nice."

Ethan grinned at the idea. "I haven't had a vacation in years. Where would we go?"

"I don't know. We could go somewhere warm. Spend our time in the water or riding motorcycles. Or we could go somewhere in the mountains. Stay by the fire in a cabin. Honestly, I don't care as long as I'm with you—and we aren't running from bullets for a change."

"That last part is a tall order."

Ilsa turned in Ethan's arms so they were facing one another. "It is. However, we could try to be normal people for a bit. What do you think?"

"Say it again."

She spoke the words he wanted to hear. "Come away with me."

"Yes. I will."

"Is that a promise?"

He gave a slow nod. "It's a promise. Now, it's your turn to promise."

"I promise we'll go," Ilsa returned. She left a small kiss on his jaw. "I'll follow you anywhere, Ethan. Your fight is my fight."

They kissed against the South African skyline. Afterwards, they snuck into their bedroom through the window. They didn't want the others to know where they were or what they were doing. With so much on the line, even with their confidence, they couldn't help feeling uneasy. They wanted to spend the night folded into each other. They thrived on their connection, and they slept soundly in one another's grasp.

The other team members did not sleep as well as Ethan and Ilsa. The sheer magnitude of their mission loomed over them like a black shadow. When they gathered for breakfast, this fearfulness was apparent. Ethan continued to assure them that they'd be fine, though his promises only calmed his team somewhat.

As the time came to initiate their plan, Luther approached Ilsa. "You built a fantastic computer."

"Thank you, Luther. I know it's not as good as you or Benji could do, but I did my best," Ilsa said.

Luther shook his head. "You did as good as we could've done. I'm glad you're all right. I wasn't sure how Ethan was going to go on without you. Even when you two were apart, I know you were with him in his heart."

"He was always with me too," she whispered.

"I didn't approve of you and Ethan being together at first, but I think that I may have been wrong. He needs you. I once told you to walk away if you cared about him. Now, I'm telling you that you better not leave him."

"Trust me. I'm not running. Not ever."

Luther gave his nod of approval. He and Benji worked to load their supplies into the car. Brandt and Ethan were ironing out a few details in the kitchen. That allowed Grace to wander up to Ilsa next. Grace wasn't sure where to start.

"Ilsa, I…you saved my life. I want to thank you for it."

"You're welcome," Ilsa replied simply.

Grace wasn't done. "Why did you save me? You don't know me."

"I don't let innocent people die."

"I wasn't innocent. I was a thief. I ran off from Ethan every chance I had. I—"

"That doesn't mean you deserved to die," Ilsa interrupted. "I believe in the importance of the one life. The one person. That's why I stepped in. I'm glad I did. We need you today."

Smiling, Grace nodded. "I know. I'm ready."

"Good. All I ask is that you keep your mind on the task at hand and not William Brandt."

Grace blushed. "These American agents. What can we do?"

"Ready?" Ethan asked as he and Brandt joined Ilsa and Grace.

"Ready," Grace confirmed. She went to pick up her duffel bag of materials, but Brandt beat her to it.

He flashed a clueless smile. "I've got it. After you."

"Thanks," Grace returned.

They left for the car out front. Ethan and Ilsa had a quick laugh about Grace's crush and Brandt's obliviousness. Then, they moved in for a passionate kiss. It was a farewell kiss, one that came with the possibility of being a permanent goodbye. Ilsa placed her hands on Ethan's cheeks, and he gently held onto her wrists.

"You know what to do," he said.

"Yes. Watch your back, Ethan."

"You too."

Ethan left their safehouse to join the rest of the team in the car. Ilsa stayed back, though her time would most certainly come.