Zunafets and Aitnys walked through the dimly lit hallway of their safe house. The day's events were still running through their minds—Peter's bold move in court had sent shockwaves through the government.
Aitnys crossed her arms. "Peter really threw a grenade into this whole mess. By tomorrow, this country might not be the same anymore."
Zunafets exhaled. "If he makes it to tomorrow. You saw the way the prosecutor reacted—he's stalling. They need time to plan their next move."
Just as he finished speaking, his trained instincts kicked in. His eyes darted to the security monitor near the entrance. The red light flashed. Someone was outside.
Aitnys immediately grabbed her gun. "Damn it. We're being watched."
They exchanged a silent nod before moving cautiously toward the window. Zunafets peeked through the blinds and saw a black sedan parked nearby. The headlights were off, but the faint glow of a cigarette ember was visible through the tinted glass.
Aitnys whispered, "FTO?"
Zunafets shook his head. "Could be them. Or someone worse."
A soft click came from the front door. Someone was picking the lock.
Without hesitation, Zunafets pulled his gun and signaled to Aitnys. They took positions on either side of the door.
The lock turned.
The door creaked open slightly.
Zunafets didn't hesitate—he grabbed the intruder by the collar and slammed him against the wall, gun pressed to his temple.
Aitnys aimed her gun at the man's chest. "Talk. Who sent you?"
The man raised his hands. His face was shadowed by his hood, but his voice was.
The Next Morning – Shocking Headlines
Across various television channels and social media platforms, the morning news sent shockwaves through the nation.
📺 BREAKING NEWS: PETER NIMOOWAHC'S TRIAL SPARKS NATIONAL TURMOIL!
A female reporter delivered the news with a serious expression:
"The trial of Peter Nimoowahc, better known by his alias 'Teerces,' is intensifying. During yesterday's hearing, he claimed to possess evidence that could shake the government. Meanwhile, thousands of protesters have gathered outside the courthouse demanding justice. His supporters, including former SIN agents and members of his late father's cartel, are calling for accountability regarding an alleged grand conspiracy involving FTO."
📺 "Could this be the beginning of a new revolution? Or the downfall of Peter Nimoowahc?"
Live footage from outside the courthouse showed a massive crowd waving banners that read "Justice for Teerces!", "Down with the corrupt!", and "Stop the New Order!".
On the other side, pro-government groups labeled Peter as a traitor. Clashes between both sides were beginning to break out.
Inside the government offices Top officials sat anxiously in a conference room. One minister slammed his fist on the table. "How did this information leak so quickly?! Who's responsible?"
A nervous intelligence officer responded, "We're investigating, but it seems another hacker is helping Teerces spread the data..."
The new FTO leader straightened his suit. "This has gone too far. If we don't act now, our power could crumble overnight. We must act… before Peter Nimoowahc reveals anything else."
📺 BREAKING NEWS: Anonymous sources claim there is a threat to Peter Nimoowahc's life. Could there be an assassination attempt during today's trial?
Meanwhile, inside the holding cell…
Peter watched the news on a small screen in his cell. He smirked slightly.
"It has begun."
A key witness for Peter's trial was nearly framed for a crime he didn't commit. The trap was set perfectly, but Zunafets, who was driving, noticed something suspicious and took a different route.
Back to Peter Inside the detention center, Peter sat calmly in his cell when suddenly, a single police officer arrived to escort him.
Peter narrowed his eyes. Strange… Usually, there would be more than one officer, and my lawyer should be present.
He didn't say anything and played along, following the officer through the corridors.
As they entered a transport vehicle, Peter observed his surroundings. The car took an unexpected turn—not the usual route to court.
His instincts screamed: This is a setup.
In the middle of the ride, Peter acted.
With lightning speed, he struck the officer's vital points—a precise blow to the throat and a swift kick to the ribs. The officer gasped, losing control of the vehicle for a moment.
Taking the opportunity, Peter seized the officer's gun, disarmed him, and knocked him out.
The car screeched to a halt.
Peter opened the door, stepped out onto the road, and exhaled.
"Guess I'll be handling things on my own now."
After freeing himself from the handcuffs, Peter drove himself to the courthouse. No escort, no restraints—he walked in on his own terms.
The security officers and prosecutors were stunned to see him.
"Are you planning to escape?" one officer asked.
Peter smirked. "If I wanted to escape, I wouldn't be standing here right now."
The trial began.
The courtroom was packed with reporters and citizens eager to see what would happen to the infamous Teerces.
The judge struck the gavel. "We will start with witness statements."
Peter's defense attorney stood up, presenting arguments, but the judges seemed disinterested.
Then suddenly, one of the judges brought up Peter's father.
Peter, who had remained composed until now, shot the judge a sharp glare. "My father? They killed him, you bastard!!"
The room fell silent.
Peter's voice was firm, filled with raw emotion. "If I didn't care about this country, I wouldn't have gotten involved. I know I'm not someone to be admired, but I was only doing my duty!"
One of the judges mocked him, trying to break his resolve.
Peter's eyes burned red with anger. "What is this, huh?! You're all bribed too, aren't you?!"
The judges started shifting in their seats, clearly uneasy.
Peter let out a small smirk, but there was nothing friendly about it. "You know what? I've gathered evidence of all your bribes… every last one of them."
He turned his gaze to the high-ranking officials in the room.
"If I have to face the death penalty, so be it. But before that, I'll play this video and show my final proof."
Panic spread among the judges and officials.
"All of your corruption will be exposed here, in front of the entire nation!"
A prosecutor tried to interrupt, but Peter cut him off.
"Don't even try! I have the right to speak!"
With unwavering confidence, Peter opened his laptop. His finger hovered over the play button…
The truth was about to be revealed.
The courtroom was dead silent. All eyes were on Peter, his finger hovering over the play button on his laptop.
The judges and government officials shifted nervously in their seats. The prosecution whispered among themselves, clearly alarmed.
Peter took a deep breath. "Before I press this, let me ask you all something… What do you fear more? The truth or the people knowing it?"
The chief judge slammed his gavel. "Teerces! This is a court of law, not your personal stage!"
Peter laughed dryly. "A court of law? Don't make me laugh! You people never wanted justice—you just wanted control."
Odlan and Optimus clenched their fists, watching from the gallery. Enimsya Reppan, Peter's lawyer, sat calmly but was ready to intervene.
The prosecutor smirked. "Even if you have proof, do you think the court will allow this?"
Peter grinned darkly. "I don't need permission. The world is already watching."
He turned the laptop toward the live broadcast cameras and pressed PLAY.
A video began playing on the giant screen behind him—a compilation of secret meetings, bribery transactions, and illegal activities involving top government officials, including the very people judging him today.
The courtroom erupted.
Gasps. Shouting. Chaos.
The judges' faces turned pale.
One senior official stood up, yelling, "This is illegal! Cut the feed!"
But it was too late.
The entire country was already watching.
The judge slammed his gavel.
"Based on the evidence and testimonies presented, this court finds the defendant, Peter Nimoowahc, guilty of multiple cyber crimes and criminal activities that threaten national stability. The court hereby sentences the defendant to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole!"
The courtroom erupted in chaos.
Odlan and Optimus were in shock. Aitnys clenched his fists. Enimsya, Peter's lawyer, tried to protest, but the microphone had already been cut off.
Meanwhile, at the government headquarters, several ministers smirked. Beside them, members of FTO stood confidently. One of them whispered:
"Just as expected. No one can stand against us."
Back at the courthouse...
The situation outside had reached a boiling point.
Dozens of SIN agents armed to the teeth surrounded the courthouse. Their leader spoke into the radio:
"This verdict is pure corruption. We can't let this happen."
In the sky, the roar of helicopters echoed.
An international elite organization had intervened.
The protesters grew even more furious.
Shouts filled the air:
"Free Teerces!"
"This is injustice!"
"The government is corrupt!"
The tension was at its peak. Peter stood firm, expressionless.
He gazed at the judge and the officials smirking at him, then smirked back.
"This game isn't over yet..."
As two officers grabbed Peter's arms to escort him out, he swiftly broke free, snatching a gun from one of them.
Gasps filled the courtroom.
Peter aimed the pistol straight at the judges. His eyes burned with fury.
"You think this is justice?" Peter's voice echoed through the hall. "You sit there, wearing your robes, pretending to uphold the law—but you're all just puppets! Corrupt, spineless cowards!"
The head judge swallowed hard. "Lower your weapon, Peter. This won't change anything."
Peter laughed coldly. "Won't change anything? Look around. The people out there know the truth! You think sentencing me to life will make them stop?"
Security forces raised their guns.
"Drop the weapon, Nimoowahc!"
Peter didn't budge.
The tension was unbearable.
Odlan and Optimus stood frozen. Enimsya's breath hitched. Aitnys clenched his jaw.
Then, Peter smirked.
"You're afraid, aren't you?" He cocked the gun. "Afraid of the truth."
Suddenly—BOOM!
The courthouse doors burst open! SIN agents stormed in!
"Move! Move! Get Peter out of here!"
Gunfire erupted. Chaos took over.
The real battle had just begun.
BANG!
Peter fired a shot beside one of the judges—not to kill, but to send a clear message.
The room erupted into chaos. Guards rushed in, but Peter was already on the move.
Without hesitation, he sprinted toward the exit.
Zunafets was waiting in the back hallway, ready to assist.
"Come on, move!" Zunafets pulled him along, leading him out of the courthouse, which was now surrounded by law enforcement.
Outside, Optimus had the car ready, engine roaring.
Peter jumped in.
Odlan, in the front seat, yelled, "Go! Go! Go!"
The car sped off, leaving chaos behind.
Meanwhile, sirens blared. The FTO quickly mobilized their forces to hunt Peter down.
Odlan laughed as the car sped through the streets. "Yo, Peter! This wasn't part of the plan, but damn, you're a genius!"
Peter took a deep breath, gripping the dashboard. "I had no choice. They were never going to let me walk out of that courtroom alive."
Optimus swerved the car into a side alley, avoiding a roadblock. "We've got heat on us. FTO and the cops are both after you now."
Zunafets' voice crackled over the radio. "Head to the safe house. We've got a plan."
Peter smirked, looking back at the flashing lights chasing them. "Then let's give them a show before we disappear."
The chase was far from over.
As they finally reached the safe house, the tension was still thick in the air. Zunafets was already inside, waiting with several SIN agents and representatives from the international elite organization.
Odlan patted Peter's shoulder while laughing. "Wow, this is amazing... I had no idea you had connections this big! Everyone's on your side, Pet. So, you have to come back and join after this is over!"
Peter looked at all of them with a serious expression. "I don't care who's on my side. What matters to me now is how we can take down those bastards and clean this country of corruption."
One of the SIN agents stepped forward. "That's exactly why we're here. The corrupt government, FTO, and all those dirty officials—they've been in power for too long. We need you, Teerces. Not just as a hacker, but as a symbol of resistance."
Peter glanced at all of them, then let out a deep breath. "I never wanted to be a hero. But if this is the only way..."
He turned to Odlan and Optimus. "Are you two ready?"
Optimus grinned. "Always."
Odlan shrugged. "I just wanna see you cause some chaos again."
Zunafets crossed his arms. "Then let's begin the final plan."
The safe house was no longer safe. FTO agents had arrived, and chaos erupted. Gunfire echoed through the building as both sides clashed.
Peter sprinted toward the rooftop, dodging bullets and returning fire. He took cover behind a ventilation unit and aimed carefully, taking down several FTO operatives below.
Suddenly—a cold metallic sensation pressed against the back of his head.
Peter froze. He could hear the faint sound of breathing behind him. Slowly, he turned his head slightly and his eyes widened in shock.
The man holding the gun was someone he never expected to see again. A former ally. A ghost from his past.
"You…?" Peter muttered, disbelief in his voice.
The agent smirked, but his eyes held something deeper—a conflict, a hesitation.
"Long time no see, Peter," the man said, his grip on the gun steady.
Peter clenched his jaw. Of all people, why him?