As the door to the panic room closed, Alex felt the thud of the explosive charges blow the door open, and even through the reinforced floor he heard the Guard Corps soldiers storming into his home. On the camera he watched them rip his home apart, searching for him and his family. He watched Selyna walking up the stairs towards his office, followed by General Zaev and several other soldiers. Quickly he turned to his children, whose anxiety was painted across their faces.

“No matter what happens, I need you all to stay quiet, okay? No matter what. I love you both.” He said as calmly as he could to them.

They nodded quickly as their mother hugged them closer. The various muffled noises from outside were drowned out by their deep heartbeats as he felt the doors to his office kicked open.

“You said your men have been watching the exits since I ordered you to?” He heard Selyna said calmly through the door.

“Yes Commander, and when you issued the arrest order I doubled security as you instructed. Nobody has left or entered since.” A man’s voice said quickly.

“Then where the fuck are they?!” She yelled. “Explain to me how my dumbass brother, his whore wife, and their two kids managed to slip past you and your entire security detail. Or is there something you’re leaving out?”

“Of course not, I have no idea how-,” He began to say, but the next thing heard was a single gunshot, and the thud of a body hitting the floor.

On the camera he watched Selyna turn to one of the soldiers next to her.

“Sergeant. Don’t fail me like he did. Hunt down the traitor and bring them to me. Alive. Am I understood?” She asked.

“Yes Commander.” He said obediently, and ushered the other soldiers out of the room to continue the search, leaving Selyna and Zaev alone. Swiftly she walked over and closed the door and let out a deep sigh.

“This works out perfectly,” she said as she stared out the window. “It gives the impression of guilt.”

“What do we do when we find him and his family?” Zaev asked as he walked over to her.

“As much as I don’t like her, leave Gina unharmed, and my niece and nephew. We can transport them to safety.”

“And your brother?”

“He wants to be the puppet so bad then he can be. We’ll proceed with an execution when we find him, and even if we don’t he’ll be branded a traitor for killing my father. Anyways, anyone or anything that can prove I ordered the assassination is under direct control or eliminated, so we can link the order and everything to him.” She said finally.

Alex’s eyes widened in horror as he turned to me his wife’s same terrified gaze to see they’d reach the same conclusion. Selyna was the one responsible for their father’s death.

“I suggest we tighten security and screenings at airports and ports in case they try to leave the country by air or sea. Border Troops have already tightened measures on our land borders.” Zaev said to her as he leaned against the desk.

Selyna thought for a moment and nodded.

“Give the order once we’re in the car. We have to keep moving forward. This country is mine.” She added and began to walk out, and Zaev followed close behind.

After the steps faded, Alex turned back to Gina, who clutched their terrified children.

“She’s the one that did it. It all makes sense now.” Alex said blankly.

From the screen, he saw exiting the house. Quickly he turned on the speaker to hear the speech.

“Did you neutralize the rest of the security detail?” She asked the sergeant from earlier, who nodded quickly.

“Excellent,” She said with a smirk, “Pull your men out and torch the house. Make it look like an attempt to cover his tracks. Then continue to search the surrounding towns.”

The men nodded quickly, and followed their orders.