Volume Two
Chapter Five: Scorpion's Sting
INT. SAFE ROOM – NIGHT
The coalition's energy shifted the moment Team Scorpion entered. Walter O'Brien was already hunched over the main laptop, fingers flying across the keys. Happy Quinn unpacked a case of custom gadgets, setting up a portable jammer and a makeshift surveillance grid. Sylvester Dodd nervously eyed the cartel members, while Toby Curtis, ever the wildcard, leaned back and observed the chaos with a knowing grin.
WALTER (focused):
"I've isolated the masking tech's digital signature. It's sophisticated, but not unbreakable. If we can intercept a live transmission, I can trace it back to the source."
OLIVIA (impressed):
"You can do that from here?"
HAPPY (without looking up):
"Give us a minute and a strong enough WiFi signal, and we can do it from the moon."
SYLVESTER (muttering):
"Preferably somewhere with less gunfire…"
PAIGE (stepping in, voice warm and commanding):
"All right, everyone. We're not here to reinvent the wheel—just to make sure it doesn't fall off the bus. Cartel, cops, geniuses—let's try not to trip over our own egos for the next hour, okay?"
She shot a pointed look at both sides, her signature sarcasm breaking the tension.
PAIGE:
"Seriously, if you all keep posturing, I'm going to start assigning friendship bracelets and trust falls. And trust me, nobody wants to see Voight and Lucía in a three-legged race."
A ripple of laughter ran through the room, and the ice began to melt.
TOBY (to Paige, sotto voce):
"Is it weird that I'm actually rooting for the cartel in that race?"
SYLVESTER:
"Only if they have to do it blindfolded."
WALTER (interrupting):
"Focus, people. I'm picking up a signal spike—someone's trying to mask another identity, right now. If we move fast, we can intercept it."
HAPPY (grabbing her toolkit):
"Let's go. I've got a device that'll let us see through their digital smoke and mirrors."
OLIVIA:
"Everyone, gear up. This is our shot."
MCCALL:
"Scorpion leads the tech. NYPD and cartel cover the perimeter. We move as one."
As the coalition mobilized, Paige lingered for a moment, catching everyone's eye.
PAIGE (grinning):
"Remember: if this goes sideways, just blame the guy with the most gadgets. That's what I always do."
The team headed out, united for the first time—cops, cartel, and Team Scorpion, each bringing their strengths to the fight. The city outside was still full of shadows, but for the first time, the coalition was ready to strike back.
End of Chapter Five