"They're taken care of," Zarek said flatly, leaning his head back against the headrest as if nothing had happened. "Keep driving, Troll."Captain Troll didn't say a word. He just let out a low whistle, his hands turning the heavy steering wheel as he guided the massive armored truck through one last sharp curve.A moment later, the rough, uneven dirt and cracked asphalt of the mountain backcountry finally gave way to smooth, wide concrete. The truck bumped gently as its tires caught the painted lines of Interstate 95. The main road was completely tching out beneath the pouring rain like a long black ribbon, but the sight of highway signs and standard green exit markers meant they were finally out of Director Vance's immediate territory."We're on the main grid now," Troll reported, turning the windshield wipers down a notch as the heavy downpour settled into a steady drizzle. "No more security patrols, no more off-grid interceptors. From here on out, we’re just another commercial v

"Yes," Zarek said with a slow nod. "Vance isn't running a fake security business. He’s building a massive illegal drug network to supply underground armies across the country. If the feds get these papers, they won't just lock up his bank accounts. They’ll send SWAT teams to tear down his whole operation."Troll gripped the steering wheel tighter. "That changes everything. If the Director figures out you have those lab blueprints, he won't just send regular guards to get them back. He’ll burn this city down to hide the evidence. He can't let anyone see those files.""Which is why we have to move fast," Zarek said, staring out into the dark night. "As soon as we get to the safe house, we copy the files, send them to our people on the outside, and destroy the papers.”Troll slammed his boot down on the gas. The heavy diesel engine roared, and the huge black truck sped down the empty highway. The rain was finally stopping, leaving the road slick and shiny under the yellow streetlights

Zarek looked at Troll, then back at Elara, his face expressionless. "He's the driver.""I can see he drives, Zarek," Elara said, her tone dropping into a tight whisper. "Who is he really? We didn't plan for a fourth."Troll pocketed the heavy key fob and raised his hands in a peace offering, giving Elara a calm nod. "Captain Troll. Freelance transport and security. As of three hours ago, an ex-employee of Director Vance who decided he didn't want to die for a bad paycheck."Shaw, limping toward the doorway while clutching his ribs, called over his shoulder, "He helped us clear the mountain perimeter and took out the interceptors on the highway, Elara. He's the only reason we aren't wrapped around a pine tree right now."Elara didn't relax her grip on her weapon. "An ex-employee of Vance. That's a dangerous resume to bring to my front door.""It's fine," Zarek rumbled. His deep voice carried a weight that finally made Elara drop her hand from her waist. "He proved his worth on th

Outside, the rain had started up again, drumming a relentless beat against the rusted metal structures of the industrial district.High in the wet branches of an old oak tree overlooking a dark intersection, Shaw questioned every choice that had led him to this moment. He clung to the trunk, a deep frown etched on his face as he shifted his weight, causing his cracked ribs to flare with white-hot agony.‘That absolute bastard, ’ Shaw cursed Zarek bitterly in his head, groaning softly as he pressed a hand to his side. 'He’s so good at it,' he says. 'He has eyes everywhere,' he says. I’m literally bleeding under my shirt, and he lets me walk right out into a downpour to climb a tree. If I survive this, I’m charging him double for therapy.He clamped his jaw shut, forcing himself to go completely still as low voices drifted through the rain.Directly below his perch, three men dressed in dark, unbadged tactical gear slipped from the shadows of an alleyway. They weren't wearing Vance's

As if sensing Zarek's thoughts, Vance slowly raised his head.His eyes met Zarek's, and a wide, arrogant smirk broke across his face. He didn't say a word, but the dark confidence in his smile made it clear: Vance believed he still held the winning hand, and that his unseen backer was already moving on the board."Did you really think the encryption on your mountain server would hold?" Zarek asked, his voice low and steady. "You buried the transfers under ten layers of black-budget shell companies, but you left a trace. We found the routing protocols, Vance. We know about F3."The moment the codename left Zarek's lips, the smug grin vanished. Vance's jaw tightened, and his eyes darted away for a fraction of a second before he forced a calm mask back into place."You're bluffing," Vance sneered, though the seed of doubt had clearly taken root. "You don't know anything about F3. If you did, you wouldn't be standing here talking to me.""I know enough," Zarek replied smoothly, taking a