Gale flinched at the sound of the heavy wooden double doors of the Ann family’s east wing conference room. The twins were sitting on one side of the long table, looking way too comfortable for being guests, having their feet up resting on the table. Gerard walked in and kept a firm gaze at the twins’ feet on the table. Lily was sitting in the corner eyeing the two men with a hint of annoyance.

“Tea service, as requested, Young Miss,” Gerard put down the silver tray with cups and a steaming blue and white porcelain ceramic pot. “Will there be anything else?”

“That will be all, thank you,” Rachel said.

Gerard gave a small bow and left, shutting the doors with a soft click.

A big holographic table sat in the middle, showing a 3D blueprint of a warehouse complex. On the wall, a huge screen showed Mateo’s face lit up by the glow of monitors around him.

“Everyone settled?” Mateo asked. “Time’s short, and our window’s getting shorter.”

Lily took a seat. “Let’s get to the point.”

“Agreed,” Mateo said. The holographic display zoomed in on the warehouse. “First thing you need to know: this place isn’t abandoned. Not anymore.”

The image spun around, revealing labelled differences between the old warehouse a couple of months ago and now.

“We’re looking at a hardened Silver Lions black site,” Mateo said. “They’ve retrofitted the entire structure in the past couple months. Ether charged generator means their systems are powered off the grid, communications jammers, reinforced walls that stop most mundane weapons. The United Knights hit this place not long ago, making it perfect for the Lions to set up shop now.”

“Why?” Rachel asked.

“The myth goes: lightning doesn’t strike twice in the same place,” Kyle said. “Basic strategy and stupid. Lightning does strike at the same place.”

“Exactly. Now for the bad news. My sources confirm at least sixteen armed guards on the perimeter alone. All ex-special forces with direct combat experience against Awakened individuals,” Mateo said.

“And inside?” Lily asked.

“That’s where it gets interesting,” Mateo replied. “I’m picking up ether signatures that suggest a full security squad. Five attuned and one resonant. Not impossible odds for this group, but sources say that they’re trained specifically in containment and defense procedures. Take that as you will.”

Clyde leaned forward. “Any ID on the resonant?”

“Not yet. Working on it.”

The hologram changed again into three different 2D panels that showcased the interior layout on different levels. Catwalk, ground level, and a single underground level.

“Let’s talk entry points. I’ve highlighted camera blind spots in blue and probable kill zones in red. This area here,” Mateo said as the image zoomed to the centre of the complex at the underground level. “This is where they’re keeping Ollie. It’s a reinforced sub-level room. Basically a vault. One way in, one way out.”

Gale stood up, squinting his eyes to see the most direct route, but he never really read layouts or blueprints before. “What’s the fastest way in?”

“Fastest is loudest, and loudest usually gets the hostage killed.” Lily adjusted the hologram, highlighting two sections of the building. The front south facing entrance and the more empty northern side. “We go in quiet. Two-team infiltration. One creates a diversion at the loading dock here, drawing attention and resources away. The second team breaches from the roof at this point, where there’s structural weakness in their security setup.”

Kyle scoffed and crossed his arms. “Shit’s too complicated. I say we go in, guns blazing, pew pew pew pew. Sword boy can handle a couple of attuned himself. Besides, Ollie’s survived worse than this. It’s that idiot’s fault for getting caught in the first place.”

“Second that,” Clyde said. “We got our own pack of resonants.”

Lily put her hands on her hips, turning to the twins. “Why are you two even here? This isn’t a Path operation.”

“We’re Ollie’s friends too,” Kyle said. “Sort of. It’s complicated.”

“What he means,” Clyde said, “is that we owe him… after the Vancouver incident.”

“Your approach is too risky. We don’t know Ollie’s condition or what leverage they have over him. If they’ve taken precautions against his abilities, charging in will just get him killed,” Rachel said.

“Thank you,” Lily said. “Did you get the equipment I asked for?”

Rachel smiled, pointing to six black cases stacked near the door. “I got more than you asked for. Breach charges, anti-mage shockbangs, miscellaneous magic scrolls, multiple long guns, a box of assorted Glory-tech ammunition, a bunch of syringe guns, null field generators, and a bag of grey marbles and red marbles.”

Lily walked over to check the cases, opening one to reveal neatly packed full equipment. “We aren’t raiding a rift. We can’t carry all this and stay mobile.”

“Leave it to me.” Gale approached the pile. Left hand fished out the storage box in his pocket, opened the interface, and willed the five cases to go into a single slot, while leaving one out for Lily to examine.

“Bet you that Ollie wanted that box thingy,” Kyle said.

“Bet you want that shit too,” Clyde said.

“Alright. Let’s talk team assignments,” Lily said. “Kyle and Clyde, you’re on diversion.”

“What?” Kyle said. “We should be part of the main assault.”

“No,” Lily said. “You’ll be using your Path credentials to make the Silver Lions keep their heads down. Your job is to pretend to investigate around the perimeter, which will effectively dismantle their security unless they want the Path to raid their operation.”

“Not a bad play. The Lions won’t risk open conflict with the Path. Not after what happened in Montreal,” Clyde said.

“Exactly,” Lily said. “While you two have them dancing on eggshells, Gale, Rachel, and I will infiltrate during the distraction. Mateo will guide us through blind spots to reach the vault.”

“What if I scout ahead and get intel, relay it back?” Gale asked. He could technically just phase through the walls and maybe get Ollie back too. He’d gotten the knuckle guards out in one piece and not get caught; this would be easy going in solo.

“Not a chance,” Rachel said. “We fight together.”

“Rachel’s right.” Mateo said. “High chance there’s sutras laid out all over the walls that could corner you into a trap if they chose to.”

Right. Last time he almost got trapped in the service tunnels.

“Mateo, go on,” Lily said.

Mateo nodded on the screen. “I’ll have real-time positioning of all security personnel. As long as you stay on my route, you should avoid direct confrontation.”

“Once we reach the vault?” Rachel asked.

“We assess, then breach,” Lily answered. “We’ll have to play that part by ear depending on what we find.”

If you come across this story on Amazon, it’s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

“How do we get out?” Gale asked.

“Same way we came in, if possible,” Lily said. “If not, we improvise. Any questions?”

Kyle raised his hand. Rachel elbowed him sharply, and he put it back down with a scowl.

Gale looked directly at Lily. “What’s the success rate on this plan?”

Lily met his eyes. “In the five years since I got back from the Eclipse, I’ve never failed an infiltration mission. Not once.”

“That’s not what I asked,” Gale said.

“It’s the only answer you’re getting,” Lily said. “This isn’t mathematics, Gale. It’s war. And in war, you don’t get percentages. You get results.”

“Guide,” Gale whispered.

[Analysis of current tactical approach is sound. Two-pronged strategy maximizes success variables while minimizing risk to hostage. Recommend accepting strategic framework with contingency preparations for vault breach.]

Gale nodded. “When do we move?”

“Two hours,” Mateo said. “That gives us optimal conditions.”

“Then we’re set,” Lily closed the last equipment case, giving it to Gale to put in his storage box. “Gear check in ninety minutes, departure in two hours. Kyle, Clyde. You two will need to arrive fifteen minutes before us to establish your cover.”

The twins exchanged a look. Probably the twin telepathy thing.

Rachel moved to Gale’s side as the others went back to reviewing the holographic map. “Are you okay with this?”

“Do I have a choice?” Gale said. “We can’t leave Ollie alone.”

“We could call my grandmother,” Rachel said.

Gale winced at the suggestion. It was tempting, but that came with a lot of heavy baggage of being locked into a contract with the family… Looking at Rachel, it wasn’t totally a bad thing though.

“I want to save him ourselves,” Gale finally said.

Rachel didn’t argue, instead tapping his shoulder once with a smile. “I’ll get changed then. Meet you at the garage in an hour?”

He nodded.

22:58.

Kyle checked his watch. “Right on time. Perfect.”

A single light lit up the front entrance where two armed guards stood watch, their body armour catching the glow of security lights.

Magetech kevlar. Physical and etheric resistance. Fuck, these guys are armed, Clyde thought.

Well shit, good thing we’re not on the attack team, Clyde thought.

They walked up confidently, badges already out. The guards stiffened, hands moving to their weapons.

“Hold it,” one guard called out, stepping forward. “This is private property. ID, now.”

Kyle stared at the guard like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Are you stupid or something? We’re here on official Path business.”

The guard didn’t back down. “I don’t care if you’re on God’s business. Show me ID or turn around.”

Clyde stepped forward, shoving his badge directly at the guard’s face. “We didn’t expect any security in this clearly abandoned warehouse. Special Investigations Unit. Kyle and Clyde.”

The guard looked at the badge, confidence clearly slipping as the mean mug he gave them faded.

“If you don’t want a whole platoon of Path agents up in this place,” Clyde said. “You better follow protocol and get your commanding officer in front of us right now.”

The guards looked at each other, then both stepped back.

“Wait here,” the first guard said.

They watched him go inside the warehouse, the door clanging shut behind him.

Kyle tapped his earpiece. “Distraction active. They’re fetching someone important, I think.”

Mateo’s voice came through the earpiece. “Reading an ether signature moving toward your position. Resonant level. Must be the commanding officer.”

“Male or female?” Kyle asked.

No response. Kyle fixed up his jacket and slicked back his hair anyway. Clyde did the same, dusting off his shoulders.

On the other side, a block away, three figures moved across the dark alleys of the industrial block toward the northeast corner of the ‘abandoned’ warehouse.

Gale checked out the building, clearly not abandoned anymore as the tendrils fed him multiple mundane and ether signatures where Mateo had originally laid them out to be.

“Opposition took the bait,” Mateo’s voice came through the earpiece. “Lily, Gale, Rachel. You’re a go.”

Lily counted up with her fingers, three… two… one.

She jumped first, easily landing on top of the roof. Rachel followed, making the jump look even easier. Gale landed last, touching down quietly on the metal rooftop.

“Are Kyle and Clyde going to be okay against a Resonant?” Gale whispered.

“Those two are like cockroaches. They won’t die against one Resonant. Maybe even two,” Lily chuckled.

“Don’t worry,” Rachel said. “They’re actually at the top of the Attuned rankings, even if both of them are assholes.”

“Northeast corner window,” Mateo said through the earpiece. “You’ll find a service entrance to the ventilation system. It’ll drop you onto the catwalk.”

Lily moved to the window and checked the lock. She pulled out a small tool from her belt and worked it into the mechanism. After a few seconds, it clicked. The window swung open.

“Vanguards first,” she said with a small smile.

Rachel slipped through and dropped onto the catwalk like a cat, making no sound. Lily followed, then Gale. The familiar walkway stretched across the upper level of the warehouse, overseeing the whole floor filled with shipping containers, toppled over aisles, and crates.

“Move fifteen metres ahead,” Mateo said. “There’s a junction box housing on your right. Hide there until the camera sweep finishes, about twenty seconds.”

They quickly moved to the small metal housing sticking out from the wall. It was tight, but all three squeezed in, pressing against the cool metal as a security camera slowly panned across the catwalk.

“Camera’s clear,” Mateo said. “Move across the catwalk to the far side. Look for the red container stack directly below you.”

They left the housing and moved across the catwalk, stepping lightly on the metal grating. Gale spotted three red shipping containers stacked in a pyramid.

“That’s your drop point,” Mateo said. “The cameras have a blind spot there.”

Lily went first, swinging over the railing and dropping silently onto the top container. Rachel and Gale followed, landing in a crouch.

“Down to ground level,” Mateo said. “Wait. Guard approaching. Attuned. Hold position.”

They froze. From where they sat, they watched a man in tactical gear walk past the containers, glyphed rifle already aimed forward at the hip. The guard had the signature of an Attuned.

After the guard passed, Mateo gave the all-clear. “Move now. Cross to the office structure on the east wall.”

They climbed down from the containers and sprinted across the open floor, keeping low. The small structure looked like a foreman’s office, overlooking what would have been a busy warehouse floor.

Inside, the office was empty except for a broken desk and chair. A faded carpet covered part of the concrete floor.

“What now?” Rachel looked around the empty space.

“The carpet,” Mateo said. “Move it.”

Lily grabbed the edge of the carpet and pulled it back, showing a metal manhole cover set into the concrete floor.

“The Silver Lions converted the old maintenance tunnels into a secure network,” Mateo said. “That’s your access point to the lower level.”

Rachel bent down and gripped the edge of the metal cover. “And I assume we want to be quiet about this?”

“Very,” Mateo said. “That thing weighs about two hundred pounds. A mundane would need a crowbar.”

Rachel smiled slightly, gripping the edge with one hand. She lifted it without a hint of any stress. Slowly, she set it aside quietly. Below, a metal ladder went down into darkness.

Back at the south front entrance, Kyle smirked at the guard. “Your commanding officer taking the scenic route?”

The warehouse door opened. A tall woman with short blonde hair and a scar that ran down her right cheek stepped out, instantly giving bad vibes to Kyle.

Bad vibes is right. If she’s who I think she is, we’re kinda cooked bro. Kyle thought.

No shit we’re cooked. Play it cool. Clyde thought.

She wore no visible armour, just a simple black tactical gear with an embroidered lion on the right arm.

“Path agents,” she said, her accent completely Russian. “To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?”

“Special Investigations,” Clyde said clearly. “We’ve received reports of unauthorized ether activity in this sector.”

The woman smiled. “And you decided to investigate without filing the proper notification protocols? That seems… irregular.”

“We don’t need to explain our methods,” Kyle said. “This is a Path matter.”

“Of course,” the woman said. “But surely you understand my surprise. This facility is registered with the appropriate authorities.”

“Registered as what?” Clyde asked. “Because our records show this as an abandoned property.”

“Perhaps your records need updating. We’re a private security firm with all necessary permits,” the woman said.

“You know what they say, got nothing to hide, then move out of my way,” Kyle stepped forward once.

The woman moved to block his path. “I’m afraid that won’t happen. You need to file an official inspection and I’d be happy to comply. Unless… the Path is willing to break their own laws?”

“Fine,” Clyde said. “But we’ll need to see your registration documentation. Now.”

The woman sighed. “Very well. Please wait here while I retrieve the paperwork.”

She turned and walked back toward the warehouse entrance, the guards following her.

Once the door closed, Kyle tapped his earpiece. “They’re taking the bait. Going to be shuffling papers for the next twenty minutes minimum.”

“Perfect,” Mateo replied. “The infiltration team is already inside.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep