Chapter 2

"Cipher!" Andrew shouted, his voice barely louder than a whisper, though his heart was racing like a drum. The guard on the floor groaned, struggling to rise, one hand reaching for the radio on his belt. Andrew didn't give him the chance. He swung the pipe again, connecting with the guard's arm, knocking the radio out of reach.

Cipher kept typing, his fingers flying across the keyboard as if the world outside didn't exist. "Almost there!" he muttered under his breath, eyes locked on the screen.

Andrew didn't have time to wait. He quickly grabbed the guard's gun from its holster and pressed it against the guard's temple, locking eyes with him. The guard froze, his breathing ragged.

"Don't move," Andrew growled, pressing the barrel harder to make his point clear. "Stay down, and this doesn't have to get worse."

The guard's eyes flickered with a mix of fear and anger, but he didn't make a move. Andrew took a deep breath, his heart pounding, his hands steady on the gun. He wasn't a killer unless it was necessary, but if this guard made the wrong move, he wouldn't hesitate.

"Got it!" Cipher exclaimed suddenly, a grin spreading across his face as he tapped the final key. "I've cracked their system. We've got intel on Commander Harris and his entire operation."

Andrew's pulse surged with a mix of relief and adrenaline. They were one step closer to his goal. "Let's go, then," he said, keeping his voice low. "We're running out of time."

Just as they were about to leave, the guard made a sudden move, reaching for his fallen radio again. Andrew reacted instantly, kicking the radio across the floor before pressing the gun harder against the guard's head.

"I told you not to move!" Andrew hissed, his frustration growing. But the situation was growing more dangerous by the second. Any wrong move could blow their cover.

Cipher grabbed his laptop and looked over at Andrew. "We need to move. Now."

Andrew's mind raced. He could feel the tension thickening in the air, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. He couldn't afford to leave loose ends, but he also couldn't risk wasting more time. He glanced at the guard, whose eyes were wide, beads of sweat trickling down his face.

"Knock him out," Cipher suggested. "He won't remember a thing for a while."

Andrew hesitated for a second, then quickly swung the butt of the gun, hitting the guard hard enough to knock him unconscious. The guard slumped to the floor, breathing shallow but steady. No time for second thoughts.

"Let's go," Andrew said, leading the way to the exit.

They slipped out of the building and into the rain-soaked night. The docks were still bustling with activity, workers unaware that two intruders had just hacked into their system. The dark sky overhead crackled with distant thunder, and the wind whipped around them, cold and biting. Andrew's senses were on high alert as they moved through the shadows, avoiding the eyes of the guards patrolling the area.

Cipher stuck close behind, his laptop safely tucked under his arm. "We've got everything we need," he said quietly. "Harris's location, his plans, everything."

Andrew nodded but kept his focus on getting them out of the docks safely. "Good. Now we just need to stay alive long enough to use it."

They reached the fence where they had entered, slipping through the hole they had cut earlier. The city lights flickered in the distance, beckoning them back to the chaos of New Haven. Andrew could feel the weight of their mission settling in his chest. This was just the beginning, but it was a crucial first step.

As they made their way down the dark streets, Cipher glanced over at Andrew. "You know, you're in this deep now. There's no turning back."

"I don't plan on turning back," Andrew replied, his voice steady. "Not until I've taken them all down."

Cipher smirked. "I like your style. But just remember, Harris isn't just some corrupt officer. He's got connections, resources, and he's not afraid to use them."

Andrew's jaw tightened. "I'm not afraid of him. He's the one who should be afraid."

Cipher nodded, clearly impressed by Andrew's resolve. "Alright then, next step—prep. We've got the data, but we're going to need weapons, gear, and a plan. This isn't a one-man job, no matter how good you are."

"I know," Andrew said, his mind already racing through what they needed. "We'll have to be smart about this. Hit them where it hurts."

"Exactly," Cipher agreed. "Harris will be on high alert once he realizes his system's been breached. We've got a small window before they track us down".

Andrew stopped at the corner of an old building, scanning the area. The city streets were still soaked from the rain, the soft patter echoing in the quiet night. His mind raced through their next moves. Weapons, gear, and a strategy were now essential. Harris wouldn't just be sitting idly; he'd be preparing for retaliation. The clock was ticking.

"We need to find a weapons dealer," Andrew said, his voice low but firm. "We're going to need firepower if we want to hit Harris where it hurts."

Cipher nodded in agreement. "I know a guy. He's not cheap, but he's reliable. Used to work for the military, but now he runs his own shop, off the books. We'll need to be careful though—he's paranoid."

"Where can we find him?" Andrew asked, glancing at Cipher.

"Downtown. But it's risky. He doesn't trust strangers, and if he smells trouble, he won't hesitate to turn us away. Or worse."

"I'll handle him," Andrew replied, his tone unyielding. "I've dealt with worse."

Cipher chuckled. "I like the confidence. Just don't get us shot before we even start."

Andrew smirked but didn't respond. They walked through the narrow streets, the city feeling more like a maze of shadows. The distant sounds of sirens and honking cars filled the air, but here, in the forgotten corners of New Haven, it was quiet, almost eerie. They kept a low profile, sticking to the edges of alleyways and abandoned buildings.

After about an hour of walking, Cipher stopped in front of a small, run-down warehouse. The windows were covered with steel bars, and the door looked like it hadn't been opened in years. But Andrew knew better—this was the place.

"Here we are," Cipher whispered, nodding toward the building. "His name's Redmond. Let me do the talking."

Andrew nodded, though his instincts told him to stay on guard. As they approached the door, Cipher knocked three times in quick succession, then paused, knocking twice more. A few seconds later, a small slot in the door slid open, revealing a pair of sharp eyes.

"What do you want?" a gruff voice asked from the other side.

"We need gear, Redmond. The kind you don't sell to just anyone," Cipher said calmly.

The eyes narrowed. "Who's your friend?"

"Don't worry about him. He's here for business," Cipher replied, his voice steady but careful.

There was a pause, then the sound of locks clicking and the door creaking open. A tall man with graying hair and a muscular build stood in the doorway, eyeing Andrew with suspicion. He was dressed in a simple black shirt and cargo pants, but Andrew could tell this guy was no amateur. He had the look of someone who had seen combat—lots of it.

"Come in," Redmond said, stepping aside to let them enter.

The inside of the warehouse was dimly lit, but Andrew could make out shelves lined with weapons, ammo, and tactical gear. Everything from handguns to assault rifles was neatly displayed, and it was clear Redmond wasn't just some small-time dealer. This guy had access to serious firepower.

Redmond closed the door behind them, crossing his arms as he studied Andrew. "You don't look like the usual types Cipher brings around. What's your story?"

Andrew met Redmond's gaze without flinching. "I'm not here to tell stories. I need weapons—something that'll get the job done."

Redmond raised an eyebrow. "And what job would that be?"

Andrew paused for a moment, weighing his words. "Taking down a U.S. Army faction. Commander Harris. I'm sure you've heard of him."

Redmond's expression didn't change, but Andrew noticed a flicker of recognition in his eyes. "You're serious?"

"As a bullet," Andrew replied.

Redmond let out a low whistle. "You've got some balls coming to me with a plan like that. Harris isn't someone you can just walk up to and shoot. He's well-protected."

Andrew's jaw tightened. "I don't need to walk up to him. I just need the right tools to get close."

Redmond glanced at Cipher, then back at Andrew. "You think you can pull this off?"

Andrew didn't hesitate. "I know I can."

Redmond stared at him for a long moment, then finally nodded. "Alright. But if you get caught, you don't know me. Understood?"

"Understood," Andrew replied, his voice firm.

Redmond gestured toward the shelves. "Take a look. I've got what you need, but it's gonna cost you."

Andrew and Cipher browsed through the collection, picking out what they needed. Andrew grabbed a sleek, suppressed handgun, perfect for stealth missions. He also selected a compact submachine gun, ideal for close-quarters combat. Cipher grabbed some hacking gear—jammers, EMP grenades, and a device that could intercept communication signals.

"This should do it," Andrew said, nodding to Redmond.

Redmond eyed the gear they'd selected, then gave a curt nod. "Good choices. Payment?"

Cipher pulled out a small, encrypted device, transferring funds instantly. Redmond glanced at the transaction and pocketed the device without another word.

As they prepared to leave, Redmond stopped them. "One more thing. Harris has more than just soldiers protecting him. Word on the street is he's got some top-tier operatives under his command. People like you—shooters, hackers, and worse."

Andrew's eyes narrowed. "I'll be ready."

Redmond shrugged. "Just don't underestimate him. I've seen people try to take down guys like Harris before. They never make it far."

Andrew didn't respond, but his resolve only hardened. He'd been preparing for this for too long to be scared off by the mention of more enemies. This was personal. He wasn't just fighting for revenge anymore—he was fighting to expose the corruption that had destroyed his life.

As they stepped out into the cold night air, Cipher glanced at Andrew. "That went well."

Andrew nodded. "We've got the gear. Now it's time to use it."

They walked in silence for a while, both lost in their own thoughts. Andrew's mind was already racing with plans, strategies, and the next steps they needed to take. Harris was the key to everything. If they could take him down, they could unravel the entire faction.

But Andrew knew it wouldn't be easy. Harris wasn't just some corrupt commander. He had resources, connections, and soldiers loyal to him. Taking him down would be like dismantling a fortress brick by brick.

But Andrew was ready. He'd spent years preparing for this moment—training in the shadows, becoming a master of stealth, gunslinging, and hacking. He had the skills. Now, he just needed the opportunity.

As they neared Cipher's hideout, a thought struck Andrew. "What about Harris's operatives? You think they'll come after us once they know we're onto him?"

Cipher shrugged. "Maybe. But we'll be long gone by the time they figure it out. We've got the advantage for now."

Andrew nodded but couldn't shake the feeling that things were going to get more dangerous from here on out. Harris wasn't the type to let an attack go unanswered, and Andrew had no doubt that the moment they struck, they'd have a target on their backs.

But that was a problem for later. Right now, they had to plan their next move.

"Let's get back to work," Andrew said, his voice steady with determination. "It's time to take this fight to Harris."

Cipher grinned. "Now you're talking."

They disappeared into the shadows of the city once again, ready to unleash chaos on the people who had taken everything from them. The first shot had been fired, and there was no turning back.