Chapter 25

Chapter 5: Unseen Threats

The dimly lit room carried the faint scent of stale smoke and spilled coffee. Alex sat near the window, his eyes scanning the empty street below. The city lights flickered against the pavement, but to Alex, they felt distant, cold and unwelcoming. He tapped his fingers restlessly on the table. Something felt off.

"You seem tense," Maya said, placing a steaming mug of coffee in front of him. "Anything in particular worrying you?"

Alex offered a faint smile, one that barely reached his eyes. "Just thinking," he murmured.

"Thinking too much is dangerous," Maya teased, sitting across from him.

Despite her attempt to lighten the mood, Alex's unease lingered. "It's Ethan," he said finally. "He's been... acting different. Ever since that run-in with Spectre's informant, he's been more withdrawn and you can't tell what he is up to. Less trusting you know."

Maya frowned. "You think he's hiding something?"

"I don't know," Alex admitted. "But I know Ethan. He's careful, always calculated. Lately, something's changed."

Their conversation was cut short by the creak of a door opening. Ethan stepped into the room, his expression dark. "We need to talk," he said, his voice low.

The three of them gathered at the table. Ethan wasted no time.

"Spectre is on the move," he said. "I managed to intercept one of their messages. They're planning something big. There's chatter about a shipment arriving tomorrow. Weapons, tech, maybe even personnel."

"Do you know where?" Alex asked, his voice tense.

"Pier 17," Ethan replied. "Late night, minimal security. Whatever's coming in, Spectre doesn't want a lot of eyes on it."

"That's a trap," Maya said immediately. "If Spectre's being quiet about this, they're either setting bait or moving something dangerous."

"I agree," Ethan said. "But we can't ignore. If we let this slip, they gain another foothold."

"Then we prepare," Alex said, his eyes hardening. "We move carefully. Remember, no mistakes."

The night air clung to them like a second skin as they approached Pier 17. The dockyard stretched out in a maze of steel containers and dimly lit pathways. Shadows shifted with every flicker of the overhead lights.

"Stay close," Alex whispered, his hand resting near his concealed weapon. Ethan and Maya flanked him, each scanning the dark corners of the pier.

Footsteps crunched on gravel. A pair of figures emerged near a stack of crates. One lit a cigarette, his face momentarily illuminated by the flickering flame. They didn't look like typical guards mercenaries, most likely, hired muscle for Spectre's dealings.

"I'll circle around," Maya whispered. "Cover me."

Before Alex could argue, she melted into the shadows. He swallowed hard, gripping his pistol tighter. Maya knew what she was doing, but the risk felt too high.

Minutes dragged like hours. The mercenaries stood idly by, their laughter echoing across the pier. Then, from the far end of the dock, a faint click sounded, a signal from Maya.

"Go," Alex whispered to Ethan. They moved in tandem, navigating the maze of containers until they reached a vantage point overlooking the shipment. A large wooden crate sat atop a platform, guards positioned at either end.

"That has to be it," Ethan muttered.

Before Alex could respond, a shout rang out. Maya had been spotted.

"Move!" Alex barked, raising his weapon. The pier erupted in chaos—shouts, gunfire, and the thunder of boots on pavement.

Alex darted forward, dodging past a container. A figure lunged at him from the side, but Alex twisted away, driving his elbow into the attacker's ribs. The mercenary staggered, giving Alex enough time to slam him against the steel wall.

"Maya!" he shouted, spotting her pinned behind a crate. Two men closed in on her, their weapons raised.

Alex fired twice. The guards hit the ground. "You okay?" he asked, helping her to her feet.

"Yeah am okay," Maya breathed. "But we need to get that shipment."

Together, they sprinted to the platform where Ethan was already prying the crate open. Inside, rows of black cases glinted beneath the dim light.

"Weapons," Ethan said grimly. "Military-grade. As we expected."

"We can't let this reach Spectre," Alex said. "Maya, find something flammable. We're burning this down."

Minutes later, flames roared high, engulfing the shipment in crackling heat. The fire lit the night sky like a beacon, and as they retreated into the darkness, Alex felt the first hint of hope flicker within him.

"Spectre won't forget this," Ethan warned.

"Good," Alex muttered. "Let them know we're coming."

To be continued...