Ch 94: The Pieces in Motion

The city of Absheron moved like a great machine, its parts shifting in sync—some in broad daylight, others in the shadows. The docks bustled with workers offloading cargo from distant lands, while merchants haggled over prices in open-air markets. But underneath the everyday routine, tensions simmered, unseen by most but clear as day to those who knew where to look.

Kael and Mira had spent the last few days carefully piecing together information, weaving a picture of the city's tangled web of interests. The warehouse had given them a crucial lead—military-grade weapons, Expo generators, and the presence of mercenaries working for unknown backers. Someone was stocking up for something big.

But knowing wasn't enough. They needed to figure out the why.

Back at their rented space, Kael sat at a table covered with scattered papers, hand-drawn maps, and hastily written notes. Mira stood near the window, flipping a dagger between her fingers absentmindedly.

"We need to narrow it down," Kael muttered, running a finger along the map. "The warehouse was a good start, but it's not the center of everything. It's a waypoint."

Mira nodded. "I've been asking around. There's been increased movement in and out of the city—people coming in with no clear reason, others leaving in a hurry. Someone's pulling strings behind the scenes."

Kael looked up. "Any names?"

She tossed a folded piece of parchment onto the table. "I got three. One's a known arms dealer, another is a dockmaster who's been turning a blind eye to shipments, and the last one is… well, you'll love this—one of the city's council members."

Kael exhaled sharply. "That complicates things."

Mira smirked. "Told you."

That evening, they made their way through Absheron's winding alleys, heading toward a rundown tavern near the docks. The place stank of salt, sweat, and stale ale. It was the kind of place where deals were made in whispers, where coins and secrets carried equal weight.

Their contact was already waiting—a wiry man with a scar running down his left cheek. He sipped at a mug of something foul-smelling, eyes flicking toward them as they approached.

"You two must be the ones asking dangerous questions," he muttered.

Kael pulled out a few coins and slid them across the table. "And you must be the man with the answers."

The informant smirked, pocketing the payment. "Depends on what you're asking."

Mira leaned forward. "The warehouse at the docks. The shipments moving through it. Who's behind it?"

The man's expression darkened. "That's not a name you want to say out loud."

Kael arched an eyebrow. "Try me."

The informant hesitated, then sighed. "It's bigger than just Absheron. This is part of a larger movement—something tied to the war brewing outside the Blanks."

Mira stiffened. "Go on."

"The Consortium is just one player in this. There are others. The shipments? They're meant for multiple factions. Whoever is running this is playing both sides—arming different groups, making sure no one gains too much of an advantage."

Kael's fingers tapped against the table thoughtfully. "A controlled conflict. Keep the war going without letting it spill over into areas they don't want touched."

The man nodded. "Exactly. And if you're smart, you'll stay out of it."

Mira leaned back. "Who else is involved?"

The informant scratched his cheek before lowering his voice. "Ever heard of the Red Front? They're a militant group—ex-soldiers, deserters, revolutionaries. They've been fighting against the Consortium's interests in the east. But guess what? Some of those weapons were meant for them."

Kael frowned. "So the Consortium is selling to their own enemies?"

The informant nodded. "Not just them. The shipments also included crates marked for the Duskborn Pact—mercenaries turned power brokers, controlling chunks of land near the outer borders. Even the Ashen Court had some goods waiting for pickup."

Mira's expression hardened. "The Ashen Court? You mean those lunatics out in the wastelands? The ones who worship the old war like a religion?"

"The same," the informant confirmed. "They pay well for pre-war tech. And someone's making sure they get a steady supply."

Kael exchanged a glance with Mira before standing. "Then we better be ready."

Back at their workspace, Kael took stock of their situation.

They knew the shipments were fueling a larger conflict. They knew powerful people in the city were involved. And they knew that if they got too close, they'd become targets.

Mira sat on the edge of a table, arms crossed. "So what's next?"

Kael examined his notes, then smiled slightly. "We disrupt the chain."

Mira grinned. "Now that's more like it."