Salt and Steel

The memories of his conversation with Marvin the previous day cut his reprieve short, jolting him back into alertness.

He rubbed his face, exhaling sharply. His employee ID sat on the nightstand—completely useless now. His comm device buzzed with a notification. Final paycheck deposited. Severance: 0.1 ERC.

"Bastards."

He sighed, stood, and pulled a black jacket and matching trousers from the wardrobe."

After getting dressed, he slid open a hidden compartment in the wardrobe, revealing a secret stash of weapons containing two short knives.

Pulling them out, their blades glinting in the dim light of the room. He slid them into his boots, with his preparations complete, he headed downstairs, hailed a taxi, and gave the driver a single destination, Gerage Harbour.

As the taxi sped through the road, Jack glanced out the window at the inner city's neon-lit skyline. After a few minutes, the taxi arrived at Gerage Harbour.

Jack scanned the QR code. The door clicked open, and he stepped onto the pavement, inhaling the salty sea breeze.

Before him, the harbor bustled with activity. The water was a deep shade of blue, dotted with vessels of all shapes and sizes—from small sailboats to massive cargo ships.

Seagulls cried overhead, their calls mixing with the hum of engines and the creak of rope as Jack moved through the harbor.

To his left, were rows of warehouses and storage facilities lining up the waterfront, cranes and hoists stood tall, their metal arms stretching out over the water like giant tentacles.

Jack navigated through the crowded harbour, making his way towards Pier 35. The sounds of seagulls and machinery filled the air, and the smell of saltwater and fuel hung heavy over the air.

As Jack arrived at the pier, he spotted Marvin's men waiting for him. One of them, a burly man with a scruffy beard. "I'm Keno," the man said as he stepped forward and extended his hand reaching out for a handshake to which Jack obliged.

Shaking his hand, "Jack," His tone neutral.

Keno nodded, his expression serious. "Marvin put me in charge of this operation. We've got a job to do, and we need to get it done quickly and quietly." he said as they walked to the edge of the pier.

Jack nodded. 'What's the job?' his eyes scanning the pier.

Keno smiled mysteriously. "You'll know in a few minutes. Just be patient." as they took their places the dark of the night providing cover.

The cargo ship's engines hummed, echoing through the night.

Thirty minutes later the hull of a huge cargo appeared in the distance.

Keno nodded slightly, his expression tense, "Alright, boys. That's the job. A simple grab and run. Understood?" The other men nodded, their faces set with determination.

Jack, however, felt a cold dread creeping up his spine.

As the ship pulled into a pier on the starboard side, a huge logo stood out on its side, illuminated by the ship's lights.

VIXA CORPORATION.

Staring at the words Jack's mind went blank for a moment, and he felt like he'd been punched in the gut.

No. No fucking way.

"Nope. I'm out." He turned on his heel. But he barely made it two steps before the cold click of a gun stopped him.

"I'm afraid you don't have a choice," Keno said coolly.

Jack turned around, in fury. "That's VIXA FUCKING CORPORATION! We'll be walking into our deaths!"

Keno shrugged, his expression unyielding. "Like I said, a simple grab and run."

"Bullshit!" Jack retorted. "It's never simple with a mega corporation!"

Keno sighed, his eyes glinting with annoyance. "I understand your fears, Jack, but don't worry. The Don has already arranged everything. We have a man on the inside."

He wanted to tell them all to fuck off, but the gun barrel aimed at his chest left little room for negotiation. "Fine," he muttered. It wasn't like he had a choice.

Keno's expression turned serious as he began to outline the plan, gesturing to the ship. "Inside that tin can is a cargo container. The Don's goods. We lift it, get out, no bullshit."

Jack exhaled sharply. "And if we run into security?"

"Then we were never here." Keno replied.

He turned to Jack, smirking. "Marvin says you have a particular talent. We'll need you to open the cargo bay."

Delegating duties to the rest of the crew, Keno continued "Flint, John, you two are on lookout. Keep an eye out for any guards or unwanted visitors. Ford and Devon, get the boat ready. We'll need it to make our exit. The rest of you are with me and Jack. We'll be handling the cargo bay."

Keno's gaze swept the group, his expression expectant. "Any questions?", the crew remained silent, Keno nodded. "Good. Let's make The Don proud!"

They moved stealthily towards the pier, the night providing cover for their approach. As they drew closer, lines of robots, shuffled out from the shadows hovering in the air, their glowing eyes scanning the surroundings. With a swift motion, Keno plunged into the water, Jack and the rest followed, swimming silently towards the ship.

As they approached the vessel, Keno tapped a rhythmic pattern on his smartwatch, and minutes later, a ladder dropped from the ship's deck. They climbed up, their movements swift and precise. Flint and John took up concealed positions at the exit point, standing guard as the rest of them followed the informant into the ship's depths.

The informant led them to a large metal door, adorned with warning signs and security scanners. "That's the cargo bay" he whispered, his eyes darting nervously around the corridor. "You've got five minutes before the foremen arrive for undocking." With that, he turned and disappeared into the shadows.

"Alright Jack get to it" Keno turned to Jack, a holographic picture flashing on his watch. The image showed a man's face, his eyes visible up close. "Do your thing Jack" his voice low and urgent.

Focusing on the picture, Jack's eyes began to change color, squirming and morphing to match the man's. Tapping a button on the door, a robotic voice spoke, "Iris verification." He leaned in, and a red glow scanned his eyes. "Scan complete, welcome Mr. James," the voice said, the door whirring open with a hiss.

Jack staggered as a wave of dizziness hit him.

Keno smiled. "Impressive, Jack." As they rushed into the cargo bay, their footsteps echoing off the metal walls. After a minute of searching, one of the men called out, "I've found it!"