The night draped the landscape in shadows, broken only by the occasional flicker of headlights cutting through the dark.
The transport convoy moved along an isolated road, armored trucks rolling in formation with scout vehicles leading the way.
From their vantage point on the ridge, the Clan observed in silence.
"They weren't supposed to move this soon," Cipher muttered through the comms, his voice laced with irritation. "Intel said they'd still be prepping for transport."
"Means they're spooked," Razor replied, adjusting his grip on his rifle. "We move now before we lose our chance."
The plan had been simple: infiltrate, locate Blaze, and extract. But the convoy's unexpected mobilization meant their window was closing fast.
Myst crouched beside Nyx, scanning the convoy through her visor. "No sign of a holding unit yet," she murmured. "But we don't have time to wait."
Shade, positioned slightly ahead, motioned toward a blind spot in the patrol's rotation. "We go in now. Stay low, stay fast."
The team split into two. Razor, Echo, and Cipher remained in position for overwatch while Myst, Nyx, and Shade made their descent toward the convoy.
The three moved swiftly, darting between the sparse cover along the road's edge. The scent of rain lingered in the air, masking the scent of fuel and metal.
As they reached the side of the road, Myst pressed against the underbelly of a moving truck, Nyx right beside her. Their breathing was controlled, hearts pounding against ribs as the vehicle rumbled past. They waited for the next blind spot.
Then, with precise movements, they latched onto the side of one of the larger transport trucks.
Myst found her grip, hauling herself up with practiced ease. Nyx followed, silent as a shadow. From the corner of her eye, she caught Shade scaling the vehicle ahead of them, his form barely visible against the night.
Cipher's voice crackled in their earpiece. "Security's rotating faster than expected. You've got about two minutes before someone spots the gaps."
"Then let's not waste them," Shade responded.
Myst exhaled sharply, then slipped onto the truck's roof, Nyx mirroring her movements. They stayed low, the wind whipping at their bodies as the convoy pressed forward.
Then something unexpected.
Myst stilled. Her pulse hammered. She felt it before she saw it.
A low hum. Faint, almost imperceptible. Then, a soft red glow emanated from a small device attached to the truck's exterior.
Nyx swore under his breath. "Motion sensors."
The device blinked to life, a red pulse ready to send a silent alarm.
Myst moved before thinking. A precise twist of her wrist, a flick of her blade—
The sensor sparked, then darkened.
She barely had time to steady herself before the truck jostled over uneven ground. Nyx caught her wrist, steadying her before she could slip. Their eyes met briefly, intense.
"You good?" he whispered.
Myst swallowed. "Yeah."
Shade's voice cut in through the comms. "Focus. We need an entry point."
A quick scan revealed a maintenance hatch on the roof. Myst worked fast, fingers moving over the latch until it clicked open. Without hesitation, she dropped inside.
The truck's interior was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of metal and coolant. The space was lined with reinforced crates—military grade.
But no Blaze.
Myst signaled to Nyx as he slipped in beside her, both of them scanning the area. Then, they heard it. A muffled noise.
Myst whipped around, pulse spiking.
Another container. Larger. Locked from the outside.
She and Nyx exchanged a glance before moving toward it. Myst crouched, fingers skimming over the control panel.
Just then, Cipher's voice, sharp and urgent. "Guys, you've got company."
The truck lurched. The rear doors burst open. Myst barely had time to react before armed guards swarmed inside.
The mission had just gotten complicated.
The truck's interior was tight, barely enough room for movement, but Myst didn't hesitate. She pressed herself against the nearest stack of crates just as the first soldier stepped inside, boots thudding against the metal floor.
Nyx moved with practiced silence, slipping into the shadows between cargo containers. Shade had already disappeared into the dim recesses of the truck, waiting for the right moment.
Myst exhaled slowly, fingers tightening around her knife. No sudden moves. No unnecessary noise.
The guards advanced cautiously, their rifles raised. They were trained, clearing the space with precision.
One soldier peeled off, moving toward the locked container where Blaze could be. The second lingered near the hatch where Myst and Nyx had entered. The third took position near the rear, blocking their escape.
Too many risks. They had to take them down without a single shot fired.
Myst caught Nyx's eye across the space. A nod.
They moved.
Nyx was first, silent as a breath, his arm hooking around the soldier's neck from behind. A sharp twist. A muffled grunt. The body dropped, and Nyx eased him down without a sound.
Myst struck next. She lunged at the second soldier, knife flashing. The man barely had time to react before her blade sank into the weak spot of his armor. He stiffened, a choked gasp escaping his lips. Myst clamped a hand over his mouth, lowering him just as the third guard turned.
Damn it. The moment he noticed, the man reached for his radio.
Shade moved like lightning. His throwing knife buried itself deep in the soldier's throat. The radio clattered to the ground, unused. The man gurgled, eyes wide, before collapsing.
Myst's heartbeat pounded in her ears as she scanned for any signs of movement outside. Nothing.
Cipher's voice came through her earpiece. "Status?"
Nyx wiped his blade clean. "Clear. For now."
Myst turned to the locked crate. The faint noises inside were louder now—restless, almost panicked.
Blaze.
She moved fast, prying open the panel on the lock mechanism. A few swift overrides and a spark of electricity later, the crate hissed open.
Blaze slumped forward, chained, his face bruised, his breaths shallow. But alive. Myst exhaled, relief and urgency colliding.
"We got him," she whispered, immediately kneeling beside Blaze.
Nyx touched his comm. "Razor, we're getting out. Now."
But before anyone could respond—
A new sound. A mechanical whir. Then a red light flickered inside the truck.
The convoy had just triggered a security lockdown.