Chapter 1002
After the cook disappeared into the shadows, Mira turned to the group. “Do we hit the scam compound next, or head back to the motel p>
“Since we’re already out here, we might as well scout it p>
Mr. Whitlock suggested.
Mira checked the time-it was 1:00 AM, the absolute dead of night. Fortunately, the distance was manageable, and with their elite physical conditioning, stamina was a non-issue.
As the team ghosted past an empty intersection, the sounds of a scuffle echoed through the streets. They instinctively halted, melting into the alleyway to observe.
Three local thugs were violently dragging a driver out of his cab. “Leave the keys and walk away, or you die right here p>
one of the carjackers snarled.
“Boss, why are we even talking to him? Just gut him so he doesn’t snitch to the cops tomorrow p>
While the three thugs casually debated murder, Owen glanced at Whitlock. “We should intervene. Might score us a free ride in the process p>
“You want to steal their stolen car p>
“We don’t have to steal anything. We save the driver’s life, and he owes us a few days of chauffeur duty p>
Mr. Whitlock nodded thoughtfully. “Works for me. It’s a small effort p>
Mira and the others moved in silently. With a flick of the wrist, a cloud of potent sedative dust washed over the three attackers.
The thugs collapsed to the asphalt instantly.
The terrified driver threw his hands up. “Please, spare me! Just let me live, I’ll do anything you want p>
“You’re absolutely certain you’ll do anything p>
Mr. Whitlock asked smoothly.
“Yes! You… you just saved my life. I’ll do whatever you ask p>
“Is this your personal vehicle, or a rental p>
Master Ellis asked.
“It’s mine p>
“What’s your line of work p>
“I drive a taxi to make ends meet p>
“You have the guts to pick up fares out here in the dead of night p>
“I usually never drive the night shift. But they offered me a massive tip for a ride, so I
took the risk. I just didn’t expect p>
“He doesn’t look like he’s lying p>
Mr. Whitlock noted.
Owen considered it for a second. “Let’s dose him anyway p>
Out here in hostile territory, extreme paranoia kept you alive.
“Swallow this p>
Silas commanded, handing the shivering driver a small pill.
“What is that p>
“As long as you’ve been telling the truth, you have nothing to fear p>
The man swallowed it dry. With his life entirely at the mercy of these terrifying strangers, he didn’t have a choice.
Jax interrogated him with the exact same questions. When his answers matched perfectly, the team finally let their guard down.
Just to hammer the point home, they deliberately tossed the Necrotic Catalyst onto the three unconscious thugs right in front of the driver in seconds, the men dissolved entirely leaving not even bones behind.
Watching the horrific display, the driver’s face drained of all color.
“Don’t panic. As long as you keep your word, you’ll never face our wrath p>
“Drive us to the local syndicate compound p>
The driver recoiled. “That… that place is a death trap p>
“Relax, just drop us off at a safe distance p>
The driver turned out to be genuinely helpful. As he navigated the dark roads, he briefed Mira’s team on the compound’s defenses.
“They’ve got three layers of electrified barbed wire encasing the perimeter, and guard posts facing every direction. Everyone on watch carries a high-powered rifle.
Whether you’re inside the walls or just loitering outside, if they don’t recognize you, they shoot to kill on sight.
And getting captured is vastly
worse. They torture you, force you
into hard tabor with barely enough food to survive. The second you act out or outlive your usefulness, they butcher you for your organs or carve your remains into macabre bone trinkets for the black market p>
Approaching the compound limits, the driver slammed the brakes. “This is it. I can’t
take you any further. Any closer and we’re dead.
If you’re just scouting, you can push maybe fifty yards ahead, but no more.
Otherwise, the patrols will spot you, and you’ll be shot or dragged inside.
Since you saved my life, I’ll give you one last piece of advice:
If they catch you, fight back with everything you have. Do whatever it takes to provoke them into killing you quickly. Do not let them take you inside alive. That is a fate initely
worse than death