Chapter 7: Shadows and Alliances
The roar of gunfire split the air as bullets tore through the warehouse walls. Hawke dove behind a stack of steel crates, Vega rolling beside him as splinters and debris rained down.
On the opposite side of the room, Celeste Moreau had already taken cover, her pistol drawn, eyes scanning the chaos.
Outside, Scorpio Division had arrived in full force. Tactical operatives in black body armor swarmed the perimeter, their movements sharp, efficient, and lethal.
Hawke exhaled, gripping his sidearm. “They brought a small army.”
Vega checked her magazine. “And we’re fresh out of backup.”
Moreau smirked from her cover. “Then it’s a good thing I work better alone.”
Hawke met her gaze. “Not tonight.”
The Standoff
The gunfire ceased—momentarily. A voice rang out from beyond the shattered doorway.
“Jasper Hawke.”
Hawke recognized it immediately. Commander Elias Kasper, Scorpio’s lead tactician.
“You’re surrounded,” Kasper called. “Hand over the cipher, and we’ll make this easy.”
Hawke glanced at Vega, then at Moreau.
“Not much of an offer,” Vega muttered.
Moreau checked her weapon, eyes narrowing. “He’s stalling. They’re flanking us.”
Hawke took a slow breath. She was right. Scorpio never wasted time negotiating. They were already moving in.
He had to act—now.
The Plan
Hawke turned to Moreau. “How many rounds do you have?”
“Enough,” she said, but her tone was guarded.
Hawke looked at Vega. “Cover our exit. I’ll draw them in.”
Vega hesitated, then nodded. “Just don’t get shot.”
Moreau raised a brow. “You’re going to walk right into Scorpio’s sights?”
Hawke smirked. “Not exactly.”
He reached into his vest pocket, pulling out a small, cylindrical device.
Moreau’s eyes widened. “Is that a—”
Hawke pressed the trigger. Flashbang.
The Escape
The explosion of white light and deafening sound detonated through the warehouse. Scorpio’s operatives recoiled, momentarily blinded.
Hawke didn’t wait. He lunged forward, taking out the first disoriented guard with a swift strike to the throat.
Vega fired next, her shots precise—two down.
Moreau moved like a phantom, weaving through the chaos, her blade flashing as she silently took down a third.
Within seconds, they had an opening.
Hawke grabbed the cipher—a weathered, metallic key with ancient engravings—and bolted toward the side exit.
“Go!” he shouted.
They sprinted through the smoke, bursting out into the cold Berlin night.
The Chase
Scorpio recovered fast. Gunfire erupted behind them.
Hawke and Vega dove into the waiting black Mercedes, Moreau sliding into the backseat.
Richter was already behind the wheel. “I take it negotiations failed?”
Hawke slammed the door. “Drive.”
Richter didn’t hesitate. The tires screeched as they tore onto the open road.
Behind them, Scorpio’s convoy roared to life.
Berlin at Midnight
The chase cut through the heart of Berlin, weaving between late-night traffic.
Hawke reloaded. “They won’t stop.”
Moreau glanced out the window. “Then we make them.”
She reached into her bag, pulling out a compact explosive charge.
Vega raised a brow. “Subtle.”
Moreau smirked. “Would you expect anything less?”
She rolled down the window, timed her throw—and the street behind them erupted into flames.
Scorpio’s lead vehicle swerved, crashing into the divider.
One down.
Hawke turned to Richter. “We need to disappear.”
Richter nodded. “I know just the place.”
Into the Underground
The car veered off the main road, slipping into a hidden entrance beneath an abandoned train station.
The tunnel walls narrowed as they sped through the dark, finally emerging into a covert MI6 safe house.
The car skidded to a stop.
For a long moment, all was silent—except for the distant sirens above.
Hawke turned to Moreau.
“Now,” he said, holding up the cipher.
“You want to tell me why Scorpio is willing to kill for this?”
Moreau’s expression darkened.
“Because,” she said slowly,
“it’s not just a cipher. It’s a key.”
Hawke’s pulse quickened. “A key to what?”
Moreau locked eyes with him.
“To the most dangerous secret in the world.”
