Chapter 8: The Key to Shadows
The underground safe house was dimly lit, its walls lined with old maps and outdated intelligence dossiers. A faint hum from the ventilation system filled the silence as Jasper Hawke, Celeste Moreau, Vega, and Richter stood around a makeshift table. In Hawke’s gloved hand was the cipher key—an ancient metallic artifact, small enough to fit in his palm, yet heavy with significance.
Hawke turned it over, studying the intricate engravings. “You said this is a key,” he said, looking up at Moreau. “A key to what?”
Moreau’s green eyes flickered with unease. “To something that should never be opened.”
Vega scoffed. “That’s vague, even for you.”
Moreau exhaled, pacing slightly. “This isn’t just an old relic. It’s part of a failsafe system designed decades ago. A contingency plan from the Cold War era—buried and forgotten. But someone found out about it.”
Hawke’s grip on the key tightened. “Scorpio?”
Moreau nodded. “And they’re not the only ones.”
The Forgotten Project
Richter leaned forward, arms crossed. “You’re talking about Project Tantalus, aren’t you?”
Moreau hesitated, then gave a small nod.
Hawke frowned. He had heard whispers of Project Tantalus before, buried deep in classified MI6 records. A black-budget operation involving multiple intelligence agencies, it had been erased from existence decades ago.
“Tell me everything,” Hawke said.
Moreau took a breath. “During the Cold War, every major power had their contingency plans. If a global conflict escalated beyond control, certain protocols would activate, ensuring the survival of ‘selected individuals.’ Project Tantalus was one of those plans. But it wasn’t just about survival. It was about controlling what came next.”
She motioned toward the cipher key in Hawke’s hand.
“This is a master key to an underground vault—a facility built to house classified intelligence, biological assets, and next-generation weaponry.”
Vega shook her head. “And let me guess—whoever controls that vault controls the future.”
Moreau nodded. “Exactly.”
Hawke exhaled. “Where is it?”
Moreau hesitated before answering. “Beneath Prague.”
An Unwelcome Interruption
Before anyone could react, the sound of metal scraping against stone echoed from the tunnels behind them.
Richter pulled his sidearm. “We’ve got company.”
Hawke pocketed the key. “How the hell did they find us so fast?”
Vega peered through a gap in the concrete. “Scorpio. Six men. Heavily armed.”
Hawke assessed the exits. “We can’t hold them off here.”
Moreau’s voice was steady. “Then we don’t.”
She pulled a grenade-like device from her pack and armed it. “Flashbang. We move on my signal.”
The door burst open. Black-clad operatives flooded inside.
“Now!” Moreau threw the device—a blinding flash engulfed the room.
Hawke moved first, grappling one of the operatives and slamming him into the wall. Gunfire erupted, but the safe house’s thick concrete walls absorbed most of the damage.
Vega and Richter covered the rear, taking down two operatives with precise shots.
Moreau moved with precision, knife in hand, dispatching another enemy before he could react.
Hawke grabbed Vega’s arm. “We need to get topside—now.”
The group sprinted toward the hidden passage.
Escape Through the Underground
The tunnels beneath Berlin were a maze of abandoned tracks and forgotten passageways. The team ran through the shadows, their footsteps echoing as Scorpio’s remaining operatives gave chase.
Hawke glanced at Vega. “We need a way out.”
She pointed to an old maintenance ladder leading up. “This should take us to the river.”
Richter took position, firing controlled bursts to slow down their pursuers. “Go! I’ll cover you.”
Hawke climbed first, emerging beneath a bridge along the Spree River. Moreau followed, then Vega. Richter was the last to ascend—just as another volley of bullets ripped through the air.
The team dashed toward a waiting black SUV, an MI6 asset stashed nearby.
Hawke jumped into the driver’s seat. “Everybody in?”
Vega slammed the door. “Go, go, go!”
On the Road to Prague
The tires screeched as the SUV sped into the Berlin night.
Moreau caught her breath. “We need to get to Prague before Scorpio does.”
Hawke gripped the wheel. “And once we get there?”
Moreau’s expression darkened.
“We unlock the vault.”
Hawke exchanged a glance with Vega.
“Something tells me,” he muttered, “we’re not going to like what’s inside.”
