The weight of Fred’s words hung in the air like a physical presence.
Jayden’s voice was deadly calm when he spoke. "We have to find them," he said. "The human trafficking branch. There has to be a way. They can’t be completely invisible."
"They’re not," Fred admitted. "But finding them requires going places the EVA can’t go. Doing things agents like aren’t authorized to do."
Jayden raised. "What kind of places?"
Fred leaned back, choosing his words carefully. "The city’s underworld. An interconnected network of gangs, cri families, and syndicates. They all know each other, trade with each other, have their own territories and politics. The Black Cobra Syndicate is part of that network."
Jayden shrugged. "So infiltrate the network. Go undercover. That’s practically your job."
"I can’t," Fred said flatly. "I’m a known EVA agent. The mont I set foot in any underworld establishnt, I’d be made and killed. And even if I could sohow disguise myself..." He shook his head. "The higher-ups would never authorize that kind of operation. It’s too risky. Too likely to cause political blowback."
"Political blowback," Jayden repeated, his voice dripping with contempt. "People are going missing, and possibly being trafficked... and EVA is worried about politics?"
"I don’t like it either," Fred said sharply. "But that’s the reality of working within the system. There are rules. Oversight. Consequences for breaking protocol."
"Fuck the rules," Jayden said coldly. "Fuck the system. If the EVA can’t do what needs to be done, then soone else will. Soone who would stop at nothing till he finds those responsible and eliminate them all."
Fred’s eyes widened slightly as he realized what Jayden was suggesting. "No. Absolutely not. Jayden, you can’t—"
"I’m going into the underworld," Jayden said, his tone brooking no argunt. "I’m going to find the people who know about the Black Cobra’s kidnapping operations. And I’m going to make them tell where Cassandra is."
"You’ll get yourself killed!" Fred’s voice was sharp now. "These aren’t the weak smugglers or thugs you beat up in alleys. These are hardcore criminals. Professional killers. People who’ve spent their entire lives surviving in that world. A kid like you—"
"I’m not a kid," Jayden interrupted, his eyes boring into Fred’s. "And I’m not so naive teenager who thinks he’s invincible. I know exactly how dangerous this is. But I don’t care. Cassandra is out there, scared and alone, because of . I hurt her. And now she’s paying the price for my mistakes."
Fred sighed. "Look, kid. This isn’t your fault—"
"It doesn’t matter whose fault it is!" Jayden’s fist slamd on the table, making the salt shaker jump. The outburst was sudden, brief, and imdiately controlled—but it revealed the fury simring beneath his calm exterior. "What matters is getting her back. And if that ans going into places I’m not supposed to go and doing things I’m not supposed to do, then that’s exactly what I’m going to do."
Fred stared at him, seeing the absolute determination in those cold eyes. This wasn’t a teenager making an impulsive decision. This was soone who had already made up their mind and would not be swayed.
"I can’t help you with this," Fred said finally, his voice heavy. "If the agency finds out I aided an unsanctioned infiltration of the criminal underworld, I’ll lose my job. Possibly face heavy charges."
"I know," Jayden said, standing up from the booth. "Which is why I’m not asking for your help. I’ll find Cassandra on my own."
He turned to leave, and Fred felt sothing twist in his chest. The kid was walking into hell with nothing but determination and rage to protect him. If sothing terrible happened, Fred wouldn’t be able to forgive himself.
"Wait," Fred called out.
Jayden paused but didn’t turn around.
Fred sighed, running his hand over his face. "Goddammit. Kate would kill for this." He looked up at Jayden. "Sit down. If you’re going to do this stupid, suicidal thing, at least let give you a fighting chance."
Jayden turned slowly and sat back down, his expression unreadable.
Fred leaned forward, his voice low. "I can’t help you directly. But I can point you in the right direction. There’s an organization in the underworld—a small gang called The Umpire."
"The Umpire?" Jayden repeated.
"They’re neutral brokers," Fred explained. "Information dealers. They don’t pick sides in the gang wars and syndicate feuds. Instead, they trade intelligence to all parties for the right price. If anyone in the underworld would know about the Black Cobra’s recent kidnapping operations, it’s them."
"Where do I find them?" Jayden asked.
"There’s an underground establishnt called The Cage... a fight club and casino in the downtown district. It’s one of the gang’s main hideouts. Their leader is there most nights."
Then he pulled out a small card from his wallet and wrote sothing on the back. "This is the address. When you et their leader, he’ll ask who sent you." Fred slid the card across the table. "Tell him you’re from Fred. He owes a favor. He’ll hear you out."
Jayden took the card, studying the address. "What’s the favor?"
"Doesn’t matter," Fred said quickly. "What matters is that he’ll give you information if you can pay his price."
Jayden raised a brow. "What’s his price?"
"Depends on what he wants," Fred replied. "Could be money. Could be a job. Could be sothing else entirely. The dude’s pragmatic. He’ll negotiate."
Jayden pocketed the card and stood again. "Thank you."
"Don’t thank yet," Fred said grimly. "Jayden, I need you to understand sothing. The underworld isn’t like hunting beasts in a forest. These are people—smart, dangerous people who will kill you without hesitation if they see you as a threat. The Black Cobra Syndicate especially... they’re not just criminals. They’re an organization. Disciplined, ruthless and powerful. So of their operatives are high-level evolved humans. If you go after them directly, you will die."
"Then I’ll make sure I don’t go after them directly until I’m ready," Jayden replied. "I’ll be smart about this."
Fred snickered. "And if being smart isn’t enough?"
Jayden’s expression was cold, empty of anything resembling fear or doubt. "Then I’ll be faster, stronger, and more ruthless than they are. But whatever it takes... I’m bringing Cassandra ho."
Then he turned and walked toward the door.
"Jayden," Fred called out one last ti.
The teenager paused at the entrance, hand on the door.
"Be careful out there. The underworld... it changes people. Makes them into things they never thought they’d beco. Don’t lose yourself in there."
Jayden was quiet for a mont. Then, without turning around, he said: "I lost myself the mont Cassandra went missing. Now I’m just finding out what’s on the other side."
The door chid softly as he left, leaving Fred alone in the empty diner.
The EVA captain sat there for a long ti, staring at the empty booth across from him.
"Kate," he murmured to the silence, "I hope you taught the kid well. He’s about to walk into a world far beyond his capabilities."
....
Outside, Jayden pulled out his hoverbike glove and activated it. The device humd, projecting the holographic outline of his bike that solidified into physical form within seconds.
He swung his leg over it and sat there for a mont, staring at the card Fred had given him. He was planning on going to the location imdiately. There was no ti to lose.
[You know there’s no guarantee this works, right?] Luna chid, her voice laced with concern. [The gang leader might not help you. The information might not lead anywhere. Cassandra could be—]
"Don’t," Jayden cut her off, his voice hard as steel. "Don’t say it. She’s alive. She has to be."
"And if they hurt her, I burn the entire Black Cobra Syndicate to the ground," he murmured coldly. "Every last one of them."
Then he engaged the ignition, and the hoverbike’s engine humd to life, lifting off the ground.
As he flew toward downtown, the afternoon sun casting long shadows across the city, Jayden’s mind was already working through scenarios and contingencies.
The Cage. Getting information about the Black Cobra Syndicate.
It was a start.
And once he had that information, once he knew where to look... The syndicate would learn what it ant to take sothing from Jayden Starrk.
They would learn that so prey fought back.
And they would learn that the hunter they’d created was more dangerous than any beast in the forest.
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