Chapter 19: The First Encounter

The safehouse was bathed in a dim glow as Julia, Maria, and Ikran gathered around the small table. The atmosphere was tense, the weight of their recent success tempered by the looming threat of Kentofes’ retaliation.

Maria studied the files spread before her, her brow furrowed. “We’ve exposed their plans, but they’re not going to sit back and watch. What’s our next move?”

“Survival,” Ikran said bluntly, his eyes scanning the room for potential vulnerabilities. “They’ll come after us with everything they’ve got.”

Julia leaned forward, her expression resolute. “Then we need help. Someone who knows how Kentofes operates—someone who can anticipate their next move.”

Maria looked skeptical. “You’re suggesting we bring someone else into this? That’s a risk we can’t afford.”

Before Julia could respond, a soft knock echoed through the room, freezing them in place.

Ikran’s hand instinctively went to his weapon. “Stay here,” he ordered, his voice low as he moved toward the door.

He peered through the peephole, his expression tightening as he saw a hooded figure standing outside. The figure raised their hands slowly, a gesture of peace, before speaking in a voice that carried through the thin door.

“Ikran. It’s me.”

Maria and Julia exchanged confused glances as Ikran opened the door just enough to let the figure slip inside.

The hooded stranger pulled back their hood, revealing a young woman with piercing eyes and a scar that ran down the side of her face.

“Raya,” Ikran said, his tone a mixture of relief and suspicion. “What are you doing here?”

Raya smirked. “You leaked the files, didn’t you? You’re braver than I remember.”

Maria stepped forward, her arms crossed. “Who is she?”

“She used to work for Kentofes,” Ikran explained. “Until they turned on her. Raya’s one of the few people who knows their operations inside and out.”

“And why would you help us now?” Julia asked, her voice laced with doubt.

Raya’s expression grew serious. “Because Kentofes doesn’t just destroy its enemies. It destroys everyone. I don’t want to live in a world where they control everything.”

Maria still looked wary. “How do we know we can trust you?”

“You don’t,” Raya admitted. “But I know things you don’t. Like where they’re keeping the prototypes for Dunnorage. And who they’re planning to use them on first.”

Julia’s eyes widened. “You know their targets?”

Raya nodded. “They’re starting with influential figures—politicians, scientists, media heads. Once they’re under control, the rest of the world will fall in line.”

Ikran exchanged a look with Maria and Julia. “If she’s telling the truth, this could be the break we need.”

Maria sighed, her instincts still screaming at her to be cautious. “Fine. But one wrong move, and you’re out.”

Raya smirked again. “Understood.”

Over the next few hours, Raya shared everything she knew about Kentofes’ current operations. She described a hidden facility on the outskirts of Pasadianka, where the prototypes for Dunnorage were being tested.

“It’s heavily guarded,” Raya said. “But if you can get inside, you’ll find the proof you need to shut this down for good.”

“And what about the targets?” Julia asked.

“They’re listed in the mainframe,” Raya replied. “But accessing it won’t be easy. You’ll need to create a major distraction to keep the guards occupied.”

Maria leaned back in her chair, exhaustion etched on her face. “This just keeps getting more complicated.”

“It’s not supposed to be easy,” Ikran said. “But it’s the only chance we’ve got.”

Julia nodded, determination hardening in her eyes. “Then we do it. We get the prototypes, the targets, and whatever else we can find. And we bring Kentofes down.”

Raya studied her for a moment, then smiled faintly. “You’ve got guts. Let’s hope it’s enough.”

As the group finalized their plans, the tension in the room was palpable. The mission ahead was dangerous, but the stakes were higher than ever.

Kentofes had made their move. Now, it was the team’s turn to strike back.