As soon as they entered, they immediately found a large room. In this room, there are tables and chairs arranged neatly. At the far end of the room was an iron door with an electronic lock that was bigger and looked more complicated than the one on the entrance door.
They all walked towards the iron door. This room is empty and all the security systems have been manipulated. So that they all walk in peace.
"According to the intel we've got, the artifact is in the chest behind this door," Steve said, placing his hand on the metal door. Then he waved at Anna to come closer.
As if she was used to it, Anna approached while preparing the device she was using earlier. But Anna doesn't just use one device. She took a computer tab out of her bag and started fiddling with it.
Steve took a tool from his bag and opened the electronic lock.
Erend, Billy, and Lt. Boartusk looked around as they waited for Steve and Anna to finish with their work.
The three of them felt that this was all too easy for them. Steve and Anna took all the work. The three of them just helped deal with some security and followed them.
The feeling of doubt and uneasiness that Erend had felt from the start was still there. It might even get heavier. He looked at Steve and Anna who were still busy with the electronic key. 'Do they really intend to help us?'
Erend's mind churned with restlessness. Moments later, Steve heaved a sigh of relief.
"It's done," Steve said.
Lt. Bortusk and Billy pulled the handle of the door that looked very heavy. They pulled it until the door opened.
Then it was revealed what was in there. Inside there were several safes lined up neatly against the wall. They all went in there and looked around.
"The state keeps secret documents here?" Billy asked as he scanned each cabinet with a specific label.
"Yes. We need to get something here." Steve answered. "But your goal now is that."
Steve pointed ahead where a wooden box was placed. They all walked straight to the box and opened it.
"You guys open the box. Anna and I have to get something over here." Steve waved again at Anna and Anna answered with a nod.
Steve and Anna immediately moved to the other side of the room and unpacked a cupboard. Erend, Billy, and Lt. Boartusk don't know what they're doing but for them, it doesn't matter now.
Billy immediately forced open the wooden box with a dagger. It took some effort for Billy to be able to open the lock. But finally, the box opened with a loud bang.
Inside the box was an artifact that seemed to be made of crystal carved into a key shape. The crystal is clear and looks fragile. It is also transparent. It is about ten centimeters long.
Erend and Lt. Boartusk stared intently at the key like one would observe an object of art. Because the key does look like something made by an artist.
"Let's get the key then get out of here," Lt. Bortusk said.
"Right." Billy immediately took the key and put it in the small bag on his chest.
"You done?" Steve asked from afar.
"We're done. Let's get out of here," Lt. Boartusk replied.
Steve nodded then rolled up and stuffed a document into his small bag. Then Steve led them all out of the room. As before, they passed the same path to return to the roof.
On their way to the roof, Steve contacted John to send the drones back as they were done. It turned out that as soon as they arrived on the roof, the drones were already waiting.
They hooked themselves on drones and soared back into the night sky.
Once they arrived back at the base Erend, Billy, and Lt. Boartusk heaved a sigh of relief. Finally, their heist mission is complete and the artifact was successfully obtained.
"We're finally done," Billy spoke with a sigh of relief as he removed his helmet.
Erend and Lt. Boartusk also took off their helmets and a look of relief appeared on their faces.
After finishing everything, they went straight to their respective rooms to rest. Now all that was left was to give the key to the Elves and the war would end. Their normal life will return and they can be reunited with their families.
Erend, Billy, and Lt. Boartusk slept peacefully because the mission had been successful. It didn't take them five months to retrieve the key.
~~~
Erend woke up unexpectedly. He didn't know why.
When he looked outside, the sky was still dark. Erend looked at the clock on the wall and saw that it was only five in the morning.
Feeling that it was impossible to fall asleep again, Erend decided to get up from his bed.
Billy and Lt. Boartusk were still sleeping peacefully. Erend didn't bother them and walked out of the room.
Suddenly he heard something. The sound of many footsteps came from various places.
Erend's brow furrowed deeply. 'Who is that?'
He walked carefully towards the window to take a look. As soon as he peeked by slightly opening the curtains, Erend saw dozens of people dressed in black with guns pointed around the house.
Erend immediately closed the curtain and felt anxious. 'Who are those people?!'
Whoever they were, seeing their movements, Erend felt that they had no good intentions. After all, this place was a base for covert operations. With armed men here, it signifies something bad.
Erend rushed to Steve, John, and Anna's room. But their room is wide open.
Upon looking inside, Erend found that the rooms were all empty.
'Shit!' Erend cursed. The three of them had disappeared.
Erend went back to his room and checked Billy's bag where the key was kept.
It turned out that Erend's worst guess came true. The key was no longer in the bag.
~~~