Aventus blinked rapidly, shifting his gaze slightly to stare blankly past the two men, his expression vacant. "Sorry," he slurred, dragging his words as if struggling to form coherent sentences. "Me eyes ain't too good, ya see." He swayed slightly, maintaining the unsteady posture of a drunkard, even as his mind remained sharp and ready.
The scruffy man exchanged a glance with the cloaked figure, his suspicion not entirely gone but noticeably softened. "Huh," the man grunted, his tone less biting but still wary. "Blind drunk and wandering into the wrong parts of the bar. You've got some nerve."
The cloaked figure's hand lingered under their cloak for a moment longer before they slowly relaxed, pulling it away. They muttered something under their breath, their hood shifting slightly as they turned back toward their companion. "Let's just finish this up," they hissed, clearly annoyed.
Aventus shuffled his way toward the exit of The Rusted Fang, still playing the part of a drunkard as he moved unsteadily past tables and patrons. Once outside, he straightened his posture, the cool air of the Tangle District sharpening his focus. He moved quietly into the shadows across from the bar's entrance, leaning against a grimy wall with his hood pulled low over his face.
The minutes stretched, but Aventus waited with the patience of a hunter. His indigo eyes remained fixed on the bar's entrance, scanning every movement with precision. The faint glow of the bar's flickering holo-sign provided just enough light to make out shapes in the dim plaza.
Finally, the cloaked figure emerged. They moved cautiously, their hood pulled low, and Aventus's sharp gaze caught the faint outline of something metallic beneath the folds of their cloak. A weapon, no doubt, or perhaps the data crystal itself. They didn't linger, stepping into the winding streets of the Tangle District with purpose.
Aventus followed.
He moved like a shadow, his long frame weaving effortlessly through the alleyways and crowds. The noise and chaos of the district provided excellent cover, and his steps were nearly silent, his movements calculated to keep just enough distance to avoid detection. The cloaked figure glanced over their shoulder once or twice, but Aventus melted into the crowd each time, blending seamlessly with the dim lighting and shifting masses.
The chase led deeper into the Tangle, the streets becoming narrower and the atmosphere heavier with smoke and the scent of oil. The cloaked figure took a sharp turn into an alley, their pace quickening as though they sensed they might not be alone.
Aventus followed, his heart steady, his focus unyielding. He kept to the shadows, his hand brushing the hilt of one of his daggers as he prepared for whatever came next. The figure clearly had a destination in mind—and Aventus intended to find out exactly where.
The cloaked man led Aventus deep into the underbelly of Von Braun V, far from the polished corridors and bustling hubs of the upper levels. Here, the station's air was thick with grit and a faint metallic tang, the lights dim and flickering. The walls were scarred with graffiti, crude symbols marking the territory of gangs or warning of hidden dangers. This was a place where laws were more of an inconvenience than a rule—where power and credits dictated what was right.
The man moved with purpose, ducking into a narrow alley that opened into a sprawling underground plaza. The space was chaotic, a hive of activity with makeshift stalls selling everything from illegal weapons to contraband tech. Shadowy figures bartered over crates of stolen goods, while others stood in tight groups, their conversations low and tense.
Aventus stayed in the shadows, his indigo eyes sharp as he watched the cloaked man make his way toward a corner stall. The man exchanged quick words with a grizzled vendor whose cybernetic arm glinted faintly under the weak lighting. Their conversation was short, the vendor handing over a small package before the cloaked man turned and began moving deeper into the district.
Aventus tensed, his hand brushing against the hilt of his dagger as he prepared to follow further. Whatever this man was involved in, it was clear he was no ordinary thug. And if he wasn't Karn, then perhaps he was connected to him—directly or indirectly.
The deeper into the underbelly they went, the clearer it became that this was a world separate from the rest of the station. The faint hum of the station's systems was drowned out by the buzz of illicit activity, a stark reminder that Von Braun V wasn't just a beacon of progress—it was a place where shadows thrived.
The underbelly of Von Braun V stretched out like a labyrinth of shadows and flickering neon. The cloaked man maneuvered with ease, clearly familiar with the chaotic network of stalls and alleys. Aventus, remaining a few paces behind, kept himself hidden in the shadows, his focus sharp as he tracked his target deeper into the lawless underworld. The stakes felt higher now—this was no place to falter, and every move had to be precise.
Aventus moved like a shadow, weaving through the crowd with practiced ease, his sharp indigo eyes never leaving the cloaked man. The noise and chaos of the underground market provided perfect cover, masking his steps as he waited for the right moment. The man moved deeper into the district, his movements confident but not cautious enough.
Finally, Aventus spotted a narrow alley branching off from the main thoroughfare. It was dimly lit by a single, flickering neon sign above a rusted doorway, the shadows thick enough to swallow sound and sight. He quickened his pace, closing the gap between himself and the cloaked man.
In one swift motion, Aventus drew his antimatter dagger, its faint iridescent glow shimmering ominously. He pressed the blade firmly against the small of the man's spine, the cold edge radiating a faint hum of deadly energy. His voice was a low, venomous whisper, each word sharp and deliberate.
"Into the alley," Aventus growled, his tone steady and unyielding. "Quick and quiet. Try anything, and I'll leave you bleeding and paralyzed."
The man froze, his body stiffening as the dagger's presence registered. He let out a shaky breath, the confidence he had displayed earlier now replaced by the raw weight of Aventus's words. Slowly, the man nodded, his movements hesitant as he allowed Aventus to guide him into the shadowed alley.
As they stepped away from the bustling market, the noise faded into a distant hum, leaving only the heavy silence of the narrow space. The man's breathing quickened, but he didn't make any sudden moves, clearly understanding that Aventus wasn't bluffing. The faint glow of the dagger against his back was a constant, chilling reminder of that fact.
Aventus pressed the dagger a little harder against the man's back, his voice cold and steady. "Drop your weapons and kick them away. Slow and easy."
The man hesitated, his breathing shallow as the hum of the antimatter blade vibrated against his spine. Slowly, he reached for his hip, unholstering a standard-issue phaser. He bent down and set it on the ground before nudging it away with his foot. It slid across the grimy alley floor, stopping a few feet from Aventus.
"Good," Aventus muttered, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Now, hands up against the wall."
The man complied, raising his hands and pressing them flat against the cold metal surface of the alley's wall. Aventus kept the dagger at the ready as he reached around and began patting the man down, quick but thorough. His hands moved across pockets and folds of the man's clothing, checking for hidden compartments or weapons.
The search turned up two items: a pouch heavy with credits, about 500, and a phaser holster that had been left empty when the man surrendered his weapon. That was it—no data crystal, no hidden blades, nothing else of interest.
Aventus pocketed the credits without hesitation, his indigo eyes sharp and unyielding as he leveled his dagger at the man. "I'm looking for someone," he said, his voice cold and deliberate, each word cutting through the heavy silence of the alley. "And something tells me you know where to find them."
The man stiffened, his hands still pressed against the wall, his breathing quickening. Aventus took a half-step closer, the faint hum of his antimatter dagger vibrating in the air between them. His tone dropped lower, more menacing. "Now, I'm only going to ask once. If you lie…" He leaned in, letting the blade hover closer to the man's side. "I'll cut you from waist to neck. Where's Karn?"
The threat hung heavy in the air, and the man swallowed hard, his resolve cracking under the pressure. "Alright, alright!" he stammered, his voice shaking. "Don't… don't do anything stupid, alright? I don't know exactly where he is, but I know where he operates."
Aventus's eyes narrowed. "Keep talking."
The man took a shaky breath, nodding quickly. "There's a warehouse… back near the old freight terminal in the underbelly. It's his spot. Deals go in, goods come out. You'll probably find him there if he's not already moving to another job."
Aventus nodded at the man's trembling confession. "Good enough," he muttered, his voice cold and steady. Before the man could react, Aventus swiftly pulled his phaser, aiming directly at his chest. The shot was precise—a low-energy stun blast that sent the man crumpling to the ground, unconscious before he hit the grimy floor.
Without wasting a second, Aventus grabbed the man by the collar and dragged him toward a nearby dumpster, its rusted lid slightly ajar. With little ceremony, he heaved the man inside, his limp body landing with a dull thud amidst the trash. Aventus grabbed a few nearby bags of refuse and tossed them in on top, covering the unconscious figure in a haphazard pile of discarded waste.
"Stay put," he muttered dryly, though the man was far from hearing him.
Satisfied, Aventus adjusted his gear and picked up the mans Phaser, pulling his hood tighter over his head as he stepped back into the flow of the district. The crowd barely noticed him, their attention focused on their own dealings. He moved with purpose, blending into the chaos as he made his way toward the old freight terminal. The information was enough to go on, and now it was just a matter of finding Karn and finishing the job.
The trek to the old freight terminal took Aventus deeper into the underbelly of Von Braun V, where the air grew thicker, the lights dimmer, and the atmosphere more oppressive. The chaos of the market faded behind him, replaced by the hollow echoes of distant machinery and the occasional hiss of leaking pipes. The freight terminal itself loomed ahead, its massive structure a relic of a bygone era. Rust streaked the metal walls, and the faint glow of malfunctioning neon signs gave the area an eerie, flickering light.
Aventus scanned his surroundings as he approached the warehouse the man had mentioned. The building was squat and utilitarian, its high walls lined with darkened windows, some cracked or boarded over. Large sliding doors, streaked with grime, dominated one side, partially ajar, leaving enough room for someone to slip inside unnoticed.
He crouched low as he moved closer, his indigo eyes sharp as he assessed the area. The faint murmur of voices reached his ears—low and tense, coming from within the warehouse. Shadows moved against the light spilling out of the narrow gap, their shapes distorted and difficult to identify.
Aventus paused near the edge of the building, pulling his hood tighter as he pressed himself against the cold metal wall. His hand brushed the hilt of one of his daggers, the familiar hum of readiness settling over him. He peeked through the gap, his sharp eyes taking in the interior.
The warehouse was a cluttered mess of crates, barrels, and stacked machinery, all coated in a fine layer of dust. A small group of figures stood near the center, surrounding a table covered in scattered datapads and glowing holo-displays. Among them was a wiry man with a hooded coat, his posture tense as he gestured toward the others. Aventus recognized the description instantly—Karn.
Aventus smirked faintly, his indigo eyes narrowing as he assessed the scene. There were four others with Karn, each armed, their weapons slung casually over their shoulders or resting within easy reach. They didn't seem to be on high alert, but the tension in the room was palpable—a deal was happening, or something important was being discussed.
He took a step back from the gap, weighing his options.
Aventus took a deep, steadying breath, his indigo eyes fixed on the scene inside the warehouse. The tension in the air was palpable, the group oblivious to his presence just outside. He leaned slightly closer to the gap, and with a sudden burst of energy, he shouted in a commanding voice that echoed through the hollow space:
"This is the police! We have you surrounded! Come out with your hands up! Undercover officer, are you okay?"
The reaction was immediate and chaotic.
The group inside froze, their heads snapping up in alarm. Karn's wiry frame stiffened, his wide eyes darting toward the gap in the door. One of the armed men cursed loudly, fumbling with his weapon as the others exchanged panicked glances. The tension that had been simmering in the room exploded into full-blown fear.
"Shit, we're busted!" one of them yelled, his voice rising in panic. "I told you this place wasn't secure!"
"Shut up!" Karn snapped, but his own voice betrayed his growing anxiety. "It's probably a bluff—stay calm!"
One of the other men, less convinced, edged toward the side of the warehouse, peering nervously through a nearby window. "I don't see anyone, but—damn it, what if they're out there?"
Aventus smirked faintly, staying perfectly still as the group descended into disarray. One of the thugs nearest to Karn looked directly at him, his face pale. "What about the undercover cop? What if they're here?"
Karn's frustration bubbled over. "Who the hell cares about the cop?" he hissed.
The chaos inside the warehouse reached a boiling point as the group's paranoia and fear began to turn inward. The thug nearest Karn, his face pale with panic, suddenly leveled his phaser on one of the others.
"Who's the rat?" he demanded, his voice shaking but filled with desperation. "Who brought this down on us?"
"Put that thing down!" another shouted, backing away with his hands up. "We're all in this together!"
"Bullshit!" the first man snapped, his grip tightening on the weapon. "This kind of thing doesn't just happen! Someone tipped them off!"
Karn, visibly trying to maintain control, slammed his hand on the table. "Enough!" he barked, his voice sharp and commanding. "Everyone calm the hell down! No one's shooting anyone."
His words carried a ring of authority, but the tension in the room didn't ease. The man with the phaser kept it trained on his supposed comrade, his eyes darting nervously toward the windows and the gap in the door. "If they're really out there," he muttered, "then why aren't they coming in?"
Karn hesitated, his sharp mind racing to piece together the situation. He glanced at the gap in the door, then back at the group. "Maybe it is a bluff," he said cautiously, though his tone betrayed his own doubts. "But we're not taking chances. We grab what we can and move. Fast."
The group began to shift uneasily, a few of them lowering their hands to gather weapons or gear. Aventus watched from the shadows, his smirk fading into a more focused expression. The bluff had thrown them off, but they weren't broken yet. The longer he waited, the more likely they were to regroup—and the last thing he needed was a shootout with an armed and cornered gang.
Aventus took a steadying breath, his sharp indigo eyes locked on the chaos within the warehouse. The group was too focused on their escalating paranoia and Karn's attempts at control to notice the faintest movement outside. It was now or never.
With the precision of a shadow, Aventus slipped through the gap in the door, his movements silent and deliberate. He kept low, weaving between crates and barrels as he edged closer to the group. His daggers remained sheathed, his focus solely on the glowing data crystal clutched tightly in Karn's hand—and the datapad tucked into a holster at his hip.
Karn was too preoccupied with barking orders to notice as Aventus closed the distance. The others, still exchanging heated accusations and glances toward the windows, had their backs turned, their attention fractured. Aventus moved like a ghost, slipping behind Karn with practiced ease.
His hand darted out, fast and precise, plucking the data crystal from Karn's grip in a fluid motion. In the same movement, his other hand unlatched the datapad from Karn's holster and slid it into his pocket. Karn didn't even flinch, his focus entirely on the group in front of him.
Aventus withdrew just as quietly, retracing his steps with the same precision. He pressed his back against a stack of crates, pausing briefly to make sure no one had noticed the theft. The group remained oblivious, their argument growing louder and more frantic as the supposed "police" threat hung over them like a dark cloud.
With one final, calculated move, Aventus slipped out of the warehouse the way he'd come, disappearing into the shadows beyond the gap. Once he was far enough away, he allowed himself a faint smirk, the glow of the data crystal catching the dim light as he pulled it from his pocket.
"Too easy," he murmured under his breath, tucking the crystal and datapad securely into his coat. Now all that was left was delivering the goods to Rilek—and collecting his well-earned credits.