Ethan arrived at the rendezvous point, an abandoned subway station deep beneath the city. The place was a relic of a bygone era, long forgotten by the world above. It was dark and musty, with only the faintest light filtering through cracks in the ceiling. The air was thick with the scent of decay, but it provided the perfect cover for their clandestine meeting.
Mira was already there, standing by the remnants of an old ticket booth. Her face was set in a serious expression, and Ethan could tell she had news—whether good or bad, he couldn't yet tell.
"Ethan," she greeted him, her voice low. "Things are moving fast. We don't have much time."
"What's happened?" Ethan asked, feeling a surge of anxiety. He had known the situation was dire, but the urgency in Mira's tone suggested that it was even worse than he had imagined.
Mira glanced around, ensuring they were alone before she spoke. "The Shadows of New Eden have stepped up their operations. They're combing through the city, looking for any trace of you or the Bio-Crafting System. They've also sent agents to watch key locations—places where they think you might go. It's only a matter of time before they close in."
Ethan frowned, trying to process the information. "What about Serena? Is she safe?"
"For now," Mira replied. "But we can't take any chances. If they find out she's helping you, they won't hesitate to eliminate her. We need to stay ahead of them, and that means we need to move quickly."
Ethan nodded, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. "What about the key Dr. Thorn mentioned? Have you found anything?"
Mira's expression darkened. "I've been digging through my contacts, but it's like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Whoever created this system buried its secrets deep. But I did find something—a lead on a data broker who might have information about the key. He's a reclusive type, operates out of the northern district, near the industrial zone."
"What's the catch?" Ethan asked, knowing that nothing in this world came without a price.
Mira sighed. "He's not cheap. And he doesn't trust easily. We'll have to convince him that it's worth his while to help us. That, or we'll need to find another way to get the information out of him."
Ethan considered their options. Time was of the essence, but they couldn't afford to make any reckless moves. "We'll approach him carefully. I'd rather try to negotiate than force his hand. If he's as connected as you say, we don't want to make an enemy of him."
Mira nodded in agreement. "I've already arranged a meeting. We'll go together, but let me do the talking. He knows me, and I have a better chance of getting him to cooperate."
"Understood," Ethan replied. "When do we meet him?"
"Tonight," Mira said. "He's expecting us in a few hours. That gives us just enough time to prepare."
Ethan felt a sense of determination settle over him. The pieces were starting to come together, but the clock was ticking. If they were going to survive this, they needed to stay one step ahead of the Shadows and anyone else who might be after the Bio-Crafting System.
As they left the subway station, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. The streets above were teeming with life, but there was an undercurrent of tension, as if the city itself was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen.
Mira led the way through a series of narrow alleyways, taking a circuitous route to avoid any potential tails. They eventually arrived at a nondescript building in the northern district, its exterior giving no hint of the activities that went on inside.
They entered through a side door, the interior dimly lit and filled with the hum of machinery. The building had once been a factory, but now it served as a hub for all manner of illicit dealings—information, goods, and services exchanged in the shadows, far from the eyes of the authorities.
Mira led Ethan to a small, cluttered office at the back of the building. The man waiting inside was middle-aged, with sharp features and a calculating gaze. He looked up as they entered, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Mira," he said, his voice smooth but guarded. "I was wondering when I'd see you again. And you've brought a friend, I see."
"This is Ethan," Mira introduced, her tone calm and professional. "We're here on important business, Atlas. We need information, and we're willing to pay."
Atlas leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "Information, huh? You know that doesn't come cheap. Especially not when it involves the kind of things you usually deal with."
Mira nodded, not missing a beat. "We're aware. But this is urgent. We need to find the key to unlocking a specific piece of data—something that could be highly valuable to certain parties."
Atlas raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "And what exactly are we talking about here? What kind of data?"
Mira hesitated for a moment before answering. "It's related to the Bio-Crafting System. A prototype of sorts, left behind by someone with knowledge of its inner workings."
Atlas's eyes narrowed, his interest clearly piqued. "Bio-Crafting System, you say? Now that's a name I haven't heard in a while. Dangerous stuff, that. Why are you so interested in it?"
Ethan stepped forward, deciding to speak up. "Because it's the only thing standing between us and the people who want to take it for themselves. We need to unlock its full potential if we're going to survive."
Atlas studied Ethan for a long moment before nodding slowly. "Alright. I might have something for you. But like I said, it won't be cheap. And if I help you, I'll expect something in return."
"Name your price," Mira said, her voice steady.
Atlas smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes. "I'll want a cut of whatever profits you make once this is all over. And I'll need a guarantee that you won't forget who helped you when you're sitting on top of the world."
Ethan exchanged a glance with Mira, who gave a slight nod. "You'll have it," he said, knowing they had little choice.
Atlas seemed satisfied with the agreement. "Good. I'll get to work on finding what you need. It'll take some time, so stay close. I'll contact you when I have something."
As they left the office, Ethan couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. They had made a deal with someone who could easily turn on them if the situation changed. But for now, they had no other options.
Mira led the way back into the night, the weight of their decisions hanging heavy in the air. The game was growing more dangerous by the minute, and Ethan knew that every move they made could be their last.
But he also knew that they couldn't stop now. The Bio-Crafting System was their only hope, and they had to see this through to the end—no matter what it cost.