### Arc 4: **The Gathering Storm**
#### Chapter 8: **Showdown at the Depot**
The warehouse district was eerily silent except for the sporadic bursts of gunfire. Shadows moved between the massive steel containers, the mercenaries methodically sweeping the area. Jae-min parked the car a safe distance away, stepping out with Riho by his side.
"Looks like they've set up a perimeter," Riho muttered, her eyes scanning the area. "They're not just here to destroy the depot—they're looking for something."
Jae-min frowned. "The west depot doesn't just house supplies. There's confidential data stored in the secondary server room. If Kael gets his hands on that…"
"Not going to happen," Riho said, cracking her knuckles. "So, what's the plan?"
"We need to split up," Jae-min decided. "I'll head to the server room and secure the data. You take out as many of them as you can and create a distraction."
Riho gave him a sly grin. "Finally, something fun. Try not to die, boss."
---
**The Distraction**
Riho moved like a shadow, slipping between the steel containers with practiced ease. The mercenaries never saw her coming.
The first fell silently, her blade slicing clean through his armor. The second managed a gasp before her dagger found his throat. By the time the others realized they were under attack, Riho was already gone, vanishing into the maze of containers.
"She's here!" one of the mercenaries shouted. "Spread out and find her!"
Riho smirked from her perch atop a container, watching as the group scattered. "Amateurs."
She dropped down behind another target, knocking him unconscious with the hilt of her blade. Picking up his radio, she mimicked a panicked voice. "We're under heavy fire! Backup needed at the east side!"
The mercenaries rushed toward the false location, leaving the central area vulnerable.
---
**The Server Room**
Jae-min entered the depot through a side entrance, his heart pounding. The sounds of Riho's distraction faded into the distance, but he knew it wouldn't last long.
The server room was on the second floor, hidden behind a series of locked doors. Jae-min activated the system interface in his mind, using its hacking capabilities to override the security measures.
"System," he whispered, "can you detect any hostiles nearby?"
The system's holographic avatar appeared beside him, her expression serious. "Two hostiles are patrolling the hallway outside the server room. I recommend a stealth approach."
Jae-min nodded, gripping the small stun gun he'd brought with him. He crept forward, keeping close to the wall. The first mercenary passed by without noticing him. Jae-min struck quickly, the stun gun silencing him before he could react.
The second mercenary turned at the sound, but Jae-min was faster. A well-placed kick sent the man sprawling, and a second jolt from the stun gun finished the job.
"Clear," Jae-min muttered, stepping into the server room.
---
**Securing the Data**
The server room hummed with activity, rows of machines blinking with light. Jae-min approached the main terminal, plugging in a secure drive.
"System, download everything," he ordered.
The system avatar appeared again, her holographic fingers dancing over a virtual keyboard. "Data transfer initiated. Estimated time: two minutes."
Jae-min's stomach tightened. Two minutes felt like an eternity.
The sound of footsteps echoed from the hallway. Jae-min spun around, his heart sinking as more mercenaries appeared in the doorway.
"Well, well," the leader sneered. "The famous Jae-min. Kael's going to love this."
Jae-min raised his stun gun, but the mercenaries were armed with automatic rifles. He was outmatched and outnumbered.
---
**Riho's Return**
A flash of steel and a blur of movement announced Riho's arrival. She stormed into the room, her blades slicing through the first two mercenaries before they could react.
"Miss me?" she asked, smirking as she dodged a volley of bullets.
Jae-min didn't answer, focusing instead on the terminal. "The download's almost done!"
Riho held off the remaining mercenaries, her movements fluid and deadly. She fought like a dancer, every strike precise and lethal.
"Done!" Jae-min shouted, grabbing the secure drive.
"Then let's get out of here!" Riho yelled, throwing a smoke bomb to cover their escape.
---
**The Aftermath**
Jae-min and Riho stumbled out of the depot, gasping for air. The mercenaries were still inside, disoriented by the smoke.
"Did we get everything?" Riho asked.
Jae-min held up the drive. "Every last file. Kael won't be getting his hands on it."
Riho grinned. "Good. Let's get back before they regroup."
As they drove away, Jae-min couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. Kael had shown his hand, but he was far from finished.
The war was just getting started.
---
**To Be Continued...**