The man's towering frame was clad in pitch-black tactical gear that accentuated the rigid, unyielding line of his shoulders.
A dark mask obscured the lower half of his face, leaving only those piercing grayish- blue eyes visible.
He stood there like a statue of ice, radiating a suffocating aura of lethal intent.
It was painfully obvious that the group had been waiting for quite some time.
Serena's gaze lingered on Jerrick for a split second before her lips curled into a mocking smirk. "Mr. Fenris is certainly dedicated. Always rushing over to play doorman for me."
Jerrick met her stare with a deadpan expression, his voice frigid. "Miss Panacea is too expensive and far too dangerous. I wouldn't trust anyone else with the job." Serena scoffed. "Then you'd better keep a tight leash on me. I've never been a fan of following the rules."
Jerrick stepped aside to clear her path, his tone entirely flat. "I noticed."
The two of them traded barbs, instantly flooding the corridor with the suffocating stench of gunpowder.
Standing on the sidelines, Director Kaelen watched the exchange as cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
He couldn't fathom why these two seemed genetically predisposed to rip each other's throats out the moment they made eye contact.
But then again, their mutual hostility was exactly what the ship's administration was banking on.
The Panacea despised Fenris, and Fenris treated her like a walking biohazard. This was perfect. Neither would ever dream of colluding with the other.
As long as they kept their fangs bared at each other, the ship remained secure.
Director Kaelen scrambled forward to play peacemaker. "Your Excellency, for this inspection and repair of Specimen Seven's legacy bio-chamber, Mr. Fenris and his squad will serve as your escort for the entire duration."
"Since we're entering the Sanctum Vault's Outer Perimeter, I'm sure you understand this is a heavily restricted zone."
"Even just for the outer perimeter, all entry and exit protocols must be strictly adhered to."
Serena slowly raised her eyes, giving him a half-smile that didn't reach them. "You paid me to come here. I didn't beg for an invitation."
Director Kaelen nodded frantically. "Of course, of course. We humbly requested your assistance."
He wiped at his dry forehead. "It's just that protocol still requires compliance. I beg Your Excellency not to take offense."
Serena ignored him, shooting a thoroughly unimpressed glance at Fenris. I'm here for a paycheck. As long as Mr Fenris stays out of my way, you can escort and search me however you like."
With that, she tightened her grip on her medical case and tipped her chin toward the blast doors, flashing a dark mocking grin. "Lead the way, watchdog
The eyes of the four mercenaries standing behind Jerrick instantly darkened with rage.
But Jerrick didn't flinch, acting as if her blatant insult had completely bounced off his armor.
He simply turned on his heel, ordering coldly, "Stay close."
The group advanced toward the imposing blast doors of the vault's perimeter.
Taking the lead, Jerrick's expression remained perfectly stoic.
The moment the ship issued the order for him to escort The Panacea into the perimeter.
He knew his gamble had paid off.
Before she left the medical wing, she had purposefully warned him that as long as no one touched the asset it wouldn't die before reaching Whitecliffe.
That wasn't just a flippant answer. It was a roadmap.
If he wanted access to the cargo, he had to force an anomaly in Specimen Seven's data metrics.
That was the only way the administration would panic and summon her back.
And as the man tasked with guarding both the medical wing and the vault, he would naturally be assigned to escort and monitor her.
The setup was flawless.
She could use the bio-chamber inspection as a perfectly legitimate excuse to waltz right into the perimeter.
And he could use his escort duties to infiltrate a high-security zone he normally had zero justification to approach.
Everything was playing out exactly as he had calculated.