Serena nodded, her eyes locked on the residual transit markers scrolling across the
scanner.
The internal routing codes overlapped directly with the AWS-05 designation found inside Asset 07's chip.
But the final transfer marker didn't point to AWS-05 at all.
It pointed to a chillingly unfamiliar designation: AWS-14.
Serena's fingers tightened instantly.
"Asset 14. They've already advanced to the 14th iteration." This syndicate truly... never stopped their grotesque experiments.
Jerrick had clearly come to the exact same conclusion. His expression turned terrifyingly grim, his fists clenching so hard at his sides that his knuckles cracked.
The number of human lives extinguished to produce a single viable specimen was unimaginable.
To reach the 14th iteration meant an astronomically horrific death toll.
The syndicate's depravity knew absolutely no bounds.
Serena's voice was frigid. "Asset 07 was never the actual product they intended to sell, and neither was 05."
She slowly lifted her gaze to Jerrick, all traces of amusement gone from her eyes. "07 was merely a decoy to divert attention. 05 was just a relay node. The real asset they plan to smuggle into Whitecliffe Harbor..."
"Is Asset 14."
Staring at the designation on the screen, a violent hostility radiated from Jerrick.
To mask the transfer of Asset 14, the syndicate had triggered Asset 07's rampage in the exhibition hall, intentionally exposed their hidden command layer, and even attempted to assassinate The Sterling Sovereign.
They had even deliberately routed their signal through Fenris's security grid, attempting to use the ship's own security forces to eliminate his mercenary squad.
Their objective had been crystal clear from the start.
To create so much chaos that anyone who might interfere with Asset 14's transfer would be too busy fighting for their own lives.
But now, Asset 07 had been subdued, the hidden commands severed by Serena, and Fenris remained untouched by the ship's authorities.
Even the highest-tier buyer, The Sterling Sovereign, hadn't suffered a single scratch.
Their entire master plan had been completely dismantled.
Serena's eyes darkened. "Which means they won't wait for tomorrow."
Jerrick's head snapped up.
Serena shut down the scanner, slipping both her data chip and Jerrick's black patch directly into her medical kit as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Yes, your guess is correct. They'll initiate the transfer ahead of schedule tonight."
"So, we have to find Asset 14 before they make their move."
Jerrick was silent for a few seconds. He didn't ask for his black patch back, but instead asked, "Why are you telling me all this?"
Serena half-lowered her eyelids, a bold, fearless light shining in her clear eyes. "Let's make a deal, guard dog."
"Since we both boarded this ship with our own agendas, maybe our ultimate goals actually align."
"Until we achieve what we came for, working together is our best option right now."
That smirk made Jerrick space out for a fraction of a second.
For some inexplicable reason, she reminded him of his little sister.
His sister was just like The Panacea always radiating that confident, audacious energy, moving with the absolute certainty. об. Someone holding all the cards.
Thinking of his sister, the hard lines of his face softened slightly.
He stared at Serena for a long time before slowly responding, "Fine. We work together."
"Leave the tracking of Asset 14's transfer route to me."
The moment the words left his mouth, he turned and vanished seamlessly back into the shadows.
Serena expertly dodged the surveillance cameras and slipped out of the quarantine
zone.
Just as she rounded a corner toward the main corridor, a strong arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her into an embrace that smelled of crisp pine.
Resting his chin on top of her head, the man's voice was thick with displeasure. "Serena, what exactly were you and that guard dog chatting about?"
His hot breath dusted her ear.
Serena reached out and pinched his abdominal muscles. "We're collaborating. What else would we talk about?"
The man let out a soft hmph, clearly drowning in jealousy and refusing to be appeased.
Serena pinched harder. "Enough.
Now is not the time to mess around.
Fenris handed over the data he
intercepted during that
ninety second blackout. I rama quiete
sean..."
FindNovel.net
She rapidly relayed her findings to Nicholas.
When he heard that the true target of the transfer was "Asset 14," Nicholas's eyes
went dangerously dark.
"I suspect the Raven is the one orchestrating all of this," Nicholas stated the syndicate is going to such extreme lengths to secure Asset 14, it's highly likely... this is the true, perfected Obsidian Augment."
Serena nodded. "That's exactly what I figured. So... I struck a deal with Fenris to locate Asset 14 first."
"Since their original plan failed, they'll be desperate to adjust. Tonight is our best window to strike."
Nicholas stroked Serena's slender waist, a ruthless, bloodthirsty smirk slowly curving his lips. "The syndicate really does have an insatiable appetite."