Jerrick held his gaze, waiting for him to get to the point.
Jasper's voice dropped. "The Obsidian Sun took a catastrophic hit. Do you honestly think they're just going to lick their wounds and walk away?"
"Since we became temporary allies through Ms. Panacea, and our current goals align, it makes sense to keep this partnership going... which is why I'm bringing you a gift."
He paused, the teasing lilt vanishing entirely. "There is massive, anomalous personnel movement at Whitecliffe Harbor."
The mention of the port caused Jerrick's expression to harden instantly.
He had just finalized his post-docking security parameters.
Any tactical shift on the ground could directly jeopardize Serena's safety.
"Give me the details," Jerrick demanded.
"Still hazy," Jasper admitted, shaking his head. "They've buried their identities deep, but the numbers are significant. And all of their movement vectors are converging on the East Sector."
Jasper reached into his pocket, pulled out a black data chip no larger than a fingernail, and casually tossed it through the air.
Jerrick snatched it out of the air.
Jasper continued, "This is fresh intel. There's a black-site laboratory in the East Sector-been abandoned for years. Last night, it went hot."
"Someone scrubbed the perimeter, rebooted the power grid, and moved in a massive shipment of untraceable medical tech."
"We're talking S-Class Bio-Sustainment Pods, Neural-Link Conductors, and Titan- Grade Secure-Clamps explicitly designed for restraining lethal biological assets."
Every single piece of equipment he listed was perfectly tailored for Specimen Fourteen.
Jerrick stared down at the chip in his palm. He didn't bother asking how a man currently trapped on Project Zero-Transit was pulling real-time satellite intel from Whitecliffe Harbor.
To become the apex broker for the underground bounty hunter network, The Grinning Wraith naturally had his own god-tier surveillance web.
Jerrick closed his fist around the chip, locking eyes with him. "Are they setting up the drop point there?"
"Highly likely," Jasper replied, though he stressed the uncertainty. "But there's an equally good chance the lab is just a smoke screen."
Given how the Obsidian Sun operated in the shadows, a diversion was practically guaranteed.
"But honestly, compared to the resurrected lab, I found something far more entertaining." Jasper's lips curled into a wicked smirk.
It was a smile loaded with lethal implications.
Jerrick's gaze sharpened.
Jasper jutted his chin toward the chip in Jerrick's hand. "I intercepted a fresh priority clearance request."
"An unidentified VIP is inbound to Whitecliffe Harbor."
Jerrick narrowed his slate-blue eyes. "Who?"
"No idea." Jasper shrugged nonchalantly. "My network can't pull a single byte of data on them. No D no background. The only thing we know for sure is that this person holds absolute god-tier authority within the Obsidian Sun. To roll out
the red carpet, the harborcomand has already sterilized several lockdown corridors in advance."
Jasper's smirk deepened, revealing a flash of genuine thrill. "And here's the best part: this VIP isn't on any of Project Zero-Transit's manifests. Theyre bypassing the ship entirely. and they be touching down Whitecliffe Harbor before we even dock."