Jerrick's gaze instantly turned razor-sharp.
Based on their current operational intel, the public rule of Whitecliffe Harbor was absolute: Project Zero-Transit was the sole authorized entry vector for external personnel.
That was the exact reason they had all fabricated new identities just to get on this damn ship.
But now, someone was bypassing the ship entirely and taking a ghost route straight
into the port?
What did that mean?
It meant the Obsidian Sun controlled a classified, subterranean logistics network that no one in the global underworld even knew existed.
But... if they had a secure ghost route, why take the massive risk of loading Specimen Fourteen onto a public smuggler's vessel in the first place?
Jerrick stared at Jasper. "Is your intel solid?"
"Impeccable." Jasper arched an eyebrow. "I deal in absolute truths. You can question my morals all day long, Captain, but you never question my product."
That, at least, was a fact.
Jerrick had already witnessed the Wraith's terrifying competence firsthand.
Having stated his piece, Jasper's expression darkened into something deadlier. "Data can be manipulated, but a hot black-site, heavy medical tech, and sterilized transit corridors..."
"When those lines intersect, it proves someone is orchestrating a slaughter in Whitecliffe Harbor."
Jasper locked eyes with him. "If I were the Obsidian Sun, and I just had my most vital asset hijacked, publicly humiliated, my floating stronghold gutted, and then was forced to bleed out a hundred and thirty billion dollars to buy back my own property..."
"Not to mention the fact that Fourteen's little debut put a massive target on my back for every cartel in the underworld."
"If I were them, there is no chance in hell I'd just sit back and let someone hold a leash around my neck."
Jerrick understood the tactical reality perfectly.
The Obsidian Sun had bled too
much. They were absolutely going to use the u upcoming handover to ip
out the throats of everyone who had wronged them
That included reclaiming Specimen Fourteen.
And it included annihilating the woman who had orchestrated their ruin his sister.
His fingers clamped tight around the data chip, his slate-blue eyes radiating a frigid, murderous intent. "Why give this to me?"
"Like I said! We had a lovely time working together yesterday." Jasper tapped his smiling mask. "Besides you're the security detail for Fourteen, and The Panacea is the
medical tead I need you both
breathing so I can finish hunting down my own targets."
"So... consider this a little down payment of good faith for our continued partnership."
"It's just an intel trade," Jerrick corrected coldly.
"Sure." Jasper didn't argue. "Call it whatever makes you sleep at night, Captain."
He stretched his arms lazily. "I'm going to keep digging into our mystery VIP. But... we are officially out of time."
He laughed, his smiling mask
catching the harsh artificial light of the corridor; looking thoroughly demonic. "You and I both know that once we drop
Ha Chor at Whitecliffe
Harbor, this wont be a simple hand-off."
"While we're on this ship, the Obsidian Sun still has to play by the Commodore's
rules. Everything that's happened so far is just a warmup."
"Once we hit the docks, the real bloodbath begins."
With a final wave, Jasper turned on his heel and strolled away.
Jerrick stood motionless, his eyes stormy and lethal.
He had originally planned to swing by the dining hall to keep an eye on his sister
and Nicholas.
But now, his entire tactical grid had to be rebuilt from scratch.