The boat cut through the dark waters with a quiet hum, the engine barely audible over the rush of the wind and the waves lapping at the sides. The distant city lights were nothing more than a hazy blur behind them, swallowed by the night. Grimm sat at the back, his eyes scanning the horizon, a gnawing unease in the pit of his stomach.
Volkova was at the front, her body tense, her rifle resting against her knee as she looked out toward the water. The silence between them stretched thin, but neither of them seemed inclined to break it. They had survived—barely—but the real battle had only just begun.
Grimm's mind kept returning to the mission, to the black op that had gone to hell in the first place. He'd known something was wrong, had sensed the trap from the start. But they'd walked right into it anyway, lured by the promise of answers that, now, seemed more distant than ever.
"Do you think they'll follow us?" Volkova's voice broke through the silence, her accent heavy but clear.
Grimm didn't answer right away. He thought about the Helix enforcers, the way they had moved with precision, the way they knew exactly where to find him. They weren't just hunting a lone operative—they were hunting him specifically. He had become the target, not just for what he knew, but for what he had once been a part of.
"They'll come for us," Grimm said finally, his voice cold. "Helix won't let this go. Not after what happened."
Volkova glanced over at him, her sharp eyes narrowing. "You think Kessler will send more of his dogs?"
"Not just dogs," Grimm replied, his jaw tightening. "I think he'll send everything he's got."
The mention of Adrian Kessler's name sent a familiar cold shiver down Grimm's spine. Kessler had been the architect of so many operations—so many lives ruined—and yet, the man had always been a ghost. He was untouchable, operating from the shadows, controlling the strings from a distance. Until now.
Grimm clenched his fists, the weight of guilt and anger pressing on him. Kessler had sold him out—sacrificed his own people like pawns in a game that only he knew how to play.
Volkova seemed to sense his frustration, and she let out a soft sigh. "You need to focus on the present, Grimm. Kessler won't matter if we don't make it out of here alive."
He nodded, reluctantly shifting his focus back to their immediate surroundings. They were nearing the coastline now, the dark silhouette of a cargo ship anchored just offshore becoming clearer in the distance. The ship was their rendezvous point. It was supposed to be a safe place, away from prying eyes, but Grimm knew better than to trust anything that seemed too perfect.
As they neared the ship, a sharp crack echoed through the night air, followed by a blinding flash from a distant dock. Grimm's heart skipped a beat. He knew that sound.
"Ambush," Grimm hissed, reaching for his rifle.
Volkova was already on alert, eyes scanning the darkness. "It's a trap."
The boat rocked violently as a barrage of gunfire erupted from the shore, bullets tearing through the water with vicious speed. Grimm ducked, pulling Volkova down with him. The boat swerved as the driver desperately tried to change course, but it was too late.
Another volley of shots rang out, this time hitting the engine. The boat sputtered, jerking forward before the motor gave out completely. The water became a cauldron of chaos as the boat lost its momentum, drifting toward the shoreline.
Grimm's heart raced as he looked back at the cargo ship. The extraction point had been compromised. They were dead in the water, with nowhere to run.
"Prepare for a fight," Grimm said, his voice tight with command. "We make it to the ship, or we die trying."
Volkova didn't hesitate. She grabbed her rifle and moved toward the edge of the boat, scanning the shore for their attackers. Grimm followed, his eyes searching for any sign of movement in the dark.
They weren't alone.
From the darkness of the dock, figures began to emerge—dozens of them. Not just Helix operatives, but local mercenaries, hired guns with no allegiance other than money. Grimm recognized a few faces among them, old enemies from past operations, but none of them were the type to let a grudge go. These were hired killers, ruthless and efficient, and they wouldn't stop until Grimm and Volkova were dead.
"Take cover!" Grimm yelled, diving behind a crate. Volkova followed suit, her sniper rifle raised as she took aim at the closest target.
Gunfire erupted again, the sound deafening as the mercenaries opened fire. Grimm returned fire, each shot measured and precise, but there were too many of them. And they were too well positioned. The dock was a perfect kill zone.
"We need to move!" Grimm shouted. "Keep your head down!"
He didn't wait for an answer. With a quick glance, he darted from behind the crate and into the shadows of the dock, moving quickly to avoid the incoming fire. Volkova stayed close behind, providing cover fire as they made their way toward the cargo ship.
The mercenaries were closing in, but Grimm knew that if they could just reach the ship, they would have a chance to fight back. It was their only hope.
As they neared the edge of the dock, the loud whine of a helicopter's rotors cut through the air—this time much closer. Grimm's eyes snapped upward, and his blood ran cold. The helicopter was coming in fast, and it was armed.
"Get to the ship, now!" Grimm barked.
They were almost there, just a few more meters, but it wasn't enough. The mercenaries opened fire once more, bullets raining down from every direction.
Grimm felt a sharp pain in his shoulder as a bullet grazed him, but he pushed through it. He couldn't stop now. Not when they were so close.
With a final surge of adrenaline, Grimm dove onto the ship's deck, pulling Volkova with him. They landed in a roll, taking cover behind a stack of crates just as the helicopter opened fire, its machine guns tearing into the dock.
For a moment, they were safe, hidden in the shadows of the cargo ship, but Grimm knew it wouldn't last long. The enemy was relentless, and Kessler's reach was too far.
"We can't stay here long," Grimm said, his voice low. "We need to figure out a way to get off this ship before they send more backup."
Volkova nodded, her face grim. "Let's make it count."
They couldn't stay in hiding forever. The fight was just beginning.