Shadowblade Volume 1: Blight Beginnings

Chapter 9: Logic Games

Ion Warehouse 47, Alpha Docking port......
(Maahir Kadar/Mastermind)
        The feeling of intelligence and power feels so rewarding, conquering these low lives. A vast amount can lead to fame but that's a weak end goal. Being able to connect with top-ranked buyers in high places means we get hands-on tech not even released in markets. "We've got new shipments coming in. Armor, weaponry, matter warmers, bomb destabilizers, and other weird stuff. What's the purpose of all this?" Ranveer asked. Even though he's one of my best workers, I still gotta lecture about this. How frustrating. "Purpose? You want purpose huh? This "weird stuff" can revolutionize this city. We're so discrete, not even those high-order folk know. Of course, the Syndicate can request our tech, but not all. I'll play their game for now until I cripple their empire. Anyways, what's the word about that Crosspoint heist? I sent her a week ago and hasn't come back yet." I said, with dismay. "Oh her. She just came in 15 minutes ago while you were lecturing me again. She's been trying to get your attention, but got distracted talking to the others." George replied. Again with this nonsense. 
     
       It's tough to find henchmen these days, but you can't win them all. I went down, rushing if she stole that device. "Hey Tavleen, yes you. Where's that device that I asked you to retrieve for me?" I asked. "Who me? I had to kill four guards which was easy. Chaos erupted quickly so I used their cover and evaded all those dealers. It was tough, but I got it. The Infinity Equalizer correct??" Tavleen said. Thank goodness she got it. I would've had to send me big soldiers go guns blazing, but a subtle approach did just fine too. "Yes that's the one. Imagine many possibilities letting this small device increase functionality ten fold. We'll keep this to ourselves." I said, with dire happiness. I took this to the analysis room, running its schematics. The ion battery in it got worn out during that demonstration. Looks like it needs a sustainable energy source to run for an eternity. How the irony yields. No matter, there's a local factory complex 15 miles from here down at Mafex Avenue. "Ok guys. We're gonna need a power source for our Infinity Equalizer to be at full capacity. I'll take our first ranked squadron and Tavleen. George, I want you to run point as order director from here. And keep watch over tech inventory too. We roll out in 8 minutes." I ordered. "Alright, sounds great to hone my skills out in front of you losers. From here, my code name now is Dark Archer." Tavleen said. I like her already.

Pocket Layer, Mid-morning.....
(Saafir Radwan/Shadowblade)
      These are some minor bruises I sustained a bit, but now I feel refreshed. I had a decent breakfast, workout session, prayers, Quran, cyber desk filing with Padmini, and suit assessments with Sonam. This helped bring my mind to focus with great discipline. "There, your suit's matter canons and blades are fully calibrated to deliver lethal combos along with armor upgrades," Sonam said. " I've taken the liberty to give you increased computer linkup for better sensory use around you. We picked up something on the radar. Police reports have traced a heist in progress down at Mafex. It's going down at that factory complex producing electrical power sources. Seems urgent." Padmini said. "Alright. I'll suit up to investigate this further. Seems like they need some sort of power source for something not good. Give me the quickest route in my GPS and helmet." I replied. After gathering required equipment, Sonam stopped me. "You'll need a more compact vehicle. I was able to contact those warehouse distributors for another invention we worked on previously. It was beta tested a couple of times but here's Dark matter cycle Z10. Purely linked to your suit's mainframe giving you strong synergy, going an easy 300 mph with its own renewable engine. This is environmentally friendly so now it's yours." Sonam said. I graciously thanked her for adding this to my vast arsenal. "You can tell me about your visit to Yama Industries when it's the right time," I said. That's something personal that I can't comprehend since all her family is gone now. Hope this is enough for happiness. She came and hugged me before I left. I always try to help those who've lost everything. My family's been good, but I miss them everyday. Portal opened as I reverted up the dark cycle to the Electric Works Complex. This bike has got horsepower, gotta admit that. A call came in as I tracked oncoming traffic. It came from the ACPD. "Hey Shadowblade. This is Captain Ibrahim. I'm sure you knew about the factory break-in and heading there. Just want to give you heads up, we've created a perimeter breach for a while. Our best officers are trying their best finding these perps, but no word came from them. I'll wait up so we can move in. Hope they aren't hurt. Come quick." he said, in a worried state of mind. "Thanks for informing. I'm passing by two more signs and will be there shortly. Hang tight." I said. Seems like Varun and Jay aren't here for this. Understandable since their main goal is rebelling against Syndicate adversaries. Glad the police have got my back. I rolled in frantically parking my bike.