Chapter 5 - The Devil's Docks
The abandoned shipping docks were completely shrouded in thick, freezing coastal fog.
Arthur and Julian hid behind a massive rusted shipping container, completely soaked by the relentless rain.
Julian was clutching a heavy iron pipe, his hands shaking so violently that it rattled against the metal container.
Arthur remained perfectly still, scanning the dark warehouse ahead with a pair of stolen thermal binoculars.
There were six armed guards patrolling the perimeter, all bearing the distinct tattoo of Uncle Silas's mercenary company.
Julian whispered frantically, asking Arthur how a supposedly poor scholarship student knew military tactics.
Arthur ignored the question, focusing entirely on the structural weak points of the warehouse roof.
He instructed Julian to walk directly up to the front doors and surrender the manila envelope.
Julian stared at Arthur as if he had just been ordered to commit immediate suicide.
Arthur promised that he would provide covering fire from the rafters before they could hurt him.
Julian swallowed his immense fear, stepping out into the open and walking toward the heavily guarded entrance.
The guards instantly raised their rifles, shouting orders for the young heir to drop to his knees.
Julian held the envelope high in the air, screaming that he wanted to make a deal for Chloe's life.
As the guards moved forward to secure him, Arthur scaled the rusty drainage pipe on the side of the building.
He silently slipped through a broken skylight, landing softly on the steel catwalk above the warehouse floor.
Below him, he saw Chloe tied to a metal chair in the center of the massive room.
The masked leader of the mercenaries snatched the envelope from a terrified Julian.
He checked the documents, laughed cruelly, and immediately pointed his gun directly at Chloe's head.
The leader announced that there was never any deal, and Silas wanted all loose ends tied up permanently.
Arthur drew his titanium knife and leaped from the catwalk, dropping twenty feet directly onto the leader.
The impact crushed the leader's chest, sending his gun skittering across the concrete floor.
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Arthur kicked the weapon into the shadows and turned to face the remaining five heavily armed mercenaries alone.
Suddenly, a massive spotlight flicked on, blinding everyone in the warehouse completely.
