Kaide and Filyn moved through the dimly lit maintenance corridors, careful not to make a sound. The mall's emergency lights cast an eerie glow over the halls, shadows stretching unnaturally against the walls.

After ensuring the mother and her children had safely escaped, they needed answers. The Sable Fang wasn't a group that acted without reason. They had planned this attack, and that meant there was something in this mall they wanted.

With the hostages safe, Kaide and Filyn continued to move deeper into the mall, slipping through the maintenance corridors and avoiding enemy patrols. The entire mall was on high alert, with terrorists stationed at key locations — guarding stairwells, blocking exits, and patrolling the upper floors.

Kaide pressed a hand to his wrist, activating his Dimenswatch EXA. A faint, futuristic blue ring flickered around his arm before his entire body shimmered and vanished — the cloaking feature activating seamlessly.

Filyn crossed her arms.

"Still, I'm jealous you have that thing and I don't. You'd better not ditch me while invisible."

Kaide, now unseen, smirked. "I'd never."

Filyn, staying low, followed closely as Kaide scouted ahead.

Kaide, now completely invisible, moved forward with silent precision, following the sounds of heavy boots and hushed voices.

|♪♪♪♪♪|

The two of them reached a semi-secluded section of the mall — a private lounge area meant for VIP shoppers, looking down onto an open space near the mall's security office. There, five heavily armed terrorists stood around a holographic map projected from a portable device.

Kaide, completely undetectable thanks to his cloaking, silently approached, positioning himself behind a nearby pillar to listen in.

Kaide crouched, focusing on their conversation.

One of the masked men, likely a squad leader, tapped a section of the map.

"Group A has secured the main entrances. Group B is locking down the central plaza. That leaves Group C with the primary target location."

A second terrorist adjusted his rifle.

"You sure the intel's good? I mean, this is just a mall."

The squad leader scoffed. "You don't understand. This place is more than a mall — the upper levels house a hidden underground vault."

Kaide's eyes narrowed.

The second terrorist frowned. "A hidden underground vault? For what?"

The squad leader crossed his arms.

"Classified tech. Advanced weapon systems and experimental defense prototypes. Our client wants a particular data core stored here. Other than that, there's another objective that we can complete as long as we find it."

Kaide clenched his fists.

'So that's why they're here. . .'

The data core must have something valuable — enough to justify a full-scale attack on the mall. That objective is also something to be careful of. It might be very dangerous. . .

Another terrorist checked his gear.

"And what about the civilians?"

The squad leader's tone was cold.

"We'll keep them alive until we secure the objective. After that. . . it doesn't matter. No need for casualties unless someone gets in our way."

Kaide clenched his fists.

'They aren't planning a massacre, but if their plan falls apart, they'll resort to violence.'

The squad leader continued,

"We have thirty men total. Ten securing the exits, ten controlling the plaza, and ten of us handling the retrieval. Once we have the data core, we exfiltrate immediately."

One of the men sighed.

"Hope this is worth it. I don't wanna get stuck in some long-winded firefight with the city's security forces."

The squad leader smirked.

"Relax. We'll be gone before they even know what hit them."

|♪♪♪♪♪|

Kaide slipped away as the conversation wrapped up, moving just as silently as before. Once he was a safe distance away, he deactivated the Dimenswatch EXA, his form flickering back into visibility.

Filyn immediately perked up.

"So? What's the deal?"

Kaide took a breath.

"They're after something called a data core — high-tech research stored in a hidden vault in this mall."

Filyn frowned. "Wait, wait, wait — are you telling me we just happened to shop at a mall with a secret underground vault? What kind of luck is that!?"

Kaide ignored her comment.

"There are thirty of them. Ten at the exits, ten in the plaza, ten handling the retrieval."

Filyn folded her arms. "Alright. . . so what's the plan? Let them take the data and run?"

Kaide shook his head.

"No. If whatever's in that data core is important enough to send this many men, it's dangerous. We need to stop them before they get it."

Filyn smirked. "Now that's more like it."

Kaide exhaled.

"First, we need to cut off their escape routes. If we can isolate their retrieval team, they'll be trapped."

Filyn cracked her knuckles.

"So, sabotage their exit strategy and take out the retrieval squad? I like it."

Kaide nodded. "Let's move. We have a lot of work to do."

With the data core now confirmed as their primary target, Kaide and Filyn knew the next crucial step was to neutralize the terrorists' escape routes. If they could prevent the attackers from getting out of the mall, they could contain the situation and disrupt the retrieval operation.

They moved cautiously through the back halls of the mall, Kaide using his Dimenswatch EXA to stay invisible while Filyn remained just out of sight, keeping a careful watch.

The main entrance of the mall had been taken over by the first group of terrorists. They had blocked off the doors and set up a checkpoint where civilians were being kept in a captive group. A couple of terrorists stood on high alert, rifles raised at anyone who tried to approach. The vantage point allowed them to see anyone who tried to escape the plaza.

Kaide signaled to Filyn from their hiding spot near the escalators. They needed to take out the guards quietly and efficiently.

Filyn whispers to Kaide.

"I'll distract them. You take out the ones with the radios."

Kaide nodded, blending into the shadows once more. He moved like a ghost, silent and swift, reaching the out-of-sight corner where the guards kept their communication equipment. He could hear their voices.

"Everything under control?"

One of the terrorists asked, watching the crowd of civilians.

"Yeah, just keep an eye out. No one's getting through here until the boss gives the signal. We've got backup ready if anything goes wrong,"

the other responded, a bit too relaxed for the situation.

Kaide's eyes locked on the terrorist's radio — the device laying carelessly on a crate. The moment was perfect. The distraction would give him the opportunity to act.

Filyn had already positioned herself near a row of clothing kiosks, pulling a small smoke grenade from her bag. She gave a quick, silent signal to Kaide, ensuring he was ready.

Filyn threw the smoke grenade a short distance, causing an explosion of white smoke to billow out in front of the terrorist group, blocking their vision. The terrorists immediately shouted, confused.

"What the hell?!"

In the chaos, Filyn stepped out from the haze, her silenced pistol in hand. She took out one of the guards quickly, a quick shot to the head before ducking behind a pillar to reload.

The remaining terrorists scrambled, unable to spot her in the fog.

With the guards distracted, Kaide crept forward to where the radio equipment sat. With a precise movement, he grabbed the radio, pulling it into his hands and shutting it off.

Before the terrorists could regain their bearings, Kaide disabled their communications by cutting the wire—without any backup, they'd be blind to what was going on in the rest of the mall.

In the midst of the chaos, Kaide moved quickly and efficiently, silently taking out the remaining terrorists who were disoriented from Filyn's distraction. One guard went down with a precise strike to the throat, another with a clean shot to the chest.

The mall entrance was now clear of the initial group of terrorists, and the civilians were safe, at least for now.

Filyn approached, her voice low. "Nice work."

Kaide checked his watch, but there was no time to relax.

"That's one exit secured. The others are still on high alert. We need to disrupt their next move before they realize we're onto them."

Filyn smiled. "Alright, let's get to the next exit before they start figuring things out."

|♪♪♪♪♪|

With the first escape route secured and the civilians safely relocated, Kaide and Filyn quickly made their way toward the second entrance. This one was located near the back of the mall, tucked behind a series of loading docks and storage areas.

The guards here were more heavily armed, likely expecting an organized escape. They had set up a blockade and were positioned in a triangle formation, keeping a tight watch on the large steel door.

Filyn crouched down, motioning for Kaide to follow.

"This isn't going to be easy, but if we can clear the guards quickly, we can get the civilians out through here."

Kaide nodded.

"Let's stick to the plan. We move fast and silent. Once we get them out, we'll inform the authorities about the threat and make sure they stay clear of the other exits."

The two of them flanked around the perimeter of the loading area, moving in the shadows as they observed the guards. Two terrorists were stationed near the door, while another pair was stationed behind some crates, scanning the surroundings.

Filyn spoke in a low voice.

"I'll take the two near the door. You handle the ones behind the crates."

Kaide raised an eyebrow.

"You think we'll be able to evacuate the civilians without them noticing?"

Filyn's smile was cold.

"We'll make it look like nothing happened. Just follow my lead."

"Fine, Just don't make it too brutal. . ."

Filyn pulled a small mirror from her pouch, using it to reflect the faint light off of a nearby overhead lamp. The glint caught the attention of one of the guards, who immediately turned toward the source.

With her movements quick as lightning, Filyn threw a flashbang grenade at the nearest terrorist, its blinding light and deafening sound incapacitating him in an instant. The other guard was momentarily stunned, and Filyn took him out with a quick shot to the chest.

Meanwhile, Kaide approached the two terrorists behind the crates. Using his Dimenswatch EXA, he turned invisible and swiftly disarmed the first guard before he could react. He knocked the second guard unconscious with a swift blow to the head, before catching his breath.

Once the guards were down, Kaide and Filyn quickly moved toward the group of civilians hiding nearby. The father of the family they'd helped earlier nodded in gratitude, his eyes filled with relief.

"We need to move quickly," Kaide whispered.

"There's a safe exit down this corridor. Once you're out, don't look back."

The civilians, still shaken but now with a sense of hope, nodded and followed the two of them as they guided them through the loading dock, past the disabled guards, and toward the back exit. The doors opened to reveal a small alleyway, and the authorities were already on their way.

Filyn quickly used her phone to alert the authorities, passing on the details of the terrorist's movements and the sabotage of the communications. The police were now moving in, but the two heroes knew they had no time to waste.

As they led the last civilian group out and made their way back toward the heart of the mall, Kaide noticed White Heart standing by one of the exit points, keeping a watchful eye on the surroundings.

"White Heart," Kaide called out.

The nearly ethereal figure of White Heart turned, her white armor gleaming even in the low light of the mall. Her presence was regal, and her sharp eyes scanned Kaide and Filyn with a calculating gaze.

"You two have done well,"

White Heart said in her calm, almost emotionless tone.

"I'm only here for the data core. Meanwhile, the authorities will handle the cleanup of the terrorists. You've done your part."

Filyn raised an eyebrow.

"The data core? You mean the thing these terrorists risked it all for?"

White Heart nodded. "The technology they're after is very dangerous. You should leave that matter to professionals."

Kaide stepped forward, his voice firm. "If that's the case, we can't let them take it. If it falls into the wrong hands, this whole situation could escalate far beyond this mall."

White Heart's gaze softened for a moment.

"I understand, but remember that I am here to ensure the balance. If you take it, the consequences may not be as straightforward as you think."

Before either Kaide or Filyn could respond, White Heart had left them with little choice but to continue on their mission.

|♪♪♪♪♪|

Having secured the escape routes and evacuated the civilians, Kaide and Filyn knew it was time to confront the retrieval team. They had only one goal: prevent the terrorists from getting their hands on the data core.

The two quickly moved through the corridors that led deeper into the mall. The sound of muffled voices echoed ahead, signaling they were getting close to the research facility.

As they approached the hidden vault's entrance, they could hear the faint clinks of heavy boots and low murmurs — the retrieval team had already begun their work.

Filyn crouched beside Kaide.

"Alright, this is it. We're outnumbered, but we can probably take them."

Kaide nodded, his grip tightening around his specialized baton.

"We get in, disable their weapons, and retrieve the core before they can activate anything."

As they neared the entrance, they saw the retrieval team gathered around the data core, a secure device housed in a high-tech, metallic vault.Kaide and Filyn moved swiftly into position, but the terrorists were already aware of their presence. The squad leader, a tall man with an eye patch, was the first to spot them.

"Ambush!"

The leader barked, signaling the others to draw their weapons.

Filyn reacted quickly, launching herself into the fray with a flashbang grenade, blinding two of the terrorists as they tried to fire on her. In the confusion, Kaide darted in, his form vanishing briefly before striking one of the terrorists from behind, knocking him unconscious.

However, the terrorists were no amateurs. The second the flashbangs detonated, they were already recovering, and gunfire erupted in the confined space, forcing Kaide and Filyn to duck for cover.

"We'll Beat the shit out of you!" The squad leader's voice was gruff as he raised a high-tech assault rifle, aiming at Kaide's position.

Kaide swiftly rolled out of the way, narrowly avoiding gunfire. He pulled out a smoke grenade, tossing it toward the squad leader. The thick smoke cloud disoriented their vision, but the enemies were still too skilled, relying on their night vision goggles to track him down.

Filyn took this opportunity to charge forward, using the close quarters to her advantage. She took out one of the terrorists with a quick melee strike and kicked the rifle out of another's hand, leaving him unarmed.

But the squad leader wasn't so easily deterred. He grabbed a combat knife and charged at Kaide, his aggressive steps cutting through the haze.

Kaide's instincts kicked in, and he evaded the knife's slashes with agility, but his footing slipped as the floor turned slick from a previous altercation. The squad leader's knife cut across Kaide's arm in a swift motion.

"You're not getting the core."

The leader sneered, raising the blade for another strike.

Filyn, seeing Kaide in trouble, immediately grabbed her pistol and aimed it at the leader. With a clean shot, she disabled his hand, sending the knife clattering to the floor.

Kaide, wincing from the cut on his arm, pushed himself back up, his resolve stronger than ever. "

Not today." He said, gritting his teeth.

Using his Dimenswatch EXA, he disappeared in an instant, reappearing behind the remaining terrorists. A quick and deadly strike sent one of them to the floor, while another was disarmed and subdued.

Filyn, meanwhile, had taken out two more terrorists with well-placed shots, her pistol steady and accurate as always.

The remaining members of the retrieval team, now shaken, tried to regroup, but they were no match for the speed and precision of Kaide and Filyn. The intensity of the firefight started to die down as the terrorists realized they were losing ground.

Kaide rushed forward and knocked the final terrorist guarding the data core to the ground, restraining him quickly. Filyn moved to the vault, entering the code that the terrorists had been trying to hack into. With a small hiss, the vault door opened to reveal the data core.

She carefully picked up the device, checking it for any signs of tampering.

"Got it. We need to move, now."

Just as they were about to leave, the squad leader, now recovering from his injuries, reached for a remote control at his waist.

Kaide's eyes widened.

"No, you don't."

In one fluid motion, he threw a knife directly at the remote, sending it spiraling into the air and crashing against the wall. The leader growled in frustration but didn't attempt to chase after them.

Filyn shot him a look.

"We're done here."

|♪♪♪♪♪|

Kaide and Filyn quickly exited the research facility with the data core in hand. They barely managed to escape the mall, with gunfire still echoing behind them. The authorities were finally moving in, and the terrorists were now completely out of options.

They reached their safehouse, where Filyn immediately handed over the data core to the proper authorities, making sure it was secured and untampered with so they could hand it over to White Heart.

Meanwhile. . .

The mall was a battlefield, but the terrorists had been contained. As the authorities arrived, White Heart emerged from the Hallways, her glowing white armor cutting through the dim light. Her movements were like a fluid dance as she gracefully swept through the area, using precise strikes to incapacitate any terrorists who tried to escape or retaliate.

A terrorist lunged toward a group of officers, gun raised, but White Heart was faster. In an instant, her Axe flashed out, disarming the assailant and sending him crashing to the ground with a swift karate chop. The officers quickly apprehended him as White Heart moved on to the next.

She stopped briefly to survey the scene. Civilians were being led to safety, and the authorities were efficiently rounding up the last few stragglers, but there were still pockets of resistance.

A terrorist tried to break through a side door, but White Heart was already there, blocking his path. She knocked him out with a single, calculated blow, watching as his body slumped to the floor.

As the last of the terrorists were rounded up and secured, White Heart's gaze shifted toward the entrance before looking at the glass dome above, a shadow of thought crossing her expression.

She didn't know why, but something about this mission felt like it was just the beginning of something far greater.

|♪♪♪♪♪|

Chapter 11

Data Core and White Heart

3157 Words