Page 15 of Pact with the Alien Devil

“Possibly.” I considered our options. “The information about this retrieval job must have leaked. Someone in the Fangs has betrayed Alkard.”

“Your boss has enemies even among his own people?”

“Power always attracts those hungry for it.”

We proceeded more cautiously now, taking a maintenance route rather than the direct path. The shafts were narrow,forcing us to move in single file. I kept Iria behind me, acutely aware of every sound and movement she made.

As we approached a junction, I spotted something on the floor – a discarded ration pack. I picked it up. The wrapper still held warmth.

“They’re close,” I said. “Be ready.”

The storage area lay just ahead, beyond a set of heavy blast doors. A security panel glowed beside it, requiring authorization.

I pulled a decoder from my belt and attached it to the panel. Numbers flickered rapidly across the screen as it cycled through potential codes.

“How long will that take?” Iria asked.

“Not long.” I turned to her. “When we enter, stay behind me.”

Her expression hardened. “I can handle myself.”

“That’s not?—”

“I didn’t survive this long by hiding behind anyone, not even a Vinduthi warrior.”

The frustration in her voice caught me off guard. “I’m not questioning your capabilities.”

“Aren’t you?” She stepped closer, challenging me despite our height difference. “I’m not just some tool for your mission, Korvan. I’m your partner on this job, whether you like it or not.”

The word ‘partner’ struck me oddly. I’d never considered any human my partner before. Servants, assets, tools – yes. Not equals.

The decoder beeped softly, interrupting whatever I might have said. The blast doors slid open with a hydraulic hiss, revealing the storage chamber beyond.

The room stretched before us, cavernous and dimly lit. Rows of shelving units created a maze-like pattern, most empty now but some still holding sealed containers. At the center of the room sat our objective – a government-grade storage pod, its surface gleaming despite the poor lighting.

Something was wrong. The container sat too prominently, too perfectly positioned. Like bait.

I raised my hand, signaling Iria to stop. “It’s too easy,” I whispered.

The warehouse lights suddenly brightened to full intensity, momentarily blinding us. A voice called from the darkness.

“Took you long enough, Korvan.”

Four figures emerged from hiding spots around the room. Black Spikes operatives, each heavily armed. Their leader stepped forward – a scarred Krellan, with cybernetic enhancements visible along his jawline.

“Vex!” I stated. “One of the Black Spikes’ commanders himself. Your syndicate must want this badly.”

He laughed. “Still doing Alkard’s dirty work? The mighty Vinduthi, reduced to errand boys while the Black Spikes grow stronger every day.”

I cataloged our options, measuring distances and angles. Four visible enemies, likely more in hiding. The container sat twenty meters away. Iria stood slightly behind me, her breathing controlled but rapid.

“How did you know we’d be here?” I asked, stalling for time.

“Credits talk. Someone in your organization values money more than loyalty.” Vex gestured toward the container. “That research is worth more than you know, Korvan. Imagine weapons designed specifically for Vinduthi weaknesses—plasma that burns hotter against our skin, compounds that disrupt our healing abilities.”

His smile widened. “The kind of advantage that shifts power permanently.”

My blood ran cold at the confirmation of our fears, but I refused to let anything show on my face. He didn’t deserve it.

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