Honor Among Thieves

Nusantara Development Zone  //   Pengerang, Malaysia

Under the glow of a full moon, a tiny taxi rumbles along as the asphalt ends and gives way to gravel roads. Looking out the window, Ray watches as a village of corrugated-roof houses and dense tropical forest transitions into hectares of cleared earth marked for a new industrial park. Endless chain-link fencing surrounds vacant lots, the land already carved up for Malaysia's growing vanadium mining operations.

Ray shifts uneasily in his seat, questioning if this is the right play. Despite protests from Jade and Dell, he managed to slip away in the night without them noticing, taking the first ferry across the border. He is taking no chances. He dragged Mika into this, so her life is his responsibility, and his responsibility alone.

The taxi's electric motors whine down as they approach a dilapidated warehouse condemned for demolition. Probably the last property owner who refused to sell until they were finally forced out for a measly sum.

The Malay driver looks back at Ray with confusion written on his face. “You sure this is the place, yeah?” he asks in rapid accented English.

Ray double-checks the address on his phone. “Seems like it.”

The driver shrugs. “You're the boss.” He holds out a square receiver expectantly. Ray taps his phone against it, deducting 300 ringgit from his account.

“Stay here. I won't be long.” Ray orders.

The driver's eyes dart nervously between Ray and the abandoned building. “Yeah, yeah. Sure, yeah.”

As soon as Ray exits the taxi and slams the door shut, the taxi's wheels spray gravel as it executes a hasty U-turn, leaving him in a cloud of dust. Ray watches it disappear with annoyance.

He squeezes through the ajar fence gate, noting the severed chain and lock. His footsteps crunch from gravel to concrete as he steps foot inside the perimeter. The lot is mostly bare, save for unkempt weeds growing between the cracks.

Ray ducks through a gap in the loading bay doors. Inside, industrial leftovers of twisted metal, broken machinery, and debris are scattered inside the warehouse. Dust particles dance like fireflies. As he navigates around a giant rusty machine press, he sees her.

Mika sits sprawled on the filthy floor; arms raised high by chains running to the metal rafters. Moonlight filters through, illuminating her like a spotlight.

“Mika!”

She raises her head weakly. She mouths his name with meek energy. The barrel of a matchlock pistol comes into the light as it’s pressed against Mika’s temple. Locke steps into view, emerging from the darkness.

“Are you alone?” She asks in monotone.

Ray takes a step forward, hands raised slightly. He nods slowly. This time, he is truly alone.

He pulls out the storage chip from his jacket pocket. “I have it.”

The chip clatters on the concrete as Ray tosses it at Locke's feet. She picks it up and produces a handheld device and inserting the chip. The screen displays a hash ID and verification check. A green checkmark appears moments later, indicating the data is intact.

“Now let her go.”

“I don’t think so.”

In one fluid motion, Locke drives her boot into Mika's stomach and swings the pistol at Ray’s center.

“You bitch. We had a deal.” Ray's hand inches toward his weapon.

Locke displays a treacherous grin. “Sorry, but the chance to kill two birds with one stone is just too tempting.”

“You can't fire that thing at both of us,” a voice comes from behind Locke.

Locke spins to find Jade mere inches away, karambits out and ready to slash.

“Boo,” she taunts.

Locke leaps backward, trying to create distance, but Jade is faster. As Locke discharges her weapon, Jade's blade redirects Locke's arm, sending the shot wide.

With Locke distracted, Ray sprints to Mika and slashes at the chains, severing them. 

“Mika!” He cradles her head gently. Her face, body is bruised and battered, but her eyes open and focus on his. She'll live.

Locke dodges Jade’s incoming slashes, but Jade lands one on the shoulder. Locke clicks her tongue, and retaliates with a punch of her own, sending Jade backwards.

Jade recovers with a flip and lands next to Ray’s side.

“You disobeyed my orders and followed me?”

“Believe it. Aren’t you glad I did?”

Jade dashes in again for a slash, catching Locke mid-reload.

Locke freezes, she’s exposed.

Suddenly figure in an impeccably white suit descends from the rafters, landing a precise roundhouse kick that Jade barely manages to block.

“My, my... what unsporting behavior,” His cultured voice carries an air of sophistication as he adjusts his silk tie. “Two against one? Allow me to even the odds.” The man's bespoke suit maintains perfectly crisp lines as he launches into brutal boxing combinations. Jade dodges and weaves the incoming fists, but a lightning-fast strike catches her shoulder, sending her stumbling backward.

Jade blocks and tumbles into a machine, but gets back on her feet.

“Locke, if you were planning to ambush Interpol’s finest, you should have called me.” The white suited man brushes a speck of dust off his blazer.

“Dreyse?” Locke growls with annoyance. “What are you doing here?”

“Saving your rear, of course.”

“I don't need your help. There's only two of them.”

Dell crashes down from above, the warehouse trembling as he lands. He readies his massive broadsword in his hand.

“Don’t forget about me,” he booms.

Locke snarls in frustration. She finishes loading a pellet and clicks the barrel back into place. “Then we fight to the death.”

“Now, now, Locke. Let's not be rash.” Dreyse's cultured voice remains unruffled. “We have what we came for. There will be other opportunities for... entertainment.”

Locke clenches her jaw. “…Fine.”

Her hand dips into a pouch at her waist. Unit 7 tenses for whatever's coming.

Locke tosses a clear pouch on the ground.

Flash! A bright white light and acrid smoke blind the four. When it clears, Locke and Dreyse have vanished.

Jade clicks her tongue, twirling her karambits back into her belt. “And things were just getting good.”

Mika goes limp in Ray's arms. He scoops her up carefully, cradling her against his chest.

“Let's get out of here.”