156 THE MOST DANGEROUS GIRL IN THE CITY
Kail froze, turning slowly as the guards leveled their rifles.
"I'm working here," he said, keeping his voice steady. "I just finished calibrating the system controls."
"Then why are you exiting through the back sector?" the taller guard demanded. "Authorized personnel leave through the main gate, not the repair corridor. We have reason to suspect you. Come with us."
Kail raised his hands slightly, trying to sound calm. "Look, my ID's legit. You can check the database—" He held out his badge, the holographic Veyran insignia still glowing faintly.
"Save it," the lead officer said. "You're coming back to the command post for verification. IDs can be faked."
"Damn, what am I going to do now? are they going to check my credentials? Those are all fakes", he asked himself.
Kail hesitated, glancing at the dark ridge beyond the fence — where Liorea waited in the camo rover.
If he resisted now, he'd blow their cover entirely.
"Fine," he said, exhaling. "Lead the way."
The guards fell in on either side of him, escorting him back toward the floodlit compound as the alarms faded into a low, rhythmic hum.
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Kail was escorted back to the command post. The lead officer folded his arms and studied him. "I don't recall seeing you before."
"It's my first day," Kail said, trying to keep his voice steady.
The officer tapped at a holo-pad and scrolled through the roster. "There are a lot of new faces lately. Still…I can't release you until we verify you. Hackers nowadays are rampant, they can get through any systems."
"But…", Kail protested.
The officer called out, "Hey, Mr. Simm — come over here."
A man in a grease-stained jumpsuit approached, peered at Kail, then shook his head. "Never seen him before."
"Come on — it's my first day. Half the crew haven't met me yet," Kail protested again.
"I'm sorry," the officer said, his voice flat. "Security protocol is strict. If you're suspected of a breach, we need full verification."
"What do you want me to do?" Kail asked.
"We'll run your resume, check every reference. That'll take time. You'll remain here until it's cleared."
The word 'remain here' felt final.
"Are you going to jail me?" Kail snapped.
"It's the protocol," the officer repeated.
They led him to a small holding cell. Once the door hissed shut and the footsteps died away, Kail tapped his concealed earbud. "You hear them?"
"Clear as day," Liorea's voice answered.
"What should I do now? I can only modify computer data… what if they look for real people? How can I change those?" he asked worriedly.
"Relax," Liorea said. "I've already handled it."
"You what?" Kail leaned forward.
"I dealt with every reference on your resume —old colleagues, supervisors, contact details. If they call, they'll hear exactly what they expect."
"Dealt with them?"
Her tone was calm, almost proud. "You just stay put until they finish their checks."
"How did you—buy or blackmail all those people? And so quickly," Kail asked, incredulously.
"That's my job," she said, smiling. "I can organize assassins to kill bosses and leaders with just a message board…getting a few references to talk is no difficulty."
Hours later, morning light filtered through the reinforced glass panels when the guards came for him. Kail rubbed the sleep from his eyes as he was escorted back to the command post.
The security officer looked up from his desk, his expression was unreadable. "We've verified all your references. Everything checks out. You're free to go."
Kail exhaled, half in relief, half in irritation. "Took you long enough. It's practically time for me to start work again."
"It's protocol," the officer replied stiffly. "If we slack even a little, a rogue hacker could tear through our entire system."
Kail smiled faintly at the irony. "Yeah… imagine that."
He turned and walked out, concealing the grin forming on his face.
His fake life had just survived a full background check — thanks to Liorea.
"Who the hell is this girl, Liorea? What must she have gone through to have such an ability?" he smiled at the question.
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[The Zetheris Industry HQ]
"This time I'll kill him….Damen Dark." Shawn's hand left a crack across the table.
"Your plan's bold but risky," Dackerie said. "GenSyn answers to Aukuoma. You can't squeeze them without consequences."
"Consequences don't scare me. I want Damen dead." Shawn's teeth showed.
"And Black Halo?" Dackerie pressed.
"Black Halo's a hired muscle," Shawn said. "I don't believe no one in the city guard can match him."
"Maybe one..." Dackerie named, "Captain Zor, a Strength meta super soldier, Rank B. He could perhaps…."
Shawn tilted his head and considered it. "Yes, Captain Zor is good. Proceed."
Dackerie's palms went together. "I'll arrange it but at a price. Bribing court and guards are expensive."
"I already paid the Black Cockerel one hundred fifty million aur," Shawn said. "They nothing to show for. I don't mind paying more."
"Understood. I'll proceed with our plan," Dackerie confirmed.
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[GenSyn HQ]
Trucks rolled into GenSyn's loading bay like a small convoy. Kail and Liorea waited as men opened crates and rolled out metal like a slow thunder.
"What are these parts?... they look like weapon parts… How did you manage to buy them?" Kail asked, his eyes narrow.
"Not easy to buy," Liorea said. "I made the contractors think it was for Veyran Industry."
"You won't get caught?" Kail snapped.
"They'll never know." Liorea's grin was cold. "The shipment is Top-Secret designation. The contractors would shred paperwork after delivery. That's how the Veyrans hid their secret arsenal from the public."
"You hacked their supply chain too?" Kail felt a chill before adding, "Are you sure we'll not get caught?"
"I exploited the list you gave me. Fake order, anonymous wire transfers, routed through three shell accounts. The trace goes nowhere. Nobody would even know this shipment ever took place."
Kail looked at the crates, then at her. "And what's your purpose in buying these?"
"For Fortress Myrone. When we assemble those parts with the Veyran schematics you downloaded from their servers—we get heavy meta-artillery." She folded her arms. "It's a Game changer in battle."
Kail's laugh died in his throat. "You're lethal, Liorea. The most dangerous girl in Melrose city"
She shrugged. "I agree."
Sirens shredded the air. Heavy wheels and the rattle of armor were heard from a distance.
"Who the hell?" Liorea asked.
"Oh shit. It's the SIA. They found out about us." Kail's voice snapped.
Liorea didn't look surprised.
"Move now. Hurry up and get these crates loaded", Liorea barked her orders.
Androids and machines shoved crates through the loading bay and into the belly of the warehouse as the SIA convoy slammed to a stop at the gates of the building.
"Damnit, they are here already and they are serious this time", Kail complained.
This wasn't a routine inspection of the SIA. This time they showed up with the reserve army. They were planning a major arrest.
Moments later, Director Ambrone cut through the lobby like a blade. "Where is Zairgid Aukouma? Where is Damen Dark? I've a warrant. You're all under suspicion of…"
His words died under the boots of soldiers pouring in.
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