The field operators had received explicit orders from the mastermind: The very second the item is secured, eliminate the old man on the spot.
The public beach had already been entirely evacuated by the authorities, leaving nothing but a large, non-descript cargo ship floating a few hundred yards off the shoreline and a few small fishing skiffs scattered across the bay.
Michael's eyes tracked the layout with terrifying speed as he pulled his private firearm from his back holster. If the child is out here... where exactly is Evelyn? Is she locked inside the hull of that floating cargo ship?
Valerius stepped forward, placing the parcel into the captor's extended palm. The masked man quickly verified the item inside, confirming it was the genuine artifact.
