Afternoon sunlight spilled across the narrow streets of Thunderclap Port, turning the cobblestones golden as the group made their way through the seaside town. Angelo suddenly stopped mid-stride, pinching the bridge of his nose with a grimace that made Neiva and Sol halt beside him.

  "What's wrong?" Neiva tugged at his sleeve, concern flashing across her face.

  Angelo lowered his voice, glancing around to make sure no locals were within earshot. "It's Red. The idiot decided to play detective on his own. He's been tailing some gang members across town."

  Sol's eyes lit up immediately, his silver-white hair catching the sunlight as he leaned closer. "Oh? Any useful intel from our crimson spy?"

  "Apparently these 'Cliffhangers' have already noticed us." Angelo's jaw tightened as he crossed his arms. "They think we might be undercover police."

  The color drained from Neiva's face. "Wait, they think we're cops?" She pulled Angelo's sleeve, her voice dropping to a panicked whisper. "You don't think they'll come after us, right? Like in those gang revenge movies where the new people in town mysteriously disappear?"

  Sol flicked his gaze between them, his usual confidence dimming slightly.

  Angelo shrugged off her concern with practiced ease. "Doubt it. From what Red's hearing, they're taking a wait-and-see approach. Seems they've dealt with undercover investigations before."

  He paused, his brown eyes darkening. "But they're definitely running some kind of operation here. Something they're particularly protective about."

  "I know exactly where your mind's going," Sol cut in, his playful tone hardening into something more serious. "Need I remind you we're here to solve a decade-old jewel heist, not pick fights with the local criminal element?" His blue eyes locked with Angelo's. "You want to play vigilante? Save it for after we've solved our case."

  The two men stared each other down for a long moment before Angelo finally looked away.

  "Fine," he muttered, rolling his shoulders to release the tension. "So while Red's off getting into trouble, what's our next move?"

  Sol tapped his chin thoughtfully, his confident demeanor returning. "We need someone connected to the original case. Someone who was there when it happened."

  "First we'd need locals willing to acknowledge our existence," Neiva said with a huff, gesturing at the townspeople who hurried past with averted gazes. Several crossed the street entirely to avoid getting too close. "They're treating us like we have some contagious disease."

  "Let's split up and try to talk to some anyway," Angelo said, scanning the street with narrowed eyes. "But stay alert. If these Cliffhangers decide they don't like us asking questions, things could go south and we're ill equipped..." Angelo trailed off suddenly.

  "What is it?" Neiva asked when he suddenly stopped mid-sentence.

  Angelo snapped his fingers. "Almost forgot—I want to check on that Auranium equipment I mentioned." He pulled out his phone and scrolled through his contacts. "This might actually work out."

  He settled onto a nearby bench, the wood creaking under his weight. Sol and Neiva flanked him on either side, watching expectantly as the phone rang. Despite their casual poses, Angelo noticed how the locals still gave them a wide berth, like they had some invisible force field around them.

  "Ruel here," a crisp voice answered after several rings. "Who's calling?"

  Angelo straightened slightly. "It's Angelo Ashworth. We met in Ashford, you purchased my parents' house, remember?"

  A pause stretched over the line before Ruel's voice warmed considerably. "Angelo! Of course! What a pleasant surprise. How have you been keeping?"

  "Of course! That's Ruel Shields!" Neiva whispered excitedly to Sol, who raised an eyebrow in confusion.

  "What brings you to contact me, Mr. Ashworth?" Ruel asked, his tone professionally friendly.

  Angelo shifted on the bench. "You mentioned owning a company that deals with Auranium products."

  "Ah yes, Swords & Shields Incorporated," Ruel responded with unmistakable pride. "I seem to recall you were quite skeptical about Auranium's effectiveness when we last spoke. Has your position change?"

  "Let's just say I've seen what it can do firsthand," Angelo said, rubbing his shoulder where he could still feel the phantom impact of Nova's attack. "Figured it might come in handy."

  "So you're inquiring about acquiring Auranium equipment?" Ruel clarified.

  "Yes." Angelo paused, then added with visible effort, "Please."

  "Where are you currently located?"

  Angelo's brow furrowed at the unexpected question. "Why?"

  "We have distribution centers throughout Luminia," Ruel explained smoothly. "Your location will determine how quickly I can fulfill your request."

  "Doubt you've got anything out here," Angelo said with a humorless chuckle. "I'm in Thunderclap Port—practically falling off the edge of the map."

  "Oh." Ruel sounded genuinely surprised. "That's... certainly remote. No, I don't have facilities there. How long do you anticipate staying?"

  "Hard to say," Angelo replied, watching a seagull land on a nearby lamppost. "Got business that needs handling."

  "I see. Let me check some logistics and get back to you. I may—and I stress may—be able to arrange a shipment your way."

  "Appreciate it. We need under-armor primarily. At least three sets."

  "Noted. It's been good hearing from you, Mr. Ashworth. I'll be in touch."

  Angelo tucked his phone away as the call ended. The silence lasted only a moment before Sol broke it.

  "Okay, now I'm dying to know what happened in Ashford," Sol said, leaning forward with undisguised curiosity. "Sounds like you made quite an impression on this Ruel character."

  "Another time," Angelo said, pushing himself up from the bench with newfound purpose. "Right now, let's find someone in this town willing to talk to outsiders."

  Meanwhile miles away, in a dimly lit cave that smelled of damp earth and campfire smoke, Lavvy burst through the entrance, his face lit up like a kid who'd just found hidden candy.

  "Pack your bags, girls!" He clapped his hands sharply, startling Nova who nearly dropped the cup she was holding. "Just got word from the boss. Our target is definitely in Thunderclap Port."

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  Nova perked up instantly, hope brightening her face as she set down her cup. "Did he... did he ask about me? About my condition?"

  Lavvy's smile twisted into something cruel as he looked her up and down. "Why would someone of his importance waste breath asking about a failure like you?"

  Nova's hands balled into tight fists, her knuckles turning white. "I swear I'll ram my fist so far up your—"

  "Enough, Nova." Ashly stepped between them, her voice calm but leaving no room for argument. She turned to Lavvy, arms crossed. "What's our next move?"

  The smile returned to Lavvy's face like a mask sliding back into place. "The boss is coming to collect us personally. We'll form our attack plan once he arrives." He made a shooing motion with his hands. "Now get moving. I want everything packed and ready when he gets here."

  The three began breaking down their makeshift camp, each quietly pleased at the prospect of reuniting with their leader, even Nova, whose anger seemed to melt away at the thought.

  Back in the crooked back alleys of Thunderclap Port, Red drifted like crimson fog behind two Cliffhangers members. His smoky form hugged the shadows as they pushed through a rusted door into what looked like an abandoned warehouse from the outside.

  Inside was a different world entirely – a lively bar packed with Cliffhangers in their signature black jackets. The air buzzed with rough laughter, clinking glasses, and at least three separate arguments that looked seconds away from turning into fistfights.

  "Damn, they really know how to party," Red thought, slipping between patrons unnoticed as he followed his targets deeper into the chaos.

  A woman perched on the edge of the bar suddenly straightened, her attention snapping to the two men Red was tailing. She slid off her seat with casual grace, her movements fluid as water as she intercepted them.

  "Well hello, boys," she purred, confidence dripping from every syllable.

  The larger of the two men grinned broadly. "Hey Veronica. Coming at me like that means you're looking for some company tonight?"

  "Ho ho," Veronica chuckled, but her eyes – suddenly glowing a bright, electric yellow – focused on something behind them. "I think you already have company."

  "Wait, what?" Red barely had time to process her words before strange energy erupted around her like lightning strikes from a clear sky.

  The yellow light shot toward him, wrapping around his smoke form before he could escape. It felt like being caught in a net made of static electricity.

  "Hey! What's the big idea?" The large man spun around, jaw dropping at the sight of the yellow cocoon of crackling energy floating in mid-air.

  Veronica waved her hand dismissively, never taking her eyes off her glowing trap. "Looks like you brought home something interesting. You're dismissed. I'll take it from here."

  "Oh oh," Red thought as the energy tightened around him.

  Angelo stopped mid-step on the crowded street, his face going pale so suddenly that Neiva grabbed his arm to steady him.

  "What's wrong?" she asked, worry creasing her forehead.

  "It's Red." Angelo's voice was tight, barely above a whisper. "Someone's captured him."

  "WHAT?" Neiva's shout turned heads before she clapped a hand over her mouth and leaned closer. "But I thought he was in smoke form!"

  "He was." Angelo's eyes darted around like he was searching for an invisible enemy. "Someone caught him as smoke."

  Sol stepped closer, shielding their conversation from curious onlookers. "How's that even possible?"

  Blue materialized beside them with a soft whoosh, his perfect posture making him look oddly formal in the middle of the dusty street. "Quite possible, actually. One would simply need an airtight container."

  Angelo turned on him with barely contained frustration. "Could you at least pretend to be concerned?"

  Blue straightened his non-existent tie with precise fingers. "While I generally prefer to remain uninvolved in Red's... escapades, I shall handle this situation personally." His body began dissolving into blue smoke that drifted toward Angelo. "So for now, I bid you adieu."

  The azure mist slipped into Angelo's body and then emerged again, floating away in the direction Red had gone.

  "Red, whatever you do, do not assume physical form," Blue communicated through their mental link.

  "Tch, I don't need saving like some damsel in distress!" Red fired back, his mental voice practically dripping with wounded pride.

  "This is crucial," Blue insisted. "If they see your physical form and recognize your resemblance to Angelo, you'll put the entire group at risk."

  A tense pause followed before Red replied, "Whatever. Just get me out quickly or I'm busting myself out, you hear me?"

  "Acknowledged."

  Back on the street, Neiva shifted nervously from foot to foot. "What should we do?"

  Angelo rubbed the back of his neck, clearly torn. "For now, let's let Blue handle it. We should keep looking for someone who knows about the case."

  Sol snapped his fingers, his face lighting up. "Wait, I've got it!" He pointed toward the cliffs looming over the town. "The mines! The gem came from there – I bet the miners would know something!"

  "That's actually a great idea," Neiva nodded enthusiastically.

  Angelo squinted up at the distant mine entrances dotting the cliffside like black holes. "All the way up there, huh? Let's get outside town first. I'd rather not start flying in front of everyone and cause a scene."

  Meanwhile, Red found himself unceremoniously dumped into a large glass jar, the lid screwed on before he could escape. He hurled himself against the glass walls, but his smoke form simply slid uselessly against the surface.

  "Stop treating me like a fucking bug you just caught!" His essence vibrated with rage, completely inaudible to his captors.

  "My, my," Veronica tilted the jar, watching the crimson smoke swirl angrily inside. "It's almost like this thing is... Alive!"

  One of her underlings peered at the jar, keeping a safe distance. "What is it, ma'am?"

  "That's what I intend to find out." She held the jar up to the light, studying it with clinical interest. "Call one of our brains. I want this analyzed properly."

  "I'll fuck YOUR brain when I get out of here!" Red raged internally, helpless in his transparent prison.

  "Come now, don't let her provoke you like that," Blue's scholarly voice cut into Red's thoughts as azure smoke slipped through the cracks around the warehouse door, sticking to shadows.

  "Shut your stupid face, blueberry!" Red shot back, his crimson form spinning like an angry tornado in the tiny jar.

  Blue hovered near the ceiling of the room above the one they were keeping Red, his azure smoke form blending with the shadows. If he'd had physical eyes, he would have rolled them at Red's outburst. Instead, he focused on scanning the room below, taking in every detail as he pieced together a rescue plan.

  While our heroes faced their immediate troubles in Thunderclap Port, another player in this game moved pieces across the board far far away.

  In Maridian, the coastal city lights twinkled like fallen stars against the night sky. Vienna sat alone in her office at the top floor of a gleaming skyscraper, the room lit only by the harsh glow of her computer monitor. With one hand on her mouse and the other holding a half-burned cigarette, she looked like someone fighting to stay awake.

  She rubbed her eyes, blinking hard against the fatigue that had settled deep in her bones. After a moment's hesitation, she pulled open her desk drawer and reached for a sleek black phone. Her fingers had just started dialing when a sharp knock broke the silence.

  "It's me, my lady," Lector's voice called through the expensive wooden door.

  Vienna straightened in her chair, composure returning like a mask sliding into place. "Come in."

  Lector stepped inside, his polished shoes silent against the thick carpet as he approached her desk. His suit looked as crisp as if he'd just put it on, despite the late hour.

  "Lector. Perfect timing." Vienna slipped the phone back into her drawer with a soft click. "I was just about to call you."

  "How may I be of service?" Lector asked, standing with the rigid posture of someone who'd never slouched a day in his life.

  Vienna tapped the computer screen with a manicured nail. "Project Orion. I've been reviewing the files, but there's nothing conclusive. What's our status?"

  "The latest iteration shows considerable promise." A hint of excitement broke through Lector's professional demeanor, like sunlight peeking through clouds. "But only time will tell if the adjustments yield the results we need."

  Vienna took this in silently, smoke curling from her cigarette like a living thing in the dim room.

  "However," Lector continued, "that's not why I came. I have news that could significantly impact our primary objective."

  Vienna sat up straighter, suddenly more alert. "Go on." She took another drag from her cigarette, the ember glowing bright orange in the shadowy office.

  "Angelo has resurfaced." Lector's words hung in the air between them. "Our contact confirmed his location: Thunderclap Port."

  "Thunderclap Port?" Vienna's eyebrows lifted slightly – the closest she ever came to showing surprise. "What business could he possibly have in that backwater?"

  "That part remains unclear," Lector admitted. "My theory is that it connects to his recent visit to Ashford."

  Vienna rose from her chair in a fluid motion and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. The city sprawled below her, a maze of lights and shadows that mirrored the complexity of her thoughts. Her reflection stared back at her, face half-hidden in darkness.

  "How should we proceed, my lady?" Lector asked, remaining perfectly still as he awaited her decision.

  Vienna watched the distant waves breaking against the shoreline, her mind racing through possibilities faster than the water crashed against the rocks. Finally she nodded to herself as she turned to Lector: "Get me Dr. T."