Cap’s expression sharpened. “You hear anything specific?”
Scout nodded once. “Routes. Times. They talk like it’s logistics. Not crime. Like they’re shipping parts, not people.”
That made my stomach turn.
“One of them mentioned a reroute,” Scout continued. “Said something about accelerating the next transfer because Iron Battalion was ‘getting curious.’”
I stilled.
“They know our name,” I said.
Scout met my eyes. “Yeah. And they weren’t scared.”
Silence dropped heavy around us.
“They were adjusting,” he finished. “Like we were a variable, not a threat.”
That was worse than fear.
Cap exhaled slowly. “That changes the board.”
Scout nodded. “Thought you’d want to know.”
“I do,” Cap said. “You did good.”
Scout didn’t smile this time. “I’m not done.”
“I know,” Cap said. “You can tell us everything later.”
Scout nodded, then stiffened. “They killed a guy.”
Brutus went still. “Who.”
Scout’s jaw flexed. “One of the guards. Got sloppy. Thought he could make an example. He’s dead.”
Cap held Scout’s gaze. “You didn’t freeze.”
“No,” Scout said. “I waited.”
That tracked.
Ghost’s voice cut in sharp. “We’ve got movement. Two vehicles approaching from the north.”
Cap didn’t hesitate. “Time’s up.”
We moved fast.
Scout leaned heavier into me as we headed for the exit, his steps uneven but determined. Outside, the night felt colder, sharper.
A shout rang out from the far side of the yard.
Then another.
Brutus turned and fired once. Clean. Controlled. The figure dropped.
No alarms. No chaos.
Just bodies and silence.
