Page 110 of Daggermouth

“Standard for Heart elite establishments on the outside,” Mikel replied as he guided the vehicle through the dimly lit maintenance roads that wound through Cardinal’s industrial sector. “Six guards at the main entrance, two at each emergency exit. Inside, though, I can’t help you. Thane uses his own private security and surveillance inside all his clubs and it changes by the hour.”

“Convenient,” Breach muttered.

“The Broker doesn’t take kindly to Veyra inside his establishments,” Mikel added. “So you better be discreet and you better be ready. If he gets his hands on you, you’re going to wish it had been Maximus Instead.”

Jameson stored the information away. He didn’t trust the Captain, but he was as dead as the rest of them if they were caught, and that brought him a semblance of comfort. He forced himself to focus instead on the view through the windshield as they approached the first checkpoint. The thick wall separating Cardinal from the Heart loomed ahead, illuminated by harsh spotlights that eliminated all shadows. Guard towers punctuated its length at regular intervals, each topped with mounted weapons that could reduce their vehicle to ash in seconds.

The checkpoint itself was a fortress within a fortress—triple gates, scanning stations, and at least twenty Veyra officers visible on patrol. Concrete barriers forced all approaching vehicles into a single file, creating choke points where they could be easily targeted if necessary.

Jameson’s mouth went dry. He’d never been this close to the Heart above ground before—he’d been in their tunnels, in their sewers and maintenance shafts, but never imagined he would approach it head on, much less attempt to pass through in the open.

“First check incoming,” Mikel announced, his posture shifting subtly, shoulders squaring as he settled deeper into his role. “No one speaks unless spoken to. Let me handle this.”

The vehicle slowed as they reached the first barrier. A guard approached, hand resting casually on his sidearm. Mikel lowered his window, offering a crisp salute.

“Captain Mikel, Patrol Unit 8, returning from Cardinal sector sweep.”

The guard’s posture straightened at the sound of his name. “Sir.” He inclined his head, mirroring Mikel’s salute. “Credentials please, sir,” he said, gesturing toward the scanning pad mounted on the pole beside the vehicle.

Mikel pressed his card against the pad. It glowed green, accepting his identity without hesitation. The guard glanced at the scan resultson the tablet in his hand, then peered into the back of the vehicle, eyes taking in the rest of them.

“Full complement tonight?” he asked, a note of curiosity in his voice.

“President’s orders,” Mikel replied smoothly. “Increased presence in Cardinal following the agricultural incident.”

The guard shook his head, his voice hardening. “About time. Stringing up a few more of those thieves might help the rest remember their place.”

Jameson’s jaw clenched behind his faceplate, but he kept still, kept silent.

The guard waved them through the first barrier, and Mikel eased the vehicle forward toward the main scanning station. Here was the real test—a full vehicle scan that would check not just credentials, but weight, weapons, and any unauthorized technology.

“Remain still,” Mikel murmured as they pulled into position. “The scan is calibrated for Veyra equipment. Anything else will trigger alarms.”

The scanning arch activated as they passed beneath it, bathing the vehicle in pale blue light. Jameson held his breath, hyperaware of every unauthorized item on his person—the concealed knife in his boot, the gun in the small of his back, not standard issue, the communication device embedded in his ear, modified by Boundary techs.

Seconds stretched into eternities as the scan completed its cycle. Then, mercifully, the light changed from blue to green, and the barrier ahead lifted.

“Proceed to final checkpoint,” came a mechanized voice from a speaker mounted on the arch.

Mikel drove forward, his movements unhurried despite the tension radiating from him. The final checkpoint was staffed by higher-rankingofficers, those with the authority to override automated systems if they suspected something amiss.

As they approached, a commander stepped forward, hand raised for them to stop. Mikel complied immediately, lowering his window again as the commander approached.

“Credentials,” he said, voice clipped and cold.

Once again, Captain Mikel presented his card. This time, the commander took it, examining it personally before scanning it with a handheld device. He circled to the back of the vehicle.

“All officers, present credentials,” he ordered.

Jameson’s heart hammered against his rib cage as he reached forward with the others, offering his card through the small window that opened in the rear door. The commander collected them all, scanning each one slowly. His helmet tilted slightly as he reached Jameson’s, a gesture that felt like confusion or suspicion.

Jameson’s hand dropped to his sidearm, fingers curling around the grip beneath his seat. If they were discovered now, they’d have seconds to react before reinforcements swarmed them.

The commander spoke into his comms, voice too low to hear. Jaeger’s posture stiffened—the only sign of his readiness to act if necessary. The rest of the team remained perfectly still, waiting for the signal to strike.

Finally, the commander returned to Mikel’s window, handing back the stack of credentials. “Apologies for the delay, Captain. Security protocols have been enhanced due to increased unrest in the rings.”

“Understood,” Mikel replied. “Anything specific I should be made aware of?”