Page 6 of Eden and her Mercenary (Changing of the Guards)

Royal

I watched Eden's face harden with resolve, a fierce determination replacing the momentary doubt.

Something twisted in my chest at the sight—admiration mingled with concern.

This woman, who'd stumbled into my life less than twenty-four hours ago, was willing to risk everything for a dog that everyone else had given up on.

"Alright then," I said, turning back to the blueprints Declan had spread across the table. "Let's figure out how to get in and out without getting caught or killed."

For the next two hours, we pored over schematics, security protocols, and staff rotations. Declan's inside source had provided a wealth of information—everything from guard patrol schedules to the exact model of the biometric scanners protecting the neurology lab.

"The neural mapping system is kept in this storage room adjacent to the main lab," Declan explained, pointing to a small room on the digital blueprint. " According to my source, it's about the size of a microwave, but heavier—maybe thirty pounds."

"That's manageable," Ryker said, studying the facility's layout. "The real challenge is getting to Level 4 without setting off alarms."

Eden leaned forward, her finger tracing a path through the building. "What about this service elevator? Does it go to all floors?"

Declan nodded, looking impressed. "Good eye. It does, and it's less monitored than the main elevators. Staff use it primarily for equipment transport."

"We still need Level 4 access cards," I pointed out.

Ryker grinned, sliding three ID badges across the table.

"Already handled. My contact provided these—they'll get us to Level 3.

For Level 4, we'll need this." He held up what looked like a small credit card with a microchip embedded in it.

"RFID cloner. When we get to Level 3, we find someone with Level 4 access and brush past them. The cloner copies their card data."

"Ingenious," Declan murmured. "But what about the biometric scanners? Those require fingerprints, retinal scans."

"That's where I come in," Wren said, joining us at the table. I'd almost forgotten she was there, sitting quietly with Stella. "I've been working on something for our own security systems."

She opened a small case to reveal what looked like thin, transparent film cutouts in the shape of fingerprints. "Synthetic fingerprint overlays. They won't fool the highest-grade scanners, but for standard biometric locks, they work perfectly."

Eden stared at the items spread across the table—badges, cloners, fingerprint overlays. "You people do this sort of thing often, don't you?"

"Not exactly this," I admitted. "But similar enough. The MacGallan’s business interests sometimes require... creative problem-solving."

"That's one way to put it," Ryker muttered.

Declan shot Ryker a look before turning back to the blueprints. "The best time to move will be during shift change at 11 PM. Security is more focused on processing outgoing staff than monitoring the interior systems."

"What about cameras?" Eden asked.

"Most can be looped," Wren explained, pulling up a tablet that showed the security camera layout. "But there are blind spots throughout the facility—maintenance corridors, storage alcoves. If you stick to this route—" she traced a path with her finger, "—you'll minimize camera exposure."

I studied the path she indicated. It wasn't the most direct route to the neurology lab, but it seemed like the safest.

"We'll need disguises," Ryker pointed out. "Lab coats, ID badges visible. Act like we belong."

"My contact can get us the appropriate attire," Declan confirmed. "Along with a basic layout of who works where. The key is to avoid conversation—nod, look busy, keep moving."

Eden had been quiet, absorbing everything. Now she looked up, determination etched in her features. "When do we go?"

"Tonight," I said, meeting her gaze. "The longer we wait, the more chance those Junction guys have of finding Stella—or us."

"I agree," Declan said. "I'll have everything ready by 9 PM. That gives you time to rest and prepare."

Eden nodded, then glanced back at Stella, who had fallen asleep on the dog bed. "I should stay with her until we leave."

"Of course," Wren said gently. "I'll bring some food for both of you."

As everyone dispersed to make preparations, I found myself alone with Eden and the sleeping pit bull. She knelt beside Stella, her fingers gently tracing the outline of the scar behind the dog's ear.

"What happens after?" she asked without looking up. "If we get the equipment and Dr. Chen removes the implant—what then?"

I hadn't thought that far ahead. "I guess Stella goes with you, continues on to whatever home was waiting for her."

Eden shook her head. "There wasn't a home waiting.

Margo—the rescue coordinator—just said she needed to disappear.

New identity, new province." She finally looked up at me.

"But I can't keep her. My life is on the road, moving from shelter to shelter.

That's no life for a dog who needs stability after everything she's been through. "

The unspoken question hung in the air between us. I found myself considering it before I'd even fully formed the thought.

"I have the cabin," I said quietly. "Secluded, secure. Room to run."

Hope flickered in Eden's eyes. "You would take her?"

"If we pull this off—if we get that implant out and those Junction guys off your trail—yeah, I would." The decision felt right as soon as I said it aloud. "She deserves a chance at a normal life."

Eden smiled—the first genuine smile I'd seen from her—and something shifted between us.

"Thank you," she said softly. "For all of this. I know I dragged you into a mess that wasn't yours to fix."

"Some messes are worth diving into," I replied, surprising myself with the sincerity in my voice. "Besides, if you hadn't nearly run me off the road, I'd just be sitting at home watching reruns and drinking beer."

She laughed, the sound brightening the sterile panic room. "You make potential death by military contractors sound like an upgrade."

"With the right company, it might be." The words slipped out before I could stop them.

Our eyes met, and for a moment, the weight of the situation lifted. Then Stella stirred, yawning widely as she stretched, and the moment passed.

"You should get some rest before tonight," I suggested, standing up. "I'll check on the preparations."

Eden nodded, settling beside Stella on the plush carpet. As I left the panic room, I couldn't shake the feeling that regardless of how this mission turned out, nothing would be the same afterward.

Eleven hours later, we were parked in a nondescript van two blocks from Prophecies Biomedical. Night had fallen, bringing with it a light drizzle that blurred the streetlights and reduced visibility—perfect conditions for what we had planned.

Declan had come through with everything we needed: lab coats with Prophecies logos, security badges, fingerprint overlays, and even glasses with built-in cameras that would transmit our position back to the panic room where he and Wren would monitor our progress.

"Comms check," Ryker said, adjusting the nearly invisible earpiece.

"Reading you loud and clear," Declan's voice came through, slightly tinny but distinct.

Eden fidgeted with her lab coat, her nervousness evident despite her determined expression. "How do I look? Convincing?"

With her hair pulled back in a severe bun and glasses perched on her nose, she looked every bit the focused researcher. "You'll blend right in," I assured her. "Just remember—confident strides, minimal eye contact, look like you've got somewhere important to be."

She nodded, taking a deep breath. "Let's do this."

We exited the van one by one, Ryker first, then Eden, then me, each of us walking separately toward different entrances of the facility. According to the plan, we'd converge at the service elevator on Level 2.

The rain intensified as I approached the west entrance, ID badge already in hand. Two security guards stood under the awning, looking bored as they processed the evening shift's departures.

"Evening," I said, swiping my badge. The reader beeped green, and I continued inside without breaking stride.

The interior of Prophecies Biomedical was all sleek white surfaces and recessed lighting—sterile and impersonal, with the faint antiseptic smell common to research facilities.

I navigated the corridors according to the memorized floor plan, nodding professionally at the few employees I passed.

Most were too absorbed in their own thoughts to pay me any attention.

"I'm in," I murmured, pretending to adjust my glasses. "Heading to the rendezvous point."

"Copy that," Declan's voice responded in my ear. "Ryker's already inside. Eden just cleared security."

I took the stairs to Level 2, avoiding the main elevators with their camera coverage. The service elevator was tucked away in a maintenance corridor, accessible through a door marked "Authorized Personnel Only." I swiped my badge, and the lock disengaged with a soft click.

Ryker was already waiting, leaning casually against the wall as if he belonged there.

"Any problems?" I asked quietly.

"Smooth sailing," he replied. "Though there's more activity than we expected on Level 3. Some kind of project deadline tomorrow."

Eden appeared a moment later, slightly breathless but composed. "I had to take the long way. There was a security sweep near the east entrance."

"They're looking for something specific," Declan's voice came through our earpieces. "My contact says there's been increased security all day. Proceed with extra caution."

I pressed the call button for the service elevator. "Change of plans. We stick together from here on out."

The elevator arrived with a muted ding, empty as we'd hoped. Inside, Ryker pulled out the RFID cloner, keeping it concealed in his palm.

"Level 3," he said as the doors closed. "We need to find someone with Level 4 access."

The ride was brief and silent, tension mounting as we ascended. When the doors opened on Level 3, we were greeted by significantly more activity than the lower floors—researchers hurrying between labs, security personnel stationed at key intersections.

"Act natural," I muttered as we stepped out. "Remember, we belong here."