The desert wind howled around the halted convoy as smoke rose in the distance. Guards rushed to investigate the decoy explosion.
Among them — one figure slipped in, silent as a passing shadow.
Face hidden beneath a helmet. Uniform stolen from a fallen escort. Weapon held with practiced ease.
Daniel.
He moved like he belonged — not sneaking, not rushing. Walking.
Predators don't skulk.
They stroll.
Inside the Convoy
Clara sat rigid, eyes forward.
The mastermind watched the chaos through bulletproof glass.
"Pathetic," he murmured. "They think noise creates fear."
Clara glanced at the guards returning from the perimeter.
And then — she saw him.
Helmet on. Rifle in hand. Walking with unshakable calm.
She nearly stopped breathing.
Daniel.
He didn't look at her.
But as he passed the window of her vehicle…
His hand brushed the side of the armored truck — three taps.
Clara's eyes widened.
Signal.
He's here.
He's hunting.
Deeper In
Daniel passed checkpoint after checkpoint. No hesitation. No eye contact.
Until—
"Hey!" a guard called. "You weren't part of Alpha Squad. Where the hell did you come from?"
Daniel didn't react.
The guard approached.
Hand on Daniel's shoulder.
Daniel turned his head slowly.
The guard opened his mouth—
CRACK.
A single strike — fast, silent — sent him collapsing behind a supply crate.
Daniel dragged the body out of sight, stripping an access card from his pocket.
He whispered under his breath.
"One floor down. Clara's vehicle is on convoy unit 3. Mastermind likely two cars ahead. Distance: 28 meters. Wind speed—none. Visibility—clear. Noise levels—medium. My heartbeat…"
Steady.
Inside Clara's Vehicle
The mastermind suddenly smiled.
"Interesting."
Clara stiffened. "What?"
He leaned back, fingers steepled.
"One of the guards just changed their pattern of movement."
Clara froze.
He didn't sound alarmed.
He sounded delighted.
Then he turned toward her fully — eyes calm, smile sharp.
"Your knight has arrived."