C495 Do You Know Why I Chose You

It had been two days since Charlie had informed the Mayor about Hanna's request. The evening sun was slowly disappearing beyond the horizon, painting the sky with shades of orange and red. Charlie stood outside the private estate, enjoying the quietness of the evening. For a moment, everything seemed peaceful. Then her phone vibrated. Charlie looked down. A message had arrived. She opened it. Her eyes widened when she saw what was inside. It was the complete list Hanna had requested, the names and details of the major drug cartels operating throughout Scotland. Charlie immediately called Hanna. The call connected after a few seconds. “Ann,” Charlie said. “The Mayor sent me the list. I have already forwarded it to you.” Hanna smiled on the other end. “I was actually about to call you.” Charlie leaned against the railing. “Why?” “The crew at the warehouse told me the stock is running low.” “How long do you think it can last?” Charlie shook her head. “I don't know. I'll ask Warner.”

Hanna's expression immediately changed. “Charlie, I left you in charge, not Warner.” Charlie became quiet. Hanna continued. “What if they steal from us? Are you stupid?” Charlie sighed. “Don't worry, Ann. I trust him.” Hanna shook her head. “In this business, you don't trust anyone. Get that clear.” Charlie looked away. “I understand.” “I want you to oversee everything yourself,” Hanna ordered. “You are the boss now. You need to start acting like one.” Charlie nodded even though Hanna couldn't see her. “Okay.” “As for the Mayor, I'll analyse the list and give you my feedback.” “Alright.” “Call me as soon as you know how much stock we have left.” “I will.” The call ended. Charlie stared at her phone for a moment. She was beginning to realize that being in charge was much harder than she had imagined. Back at the border, Pixel and Silver were driving through the forest. The road was quiet, with thick trees surrounding them on both sides. Silver looked through the windshield for several minutes. Then she noticed the direction they were heading. She frowned. “Pixel.” “Yes?” “Are we going to the Gupta family?”

Pixel didn't answer. Instead, she slowed the car and eventually pulled over. She turned off the engine and looked at Silver. “Silver, do you know why I volunteered to come and fetch them?” Silver shook her head. “No. Why?” Pixel stared at her for a moment. “Do you know why I chose you to come with me?” Silver's expression softened. “No.” Pixel took a deep breath. “Because I trust you.” Silver remained silent. Pixel continued. “I believe you were the only person who truly understood how I felt after losing my father.” Silver looked down. “You were there for me. You supported me.” Pixel paused. “You even disagreed with Cipher because of me.” Silver smiled faintly. “I did what I felt was right.” Pixel nodded. “And now I think I have to do what I believe is right too.” Silver's smile disappeared. “What do you mean?” Pixel rubbed her eyes. “I can't let my father's death go unpunished.” Silver stared at her. “Pixel…” “Even if I have to disobey Cipher's orders. I want to avenge my father.” She looked out through the windshield. “Just like I said before…” Her voice became quieter. “A father for a father.” Silver's eyes widened. “Pixel.” Pixel looked at her. “You want to kill Hanna's father?” “Yes.” “What if Cipher finds out?”

Pixel shook her head. “We helped Cipher avenge her mother's death.” She paused. “So I don't understand why she is stopping me from doing the same thing.” Silver reached across and took Pixel's hand. “Then what is your plan?” Pixel looked at her. “I want to find a good position where I can use a sniper.” Silver listened carefully. “It needs to be far enough from the Gupta family that nobody notices me. And it has to be somewhere quiet.” Pixel pointed toward the surrounding forest. “No cameras. No unnecessary people. Somewhere I can take the shot and leave before anyone knows what happened.” Silver nodded slowly. “Okay.” Pixel looked surprised. “Okay?” Silver smiled. “I'll help you.” Pixel stared at her. “Just like that?” “Yes.” “Without a condition?” Silver laughed. “You want a condition?” Pixel sighed. “I'm just surprised.” Silver leaned back in her seat. “Fine. I want something.” Pixel raised an eyebrow. “What?” Silver smiled mischievously. “I want what happened between us at the Gupta military base to happen again.” Pixel immediately blushed. “What?” Silver laughed. “I know you're married.” “Exactly.” “I know,” Silver replied. “We will just have some fun. There's nothing to worry about.”

Pixel looked away. She was silent for several seconds. Then she sighed. “If we succeed in avenging my father…” She looked back at Silver. “Then I'll agree to your condition.” Silver smiled. “Deal.” “I mean it.” “So do I.” Silver looked through the windshield toward the quiet forest. “Now let's find you a good place for that sniper.” Pixel smiled slightly. She started the car again. They continued toward the Gupta family. After several minutes, they reached a junction where one road led toward the Gupta residence. Pixel stopped the car. She looked around. “How about here?” Silver looked at her. Pixel pointed toward the road. “It's a one-way lane. I could take the shot from up there.” She pointed toward a higher position overlooking the road. Silver studied the area carefully. “Can you really take a shot from there?” Pixel nodded. “It isn't that far.” She looked toward the position. “I can do it.” Silver opened the car door. “I'll help you find out.” Pixel frowned. “Where are you going?” Silver smiled. “To make sure you can actually take a kill shot from that position.” Pixel sighed. “Fine.” Silver walked toward a nearby tree and took a piece of white paper from her bag. She placed the paper against the tree and secured it so it could be seen from the position Pixel had chosen. Then she walked back. She pointed toward the paper. “Go take your shot.” Pixel smiled. “One shot?” “One shot.” Pixel nodded. She knew Silver understood what she was doing.

Pixel reversed the car and drove toward the position. Silver remained behind. Pixel stopped, got out, and took her rifle. She looked through the scope. The white paper was clearly visible. She aimed carefully. Then. Bang! The first shot hit the paper. Pixel adjusted her aim. Bang! The second shot landed close to the first. Pixel lowered the rifle. She got back into the car and drove toward Silver. When she reached her, Silver smiled. “You nailed it, Pixel.” Pixel laughed. “See? I told you I could do it.” Silver nodded. “Now we know the position works.” Pixel looked toward the Gupta road. Neither woman said anything. But both understood what the next step could mean. They eventually drove toward Lucia Goods. By the time they arrived, it was almost time for the employees to finish work. The eight recruits had spent the entire day waiting. That morning, they had been excited when they were chosen. But as the hours passed without seeing Laura or Amanda, their excitement slowly turned into concern. Some of the other workers had even started laughing at them. Then they saw the car arriving. Their excitement immediately returned. They grabbed their luggage and hurried outside. Within moments, they were all gathered around Pixel and Silver.

Colen was the first to speak. “Laura! Amanda! We've been waiting for you the whole day.” He pointed toward the others. “Some of the workers even started laughing at us.” Pixel smiled. “I know.” She looked at all eight of them. “Get inside. We need to talk.” They followed Pixel and Silver into the car. Once they were inside, Pixel turned toward them. “Before we continue, there is something you all need to understand.” The eight recruits became quiet. “Since you are joining us, you can no longer call us by our real names when we are outside.” Colen looked confused. Pixel continued. “My codename is Pixel.” She looked directly at him. “So forget Laura whenever we are working.” The eight recruits froze. Silver added. “And I am not Amanda.” She paused. “My codename is Silver.” The recruits looked at each other. Lucy raised her hand slightly. “Do we also need codenames?” Pixel shook her head. “No, Lucy.” She looked at all eight of them. “You don't need codenames.” Pixel's expression became serious. “You have one specific mission.” Kayla looked at the others. “What mission?” Pixel smiled slightly. “That is exactly what we're about to explain.”