C496 Trojan Horse

Pixel looked at Silver. “Silver, you drive. I will explain everything to them.” Silver nodded and took the steering wheel. The car began moving back toward the border. Pixel turned around to face the eight recruits. They were sitting quietly, listening carefully. “Alicia told me to relay these instructions to you.” She pointed toward their luggage. “First, the luggage you brought here will remain in the car. You are not going there to attract attention. Everything you need for the mission is already here.” The eight recruits remained silent. Pixel took a breath. “The name of this mission is Trojan Horse.” She looked at each of them. “I am sure everyone knows what a Trojan horse is. Your mission is based on the same idea.” She leaned forward. “You will enter their territory, keep a low profile, get close to the people we need information from, gather whatever information we need, and report your findings back to us.” The recruits nodded. Pixel opened a large box beside her. Inside were eight black military uniforms and several burner phones. “We chose medium-sized uniforms because we didn't know your exact sizes.” She picked up one of the uniforms. “And these are your burner phones.” She handed the first uniform and phone to Jessica. “Everyone take one uniform and one phone.”

One after another, the recruits collected their equipment. Pixel smiled. “Now everyone needs to change into those clothes.” Henry looked at her in surprise. “Right here? In front of everyone?” Pixel rolled her eyes. “What? Are you shy?” She laughed. “I am married, Henry. And Silver is driving, so neither of us is going to watch you.” The recruits laughed nervously. “But seriously,” Pixel continued, “from now on, you need to get used to having very little privacy. Where we are going, there are no proper facilities. If you need to change clothes, you may have to do it in front of everyone.” She paused. “Even when you need to use the bathroom.” Elizabeth frowned. “Even for us women?” Pixel nodded. “In war, there is no difference.” She pointed toward the uniforms. “Hurry up and change.” The recruits looked at one another awkwardly before finally changing. They tried to give each other as much privacy as possible inside the moving vehicle, but it was obvious that none of them was comfortable. Silver laughed from the driver's seat. “You know, Pixel, this reminds me of our first day of training.” Pixel laughed. “It really does.” She looked at the recruits. “We were innocent and completely unprepared back then just like you are.” She shook her head. “Look at us now.” Silver laughed. “A lot has changed.” “Too much,” Pixel replied.

Soon, all eight Lucia Goods employees were dressed in their new uniforms. Pixel looked at them carefully. “Good.” She pointed toward their uniforms. “As I said, your mission is called Trojan Horse. From now on, I won't keep using all your names when we are working.” The recruits listened carefully. “So when I say Trojan Horse, you need to understand that I am talking about all of you.” They nodded. Pixel continued. “Now, look at your badges.” The recruits glanced down. “Tell me what is written on them.” They froze. Sophie looked at hers. “Wait…” She looked at the others. “Aren't they all the same?” Pixel smiled but said nothing. One by one, they checked their badges. “Mine says First Family.” “Mine says Third Family.” Pixel nodded. “Exactly.” She pointed toward the different uniforms. “There are two different groups at the border. Our side is the Third Family. Hanna's side is the First Family.” She paused. “You all know who Hanna is, right?” The recruits nodded. “Good.” Pixel pointed toward the First Family uniforms. “Those wearing First Family uniforms will be known as Trojan Horse One.” Then she pointed toward the Third Family uniforms. “Those wearing Third Family uniforms will be known as Trojan Horse Two.” She looked at them seriously. “It is simple. No real names.”

She paused. “Even when you report back to us, you will not say, ‘This is Colen reporting.’” Colen nodded. Pixel continued. “You will say either Trojan Horse One or Trojan Horse Two.” Everyone understood. Pixel picked up one of the burner phones. “Now, the phones.” She held it up. “Whatever you find, you report directly to the number saved here.” She turned the phone toward them. “There is only one number.” She looked at them. “No calls. You send a message.” She paused. “And after you send the message, delete it.” Everyone nodded. “There is no need to greet the person on the other side. That number belongs to our leader and your director.” She smiled. “Alicia. Her codename is Cipher.” Pixel's expression became serious again. “Remember this. Send your information, make sure it reaches Cipher, and delete the message immediately.” The recruits nodded. “Understood.” Pixel placed the phone down. “Now comes the important part.” Everyone became more attentive. “Trojan Horse One will investigate Hanna's friends.” She began listing the names. “Tyson. Cloud. Cintia. Ignacio. Stacy. Bloom. Destroyer.” She looked at the recruits. “You need to get close to them and find out what they know about Hanna.” She continued. “You also need to report any suspicious activity that you believe could be connected to Hanna.”

Jessica raised her eyebrows slightly. Pixel continued before anyone could ask a question. “And don't use Alicia's name as your opening.” The recruits looked confused. “Don't immediately tell them you hate Alicia. Don't start bad-mouthing her just because you think that will make them trust you.” She smiled. “That is something people do all the time when they want to get close to someone.” Pixel leaned back. “Find your own way in.” She shrugged. “If you have to make friends, make friends.” She paused. “If you have to earn their trust, earn it.” Then she smiled. “If you have to date one of them…” The recruits exchanged looks. “…then do it.” A few of them laughed nervously. “But that option probably won't work for you.” “Why?” Kayla asked. Pixel laughed. “Because there is no time for dating at the border.” The laughter disappeared as quickly as it came. Pixel then turned her attention to the other group “And Trojan Horse Two…” She pointed toward the recruits wearing Third Family uniforms. “Your job isn't simple just because you're joining our side.” The recruits looked at her. “The people there don't know you either.” She paused. “You are on your own.” Pixel continued. “Your job is to observe. Find any threats directed at us, the Third Family, or Cipher.” She pointed toward the road ahead. “You must also help push for unity between the two families.” The recruits listened carefully. “Alicia is now the leader of everyone. First Family and Third Family.” Pixel's voice became firmer. “You need to help create the impression that both sides can work together under her leadership.” They nodded.

Pixel looked at all eight recruits one final time. “And finally…” She paused. “Don't die easily.” The recruits stared at her. Pixel's expression became serious. “There are no hospitals there.” The car suddenly felt much quieter. “If you are badly injured, they don't treat you.” She looked from one recruit to another. “They finish you off.” All eight froze. The reality of the mission finally seemed to sink in. Trojan Horse One looked at Pixel. “We understand.” He swallowed. “We will be careful.” Pixel nodded. “Good.” She turned toward the road. “Because once we arrive, there will be no turning back.” The car moved forward. At the hotel, Hanna had finished researching every drug lord on the list the Mayor had provided. She sat back and looked through the information again. One name immediately caught her attention. Frank Potter. Hanna frowned. “Frank Potter is listed as not a threat?” She leaned back. “How?” Her mind returned to the man she had met. Even before he had said much, she had sensed something dangerous about him. “The men I met were a threat even without talking.” She stared at the information. Something wasn't right. Before she could investigate further, her burner phone rang. Hanna looked at the screen. An unknown number. She answered. “Hello?”

A man's voice came through. “Miss Ann Smith.” Hanna immediately recognized him. “Yes?” “This is Frank Potter. You gave me this number to contact you.” Hanna remained silent for a moment. Frank continued. “I am calling to remind you that I am expecting twenty-five kilos of my shipment in seven days.” Hanna nodded. “I know.” She glanced at the information on her table. “I will inform you as soon as the shipment arrives.” Frank said nothing. Hanna ended the call. She immediately called another number. Alvaro Gonzalez answered. “Dangerous Beauty.” Hanna laughed. “What did you just call me?” Alvaro smiled on the other end. “You are beautiful…” He paused. “And dangerous.” Hanna shook her head. “So that's what you're calling me now?” “Yes.” Hanna smiled. “Alvaro, I need fifty kilos in four days.” She became serious. “My team will come and collect it at our usual meeting place.” Alvaro frowned. “What? Fifty kilos in four days?” “Yes.” Alvaro's voice became frustrated. “Where am I supposed to get fifty kilos in four days?” Hanna smiled coldly. “You said I am dangerous, didn't you?” Alvaro became quiet. Hanna continued. “So if you don't want to find out exactly how dangerous I can be…” She paused. “…you will make a plan.” There was silence on the line. Finally, Alvaro sighed. “Fine. I understand. I will prepare your order.” Hanna smiled. “Good.” The call ended. Hanna placed the phone on the table. She looked once again at Frank Potter's name. Something about him bothered her. And Hanna had learned one thing in her business. When something felt wrong, it usually was.