C506 Pass Without An Inspection

Cipher looked around the tent, making sure she had everyone's attention before she spoke. “The reason I called all of you here was because Operation Trojan Horse has brought us some important information.” The moment she mentioned the operation, everyone became attentive. Even after everything that had happened with Pixel and Silver, we couldn't afford to ignore intelligence that might affect our mission. Cipher continued. “Trojan Horse One reported that an unidentified boat passed through the eastern ocean checkpoint in First Family territory. According to their reports, the East Family guards didn't inspect the boat. Instead, Stacy personally allowed it to pass.” She paused, letting the information sink in. “They also reported that some of the guards recognized the boat. Apparently, it wasn't the first time they'd seen it.” Kiddo frowned. “So we're dealing with a boat that keeps passing through our territory without proper inspections, and the people responsible for protecting the checkpoint are allowing it to happen?” “That's what the report suggests,” Cipher replied. “But why would Stacy allow it?” Survivor asked. “Does she know who's on board, or is she simply being paid to look the other way?” “We don't know yet,” Cipher answered. “And that's precisely why we need to investigate.”

She looked around the tent. “Trojan Horse One only gave me this information for now." Chipmunk folded her arms. “What do we do now?” Cipher gave a small, knowing grin. “I already had a plan.” She glanced at Pixel and Silver, and her expression briefly changed. “But they've ruined everything.” Pixel lowered her head slightly. “Cipher...” “I'm not talking about Samson right now,” Cipher interrupted. “We'll deal with that situation separately. I'm talking about the plan I had for the boat.” She drew a breath and continued. “My original intention was to prepare a tracking device and have our recruits attach it to the boat when the opportunity presented itself. Once we knew where it was going, we could follow the trail and determine who was behind these movements.” She turned towards me. “Cracker, Trojan Horse One said the guards considered the boat familiar. That suggests it has been passing through that checkpoint for some time. If that's true, we may have another opportunity to track it.” I nodded. “I can prepare a tracking device. Once it's ready, we'll need to work out how our recruits can attach it without drawing attention to themselves.” “Exactly,” Cipher replied. “I don't want them taking unnecessary risks. They're there to gather intelligence, not expose themselves.”

I began thinking about the technical side of the operation. The device would need to be small enough to remain unnoticed, reliable enough to provide useful information, and suitable for the conditions in which it might be used. We also had to consider what would happen if the boat left the checkpoint before our recruits could approach it. Cipher continued. “Once we know where the boat is going, we'll have a decision to make. We can follow it and investigate its destination, or we can finish securing the border first and deal with the boat afterwards.” Bighead leaned forward. “Before we decide that, where are we with the defensive preparations?” Cipher shook her head. “I haven't received a report from Hammer yet. I don't know whether the work will be delayed or not.” Bighead considered this for a moment. “Then perhaps we should wait for his report before deciding anything. If the defensive arrangements are already in place, we can investigate the boat and return afterwards. But if the border is still vulnerable, leaving now could be a mistake.” “That's a reasonable point,” Survivor agreed. “We can't afford to leave our people exposed just because we've discovered something suspicious,” Chipmunk added. “We need to know what we're dealing with, but we also need to protect the territory we're responsible for as well as our recruits.”

Bighead nodded. “Exactly. We shouldn't allow one problem to create another.” Cipher looked around the tent, considering their opinions. “Then that's what we'll do. Cracker will prepare the tracking device, but we won't move against the boat until we have a clear report on the defensive preparations.” She paused. “Once Hammer returns, we'll review our options. If the border is secure, we'll consider following the boat. If it isn't, we finish the defenses first.” Everyone agreed. We had a plan, even if we still had more questions than answers. But I couldn't ignore the timing. An unidentified boat was repeatedly passing through a checkpoint without being inspected. Stacy was personally authorizing its passage, and the guards apparently recognized it. That didn't sound like an innocent mistake. Someone was allowing something to move through our side of the border, and until we discovered what it was, we couldn't be certain how much danger we were facing. Cipher seemed to be thinking the same thing. “Until we know more, Operation Trojan continues as planned. Our recruits will maintain their cover, observe the checkpoint, and report any further movements involving the boat. Nobody confronts Stacy or alerts the guards to our suspicions.” She looked directly at me. “And Cracker, keep the tracking device ready.” “I will.”

Cipher nodded, apparently satisfied with the decision. Then she reached for her phone. “There is one more matter I need to deal with.” I knew immediately who she intended to call. Her grandfather. The mysterious boat could wait a little longer. Samson's death could not. Cipher took a moment before placing the call. When it connected, she brought the phone to her ear. “Grandpa.” Victor's voice came through almost immediately. “Now you understand what I'm talking about?” Cipher closed her eyes briefly. “Yes, Grandpa.” There was a pause. “I'm sorry I didn't inform you beforehand,” she continued. “But I did what I believed I needed to do.” She glanced at us, then turned slightly away from the group. “Hanna killed Emmanuel. He was only three months old, Grandpa. He was innocent. She went on to kill Laura's father." She swallowed. “Samson was her father, the only leverage I can use to remind Hanna that she is not untouchable. To make her feel the pain I felt when I lost my son. The pain Laura felt when she lost her father. Cipher's eyes lowered. “I know his family has every reason to be angry. If you blame me for what happened, I won't fight you over it. If that's what it takes, I can leave the army, just as Hanna left the family, and go into hiding with the people I trust.”

The tent became completely silent. Nobody had expected Cipher to go that far. On the other end of the call, Victor remained quiet for several seconds. When he finally spoke, his voice sounded heavier than before. “Alicia, I cannot promise that you will be safe if you do that. If the entire First Family army decides to retaliate, or if my father demands revenge for Samson, leaving the army may not protect you.” Cipher listened without interrupting. “I need you to understand that this situation is bigger than the two people directly involved. Samson was my older brother. Whatever happened between him and Laura, his death will affect the whole family.” “I understand, Grandpa.” “I will speak to my father immediately. He needs to hear the truth from me before he makes any decisions.” Cipher nodded, even though he couldn't see her. “Thank you, Grandpa.” She ended the call and lowered her phone. I wanted to say something reassuring, but I couldn't find the right words. My wife had just placed herself in an impossible position. She was trying to protect Pixel, preserve her relationship with her grandfather, and prevent a conflict that could destroy everything we were building. And she was doing it while carrying the grief of losing our son.

I moved closer and rested a hand on her shoulder. She looked at me briefly, then took a breath. “Let's hope he can convince great grandpa Miller,” she whispered. I hoped so, too. Victor wasted no time after ending his conversation with Cipher. He headed straight to Miller's villa, determined to speak to his father before the situation became even more complicated. When he arrived, he found Miller sitting in the living room with Darry. A pot of tea stood on the table between them, and the two men appeared to have been discussing something before Victor entered. Darry was the first to look up. “Brother.” Victor barely acknowledged the greeting before Darry continued. “Your granddaughter killed him, didn't she?” The question came so directly that Victor stopped beside the table. Darry leaned back in his chair, studying him. “Who else could have done it so quietly? Samson was found dead after going out to meet Hanna, and everyone knows that Alicia is searching for Hanna. Tell me, Victor, what exactly happened?” Miller set his teacup down. He had been waiting for Victor to arrive, and the expression on his face suggested that he already suspected what the answer might be. “Is it true?” he asked.