Veil of the Vanguard

SKLINDEN, 2025

Engines screamed against the backdrop of night, the sleek red sedan darting through the highway like a snake weaving through the underbrush. Its reckless maneuvers sent vehicles veering and horns blaring, the acrid stench of burning rubber lingering in its wake.

Hot on its tail was a black sports car, its engine growling low like a predator in pursuit. Close behind, a police cruiser weaved through traffic, its sirens wailing, echoing in the humid night air.

"Target heading east on Skylight Avenue. Speed exceeding 120. They're pulling ahead!" Officer Gordon's grip on the radio was tight, his knuckles pale. His foot pressed hard against the gas pedal, the speedometer climbing into the red.

"Stay on them!" the voice on the other end urged.

Further up the highway, the man in the black sports car adjusted his earbud, his gloved hand steady on the wheel. His voice was measured, calm, almost detached despite the chaos.

"Copy that, Officer Gordon. I've got them in my sights."

He downshifted, his car growling as it surged forward, closing the gap between him and the target. Rock music pulsed from his speakers, underscoring the intensity of the chase, but he remained laser-focused, his sharp eyes scanning every move of the fleeing criminals.

Ahead, the red sedan swerved violently to avoid a delivery truck, clipping its side mirror. The driver cursed, sweat dripping down his temple.

"They're trying to lose us in the construction zone," Gordon's voice crackled.

"Not on my watch," the man in black muttered under his breath.

The sedan veered off Skylight Avenue onto a side street, narrowly dodging a pile of construction materials. The man in black followed without hesitation, his tires screeching as he executed the sharp turn.

"Careful! The road narrows ahead," Gordon warned over the radio.

"I've got it under control," the man replied coolly.

Suddenly, the red sedan barreled into a bustling fruit stand, sending crates of oranges and apples cascading onto the street. The man in black swerved sharply, avoiding the rolling produce with expert precision, while the police cruiser plowed through the debris.

High above, perched on an overpass, another figure surveyed the chaos below. Killian, the team's sharp-eyed sniper, adjusted his earpiece.

"Traffic's thick up ahead. They'll try to cut through the Eastway intersection," Killian's deep voice cut through the static. "I'll intercept."

The chase tore through the city, weaving between construction barriers and startled pedestrians. A roar of an engine signaled the arrival of another pursuer—a sleek black motorcycle slicing through the mayhem. Lady Raven, clad in matte black leather and a visor that mirrored the moonlight, leaned forward as she raced alongside the fleeing sedan.

"Target confirmed," she said, her voice even.

In a blur of motion, Raven drew her weapon—a compact EMP launcher—and aimed for the sedan's rear tires. With surgical precision, she fired. Sparks erupted, and the back tires exploded, the vehicle skidding wildly.

The sedan spun out of control, slamming into a lamppost with a deafening crash. Steam hissed from its mangled engine, and the acrid smell of burned metal filled the air.

Raven slowed her bike to a halt, her crimson lips curling into a sly smile beneath her visor.

"Target neutralized," she reported.

The man in black pulled up moments later, stepping out of his car. His boots crunched against the shattered glass as he approached the wreckage.

Inside the sedan, the driver—sweaty and wide-eyed—fumbled to grab a duffel bag stuffed with stolen goods.

"Stay back!" he shouted, brandishing a pistol.

Unmoved, the man in black stared him down. "Put it down. You're done."

The driver hesitated but then lunged, desperation overtaking reason. Before he could fire, the man in black moved like a coiled spring, disarming him with a swift strike and pinning him against the car hood.

Meanwhile, Raven handled the passenger. The criminal attempted to bolt, but she intercepted him effortlessly, delivering a roundhouse kick that left him sprawling on the asphalt.

"Was that your grand escape plan?" she quipped, cuffing him with ease.

"Backup's here," Gordon's voice crackled as additional squad cars arrived, their flashing lights illuminating the scene.

The criminals were hauled away, their defiance replaced with defeated silence. Officer Gordon approached the man in black, nodding in acknowledgment.

"Nice work, Dan. As always."

Dan's glowing blue eyes briefly flickered. He turned toward the distant sound of approaching vehicles. A sleek black SUV rolled up, its windows tinted, its engine humming ominously.

"We've got company," Raven said, her voice dropping.

Dan's jaw tightened.

"It's not over yet."

Raven followed Dan's gaze, her eyes sharpening with focus.

"We can't let them slip away! They might be connected to the criminals."

Without waiting for a response, Dan bolted toward the SUV, with Raven close behind, positioning her bike to block any potential escape routes.

As they neared the vehicle, the tinted windows rolled down, revealing two men inside. One was lean with sharp features, while the other, broad-shouldered, exuded an intimidating presence.

"You think you can take us on?" the lean man sneered, his eyes flashing with arrogance.

"Hands where I can see them!" Dan barked, his voice firm. "This is a police investigation. Cooperate now, and you might make it out of this."

The broad-shouldered man chuckled deeply, his voice like gravel.

"You have no idea who you're dealing with." He moved his hand toward the glove compartment, prompting Dan to step forward, prepared for whatever came next.

Suddenly, the lean man pulled a sleek firearm, aiming it directly at Dan.

"Back off, or we'll make you regret it," he warned, his voice cold and dangerous.

Raven was faster. She drew her weapon, pointing it directly at the SUV.

"Do you really want to escalate this?" she asked, her tone calm but carrying an undeniable threat. "You're surrounded and outgunned."

The air crackled with tension as both sides evaluated their next moves. Dan kept his eyes locked on the gunman, unwavering.

"You can walk away now, but you'll end up just like your friends back there."

The lean man hesitated, weighing the consequences. Just then, the wail of approaching sirens pierced the air, growing louder with each passing second. Fear flickered across his face.

"This isn't over," he spat, his earlier bravado faltering. He turned to his companion. "We need to go. Now!"

The broad-shouldered man slammed the SUV into gear, tires screeching as they sped off. Dan lunged for the passenger door, grabbing for the handle, but the vehicle was already gaining speed, leaving him stumbling backward onto the pavement.

"Damn it!" he cursed, his frustration boiling over. "They got away!"

Raven quickly caught up with him.

"We have their plates. We'll track them down."

Moments later, Gordon and the backup officers arrived, securing the scene and questioning the criminals who had been cuffed.

"What happened here?" Gordon asked, eyes wide with disbelief.

"These guys in the SUV are connected to the ones we just captured," Dan replied grimly, gesturing to the criminals. "They were cleaning up a mess."

"We'll issue a BOLO for that SUV. We need to find out who they are and what they're planning," Gordon instructed.

"We need to hit the streets," Dan said. "If they're part of a bigger operation, they won't stop until they get what they want."

Raven nodded. Just then, Killian's car screeched to a halt.

"What did I miss?" he asked with a deep chuckle as he stepped out, tall, with blond hair and a muscular frame.

"We've got more suspects," Dan said. "I'm afraid we're chasing down a big gang."

"Well, let's get to it. We'll find them," Raven said, but Dan placed a gloved hand on her shoulder.

"Wait. We need to interrogate these guys first. I'm pretty sure their boss is in Sklinden. And I want to know why they'd try to steal government property worth over one billion Aurs…"

---

Lena Kim pushed open the front door, the jingle of her keys breaking the silence of her home. The house was still, the kind of quiet that could either be soothing or unsettling. Today, it felt like a comforting embrace.

After a long day at work, she relished the peace of home. Dropping her bag by the door, she noticed her father's shoes were missing from the entryway—he wasn't back yet.

Peering out the back window, she saw the soft glow of the outdoor bulb casting long shadows across the yard.

'Is he still working late?' she wondered, placing her groceries on the kitchen counter.