The sun hadn’t yet risen when Hayden crouched in the shadows of the ravine. The convoy’s engines rumbled faintly in the distance, growing louder as the vehicles approached. Hayden adjusted the mask over his face, his heart pounding.

  The Codex chimed softly: “Activate Enhanced Reflexes. Efficiency increased by 40%.”

  A familiar warmth coursed through him, sharpening his senses. His vision became clearer, his muscles primed for action. He flexed his fingers, feeling the precision and strength the Codex provided.

  The first hovercraft came into view, its sleek black surface glinting faintly under the rising sun. Two enforcers perched on top, their rifles sweeping the area. Behind it, a second craft followed closely, and then the security cruiser brought up the rear.

  Hayden waited until the first craft passed before slipping silently out of the shadows. The wind howled through the ravine, masking the sound of his footsteps as he approached the second hovercraft.

  “Target identified. Security lock on rear hatch: standard grade. Time required to bypass: 12 seconds.”

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  Hayden smirked. “Let’s make it ten.”

  He crept to the side of the vehicle and attached the portable EMP device to its underside. With a soft click, the device activated, and the hovercraft shuddered as its electronic systems momentarily faltered.

  “What the hell?” one of the enforcers on the first vehicle shouted, turning to look back.

  Hayden used the distraction to climb onto the second hovercraft. The hatch’s lock glowed faintly, its mechanisms clicking as he worked the override.

  “Almost there…” he whispered.

  The hatch hissed open just as the enforcers began to investigate. Hayden slipped inside, his movements silent. Crates of supplies were stacked neatly in the cargo hold, marked with the Syndicate’s emblem.

  He grabbed a satchel and began filling it with as much as he could carry—medical supplies, energy cells, and data drives. His heart pounded as he worked quickly, the Codex providing a constant stream of updates:

  ?Supplies Acquired: 60%.

  ?Alert Level: Low.

  “Hey!” a voice shouted from outside. “Someone’s on the second craft!”

  Hayden froze, his mind racing. The enforcers were closing in.

  “Deploy sleep gas. Exit immediately.”

  He pulled the vial of gas from his belt and activated it, tossing it into the cargo hold. A soft hiss filled the air as the gas spread, and Hayden climbed back out of the hatch.

  He jumped down just as the enforcers reached the vehicle. The gas hit them full force, and they crumpled to the ground.

  The security cruiser’s engines roared as it sped toward him. Hayden activated the signal scrambler, jamming its targeting systems long enough to disappear into the ravine.

  When he finally reached the designated extraction point, his chest heaved with exhaustion. But he had done it.

  The Codex chimed with approval:

  ?Mission Complete. Supplies Recovered: 80%.

  ?Reward: +200 Pleasure Points. Skill Unlock: Stealth Boost.

  Hayden grinned, his confidence surging. This was only the beginning.