The Hekar transit supply depot was located on the edge of the city's industrial zone. The streets there were mostly deserted, caked with thick black sludge. In the distance, the mechanical rumble of factories echoed heavily through the air, while pale gray smoke billowed from towering red-brick stacks and slowly dispersed into the sky.
Arcia Levanovsky Virdona looked oddly out of place in such surroundings, her elegant attire drawing curious stares from the few passersby. Sennia followed her closely and quietly, but she couldn't help noticing how the soot-covered factory workers stared at them, unease growing in her chest. They were attracting too much attention—too much for comfort.
Arcia's plan was to first scout the area around the supply depot—observe its layout and internal structure—before attempting to steal the schedule roster. It was a risky task with too many unpredictable elements, especially the infiltration itself. So, the two had agreed that Arcia would handle the break-in while Sennia, lacking experience, would wait outside and provide backup only if needed.
"Shouldn't we have turned left?" Sennia whispered.
"This way's faster," Arcia replied, motioning toward a shortcut. It would save time, yes, but Sennia had already noted on the map that this route was unusually secluded, which made her uneasy. Luckily, it was workday hours, and they encountered no one.
"Hey! You girls over there!"
The shout made Sennia stop in her tracks. In front of a run-down bar, a burly, disheveled man stood wobbling with a bottle in hand, his bloodshot eyes roving over the two women with unwelcome intent.
"Ignore him. Let's go," Arcia said quietly, tugging Sennia's sleeve.
"You bitches ignoring me?! Do you know who I am?!"
The man hurled his bottle to the ground in anger. Several more thugs stepped out from the bar, attracted by the commotion. With backup now behind him, the man grinned menacingly.
"Two whores walking through our turf and pretending we don't exist? Let's teach them some manners."
So much for avoiding attention. Sennia drew the pistol at her waist and leveled it at them. The sight of a gun made them pause, hesitant to move forward.
"What are you idiots waiting for?! It's just one pistol—who knows if she can even use it."
The bearded brute, seemingly their leader, pulled out his own gun but didn't bother aiming. Encouraged, the others began surrounding the women.
Neither Arcia nor Sennia feared what these men might do—if necessary, Arcia could easily take them all out. But that would complicate things. They were on a mission, and loose ends could jeopardize everything. Before they had to act, a car pulled up at the end of the alley. A sharply dressed officer stepped out.
"What's going on here?"
The officer approached with a guard. The thugs immediately shrank back. Their leader shoved his pistol into his pocket and offered a groveling smile.
"Nothing, sir. Just thought these young ladies might be lost. We were offering to help."
"Is that so?"
The officer clearly didn't buy it—he'd stopped the car precisely because he knew what was happening.
"We just arrived in Hekar," Sennia said quickly, feigning distress. "We got lost trying to find the market."
"No problem. Hop in—I'll help you out."
Grateful for the timely rescue, Arcia and Sennia got into the car under the watch of the silent guard.
"You better behave next time. Don't make me come back," the officer said to the gang.
"Yes, yes, of course, sir..." the leader muttered. He had influence in Hekar, sure, but even he knew better than to mess with military officers—especially in wartime.
"You two all right?" the officer asked as they got in.
"Thanks to you, yes. I honestly don't know what we would've done without you," Sennia replied, slipping naturally into the role.
Arcia said nothing. Sennia handled the talking; she had a way with people that Arcia couldn't mimic.
"Let me take you somewhere safer," the officer said. "You can contact someone from there."
"Thank you, sir."
"You said you were heading to the market? You don't look like locals—what brought you to the industrial zone?"
The officer—clearly from Luvina—seemed to be probing for more.
"We came with Mr. Dack," Sennia replied. "He's looking into southern agricultural exports. The young lady wanted to help, so we thought we'd take a look at the nearest market."
"Mr. Dack is in... what line of work?"
"He's a merchant."
The officer paused, thinking. Sennia's explanation held up. But Arcia's prolonged silence still caught his attention.
"Even so, the industrial zone's not safe for two young ladies."
"Honestly, the young mistress snuck out. Mr. Dack didn't approve."
"Ha! So she's spirited, huh? What should I call you two?"
Sennia sensed his guard lowering. Time to anchor the story.
"I'm Ella, and this is Lucia. She's just a bit shaken—that's all. She's usually very lively."
Arcia, still quiet, looked the part of a frightened noble girl. Saying less was safer.
"I'm Darrick. A pleasure."
The car eventually stopped at a military checkpoint. After verifying identities, the guards waved them through. On the other side stood the Hekar supply depot.
"This is a restricted zone," Darrick explained. "I can't take you further. But there's a phone in the watch post—you can call someone. I'll return shortly."
After explaining to the guard, Darrick left. Sennia made a show of using the phone.
"Excuse me... I need to use the restroom," Arcia said, clutching her stomach.
The guard pointed her to the facilities. Using this excuse, Arcia slipped out through a window and climbed up the building to avoid being seen. From the rooftop, she observed the depot's layout and personnel flow.
Ten minutes later, she returned through the same route.
"Most of the buildings are warehouses. Only this one's administrative," she said quietly to Sennia.
"What now?"
"We wait for Darrick. Then play it by ear."
They sat in the watch post, pretending to be bored nobles. About an hour later, Darrick returned.
"Reach anyone?"
"No. Mr. Dack must be out, and the male servant too."
"No worries. I'll have my adjutant drive you back."
"That's very kind of you."
"Just be more careful next time."
After a quick goodbye, Darrick left again.
The girls then convinced the driver to drop them off in the city center. It wasn't close to the depot, but Arcia had what she needed. Time for action.
"So... heading back?" Sennia asked as they wandered through the busy streets.
"Yes."
They had to ride the tram again—Sennia wasn't exactly trained in rooftop escapes. At least the public transport system was decent.
Back in the industrial zone, they stuck to the busier main roads this time, but their appearance still drew stares. Next time, they'd wear something less conspicuous—chalk that up as spycraft experience.
They rested on a rooftop near the depot. It was evening now, and hunger gnawed at them. All Sennia had was a No. 4 injection.
"Wish this stuff came with a 'feel full' effect..."
The injection entered her bloodstream, but the hunger stayed.
"I'm heading out. Wait here. Don't move unless you hear gunfire."
"Got it."
Sennia had seen Arcia fight. She trusted her. But even so, infiltration missions were nerve-wracking. She sat alone, watching the sunset from the roof, ready to back Arcia up if needed.