A weight presses against Kane’s chest the moment his boots touch the pavement.
Seven years, and this street hasn’t changed at all.
Crumbling row houses line the sidewalk, their bricks worn smooth and their porches sagging with rot. The air carries the familiar scent of fish and brine from the Terra’s docks down the block.
Overhead, one of Coda’s drones buzzes past. Not Cipher’s anymore. But the machine’s underbelly still pulses a familiar green.
This part of Shreveport should feel like home. It doesn’t.
As he passes the next house, Kane’s focus snags on the front steps, and a memory hits of his younger self. He trails behind his aunt and uncle, going house to house with hot meals to make amends after an attack by a rival crew.
Fingertips brush over his, bringing him back to the present. He glances over at Rafael, smiling at his side.
Kane clears his throat and nods toward the end of the block. “This is where I grew up,” he declares.
Rafael’s expression falters. “Wow, really? What’re we doing here? I mean—it’s really interesting to see where you’re from, and I’d love to hear more. But I thought we were going to see Cipher?”
His jaw sets. “We are. They’re holed up somewhere around here, according to Echo’s intel.”
“What do you mean? Cipher used to live here, too?”
“Yeah.” Kane shrugs. “Same streets. Cipher, Dragan. A couple others my uncle recruited. They were close then. Practically siblings.”
Before everything went to hell.
And now they’re in Shreveport. Like nothing ever happened.
“Figures. Cipher always does what they want.” He gestures for Rafael to follow. “Let’s go.”
Three houses down, the marker in Kane’s overlay flashes before locking onto a unit at the end. His steps slow before coming to a stop.
“What’s wrong?” Rafael’s voice drifts in over his pounding heart.
He doesn’t answer at first, double-checking the coordinates Echo sent over on his wristlink.
“Wait…” Kane freezes. “No. That can’t be right…”
A gentle grip closes around his wrist. “What is it, Kane?”
That fateful night flashes back. Echo limping on the pavement. Cipher stumbling out of the medtruck. His uncle sagging in his arms, red soaking his clothes.
Kane goes rigid. “Cipher.” He hisses. “They’re in the lieutenants’ former home base—next to my uncle’s house.”
A thumb brushes across Kane’s palm. “That’s a lot…” There’s no pity in Rafael’s tone, only understanding. “I’m with you.”
The words don’t change the situation. His touch doesn’t either. And yet, the ache behind Kane’s ribs loosens a fraction.
“Stay close.” Kane squeezes Rafael’s hand once before moving on down the street.
When they reach the porch, the former home base looks like any other on the block. Weathered but mostly ordinary.
Too ordinary.
This placeusedto be wired within an inch of its life. Sensors buried in the walls and jammers humming under the floorboards. No one stepped on this porch without Cipher knowing about it.
He taps the side of his visor to run a scan. Nothing registers. No heat spikes or EM noise. Only a generic security panel by the door.
“Something’s not right,” he mutters.