Chapter 46: Trap
Somewhere in a dense Philippine forest, the moonlight filtered through the coconut trees, casting eerie shadows over a small rebel encampment. The sound of crickets and the occasional hoot of an owl filled the humid air.
Inside a dimly lit hut, a group of armed men sat on makeshift benches, their rifles resting beside them. Some smoked, others cleaned their weapons in calm anticipation of whatever task lay ahead.
Suddenly, the creaky wooden door swung open, revealing a young soldier in fatigues, gripping his rifle tightly.
"Sir, we have a visitor."
The bearded leader of the group, a man with sharp eyes and a presence of authority, rose from his seat, gesturing for a few of his men to follow. They stepped outside into the open clearing, where a black SUV had just arrived, its headlights cutting through the night.
Standing by the vehicle were three men in black suits, their posture rigid, their faces unreadable. The leader of the rebels stepped forward, a wry smirk tugging at his lips.
"Welcome to our humble abode, Mr. McKnight."
The tallest man in the middle stepped forward. His expression was one of impatience, his voice cold and direct.
"I'll get straight to the point. Our client wants you to extract some important data. Eliminate anyone in your way."
He reached into his coat and handed over a tablet. The rebel leader's brows furrowed as he scrolled through images of a large mansion, a construction site beside it, and a basement-level facility.
A tense silence filled the air before he finally spoke."You want us to become thieves now? What exactly are we looking for?"