Vendetta beneath a broken sky

The morning light filtered into the grand hall of Salvador's estate, casting long shadows across the polished marble floor. Logan stepped inside, his footsteps echoing in the vast space. Seated at the head of the room was Salvador, flanked by George on his right and Julian on his left. The air was heavy with authority, and Logan instinctively straightened his posture as he approached.

"Logan," Salvador began, his deep voice resonating through the hall, "you performed well last night. Amara was safe, and I've heard about how you handled that little... incident." A faint smirk crossed his lips. "You've proven yourself capable, but last night was a dance. Today, we have real business to discuss."

Logan gave a slight nod, his expression calm. "I'm ready."

Salvador leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table. "The Valdez cartel has been stirring up trouble. The middleman and the rogue client you dealt with betrayed us for secret dealings with them. I want you to send a message—a loud and clear one."

He paused, his piercing gaze locking onto Logan. "But this won't be easy. Valdez has powerful men—shifters who can transform into animals and titans with martial arts prowess, enhanced strength, and endurance. They'll be a problem if you're not careful."

Logan's face remained impassive, but his mind was already turning. He'd heard whispers about shifters and titans before, but this would be his first time facing them in the field.

Salvador shifted his attention to George. "Your father vouched for you," he continued. "He mentioned your force-field ability. Impressive, but you'll need more than that."

George nodded, his expression unreadable. Logan noticed the subtle tension in his father's shoulders, a reminder of the secret they shared—George hadn't told Salvador about Logan's telekinesis.

"To ensure this mission's success," Salvador said, leaning back, "you'll be working with Manny and his crew. They're seasoned, and they know how to handle themselves in situations like this."

Manny, who had been standing silently nearby, stepped forward. "I'll introduce you to the team and help you gear up," he said gruffly.

Salvador gave a final nod. "Good. Get what you need and be ready to move out."

---

In the armory, Manny gestured for Logan to follow him. They entered a large, dimly lit room lined with weapons and equipment. Three men and one woman stood waiting, their casual banter silencing as Logan walked in.

"This is Logan," Manny said. "He's joining us for this mission."

The crew nodded in acknowledgment, each sizing Logan up in their own way.

Manny introduced them one by one. "That's Dario explosives expert. Axel—hand-to-hand combat specialist. Rico—tech and communications. And Kara—our sniper."

Logan exchanged brief nods with each of them.

"Now," Manny said, turning to the arsenal. "Pick your gear."

Logan scanned the rows of weapons, his eyes settling on a customized P90. He grabbed it, appreciating its lightweight design and high rate of fire. Next, he selected his trusty gray Desert Eagle, the weight of it familiar in his hand. Finally, he reached for his dual daggers, their custom design tailored perfectly to his combat style.

The crew watched him quietly, their curiosity piqued by his choices.

After gearing up, Manny led Logan to the garage. Rows of vehicles lined the expansive space—armored SUVs, sleek sports cars, and heavily modified trucks.

"Take your pick," Manny said, crossing his arms.

Logan's eyes scanned the selection until they landed on a forgotten gem in the corner—a 1971 Stingray Corvette. Its once-pristine body was covered in dust, but its potential was undeniable.

"That one," Logan said, pointing to it.

The crew exchanged surprised looks.

"Seriously?" Axel asked, raising an eyebrow. "Why not an SUV or something more practical?"

Logan shrugged, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "I'm more of a vintage cars guy."

Manny shook his head with a chuckle. "You've got an interesting taste, kid. That car's been sitting there for years. Barely anyone's touched it."

"Perfect," Logan said.

He turned to Rico, the crew member responsible for vehicle modifications. "I want tinted bulletproof windows, reinforced tires, nitro speed, and a gray paint job. Add anything else you think will give me an edge."

Rico grinned, clearly impressed. "You've got it. Give me a few hours, and she'll be ready to roll."

As Logan ran his hand along the Corvette's dusty surface, he felt a small spark of excitement. This car wasn't just a tool for the mission—it was a statement.

Manny clapped him on the shoulder. "Get some rest while Rico works. You'll need it."

Logan nodded, but his mind was already focused on the mission ahead. The Valdez cartel wouldn't know what hit them.

Logan spent the next few hours observing Rico and his team work on the Corvette. The sound of tools clinking against metal filled the garage, and the air smelled of oil and fresh paint. Logan leaned against a nearby wall, arms crossed, keeping an eye on the progress.

"You've got good taste," Rico called over his shoulder. "This Stingray might be old, but with the mods we're adding, she'll be a beast. Bulletproof glass, reinforced tires, a nitro system, and—" he grinned, "—a hidden compartment for your weapons. You'll be unstoppable."

Logan nodded, appreciating the attention to detail. "Thanks. Just make sure she's fast enough to outrun anything Valdez throws our way."

Rico laughed. "She'll do more than outrun. She'll leave them in the dust."

As the hours passed, Logan became acquainted with Manny's crew. Dario, the explosives expert, was loud and animated, constantly cracking jokes to lighten the tension. Axel, the hand-to-hand combat specialist, was more reserved, sizing Logan up with quiet curiosity. Kara, the sniper, was sharp and observant, her calm demeanor hiding a fierce personality.

"So," Dario asked as he tinkered with a small explosive device, "you're George's kid, huh? He's a smart guy. Guessing the brains run in the family?"

Logan smirked faintly. "You'll have to wait and see."

Kara raised an eyebrow. "I heard you held your own at the academy last night. Took down some punks pretty efficiently."

"They made it easy," Logan replied, his tone nonchalant.

Axel finally spoke, his voice low but firm. "Hope you can bring that same energy against Valdez. Shifters and titans aren't the same as a bunch of spoiled brats."

"I'm ready," Logan said confidently.

The crew exchanged glances, a mix of skepticism and approval in their expressions.

By the time the Stingray was ready, the car looked brand new. Its sleek gray paint gleamed under the garage lights, and the tinted windows gave it an air of mystery. Rico tossed Logan the keys.

"She's all yours," Rico said, grinning.

Logan caught the keys, the weight of them feeling oddly significant. He walked around the car, admiring the modifications, before sliding into the driver's seat. The interior was just as impressive as the exterior—modernized with all the tech he'd need for the mission.

Manny approached, leaning against the driver's side door. "You know, Logan," he said, "this mission isn't just about disrupting Valdez. It's about sending a message. Salvador's counting on you to show them what happens when you cross him."

Logan nodded, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. "I'll get it done."

"Good," Manny said. He straightened up and gestured for the crew to gather. "We roll out in an hour. Gear up and be ready."

---

The hour passed quickly, and soon the team was assembled in the garage. Logan stood beside his Stingray, adjusting the holster strapped across his chest. His Desert Eagle rested on his hip, and his daggers were secured at his sides. The weight of the weapons was a comforting reminder of his purpose.

Manny ran through the details of the mission one last time. The target was a Valdez-controlled warehouse on the outskirts of the city—a hub for their secret transactions. The goal was simple: infiltrate, disrupt, and eliminate any threats.

"Remember," Manny said, his tone serious, "these guys aren't pushovers. Shifters and titans will test you. Watch each other's backs, and don't get cocky."

The crew nodded, their expressions grim.

As they prepared to move out, Logan climbed into the driver's seat of his Stingray. The engine roared to life with a deep, guttural growl that echoed through the garage. Manny gave a low whistle.

"Damn, that's a beauty," Dario said, climbing into one of the SUVs with Axel and Rico.

"Don't scratch her," Kara teased as she slid into the passenger seat of the Stingray.

Logan smirked. "I'll try not to."

The convoy pulled out of the garage, the vehicles moving in formation as they headed toward the Valdez warehouse. Logan gripped the steering wheel, his mind focused on the mission ahead.

As they approached the outskirts of the city, the tension in the air thickened. The warehouse loomed in the distance, its shadowy silhouette illuminated by faint security lights.

Manny's voice crackled through the comms. "We're here. Everyone stays sharp. Logan, you're with Kara on point. Dario, Axel, and Rico will cover the perimeter. Let's move."

Logan stepped out of the Stingray, his weapons at the ready. The cold night air bit at his skin, but he barely noticed. His force-field ability hummed faintly beneath the surface, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.

As the team moved into position, Logan couldn't shake the feeling that this mission was more than just a test of his abilities. It was the next step in a dangerous game—a game where every move brought him closer to the revenge he and his father had sworn to take.