Oslo, Norway
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcJiL3CL8M
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtE9cLBE9Vg
The city was draped in a gray haze as Mathis sat in his car, eyes fixed on the antique shop at the end of a narrow alley. Despite hours without sleep, he remained vigilant, periodically checking his phone for updates. Cold air seeped through the car windows, carrying the faint scent of rain. The streets were empty, eerily quiet, as if the city itself held its breath.
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpe0660ZrYh
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡok5rOf6CXM
Suddenly, gunshots rang out, shattering the stillness. Mathis bolted upright, grabbing his weapon as he slipped out of the car. He moved swiftly to the corner of a nearby building, his pulse quickening. From there, he assessed the situation. Amid the chaos, he spotted a shattered store window and two people crumpled on the ground.
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozItyay4YT
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJeaPqZ8Of
Without hesitation, he sprinted toward the fallen. The pavement gleamed with fresh blood. Kneeling beside them, Mathis checked for pulses—both were unresponsive. The chill of the Oslo morning clung to him, but he pushed the dread away. He had been watching this shop for days. Something was about to break, and now, it had.
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKiklJ5nX8
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1XZzQlf8r
His eyes snapped back to the antique shop. Whatever had gone down, the answers were inside.
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtI9fZ9VouI
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVvNzrJiCB
Bursting through the door, his voice cut through the tension, "Anyone need help?"
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kpVy39jkJ
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10NiTDl0Hf
Behind the counter, the man Mathis had been surveilling lay wounded but alive. His eyes, wide with pain, locked onto Mathis. "Nine days," the man rasped, barely clinging to consciousness. "Nine days..." And with that, he fell silent.
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22cruw10g5
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rVTAJOQ66
The distant wail of sirens grew louder. Mathis quickly pocketed his phone, dialing a number. "Shots fired, multiple casualties. I need immediate assistance—police are en route."
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjd6NGYOPRA
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWso5rNsFYu
The front door burst open, and a young officer entered, gun raised. "Police! Hands up!"
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMKrf7tIhg
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bOkS6KDwU
Mathis slowly raised his hands, his ID in one, moving deliberately. "I'm with military intelligence," he said, his voice firm but calm. The officer relaxed slightly but remained on edge.
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoi7xo73W6
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfXsKhUJE8
"Secure the area," Mathis ordered, rising to his feet. "This is now a national security matter."
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyTW5Rmy3W
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoWOHojQ2V
The officer hesitated but obeyed, stepping outside to call in reinforcements. Alone again, Mathis turned back to the shop, the old man's cryptic words echoing in his head. Nine days.
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0pkuHFkpk
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC04ifeXHs9
"What happens in nine days?" he muttered, rifling through shelves and drawers, searching for any clue to the man's final message. But nothing stood out.
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVeloVgG9A
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnkj6RbaeL
He paused, his mind racing. Why had this man been so important? The name Shadow Front flickered in his thoughts—a global organization tied to political upheavals and intelligence leaks. They had been quiet for months, but this felt like their work. Whatever was happening in nine days, it was bigger than a botched hit.
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WvLSDL6hI
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhahAuai0en
A stern voice broke the silence behind him. "Who the hell are you?"
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxG6fy3HSGC
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QbphWMBva
Mathis turned to face a police chief, his expression unreadable. "This is classified," Mathis replied coolly. "Your team needs to back off. My people will handle this."
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTA0imjfNT
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfW6NaCYCDW
Before the chief could argue, Mathis's phone buzzed. He answered curtly, "Yes?"
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7gEKtSr8s
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6z5T45rbHl
"Briefing. Immediately at mansion 1," a voice commanded. Without another word, Mathis slipped past the stunned police chief and headed to his car. The streets of Oslo seemed darker now. Whatever was coming in nine days, it was already too close.
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHt4NL4AIuJ
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDsxxJE1Py
After navigating through Oslo's streets, Mathis found himself just outside the city, where the urban landscape gradually gave way to countryside estates. Several houses dotted the area, but none stood out quite like the large mansion looming ahead. Its towering columns and pristine stone facade gleamed in the fading afternoon light, exuding an air of old-world grandeur. Manicured lawns stretched before it, with carefully trimmed hedges lining a cobblestone driveway, while a fountain gurgled gently in the center.
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MudtMo8te
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUODhfY0Yth
As Mathis approached the gate, a subtle sense of unease crept in. His eyes flicked over the mansion's high windows, searching for signs of movement. Who was watching from behind those glass panes? Despite the serene exterior, his instincts warned him something wasn't quite right.
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlZ4IiGj4V
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJp6Wz0s0gG
The guard at the gate wore a stoic expression, his movements precise and deliberate as he scanned Mathis's ID. The briefest flicker of recognition passed through the guard's eyes before the gate creaked open, and he was waved through without a word.
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LSNnFtcom
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeOnuDIt6l
After parking the car, Mathis stepped out and made his way to the mansion's main entrance, an imposing set of double doors that swung open as he approached. Inside, the elegance of the place hit him immediately—high ceilings, gleaming marble floors, and crystal chandeliers. Before he could take in more, a man stepped forward with a polite but firm apology.
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYudG6hcC4
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7N6qUeKec9
"Standard procedure, sir. I'll need to check for weapons."
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB28mex8HDS
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqLIWBgNd3
Mathis nodded, the professionalism familiar. He opened his jacket without protest, allowing the man to retrieve his sidearm before being led through the grand hallways.
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBcVivWBOg
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhkJakhvfY
Finally, a door was opened, revealing an elegant sitting room. Two large sofas faced a crackling fireplace, the warmth immediately enveloping the room. The scent of leather and aged wood filled the air, a subtle contrast to the chill outside. As Mathis took a seat, his eyes scanned the room—a place of wealth and power, meticulously maintained. The fire crackled softly in the hearth, and the curtains swayed gently in the faint breeze from an open window.
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wtCR46oq3
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOjTdi2bkM
He leaned back, his senses heightened as he waited. At that moment, a large door creaked open, and the admiral walked in. Mathis immediately stood.
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53oxi9KBvd
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CTRAsK6NK
"Sir, I've never been here before—nice house," Mathis said, trying to sound respectful. But the admiral's irritated expression crushed any hope of casual conversation.
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlFaf1ZilB
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxNNMR8Vy9
"Agent 13," the admiral snapped, his tone sharp. "You need to put this private vendetta of yours to rest. It's been six months since Argentina. All leads have gone cold. Leave this alone. Is that understood?"
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEzRZud1AV
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUxuQZ1GkK
Mathis blinked, surprised by the sudden reprimand, but his frustration quickly rose. He clenched his fists at his sides. "With respect, sir, we still haven't found the mole. We still haven't identified the leader. The man I was monitoring said something would happen in nine days—"
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjxSHSDh80
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHsOQHt4fr
"No, Agent 13." The admiral's voice was firm, unyielding. "Eva was the mole. We both know that. The case is closed, and nothing has happened since your last mission. You're chasing ghosts."
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpnOonjQwa
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkrGqyik8F
Mathis clenched his jaw, the urge to argue rising. Eva couldn't have been the only one. The entire operation had collapsed too cleanly—too quickly. Bram's death still weighed on him like a stone in his chest. He couldn't let this go. But before he could speak, the admiral continued.
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9vxXBrlwe
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51nRIu8Z2U
"Mathis, I like you. I've always respected you. But enough is enough. I have a new assignment, and it's important. Is that understood?"
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bhUsu2ssm
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwhiP4DW47
Mathis swallowed his anger, nodding stiffly. "Yes, sir. What's the mission?"
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQ2YTI8Usa
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7WJIZwYS3
The admiral sat down and slid a thick folder across the table. Mathis picked it up and began to thumb through it, feeling the familiar weight of classified documents. As he scanned the pages, the admiral's voice cut through his thoughts.
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhdNOXDj9C
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNeegtdBKe
"What you're looking at is a new drone developed here in Norway. It's the size of a small phone—nearly silent. Its defense mechanism is lethal: seven precise shots, and it carries a rocket capable of devastating a large area. It's been stolen. We tracked it to Sweden and Germany, but the trail has gone cold. Your mission is to follow up."
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WJZCaAuZE
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdMyEQjVSc
Mathis paused, the implications sinking in. He studied the drone's sleek design in the photos, its capabilities sending a chill down his spine. This wasn't just any drone—it was a weapon of terrifying precision, one that could easily fall into the wrong hands.
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1n0WCnqEI3
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2E20NuRJo
"And you believe it's still there? In Germany?" Mathis asked, his voice steady but wary.
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpiiSR4bTX
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD40qZRXpt6
"That's where we lost the trail. But new intel suggests it's on the market, possibly in Italy. If it falls into the wrong hands, the consequences could be catastrophic."
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8Xwb9g5kl
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XSUa4QvH5
Mathis absorbed the information, but his mind kept drifting back to the man's words—nine days. Could this stolen drone be connected? Was the Shadow Front involved? It was hard to believe it was a coincidence, especially with everything at stake. But the admiral wasn't going to let him chase that lead—not now.
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8djP336Jcl
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk338R9NtqG
"Understood, sir," Mathis said, his voice tight. He tucked the folder under his arm. But as he stood, his mind was already racing with thoughts of how to pursue both missions. The admiral might want him to bury the past, but Mathis wasn't done. Not yet. The Shadow Front, the mole—he'd finish this, one way or another.
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1fxKzPpnr
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2DvWfHry1
As the admiral dismissed him, Mathis left the room, his steps brisk. The cold air outside the mansion hit his face, sharp and bracing, but it did nothing to quell the storm in his mind.
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQcwIV4aRv
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAwTnoNNyt
Nine days. He wouldn't let this slip away—not like Argentina. Not again.
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5t2xfzZ2G
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyr4KhcdJb
Back in his car, Mathis flipped open the file once more, scanning the details of the drone and the intel trail that led to Germany and possibly Italy. There were names of operatives, surveillance photos, but nothing concrete. He needed more than what the admiral had given him. The trail had gone cold—that much was true. But Mathis knew someone who might have the means to warm it up.
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTCsjLP0Yd
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwGQsHPktA
She had deep contacts in Germany and Italy. She'd been working as an intelligence liaison and had a reputation for gathering information others couldn't. The last time they worked together, they had nearly been killed in a gunfight in Argentina, but she still trusted him. At least, he hoped she did.
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86RyzeVzbt
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyV3xQPLHmv
Pulling out his phone, Mathis dialed Bree's number and listened to the steady ring.
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHb92q2tNMW
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Lx3vrfDoQ
A cool, familiar voice answered. "I'm guessing this isn't a social call, Mathis."
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYKsJuMnWY
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnA1DYrkKr
"Bree, I need intel on a missing drone. Norwegian tech. Might be floating around Germany or Italy."
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsO9lvL0NoN
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQeIfdgnPT
There was a pause on the other end. "You're in luck. I've been hearing whispers about some new tech on the black market. I'll dig into it, but it'll take a day or two."
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnvlzcZRVG
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmp3tDW5RLt
"I don't have that much time," Mathis said urgently. "Nine days—something big is coming, and I think it's tied to this."
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7txqcUEkQh
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2q33h4pU8
"Mathis," she sighed, "I hope you're not chasing ghosts again."
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqxPaX4Nh3
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0r1IRxHBr
"Just get me the intel," he said, sharper than intended. "This is bigger than just a stolen drone."
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPurYVhgxoj
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlW3Zh2RwyO
He hung up, running a hand through his hair. Time was running out. His next step was clear: follow up on the truck explosion, which might provide additional clues. Bree's assistance would be invaluable, but Mathis had to move quickly.
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwE7cN9AINf
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWMeJHLos9
Driving back through the narrow streets of Oslo, Mathis felt the weight of his mission pressing down on him. The city's lights blurred as he navigated toward Brillo's workshop. Brillo was known for his gadgets and had previously outfitted Mathis with equipment that had saved his life more than once.
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOSjGyTHKr
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJYwoNssPG
When Mathis arrived at the workshop, the small building was dimly lit but bustling with activity. Inside, the walls were lined with high-tech gadgets and military equipment. Brillo, a burly man with an ever-present smirk, was tinkering with a device at his workbench.
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5frQFM9Wx
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡji9acw9GVQ
"Mathis!" Brillo greeted, wiping his hands on a rag. "What's got you running around like a madman?"
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmtTma5HlC
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoB4Qu5Am3
"I need some new tools," Mathis said, approaching the workbench. "Got a mission involving a stolen drone and some high-stakes tracking. And I need to follow up on an exploded truck."
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9oGTV1nrZ
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7hhuUwpnK
Brillo's eyes gleamed with interest. "A drone, huh? Sounds like you're going to need more than just the basics."
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNKBre3e3o
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lAHeLD48e
Brillo began assembling a set of gadgets—compact surveillance devices, encrypted communication tools, and a few other high-tech items Mathis couldn't immediately identify. "These should help you with tracking and securing information. They're top of the line. If you need anything else, just let me know."
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQt3HR1o1e
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RnmstLcn0
Mathis accepted the tools with a nod of thanks. "I appreciate it. I'll need every advantage I can get. Bree's working on tracking the drone, but the truck explosion might be related. I need to piece everything together quickly."
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpgtF6gOzJ
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaG1hVoV6n
As Mathis prepared to leave, Brillo clapped him on the back. "Be careful out there. And if you need any upgrades or repairs, you know where to find me."
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlR0Pyx3eig
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2nvPC4NLm
Mathis headed back to his car, feeling slightly more prepared but still anxious about the ticking clock. He needed to get to Germany and Italy, find the stolen drone, and uncover the connection between the explosion and the Shadow Front.
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFVXn0UHmy
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8qjnZGyd5
As he drove through Oslo's streets, his mind raced with the tasks ahead. The nine-day deadline loomed large, and he knew that every second counted. He had to be methodical, precise, and relentless.
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvQyCFDm8m
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRLSO8m7Nx
Mathis's phone buzzed with a new message from Bree. She had already started digging and would update him soon. That was one piece of the puzzle falling into place. He just had to ensure the rest followed suit.
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmO1momDivq
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36WEdp5etp
With renewed determination, Mathis continued through the darkening streets of Oslo, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
ns216.73.216.176da2
