Chapter 9 - AMBUSH AT THE DOCKS
The rain had turned into a torrential downpour as Kenji Sato stepped out onto the rain-drenched tarmac of Pier 66. The industrial cranes loomed overhead like giant rusted skeletons against the stormy Seattle night sky.
A hundred yards out, Nikolai Morozov’s hundred-foot armored yacht swayed against the turbulent black waters of Puget Sound. Spotlights blazed from the deck, locking onto Kenji’s lone figure as he walked forward, dressed in his black overcoat, carrying a single metal case.
Behind the shipping containers, Mason Kuroda and two dozen elite Sato syndicate marksmen lay in wait, concealed by radar-scrambling cloaks and thermal suppressors.
A steel gangway lowered with a heavy clatter, and six heavily armed Russian mercenaries escorted Kenji up to the aft deck.
Sitting under the covered canopy was Nikolai Morozov—a towering, scarred man with cold gray eyes, sipping vodka while wrapped in a heavy fur-lined coat.
“The great Kenji Sato,” Nikolai mocked, spreading his arms wide. “Kneeling before a Russian because of an American soldier’s brat. How the mighty Yakuza has fallen.”
Kenji didn't blink. He tossed the metal case onto the glass table between them. “The biometric cipher is inside. Daniel Mills’s debt is settled. Order your men to withdraw from my city, Nikolai, or this harbor becomes your graveyard.”
Nikolai chuckled, opening the case and picking up the glowing data drive. He nodded to his technical specialist, who plugged it into a satellite terminal.
“Data verified,” the tech confirmed after a tense ten seconds. “All international banking ledgers are unlocked. We have control of the master keys.”
Nikolai smiled, his teeth flashing in the harsh deck lights. He reached into his coat and pulled out a gold-plated revolver, pointing it directly between Kenji’s eyes.
“You were always too honorable for this business, Kenji,” Nikolai sneered. “Did you really think I would let you walk off this boat? Once you are dead, your territory belongs to me. And as for the cleaner and her little girl... my men will find them before sunrise.”
Kenji’s face remained completely expressionless. He slowly checked his watch.
“You are right about one thing, Nikolai,” Kenji said calmly. “I am a man of honor. But my brother Daniel was a master of electronic warfare.”
Nikolai frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“The drive you just connected wasn't just a key,” Kenji said, a cold, deadly smile gracing his lips. “It was a Trojan broadcast beacon. It just transmitted your exact satellite coordinates and unencrypted financial records to the FBI, Interpol, and the United States Navy Seventh Fleet.”
May you like
Nikolai’s face turned white with sudden horror.
“And one more thing,” Kenji whispered. “I didn't come here to negotiate.”
