Memory Pirates

**Part 3: The Vault's Secret**

Kai's fingers gripped the black card, the cool metal biting into his skin as he stared at Ava across the table. There was no turning back now. The decision had been made. He had agreed to help the *Memory Pirates*, but the gravity of what lay ahead was slowly settling in.

Ava's piercing green eyes didn't waver as she studied him. "You understand what you're agreeing to, right? This isn't a simple job. You'll be risking your life, and everything you've built in the memory trade, for a truth you might not even be prepared for."

Kai nodded, his expression hardening. "I'm ready. Whatever it takes to uncover what's really going on."

She placed a small device in front of him. It was a miniature data recorder, a high-tech piece of equipment that could interface directly with the Vault's security systems. "This will be your entry point. You'll need to bypass the Vault's internal firewalls and security layers, but with this, you'll have temporary access."

"Temporary?" Kai echoed, his brow furrowing.

"Just enough time to get in, extract the memory, and get out," Ava explained. "It's not a perfect system, and it won't last long, but it's our best shot."

Kai glanced at the device, his mind racing. He had spent years hunting memories, but this was a different level entirely. The Central Memory Vault was impenetrable. There were stories about it—whispers of a place so secure that even the most skilled hackers had failed to break in. It wasn't just about the technology. The Vault was guarded by more than just firewalls and encryption. It had its own defenses, its own system of surveillance, and its own private army of enforcers.

Ava continued, "The Vault holds something much bigger than just stolen memories. We believe there's a file there—a memory, or perhaps a series of memories—linked to the creation of the system itself. The very foundation of the memory trade. And we think the key to stopping it all is locked away in that file."

Kai's heart beat faster. The Vault wasn't just a storage facility. It was the heart of the entire memory trade. If they could access what was hidden inside, it could change everything.

"But why me?" Kai asked, his voice low. "Why not one of your... better-equipped hackers?"

Ava's lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. "Because you're a memory hunter, Kai. You understand the process better than anyone else. You know how to interface with memories. You can walk into the Vault's system, extract the data, and get out without raising alarms. We need someone like you—someone who knows how to think like a hunter."

Kai shifted uneasily. He had always seen himself as a tool in the system, just another player in the underground market. But now, Ava's words were sinking in. For the first time, he was being asked to think outside the boundaries of the world he had known. No longer was he just hunting memories for profit—he was hunting for the truth.

"How do I get to the Vault?" Kai asked, the reality of the mission beginning to settle in.

Ava leaned forward, her voice dropping to a whisper. "We have an inside contact, someone who works at the Vault. He'll help you get close, but you'll have to move fast. Once you're inside, you'll have less than an hour to extract the data before the system locks down completely."

Kai nodded, already forming a plan in his mind. An hour was barely enough time, but it would have to do. He had learned to think on his feet during his time as a memory hunter. This mission wouldn't be any different.

Ava handed him a small, holographic map of the Vault's layout. "This is where you'll be heading. We've identified the access point for you to enter undetected. Once inside, you'll need to get to the central server room. That's where the memory we're after is stored."

Kai studied the map carefully, noting the labyrinthine corridors and layers of security. He could already feel the weight of the task pressing on him. This wouldn't be easy. But nothing about his life had ever been easy. 

"Alright," he said, standing up. "I'll do it. I'll get in, get the memory, and get out."

Ava stood as well, her eyes fixed on him. "We're trusting you with this, Kai. Don't fail us."

With that, the meeting ended, and Kai left the building. He stepped out into the cool, dim-lit streets of the city, the weight of the mission bearing down on him. Every step he took felt heavier than the last, as if the entire city was watching him, waiting for him to make a mistake. The memory trade was no longer just a job—it was a war, and he was on the front lines.

***

The night was dark as Kai made his way to the Vault's location, using the shadows as cover. His heart pounded in his chest as he moved through the streets, his thoughts focused on the mission ahead. He had a job to do, and there was no room for error. 

The Vault's entrance was hidden beneath a layer of reinforced concrete, in a district known for its military-grade security. It was a heavily fortified area, a place where only those with the highest security clearance could pass through without being stopped. Kai knew it was going to be tricky, but he was determined to get in.

When he reached the access point, a small, unmarked door tucked between two larger buildings, he stopped. A faint vibration in the air signaled that someone was nearby. He ducked into an alley and waited, watching as a guard walked past, his eyes scanning the area. Kai held his breath, watching until the guard passed out of sight.

He quickly approached the door, slipping the card Ava had given him into a hidden slot. A soft beep sounded as the door clicked open, granting him access. Kai stepped inside, his mind racing. He was in.

The interior of the Vault was cold and sterile, the walls gleaming with polished metal. Everything was quiet—too quiet. As he moved through the halls, the faint sound of his footsteps echoed off the walls. He glanced at the map Ava had given him, following the route to the server room.

The further he went, the more intense the feeling of being watched became. His instincts told him that something wasn't right, but he couldn't afford to hesitate. He had come too far to back out now.

Finally, he reached the central server room. His pulse raced as he approached the terminal. The room was dimly lit, the hum of the servers filling the air. Kai wasted no time. He plugged the data recorder into the system and began to work, bypassing the security protocols with expert precision.

But as he accessed the data, something unexpected happened. The system didn't respond the way it was supposed to. A warning flashed across the screen: "Unauthorized Access Detected."

Kai's heart skipped a beat.

He wasn't alone.

..........................

"Don't miss the chance to get advanced chapters of my novel for FREE! Just copy the link now and start reading!"

https://shorturl.at/3DZhG