The holographic map of the continent was a gruesome artwork of flashing red alerts that lit up her face in the dark Amazon. At the moment, Black Snake didn't see a thriving business; she saw the kids screaming for either dead or turned parents in the wake of their franchise.

Every alert signified a ruined life, a shattered community that reminded her of the tragedy of her own family.

An armed group had overran her town, killing her mother and forcing her to become a child soldier. It was a dangerous but short-lived era for her, because her father retaliated against the attack with a brutal force of vengeful men.

They’d been deeply involved in criminal activity since then. Her father, Sameul Diggs, went by 'Dog', and was an abrasive man involved in drugs, money laundering, and a variety of crimes.

She felt something in the pit of her stomach as she reviewed the reports including images of the latest victims: not just human casualties, but the horrific Jawal mutations created by Dr. Heissman.

She looked at her gloved hands. She did not want to contribute to another tragic story like hers.

Her internal conflict drove her into action. Later that night, Black Snake initiated a highly encrypted, ghosted connection.

"Took you long enough to crawl out of the shadows, Serendipity," a lustrous voice said.

"One slip like that and we both burn, Amber Cat. I don't care if you encrypted this with alien tech. Designations only or I might let your name slip as the thief that you are," Black Snake replied, her voice cutting and dangerous.

"Set up a handshake with I.T."

Amber Cat was both the Purpleheart pilot and thief, known as the Proxy, who took advantage of the chaos of Jawal attacks. She had crossed paths with Black Snake in her dealings, and kept up a lucrative business relationship that was both push and pull.

"I.T.?" Amber questioned. "The same I.T. that's been chasing your network across three continents? You’re a masochist, dear."

A ghost of a smile passed Serendipity’s lips. "Exactly. Think about it, Proxy. Who is more motivated to destroy the Reds' and Heissman's operation than the people who've dedicated their lives and resources to the hunt? I.T. is hungry. They're tenacious."

"Love me or hate me, they want me.” Her finger hovered over the ‘end call’ button. ”My intel is the fastest route to crippling this trafficking ring, and that is a currency they can't ignore. Set up the meeting, ladrona."

The tension in the I.T. training room was thick. Jason, Jamie, Anastasia, Jake, and Tabitha stood ready in their tactical undersuits, spread out across the room as they faced the intruder.

They'd been warned that Black Snake was coming to negotiate terms of a deal with Kiera. Intermediator Industries had received a tip from an anonymous source, which included a byte of data with a message for I.T.'s CEO.

Protocol dictated that the meeting take place in a contained interrogation room, but, instead, the main door hissed open and the Snake strolled in.

How did she even get in past security? Jamie thought, standing at the ready.

The criminal made herself a nuisance next.

She leaned down and over Anastasia who was reviewing sparring footage by the door. The girl hadn't thought to look up when the footsteps walked in. She did not expect the trafficker to show up in their training room.

"Your footwork," Black Snake sighed, shaking her head. "So heavy. I bet you leave tracks a mile wide... Try to float, cariña." Anastasia squeaked and fell out of her chair.

The sinuous woman laughed. Then she reached a hand out to help.

“Touch her and I’ll break your arm.” Jake threatened, transformed by the destruction of his farm.

Black Snake just smiled, a flicker of genuine malice beneath the charm. "Jake, threatening me won't bring your farm back. If you couldn’t stop the Reds from recycling your home, what makes you think you can stop me?" Jason finally took a step forward. "Protocols are in place, Serendipity.” Her eyebrow twitched at the use of her first name.” You'll be detained, debriefed, and then we talk terms." Jake mirrored Jason’s movement, ready to forcefully detain her if needed.

"Oh, an arrest attempt," she purred, looking directly at Jason. "Cute."

Before Jason could close the distance, a sharp, authoritative voice cut through the room.

"Stand down."

Automated doors closed behind Kiera as she swept into the room, eyes narrowed. She went straight for Black Snake, not to apprehend her, but to block the interceptors.

"Let go of my interceptor," Kiera commanded, referring to the hand clasped on the shoulder of Anastasia’s tense, frightened form. "You've got five minutes before I rescind the arrangement and let these guys have a crack at you."

Black Snake smoothly stood, her movement graceful. She continued to bypass formality and got straight to business. "My terms are simple, Bosslady."

The terms were blunt. Black Snake’s network would use their resources to track the origins and movement of the elusive stealth Jawal, which avoided interceptor radar and caused infections of untraceable origin. Her price was immunity. Legal immunity. And she needed to be paid, funded for the trafficking she wasn’t going to commit working alongside I.T.

Her father had emphasized the need for compensation for him to go along with her elaborate plan. Serendipity shook her head, mirthful.

As if I would ever do it for free.

Kiera didn't flinch. "And what do you get out of this pact?"

"A clean heart," Black Snake admitted, a fleeting shadow crossing her eyes. "And immunity. You want me to be your deep-cover asset, and I will be. But I walk free when Heissman falls."

A low, menacing voice cut in. Jake had appeared behind Kiera, his jaw tight. "You probably orchestrated that Kentucky mess. You probably kidnapped Jason’s sister."

Black Snake turned, her eyes glittering as she deliberately targeted Jason. Jake had his turn.

"Ah, the big brother. No, that wasn’t me. Do you miss her? Maya. Such a delicate thing. On the brink of death last I saw her."

Jason took a deep breath to calm down, just in time for Black Snake to say, “Only joking. She’s alive and unwell.” She took a slow step towards him, her voice breezy. "Heissman reclaimed her. According to the Reds, Maya's use simply expired."

Jason’s fists clenched.

Kiera spoke up, “We’ll agree to the terms if you-”

“Save Jason's sister? I expected nothing less from you.” She smiled, the moment over, and called over her shoulder as she walked away.

"I'll let myself out.”

She was gone, leaving the male interceptors simmering with anger and Kiera's ambitious gaze on her back.

If she delivers, this will be our method to secure information on the enemy. Army be damned.