Chapter 399: Convoy

The next morning arrived not with a sense of renewal, but with the heavy, lingering weight of the night before.

Jayden hadn't slept. He had spent the remaining hours of the night staring at his ceiling, his mind running through tactical variables and the moral threshold he had permanently crossed. But the time for reflection was over. He had a job to finish.

Fred had come through with the intel on Silas just before dawn. The EVA, anticipating an imminent assassination attempt from either the Hunter or the Black Cobra Syndicate, had initiated a shell game. They were broadcasting fake coordinates to empty safehouses across the continent to draw out attackers. Meanwhile, Silas's actual location wasn't a location at all—it was mobile. He was being constantly ferried across the continent in a rotating convoy of armored transports.

But even high-level government escorts had limits. They had to stop for fuel, food, and brief rest periods. According to Fred's info, the convoy would make a stop at a low-profile diner in the city for breakfast. And there would be there for roughly an hour. This was Jayden's best shot at eliminating the Pioneer before the EVA smuggled him out of the region for good.

Jayden dressed practically. He couldn't wear the suit of the Hunter in broad daylight; it was unwise. Instead, he pulled on dark jeans, a simple black shirt, a grey jacket, and a plain black baseball cap pulled low over his eyes.

Leaving the house, he engaged a fraction of his speed. He didn't push it to the Mach limits, just enough to blur through the awakening city streets undetected. He crossed the sprawling district and arrived at his destination in exactly thirty seconds.

The diner was a small, unassuming establishment nestled in the quiet inner-city grid. At 7:00 AM, it was practically empty, filled only with the smell of brewing coffee and frying oil. Jayden walked in, keeping his head down, and ordered a simple plate of toast and eggs from the counter. After receiving his order, he carried the tray to a booth in the far corner, positioning himself where he had a clear line of sight to the entrance, and waited.

At exactly 7:15 AM, the bell above the door chimed. And Silas walked in.

He was flanked by six heavily armed men wearing thick, civilian-styled jackets that poorly concealed the EVA body armor underneath. Silas carried himself with the arrogant swagger of a king untouched by the world's consequences. The few local patrons in the diner cast nervous glances at the group, sensing the dangerous aura they brought into the room.

Jayden slowly took a bite of his toast, his eyes entirely detached as he watched Silas take a seat at a central table. The six guards established a tight perimeter around Silas, their eyes scanning the room, while at least a half-dozen more were undoubtedly securing the vehicles outside.

Jayden immediately began formulating his plan of attack, running several options in his mind. Invisibility was useless. Silas possessed a unique ocular ability; he would see right through the imperceptible veil. A high-speed blitz was also out of the question. It was too risky. The EVA agents were on high alert after last night's massacre. If they had localized dampeners or reactive shields prepped, a failed speed attack would leave Jayden exposed in civilian clothes, surrounded by witnesses and heavy artillery. His identity would be blown instantly. And that would cost him everything.

The only other way he could think of was to create a diversion and isolate the target. And to do that he needed a clean, quiet distraction.

Just as Jayden focused his telekinesis, preparing to shatter a coffee machine across the room, Silas suddenly pushed his plate away and stood up.

"I need to use the restroom," Silas announced to the lead guard.

The agent nodded, gesturing for one of his men to follow. "Escort him. Secure the door. Don't let anyone in."

Jayden's eyes flashed under the brim of his cap. The universe had just handed him a golden ticket. His job had been made easier. But he had to move quickly.

He raised his hand, gesturing to the waiter. When the waiter came he paid for the food, then stood up casually and walked out the front door of the diner. He didn't look at Silas, and he didn't look at the guards. He simply walked away like a normal civilian

The moment the diner door closed behind him, Jayden darted into the narrow, shadow-filled alleyway beside the building. He tracked the architectural layout in his mind, pinpointing the exact exterior wall that corresponded with the men's restroom. Knowing the EVA guard was stationed right outside the interior door, this was his only way in.

Jayden triggered his intangibility and stepped smoothly through the solid brick wall, materializing inside the quiet, brightly lit bathroom.

And almost as soon as he entered, a toilet flushed. The stall door unlatched, and Silas stepped out, adjusting his sleeves.

When he looked up and saw a teenager standing near the sinks, he flinched, instinctively dropping his hand toward his waist. "What the hell? How did you get in here? The guard outside wasn't supposed to let anyone in."

Jayden forced his muscles to relax, projecting the awkward, slightly intimidated aura of a normal teenager. He offered a polite, confused smile. "Oh, sorry. I've actually been in here for a few minutes. You must have come in after me while I was in the other stall." He said smoothly.

Silas stared at him for a second, his paranoia slowly dialing back down. He sighed, rolling his shoulders. "Right. Okay. My mistake." He said. Then he walked over to the sink adjacent to Jayden and turned on the faucet.

They stood side-by-side, washing their hands in silence. Silas was completely oblivious to the fact that the apex predator he was fleeing from was currently standing less than two feet away, disguised as an unassuming teenager.

But as Silas reached for a paper towel, his eyes lingered on Jayden's reflection in the mirror. He frowned, his head tilting slightly. "You know... you kinda look familiar, kid."

Jayden's heart almost flew out his chest, but his outward demeanor remained perfectly calm. He grabbed a towel and dried his hands. "Yeah, I get that a lot. I guess I have one of those faces." He said, forcing a smile.

"No," Silas said, turning to face him fully, his eyes narrowing in recognition. "I've definitely seen you before. I just can't remember where."

"It was probably someone else. I don't really get out much," Jayden tried to deflect.

Silas suddenly snapped his fingers, a wide smile breaking across his face. "Ha! Now I remember! You're the kid who won the interschool tournament at Eleanora High! Jayden, right?"