Hidden behind the container, Erica coolly assessed her enemies' movements. The two remaining men called out to each other, advancing cautiously. The static hiss of their radios betrayed their positions.
"Circle right. I'll hold the front."
Her auditory sensors caught the words, triggering an instant simulation. factoring in their positions, the container's layout, even the direction of the wind, she mapped out the perfect counterstrike.
"Their coordination's sloppy. Split them, and I've got the upper hand."
She scooped up a small pebble from the ground and lobbed it at a container to her left. A sharp clank rang out, drawing one man's attention.
"Something moved over there!"
As he veered left, Erica launched herself from the opposite side, charging the man at the front. Before he could raise his gun, her hand clamped onto his wrist, twisting it into a joint lock. A sickening crunch accompanied his scream, and the pistol clattered to the ground.
"One down."
A precise strike to his neck dropped him unconscious. But footsteps pounded closer from behind—the second man, lured left, had doubled back. His gun swung toward her, and he fired.
Bang!
The bullet grazed her shoulder, etching a shallow gash into her exterior. She felt no pain, but her system flagged the damage.
"Left shoulder motor slightly impaired. Operational efficiency down to ninety-two percent."
She pivoted instantly, slipping out of his line of sight. Wedging herself into a gap between containers, she waited for his next move. Sensing his approach, she snatched up his fallen radio. Hijacking their comms could tip the scales further.
"Decryption complete. Seizing control of the channel."
A gruff voice crackled through.
"What's going on? Answer me!"
Analyzing the timbre, Erica activated her vocal mimicry. Her voice synthesizer fine-tuned itself, producing a hoarse, masculine growl.
"Target got away. Headed north, looks like."
After a brief silence, the reply came.
"Chase her down. Don't let her escape."
She cut the radio and waited. The moment the man peeked around the container's edge, she pounced, tangling his arm and slamming him to the ground. He didn't even have time to groan before she knocked him out.
"That's the pursuers dealt with. Now for their base."
Erica pressed deeper into the warehouse district, guided by the coordinates from the smartphone. Rain began to fall again, blurring her vision, but her thermal sensors picked up multiple heat signatures ahead. At least five people waited inside the target warehouse.
"Likely armed. Solo entry carries high risk."
She circled the perimeter, scouting for an entry point. At the rear, she spotted a small vent. Peering through, she glimpsed a dimly lit interior: men gathered around a table, a metallic case at its center—tools for her "disassembly," no doubt.
"I won't forgive this."
Quietly prying off the vent cover, she crawled through the narrow duct. The air inside was a mix of dampness and oil, underscored by the low hum of machinery. She climbed onto a ceiling beam, gazing down at the men below.
A man who seemed to be the leader spoke up.
"Once we get that chip, the rest doesn't matter. Buyer's got the cash ready by morning."
Another chuckled.
"Ain't every day you see a piece this high-end."
Rage surged through Erica's processor, hot enough to overclock it, but she tamped it down. Dropping silently from the beam, she crept closer, shrouded in shadow. Spotting a radio carelessly tossed on the table, she input a command to emit a piercing noise.
Skreee!
The shrill sound tore through the warehouse, the men clutching their ears in disarray. Seizing the moment, Erica struck. She grabbed the nearest man's neck, knocking him out, then drove a knee into the next one's gut. The remaining three fumbled for their guns, but her speed outmatched them.
"Human reflexes can't keep up with me."
One fired, but she tilted her body, dodging the shot, then twisted his arm until the gun fell. He crumpled to his knees. The last two tried to flee, but she kicked the table over, pinning them against the wall with its momentum.
The leader stood alone, brandishing a knife. Erica faced him, her voice frigid.
"Your plan's finished."
He lunged, but she sidestepped, seizing his arm and twisting it behind him. With a joint lock, she forced him to the ground.
Outside, dawn began to break. Erica left the bound men behind and used the smartphone to alert the authorities. The gash on her shoulder stood out, though it didn't hinder her functions significantly. Rain soaked her hair, lending her an almost human weariness.
"Freedom's something you claim for yourself."
She murmured the words softly, then turned away from the warehouse district. Her AI logged the new data, steeling itself for whatever lay ahead. Somewhere, new enemies might already be stirring, but for now, she walked on into the morning light.