Once the final module was installed in the Mark II, Ren wiped the sweat from his forehead and sealed the armor's now fully active panel. But his work wasn't done yet. He walked to the corner of the van and pulled out a small wooden box secured with a simple metal latch.
Inside that box was something no less important—smoke grenades. But not just ordinary smoke. Ren had engineered a sleep gas based on a custom chemical compound designed to target the central nervous system. The effects hadn't been fully tested yet, but if his theory held, the gas could incapacitate an entire squad without spilling a single drop of blood.
Moments later, as the full Band of Massiah gathered again in the desert clearing to discuss strategy, Ren approached Khan, carrying the box under one arm.
"Hey," he called, flashing a grin. "I've been thinking. There might be a much easier way to deal with those three thousand soldiers… and with almost zero risk of dying."
