Hila’s heart skipped a beat, her eyes widening slightly in genuine surprise.She knew that no such anomalies should have been logged; she had been meticulous. She managed to keep her voice steady, though the flicker of alarm was momentarily visible.“Anomalies, General? I was not aware of any such issues. My jurisdiction is the laboratory facility, not the Night Owl. My presence there is strictly to visit my sister.”Muerte’s eyes narrowed slightly, catching her reaction. “Yes, that’s correct. However, given your visit coincided with these anomalies, I thought it prudent to inquire.”Hila felt the weight of his scrutiny intensify. “I understand, General. I can assure you that I did not notice anything out of the ordinary. If there were anomalies, there may be technical issues.”Muerte nodded slowly, his gaze unwavering. “Perhaps. But you understand, Commander, we must investigate every possibility. Security is paramount, after all.”“Of course, General,” Hila replied. “I’ll cooperate
Drake's POVDrake stood at the entrance of the Shadow Base, taking in the changes that had occurred during his absence. The base had undergone significant upgrades, and its new outlook was a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved. Drake had played a crucial role in the rebuilding efforts, lending his skills and strength to ensure that the base was not only restored but also fortified against future threats; most of which would come from the Germinal. The Shadow Base now boasted reinforced walls and upgraded defences. The exterior had been fortified with a combination of steel and composite materials, making it nearly impervious to both physical and energy-based attacks against future hybrid attacks. Advanced surveillance systems were installed, providing 360-degree coverage and ensuring that no movement within a mile of the base went undetected.The interior had been revamped as well. New training facilities equipped with the latest technology allowed for mo
Drake left the briefing room with urgency. The mission ahead was crucial, and he needed to be at his best. He headed to his quarters to change into appropriate attire for the journey.Entering his room, Drake closed the door behind him and leaned against it for a moment. The weight of the mission pressed heavily on his shoulders. He knew that crossing paths with the Germinal Organization was a significant risk. As a wanted criminal by Germinal, he had to be especially cautious. The thought of potentially getting caught and sidetracked by Germinal forces gnawed at him, but he wouldn't let fear dictate his actions.He walked over to his closet and selected his gear: a reinforced tactical suit designed for maximum mobility and protection, lightweight yet durable. He strapped on his combat boots, holstered his weapons, and secured a utility belt around his waist. Every piece of equipment had a purpose, and he made sure everything was in its place.As he adjusted his gear, frustration bubb
Drake left the briefing room with urgency. The mission ahead was crucial, and he needed to be at his best. He headed to his quarters to change into appropriate attire for the journey.Entering his room, Drake closed the door behind him and leaned against it for a moment. The weight of the mission pressed heavily on his shoulders. He knew that crossing paths with the Germinal Organization was a significant risk. As a wanted criminal by Germinal, he had to be especially cautious. The thought of potentially getting caught and sidetracked by Germinal forces gnawed at him, but he wouldn't let fear dictate his actions.He walked over to his closet and selected his gear: a reinforced tactical suit designed for maximum mobility and protection, lightweight yet durable. He strapped on his combat boots, holstered his weapons, and secured a utility belt around his waist. Every piece of equipment had a purpose, and he made sure everything was in its place.As he adjusted his gear, frustration bubb
As they walked through the bustling supply market, Drake's hand still firmly holding Maya's, the sights and sounds of the lively environment enveloped them. Merchants shouted their wares, adventurers haggled over prices, and the aroma of food and spices filled the air. It was a chaotic symphony, one that Drake navigated with ease and familiarity.They approached a stall that caught Maya's eye. It was filled with various gadgets and trinkets, items that could be useful for their mission. Maya's gaze lingered on a small but intricate mechanical device, something that could potentially be used to enhance their communications system back at the base."Look at this," she said, letting go of Drake's hand and stepping closer to the stall. She picked up the device, examining it with interest. "This could be useful."The merchant, a rotund man with a shrewd look in his eye, watched her closely. "Ah, you have a good eye, miss. That there is a rare piece. Very valuable."Maya raised an eyebrow,
As soon as the glider touched down smoothly on the landing pad, Drake and Maya quickly began unloading the supplies. The rest of the fighters, alerted by the sound of the landing, came out to join them. There was a sense of camaraderie and efficiency as everyone pitched in, forming a chain to pass the supplies into the storage room. The atmosphere was lively, filled with the buzz of conversations and the occasional laugh.Drake was busy lifting a heavy crate when he noticed Kandra approaching. Kandra was a tall, muscular fighter with a perpetually stern expression. Ever since Drake had arrived at the base, Kandra had been one of the few who seemed uncomfortable with his presence. Drake could sense the tension whenever they were in the same room, a silent rivalry that had yet to come to a head.As they moved the last of the supplies into the storage room, Kandra stepped forward, blocking Drake's path. The room fell silent as everyone sensed the impending confrontation."Drake," Kandra
"Well, well, what do we have here?" the soldier said, his voice dripping with mockery. "We were searching for Alyssa, and look who we stumbled upon instead. Hello there, Zero."Drake felt a chill run down his spine at the use of his old codename. It had been a long time since anyone had called him that. The realization hit him hard—his past had finally caught up with him.The soldier's words drew the attention of the other Germinal soldiers, who turned to face Drake. The scarred man stepped forward, his eyes glinting with malice. "You thought you could run, Zero? Thought you could hide? We've been looking for you for a long time."Drake clenched his fists, he knew that he had been exposed; who would have thought that all this while after playing dumb he was affiliated with the same Germinal organisation he had pretended not to know of; the whole rush of emotions felt all too foreign to him, he couldn't place it. The shadow base members stood frozen in shock, their eyes wide with di
In the dimly lit room once occupied by Riley, the air was thick with dust and the scent of neglect. It had been months since Riley's passing, and the room had remained untouched as a silent testament to his memory. Shadows danced on the walls, cast by the flickering lights overhead, creating an eerie, melancholic atmosphere. One of the members of the shadow base, Liam, was tasked with cleaning and clearing out the room. As he moved through the space, his mind wandered, thinking about Riley. He had been a skilled fighter and a trusted comrade, someone who had given his all for the cause. The room was filled with remnants of Riley's life—old books, training gear, and personal trinkets that held little value to anyone but Riley himself.Lost in thought, Liam nearly missed the small, strange device lying on the floor, half hidden beneath a pile of old clothes. He bent down and picked it up, turning it over in his hands. It was sleek and black, with a single button in the centre. The desi