Chapter Thirty-Seven: Rogue
May 15th, 2029
During Yozora’s mission, Storm Chaser, another S.T.A.R.S operation was in motion, led by a solo Star Crossed operative: 7328, also known as Sirius Hawkins.
“7328 to mission command, do you copy?” Sirius’s voice crackled over the comms, his tone casual, almost bored.
“This is mission command. You’re greenlit to begin Mission: Tiger’s Domain.”
As the sun blazed overhead, casting long shadows on the ground, Sirius stood tall, his figure imposing against the light. His comb slid through his dark hair, fixing any stray strands with precision. His posture was nonchalant, yet his presence sent a chill through those around him.
"Another mission, another boring day," he muttered to himself, glancing down at the terrain below. His eyes scanned the area, taking in the small army of tangos guarding the gate—about a thousand, give or take. His lips curled into a smirk. Well, at least this might be interesting.
He yelled down to the tangos below, his voice filled with bloodlust. “Yo, ladies and gents! If you don’t want to get vaporized alongside the enemy, I suggest you scatter now.”
The air around him thickened with terror. His allies, understanding the intensity of his threat, quickly fled the area. Even the enemies hesitated, the sense of impending doom wrapping around them like a noose.
With a satisfied grin, Sirius addressed the tangos again. “If you can hear me, I suggest you try to dodge. Though I doubt any of you will survive.” He raised a single finger, and a small black sphere appeared, hovering in the air. Whispering softly, he unleashed his attack: "Keijo Fumi: Rage of Night Fury."
The sphere zipped downward at an unimaginable speed, stopping just above the ground, surprising the enemies below. One nervous tango, shaking like a leaf, approached it cautiously. “It... it stopped?” he stammered, reaching out to touch it.
Sirius’s voice echoed down to them. “In the afterlife, remember the name Sirius Hawkins. Tell ‘em I sent you.”
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The moment he finished speaking, the sphere expanded, creating a thin ring just above the ground—small enough for a child to step through. Confused, the tangos hesitated. Some advanced toward the strange ring, but the moment they touched it, they vaporized into nothingness.
Panic rippled through the ranks, but it was already too late. The sphere began to ascend, hovering over the battlefield like a miniature sun. Without warning, a pulse of energy erupted from it, sweeping across the entire area. The shockwave vaporized every tango in its path, yet left the landscape untouched, as if nothing had happened.
Sirius landed softly on the grass below, his feet sinking slightly into the lush greenery. He glanced around, puzzled. “This... this is different,” he muttered to himself. The terrain was peaceful, almost serene, with tall trees and vines draping over the stone gate. It wasn’t like any gate he’d seen before.
He felt the energy shift in the air. His instincts screamed at him to move, and he leaped back just as a figure emerged from the gate.
A woman—no, a tiger-like woman. Her body was lithe, with tiger stripes running down her arms. Long, orange hair cascaded down her back, and her cat-like eyes gleamed with an intensity that was both fierce and sorrowful.
Sirius blinked, momentarily stunned by her appearance. “Whoa, she’s a beauty,” he mused, grinning. “Hey, chica, do we really have to fight over this? We could just be lovers, you know—kidding!” He dashed forward but paused mid-step, sensing something off. She wasn’t preparing to fight. “Why aren’t you fighting back?” he asked, his voice uncertain. “I can’t just kill someone who isn’t even defending themselves. You’re making me feel bad here.”
The woman looked up, tears welling in her eyes. “Just kill me,” she pleaded, her voice shaking. “I was sent to fight a war I never wanted. I’m just a child. Why do we have to fight the battles of adults?” Her words broke into sobs. “You’re a child too... why are you fighting us?”
Sirius stood frozen, her words cutting deep. “What war are you talking about?” he asked. “Aren’t these gates being opened by your people?”
She scoffed bitterly. “You idiot. You’re fighting for no reason other than following orders, just like the rest of us.”
Sirius scratched his head, baffled. “Well, shit... I never really thought about it that way. I’ve always just fought whoever came through these gates. No questions asked.”
The girl looked at him warily. “What’s your name, anyway?”
“Sirius. Sirius Hawkins. What’s yours, chica?”
“Tonya,” she replied, her voice flat. “Why does it matter?”
Sirius smiled, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Because I’m going to change the situation. I’m somewhat of a genius, after all.” He paused, then added, “Go back through the gate. I won’t destroy it, but I need you to make sure your people don’t tamper with it. I’ll be back.”
Tonya looked at him in disbelief, then sighed. “You’re insane.” But despite her words, she stepped back through the gate, glancing over her shoulder at him one last time.
Sirius watched her leave, shaking his head. “What the hell did I just do?” he muttered to himself, rubbing the back of his neck. “Well, she was cute, but seriously... what’s S.T.A.R.S really up to?”
He reached out, placing his hand on the gate, wrapping it in a cloak of Hindo to mask its signature. “This should keep the portal stable,” he muttered. “No leaks.”
As the gate’s hum quieted, Sirius smirked to himself. “Time to pay the High Council a visit.”