James
“How is that even possible?!” A hand slammed down on the desk, rattling its contents and sending a pile of papers sliding toward the edge, threatening to spill over. No replies sounded in the tense silence that ensued. None among them had the answers James sought, and the incompetence bothered him almost as much as the mistake itself.
Finally, an emotionless voice broke the silence. "I've already dispatched personnel to check the logs and narrow down the potential suspects. None of the guard wards were triggered, indicating the possible involvement of a traitor."
James glanced appreciatively at Sam amidst the room filled with upper management, grateful to have at least one reliable person. "Does anyone else have something to contribute?"
"Are you shifting blame onto your subordinates for your failure to safeguard a simple artifact?” A large man, adorned with expensive jewels and rich furs, strolled into the office as if he owned the place. In a sense, he did. "Not very surprising, if I might add."
"And what brings you here, Baron?" James replied with obvious distaste. Baron Irwin and he never saw eye to eye on any topic and barely maintained civility when interacting. It grated on James to know that the Baron was the Count's lackey, and the Count funded a significant portion of the agency's ventures.
"The Count has deemed the research of the artifact you clumsily lost a top priority." The smirk on the Baron's face made one feel the urge to wipe it off. "Better get moving, my dear Commander."
The man's snorting laughter echoed off the sparsely decorated walls before becoming muffled by the closing door. Everyone, except Sam, filed out, pretending not to have witnessed the exchange to avoid incurring a certain someone's anger.
As the door closed behind the last person, James unleashed his frustration on the table, imagining it to be the Baron's face. Fortunately, the table was a magically reinforced gift from a capable friend and held together despite creaking in protest to the abuse.
The papers, clinging on for dear life, slipped off and fluttered to the floor in a messy array, accurately depicting James's current state of mind. Focus. He needed to focus. There was no time for emotions when lives were in danger.
“Sam.”
“Yes, Commander.”
"Recall Team A. No." James prayed the mission didn't require their assistance. "Recall Team B and let them focus on the recovery of the artifact. Meanwhile, lock down the city gates. Nobody is allowed to leave, no matter the reason. Send officers to comb the city."
“Yes, sir.” Sam slightly bowed and left, the door closing firmly behind him.
James was well aware that the regular officers might not be able to handle an extraordinary adversary, but it would have to do until Team B arrived. There was nothing else he could do. Though he wasn't physically crippled, his current condition might as well have rendered him so.
No, there is something I can do. He pushed open the door with resoluteness before the hesitation could settle in. Doubt is a luxury for the weak with too much time on their hands—an indulgence he seldom allowed himself.
Better to regret choosing the wrong path than to regret not doing anything at all.
-
~18 hours earlier~
Isaac
“How are the preparations?”
“Complete, Professor. We are ready to proceed at a moment’s notice.” Sam, suited like his colleagues, scribbled on a clipboard as he replied.
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“Fantastic news.” Issac turned his gaze towards his most promising student. “Are you sure you don’t wish to continue your research? It’s a ridiculous waste of talent and the many years of schooling at a top college to be a simple assistant in the agency.”
“I am content for the foreseeable future.”
Issac grunted in disappointment but did not push the issue further. It was a familiar topic that always led to one result. Despite that, he never failed to reignite the conversation whenever the opportunity arose. There is no such thing as an impossible task; I simply haven’t found the right formula or method
“Well, remember my offer remains open always if you ever change your mind.”
“Thank you, I will keep that in mind.” Sam nodded.
Perhaps…Issac’s lips curled upwards as a new approach slipped into his mind. His eyes slid sideways towards the focused young man. It’s possible.
*riiiiiiing*
The sudden sound instantly drew every pair of eyes in the room. It was a high-pitched ringing that grated on the nerves. “Prepare the subject,” Issac commanded as he settled into work mode, his eyes laser-focused and devoid of the previous playfulness.
The disposable’s legs visibly shook as he was pushed towards the platform. Issac didn’t care as long as it didn’t interfere with the execution of his commands. “Preliminary checks of the wards?”
“In place and active.”
“Excellent. D-” After a glance at the paper, he continued. “D-012 proceed as planned. Make sure you interact with the artifact during the ringing and not after.”
The clear warning served to push D-012 through his hesitance, his steps quickening as he approached the item on the pedestal. It was glowing as the rings reverated through the room.
Finished with giving instructions, Issac motioned for the activation of the last ward. The ancient sound ward discovered a year prior with heavy side effects, glowed blue as it enveloped everybody but the disposable.
The ringing stopped as the disposable performed the sliding action as instructed. The silence was thicker than honey in the following seconds as nothing different seemed to happen. Even the sound of breathing was shallow as many held their breath in anticipation.
Minds buzzed with expectation as eyes glued themselves to the scene before them. D-012’s look of relief as he made eye contact with them suddenly morphed into one of terror.
His body convulsed as his eyes slid into the back of his head. Blood squirted out of his ears like a geyser before his head exploded, painting the floor red and white. The body toppled over like a puppet with its strings cut, hitting the ground with a dull thump.
The gruesome scene startled a couple of fresh faces as they hurriedly looked away, forcing their breakfast to remain in their stomachs.
Even a few of the more experienced researchers turned a little grey, but nobody took any extra actions as they waited for Issac’s directions. No matter the disagreements, they all respected his ability to lead especially in times of stress and danger.
Issac did not remove his eyes from the artifact, only briefly diverting his attention to the disposable to take note of the condition before resuming his focus. Nobody noticed the shadow that passed over his eyes or the too-wide smile before he schooled it back to an acceptable degree.
Sweat beaded on multiple faces as everybody held their position in the unnerving silence. Despite that, they were all grateful for the protection the silence offered. It was not difficult to understand the cause of D-012’s death.
Soon after, the artifact stops glowing, returning to its usual docile state, or so it appeared. Issac signaled towards the side entrance where another disposable stood. A mixture of disbelief, shock, and relief was displayed on the prisoner’s face.
Noticing his late reaction to the silent command, the guards started to stir. Instead of waiting to be pushed out of the safety zone regardless and punished afterward if he survived, he decisively stepped out of his own volition.
After an intense minute of nothing happening, the man was allowed to retreat, his shirt soaked through with his sweat. The blue ward slowly dropped, and with it, half of the suited bodies in attendance. They were quickly escorted to the infirmary. Nothing came without a price after all.
Issac nodded approvingly at the disposable’s actions. “Well done, D-008.”
D-008 kept his head low. Issac observed as they escorted him out of the room before returning his attention to the cleaners and researchers bustling about the scene.
“Rather unfortunate we can’t raise the dead to confirm what he heard. Nevertheless, take note of all we can gather. We shall let nothing go to waste.”
Issac patted Sam on the shoulder as he left to join the researchers on the platform. “Join us?”
“No thank you. I’ll let the commander know of the progress.”
Issac nodded his head without turning back. Sam bowed slightly to his mentor’s back before turning to leave, an unreadable expression on his face. The brief pause of his hand before pressing against the identification stone was the only sign of his thoughts.