Viper walked into the command center where Brimstone was reviewing some reports. Her steps were measured, and her face composed, masking the storm of emotions swirling within her. She needed to address the situation calmly and professionally, even if her personal history with Glitch was threatening to consume her thoughts.
"Brimstone," Viper began, her voice steady. "A moment, please."
Brimstone looked up from his desk, his expression a mix of surprise and curiosity. He motioned for Viper to take a seat, sensing the gravity of her demeanor. "You recruited Glitch without consulting me," Viper accused. "You know l that I have history with that agent. We should've discussed this decision together."
Brimstone leaned back in his chair, clasping his hands behind his head. "I understand your concern, Viper, but I have my reasons. Based on what happened during the meeting, I could tell that you two have history. But apart from being the Radiant hunter in Canada (or c/n), other information about Glitch's past didn't come up during the recruitment process. I had no idea you knew each other. I apologize."
Viper's eyes flickered with a hint of understanding, though she still maintained her stern expression. "Or Cypher didn't tell you. Apology accepted. But my point remains. We are a team, and decisions like this should involve all of us, regardless of personal connections."
Brimstone nodded, acknowledging Viper's perspective. "You're right, Viper. I should have consulted with you. But you need to understand the gravity of our situation. Omega earth is invading our world, and we need every capable agent we can get. Glitch has shown tremendous skills and experience in the training room, not less than any of us. We can't afford to dismiss that."
"You're right, Brimstone," Viper admitted, her voice softer. "I let my past hamper my judgment again. I'm sorry. If you think Glitch can contribute, then I will trust your decision."
Brimstone nodded, understanding the weight of Viper's compromise. "I appreciate your understanding. We have no idea what might come up, and we have to adapt quickly. Who knows, there might be another Glitch on the other side, aiding Omega earth's invasion. We need to be prepared for anything."
"Then we'll deal with whatever comes our way," Viper said as she turned and walked towards the door. Viper couldn't shake the unease in her heart. Glitch's arrival had opened old wounds, reminding her of her regrettable past. As the door closed behind her back, she took a moment to calm herself down. But to her dismay, she found herself face to face with the last person she wanted to see in that moment.
"Is something wrong, Viper?" Omen's voice cut through the air, startling her. Viper turned abruptly, finding Omen unexpectedly standing in front of her. She composed herself quickly and asked, her voice tinged with concern, "Fre- I mean, Omen. Are you here to see Brimstone? I hope you weren't waiting for me to finish out here."
As soon as Omen heard the question, a searing pain lanced through his head, disrupting his thoughts. The echoes of voices and screams reverberated within him, distorting his perception. "Wait, what did you say? I'm hearing so many things," he replied with a voice trembling with unease. The cacophony of voices grew louder, overpowering the present moment. Flashes of a haunting past invaded his mind.
.
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"AAAARRRGHH!"
"FRED!!!"
"Abort! Abort immediately!"
.
.
The memories ripped through him, leaving Omen disoriented and vulnerable.
"-men?" A voice called out, snapping Omen back to reality. "Omen!" Viper's concerned voice broke through the chaos in his mind. "What happened?" Omen questioned, his voice filled with confusion and lingering pain. Viper, her worry evident, replied, "I was asking if you were here to see Brimstone. You mentioned hearing voices, and looked like you were in pain."
"I'm alright," Omen assured her, though the unease lingered in his tone. "I just have a lot to think about. I'll be gone for a few days. I need to inform Brimstone before I depart."
Curiosity filled Viper's voice as she inquired, "Where are you going?"
"Hunting," Omen responded cryptically, a hint of determination coloring his words. With that, he walked into the room. The weight of his burden was visible in his retreating figure.
The door closed behind Omen, leaving Viper standing there, a single tear tracing its path down her cheek. She wiped away the tear immediately and walked away as if nothing happened.
Unbeknownst to Viper, Sage had been silently listening to the conversation from behind a wall across the hallway. As the sound of footsteps faded away, Sage's heart grew heavy with regret. Sage sank down against the wall and drew her knees to her chest. the weight of her own actions pressing upon her. It became apparent that Sage was involved in the story as well.
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Meanwhile in Siberia, Russia
Phoenix cautiously surveyed the site, keeping a watchful eye on the enemy's movements from his hidden spot behind a container. Seizing the opportunity, he swiftly darted to another container on the opposite side, skillfully evading detection. Peeking through a bullet hole, he contacted his teammates through his communication device. "You guys in position yet?" he questioned in anticipation. He then caught sight of Viper. The Omega Viper, planting the spike at the target location.
"I'm in sniper position, northwest to the site," Glitch's voice crackled through the comms as he climbed a nearby crane, assuming a strategic vantage point. Yoru's voice followed with a sigh and a hint of exasperation, "working on it." He was stealthily making his way closer to the spike, utilizing his invisibility to remain undetected.
Phoenix could sense the impatience building within him. He tightened his grip on his rifle, itching to take action. "What's taking so long? I thought you knew this place," he pressed, his fingers deftly reloading his rifle magazine. "I do. Don't rush me," Yoru's response came in a hushed tone. With each careful step, Yoru inched closer to the planted spike, remaining invisible.
Glitch's voice interrupted, relaying crucial information. "I'm spotting an enemy on a stack of containers. A sniper, definitely their Cypher. Two more on the ground near the spike. Their Viper, and someone I don't know yet" he reported, his eyes locked on the area through the scope of his Operator.
Phoenix succumbed to his impatience and worry, unable to contain his urge to take action. "We don't have time. I'm going in," he asserted. Yoru's response was sharp and cold, "Do that, and you'll end up with a bullet in your head." Glitch, ever vigilant, joined in with a critical update. "Not a good idea. I'm detecting more enemies around the perimeter. Seems like your twins are here. They have their Yoru and their Phoenix. If you rush in, they'll be on you in an instant," he warned, concern evident in his tone.
Despite the words of caution, Phoenix scoffed confidently, brushing off the potential danger. "Please. Let me show you how the boss does it," he declared. A fiery aura then enveloped his form. In a display of his pyrokinetic abilities, he summoned a ball of flames into his hand and hurled it forward to form a wall of fire. The impact sent the enemy Viper and Jett staggering backward, caught off guard by the sudden burst of fire. Reacting swiftly, they fired their rifles, trying to shoot through the intense blaze. Phoenix fearlessly advanced alongside the wall of fire, retaliating with shots through the flames.
"They've heard the commotion! They're heading towards the site!" Glitch urgently warned. "クソ！(Kuso / Damn it!)" Yoru cursed, picking up his pace. "Keep them busy!" He said as tore open a dimensional portal and aimed his Sheriff at the enemy Cypher, swiftly dispatching him with a well-aimed shot.
Noticing the fallen Cypher, the enemy Viper signaled for her ally Jett to investigate the area where he had been shot. The Jett swiftly leaped onto a hanging container to get a better view of their surroundings. Spotting Yoru, she opened fire, forcing him to seek cover and assistance. "New guy! Can you shake this Jett off me?" Yoru urgently called out. "A little busy here! I've taken down their Yoru, but the Phoenix has me pinned!" Glitch responded, his focus divided. The enemy Phoenix continued his assault on the crane, forcing Glitch to evade the hail of bullets while adjusting his position.
"Shit!" Yoru swiftly darted towards another container. He took aim and squeezed the trigger, but his shots missed their mark. Instead, a bullet hit the cables holding the container upon which Jett stood. With the cables severed, the container plummeted downwards. Jett utilized her wind powers to create a cushion of air, breaking her fall and preventing a potentially disastrous landing.
Meanwhile, Phoenix found himself in a dire situation, trying to evade the relentless pursuit of the enemy Viper. Finding himself in a dead end, he took cover behind a large container for a respite. However, his brief pause was shattered by the unmistakable sound of a device rolling towards him. The device exploded, releasing a toxic cloud of gas that quickly enveloped the area. Coughing and struggling to breathe, Phoenix knew he had to act immediately.
Amidst the haze, a glimmer of hope flickered in his eyes as he noticed a rope wire suspended above him, and his trusty Shorty holstered at his side. With a grin on his face, he devised a daring plan. Igniting a fireball with a snap of his fingers, Phoenix unleashed a blinding explosion of light, temporarily disorienting the enemy Viper. Seizing the opportunity, he leaped onto the rope wire, smoothly gliding towards his unsuspecting adversary with the Shorty firmly gripped in his hand. With precise timing, he propelled himself off the rope, aiming the barrel of the Shorty directly at the enemy Viper, and pulled the trigger. The resounding blast echoed through the air as the enemy Viper fell, defeated. As Phoenix landed gracefully on the ground, he swiftly ejected the empty chambers from his Shorty, a testament to his successful maneuver.
Glitch on the other hand, also found himself locked in a fierce duel with the relentless enemy Phoenix. Realizing the need to adapt his approach, he abandoned his Operator as soon as he descended from the crane, knowing that it would only hinder him in close-quarters combat. he pulled out the Ghost holstered on his hip and sprinted towards a nearby container, seeking cover.
The enemy Phoenix, determined to assert dominance, hurled a fireball that ignited the icy floor beneath Glitch's feet. Reacting with agility, Glitch moved to a different container, evading the spreading flames. However, as he repositioned, a blinding flash erupted from the enemy Phoenix's explosive fireball, momentarily stunning him. Acting on pure reflex, Glitch summoned a glitching barrier that intercepted the enemy's incoming bullets, giving him enough time to hide behind another container.
Realizing the importance of his suit's power, Glitch pressed a button on his arm bracer, causing a mask to materialize, encasing his entire head. "Let's try this again," he declared, his voice taking on a mechanical tone, exuding intimidation. Anticipating the enemy Phoenix's next move, Glitch remained unfazed and unaffected by the blinding flash that was thrown at him. As the enemy Phoenix emerged from cover, intending to eliminate him, Glitch employed his glitching abilities to propel himself forward, closing the distance in an instant. He pressed the Ghost against the Phoenix's forehead. Squeezing the trigger, he unleashed a deadly shot, sending the enemy Phoenix crashing to the ground in defeat. As the enemy Phoenix lay defeated, Glitch removed the mask, revealing a sense of relief on his face.
The planted spike pulsated with imminent danger. Its volatile energy caused nearby objects to defy gravity and levitate. Yoru braced himself for a decisive encounter with the enemy Jett, summoning a swirling portal ball in his hand before placing it on the ground. With deliberate steps, he advanced towards a box, its levitating presence drawing the attention of his adversary.
Aware of the unfolding situation, the enemy Jett scaled the levitating box, poised for action. Yoru seized the opportunity, peering beneath the suspended crate with his Sheriff at the ready, searching for any sign of the elusive Jett. To his surprise, she had vanished from sight, leaving him momentarily bewildered.
Suddenly, a swift rush of air signaled the enemy Jett's aerial maneuver. With precision, she soared high above Yoru, executing a daring dash behind him before unleashing a hail of bullets upon landing. However, Yoru's reflexes were honed, and in a split second, he disappeared into the safety of the portal he had strategically placed earlier. Emerging from the portal's exit point, he deftly aimed his Sheriff at the shocked Jett. With a firm squeeze of the trigger, the enemy Jett fell, her assault thwarted by Yoru's teleportation and accurate shot.
As soon as he was done with the Jett, Yoru quickly closed the distance to the Spike, clutching the defuser tightly in his hand. He knelt before the ominous device with his focus laser-sharp as he prepared to neutralize the imminent threat. The spike pulsated ominously, its countdown hastening with each passing moment.
Gritting his teeth, Yoru pressed the button on the defuser, initiating the process of defusing. The tense seconds ticked away, the spike's impending explosion hanging over them like a looming specter. Beads of sweat formed on his brow, but he remained resolute, pouring every ounce of concentration into the crucial task. Just when it seemed that the explosion was inevitable, a sudden silence fell upon the battlefield. The beeping ceased, and the suspended objects that once defied gravity returned to their rightful places, as if the chaos had never transpired.
Relief washed over Yoru like a cool wave, his tense muscles finally relaxing. He released a pent-up breath as the weight of the danger lifted from his shoulders. Glitch, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, raced towards Yoru, his expression mirroring the shared sense of relief and triumph. Their eyes met, conveying unspoken acknowledgment of a successful defusal, a shared victory against formidable odds.
Suddenly, a voice resonated from behind Glitch, breaking the temporary silence. "Slick work, people! Haha!" It was Phoenix, his voice filled with admiration for their successful defusal. Glitch and Yoru turned their attention towards him, but an unsettling feeling crept up their spines. Almost instantaneously, another voice pierced the air from behind Yoru, sounding eerily the same. "Haha! I told you, bruv." It was another Phoenix, identical in appearance.
A moment of confusion hung in the air, suspicion taking hold. The words of the second Phoenix trailed off, but before he could finish his sentence, an instinctual response took over Glitch. Swift as lightning, he raised his ghost and aimed it directly at the first Phoenix. Simultaneously, Yoru's hand tightened around the grip of his Sheriff, his sights locked on the other Phoenix behind him.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!" Both Phoenixes reacted with genuine panic, their voices overlapping in a chorus of surprise and concern. Without hesitation, Glitch squeezed the trigger of his ghost, and Yoru followed suit with his Sheriff. The world seemed to freeze for an instant as the lethal projectiles hurtled toward their targets.
The Phoenix shot by Yoru vanished into a blaze of fiery embers, revealing the surviving Jett who then crumpled to the ground, defeated by the well-placed shot that had pierced through the Phoenix's illusion. Meanwhile, the Phoenix shot by Glitch bore the unmistakable mark of a bullet hole on his chest. His strength wavered as he staggered, the weight of defeat consuming him. Gasping for breath, he managed to utter words of disbelief, "How did you... know?" Before receiving an answer, his body succumbed to gravity, falling to the ground in defeat.
Not long after, the real Alpha Phoenix materialized in a blazing aura. Taking a moment to assess himself, he ensured that he was unharmed before directing a quizzical gaze at Glitch and Yoru. "What the hell was that for?!" he demanded, his voice filled with a mix of annoyance and bewilderment. Yoru, nonchalant as ever, replied as he casually walked away, twirling his butterfly comb in his hand, "I told you you'd get shot." With a swift motion, he ran the comb through his hair. Phoenix's frustration grew as he retorted, "Not by you!"
"Well, she shot first," Yoru gestured towards the fallen Jett behind him, his thumb pointing in her direction, emphasizing the obvious. Phoenix's gaze followed Yoru's gesture, realization dawning on him. "First?" he questioned, his tone reflecting a mixture of surprise and understanding. "Relax. We knew what we were doing," Glitch interjected as he pointed towards the fallen other Phoenix. He then gave a reassuring pat on Phoenix's shoulder before joining Yoru's departure. Phoenix, caught off guard by their casual demeanor, felt a mixture of relief and lingering annoyance. "So, you did shoot me!" he exclaimed, his voice trailing as he fell into step with his two allies. "You really have nothing to say? Oh, now you're just going to walk away?" he added, a hint of playful exasperation evident in his words.
"Not exactly used to teaming up, but hey, we make a pretty badass trio."
"Not bad, new guy. Not bad at all"
"Hey, you better apologize!"