Valorant Headquarters, Alpha earth
"So, what's the job, boss?" Glitch asked, standing firmly in front of Brimstone's desk. Brimstone placed a folder of confidential files on the desk for Glitch to see. The sound of papers dropping on the table filled the room, and Glitch shifted his gaze to the desk.
"You should've heard about this place," Brimstone said. Glitch nodded firmly, "Yeah. Everett-Linde research facility. Exclusive to top secret projects. I've been sent there to work with Omen back then. Never even knew how or when it was built," Glitch replied.
"That's a good start. Were you aware of the existence of Omega Earth when you worked there?" Brimstone asked. "No, sir," Glitch replied. Brimstone then took a specific page out of the folder and signaled for Glitch to look closely.
"It was indeed made for secret projects. But not too long ago, the facility was assigned to be a place for a new project. Collaboration between Alpha and Omega," Brimstone said. Glitch frowned at the explanation, feeling a bit confused. "Alpha and Omega? Working together?" Glitch asked incredulously.
"As unlikely as it sounds, engineers from Alpha and Omega gathered to construct a Radian collider, or so I've heard from Cypher. But on the day of what would have been the collider's launch, it all came to an end instead. Someone destroyed the collider when it was activated," Brimstone continued, his tone somber.
Glitch's eyes widened in horror. "Hang on. I've never seen or heard of this Radian collider before, but knowing Kingdom's kind of projects and the nature of Radianite, it would cause a massive explosion of uncontrollable energy!" Glitch exclaimed, realizing the catastrophic potential of such a device.
Brimstone nodded with a grave expression. "And that's exactly what happened," he said, his voice heavy with the weight of the tragedy.
Glitch's heart sank. "I... I had friends who were probably working there," he said, his voice filled with sorrow and concern for those he might have lost. The revelation of the disaster at the facility hit him hard, and he couldn't help but wonder about the fate of his former colleagues.
Before Glitch had the time to be lost in thoughts, Omen materialized in the room as a shadowy figure, breaking the solemn silence. "We don't know for sure yet if they died there," he said, his voice carrying an air of mystery and uncertainty.
"Doctor Wallace?" Glitch said, surprised by Omen's appearance and insight.
Omen walked closer to Glitch and took out something from his pocket. "Take this with you, y/n," Omen said, handing a card to Glitch. It was a high-level security clearance key card, with the name Frederick Wallace and a picture of a man on it.
"How did you..?" Glitch asked, intrigued by Omen's actions.
"I got it back from Sabine," Omen replied, referring to the card. Receiving Omen's keycard, Glitch immediately understood the assignment Brimstone was about to give him.
Before he could confirm, a knock was heard on the door, and Killjoy and KAY/O entered the office. "You wanted to see me, Brimstone?" Killjoy asked. "You're just on time," Brimstone said, acknowledging their arrival.
"Glitch, I know that technology stuff wasn't your line of work, being a biologist and all that. But you know the place better than most of us, and who knows, your knowledge in biology might help somehow. So I want you to go with Killjoy to investigate the facility," Brimstone explained, assigning the task to Glitch.
He then shifted his gaze to Killjoy and continued, "Killjoy, your job is to find out what this Radian collider was designed to do," he said as he handed the folder to Killjoy. Killjoy took the folder and set her eyes on the very first page. "This was the one you talked about last night?" she asked, eager to dive into the mission.
Brimstone nodded, confirming her suspicion. KAY/O then joined in the conversation. "Brimstone, I wish to go with them," he said, expressing his desire to be part of the mission.
Brimstone was initially unsure about allowing KAY/O to join since he wasn't officially an agent of the protocol. "This is a mission for agents of the protocol, KAY/O..." he hesitated.
"With all due respect, you always assign-"before he could finish, KAY/O's algorithm momentarily interrupted him, realizing that the Brimstone in front of him wasn't the same colonel Byrne that was once his companion back in his world. "Sorry. wrong memory," KAY/O said, realizing his mistake. A hint of sorrow was evident in his robotic voice.
"I trust him, Brimstone. Please let him go with us," Killjoy pleaded, convinced of KAY/O's capabilities and the potential benefits he could bring to the mission.
Brimstone considered the request, realizing that KAY/O's unique sensors and abilities could indeed be valuable in the investigation. After a moment, he sighed and relented, "Alright, KAY/O. You can join them. But you'll be under their command during the mission."
"Thank you," KAY/O replied, grateful for the chance.
Glitch then looked at Omen. "Omen, you're just as familiar with the place as I am. Are you coming with us?" he asked.
Omen paused for a moment, his shadowy form wavering slightly. "That place holds painful memories for me. It's best for me to stay back and rest."
Brimstone nodded, understanding Omen's reluctance to revisit a place with a painful past. "Let's give him some R&R," Brimstone suggested, speaking up for Omen. "He's been through a lot."
"Agreed," Omen confirmed, grateful for Brimstone's understanding.
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Bermuda Triangle, Atlantic Ocean
Within the area of the Atlantic Ocean known as the Bermuda Triangle lies a mysterious island, veiled in secrecy and riddled with enigmatic wonders. The island's location remained hidden from the world and was open only to Kingdom.
A cargo ship, its hull breached and weathered, lay beached on the island's shores, its once-proud structure now reduced to a fragmented skeleton. It was a haunting sight that whispered tales of a recent tragedy.
A luxurious helicopter, sleek and polished, descended upon an untouched part of the island. The rhythmic thudding of its blades echoed through the air as it came to a graceful landing. A valet, dressed impeccably, emerged from the helicopter and swiftly made his way to the rear door, preparing to assist its passenger.
As the door swung open, a man of commanding yet charming presence stepped out of the vehicle. He exuded an air of superiority, his attire immaculate, and his demeanor confident. He adjusted his tie and vest, a subtle sign of his meticulous nature, and rolled up his sleeves, acknowledging the island's humid climate.
Vincent Fabron, a man of prestige and incredible wealth, stood on the island's sandy ground. His appearance was as distinguished as his reputation. "Be careful near the ship, that portal does not work as intended. Such a bad investment..." Vincent warned his valet and bodyguards as they approached the wrecked cargo ship. The scene was unsettling. Although his wealth was too great to be shaken by a mere lost investment, Vincent couldn't help but feel a tinge of regret for having funded the ill-fated venture.
Moments after Vincent's arrival, another figure approached him, dressed casually in shorts and a loose-fitting shirt, accompanied by an entourage of individuals who seemed to serve as bodyguards. Thurston Wolf, a man who appeared desperate to salvage their business relationship with Kingdom, approached Vincent with a pleading expression.
"Mr. Fabron, please, allow me to explain," Thurston implored, his voice tinged with urgency. "Mr. Wolf, I assure you, my men have already informed me about the uhm... tragedy," Vincent replied. "I have funded everything that was contained in that derelict container ship, but it seems like it wasn't such a wise investment," he continued.
"The teleporter wasn't faulty, I swear!" Thurston exclaimed. "It was sabotaged. Someone sent something through the portal, which caused it to explode. It was probably one of those commoners who are angry with Kingdom for unknown reasons. Let me take responsibility for this and make amends. W-we'll ship another batch for Kingdom right away! I'll make sure they arrive by tomorrow- today!"
Vincent couldn't help but chuckle at Thurston's desperate attempts to save the deal. He shook his head, "I'm sorry, Mr. Wolf, but the deal is off. Your assurances do little to convince me now. Keep the share that I have invested, it's not worth pursuing any further."
As Vincent made his decision, he gestured to one of his men to retrieve some documents from a nearby Kingdom employee. He wanted to collect as much information as possible before parting ways with Thurston.
"Well then, Mr. Wolf. I'm afraid I have other pressing matters to tend to," Vincent said coolly, his sarcasm not lost on Thurston. "It was... a pleasure, doing business with you," he added, emphasizing the irony in his words.
With that, Vincent turned and walked away, leaving Thurston to grapple with the consequences of the failed deal.
As Vincent and his men boarded the helicopter, curiosity gnawed at him. "What did you discover?" Vincent inquired, turning to one of his men.
The man handed Vincent a tablet and explained, "Security cameras captured footage of a humanoid robot emerging after the teleporter exploded. It happened during the night, and a group of unseen people immediately arrived to investigate, possibly Radiants. We aren't certain if they have any connection to Kingdom."
Vincent's eyes were fixed on the tablet's screen, observing the chaotic scene of the robot battling the surrounding unseen Radiants. "Fascinating," Vincent murmured, captivated by the unexpected turn of events.
Vincent issued a firm command as he handed back the tablet. "Gather more information about this organization of Radiants," he instructed his men. "But don't be disheartened if you encounter dead-ends. It appears that they are skilled at remaining undiscovered," he mused, acknowledging their cleverness in avoiding detection.
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Everett-Linde Research Facility, New Mexico
Eerie silence engulfed the remnants of the once bustling Everett-Linde research facility. Glitch, KAY/O, and Killjoy stood amidst the ruins, their hearts heavy with sorrow as they surveyed the aftermath of the disaster.
Signs and remnants scattered throughout the facility hinted at a grim reality as KAY/O scanned the area, his sensors trying to detect signs of life. "I detected remains of many researchers and workers," he reported in his usual emotionless tone.
As they continued to investigate, Glitch noticed something peculiar among the wreckage. A charred journal lay partially buried under a pile of debris. He carefully picked it up, his hands trembling as he read through its slightly burnt pages.
"This belongs to one of my ex-colleagues," Glitch whispered. Killjoy's eyes welled up with tears, and her voice trembled as she spoke, "This is just... terrible. So many innocent lives lost."
"We don't know what caused this yet. But we must stay focused on the task at hand. Let's figure out what happened," Glitch said, trying to suppress his own emotions. He knew that dwelling on their personal feelings would not bring answers.
Their search led them to a hidden underground chamber, where they found remnants of the Radian collider's control room. Gaining access required a keycard, and surprisingly, the one Omen had provided worked, hinting at his significance within the facility.
"I'll try to figure out what this thing was built for. You two try to figure out what happened," Killjoy stated, dividing the tasks among the trio. "Aye," Glitch responded, ready to examine the damaged machinery and piece together the cause of the catastrophe. Meanwhile, KAY/O and Glitch meticulously analyzed the disaster's origins, and Killjoy delved into the function of the Radian collider.
As they investigated, the team quickly reached a unanimous conclusion—it was not an accident. KAY/O emphasized that destroying the collider would have required a tremendous amount of force, ruling out any internal error. Glitch and KAY/O then headed back to the surface to explore the surroundings for any external factors that could have contributed to the destruction.
After scanning the area with their sensors, KAY/O detected something in a peculiar location. "There," he pointed out. Glitch approached to see what KAY/O had found, and his mask's analyzer revealed traces of gunpowder residue and Radianite. The Radian Collider was in plain sight from the spot, leading Glitch to an insightful realization.
"Bingo. A Radianite-infused weapon," Glitch pointed out, connecting the pieces of the puzzle. "But just one shouldn't be powerful enough to destroy it. Let's look around more," KAY/O said, confirming the discovery.
After further exploration of the area, Glitch discovered another point of interest. "Found some here too," he pointed out to KAY/O. Upon scanning the area, KAY/O confirmed, "Radianite and gunpowder residue. same kind."
Glitch nodded, connecting the dots. "This makes more sense now. Two of those Radianite-infused weapons could be enough to destroy it when shot simultaneously," he deduced.
"We've thoroughly explored all the other places, and we've confirmed two and only two locations with traces of the same materials. Let's head back to KJ," Glitch suggested.
"Affirmative," KAY/O confirmed, acknowledging the plan.
As the two made their way back, Killjoy had already finished her part of the investigation. "You're right on time. I just finished as well," she said, her expression somber. "What did you find?" KAY/O asked, eager to hear their teammate's findings.
"The collider was designed to generate a stable source of energy, mainly for Omega earth," Killjoy explained, her voice tinged with sadness.
"What the hell? Then why would someone destroy it?" Glitch wondered aloud, frustration evident in his tone.
"I don't know... This is really cruel," Killjoy replied, her eyes scanning the remnants of the facility. "What did you find?" she asked, shifting the focus back to Glitch and KAY/O.
"Two people shot the collider with a radianite-infused weapon from a distance simultaneously. The tremendous impact from two different angles destroyed it," Glitch said, recounting their discoveries. "We have the how, but we don't have the who and why," KAY/O said as their frustration grow.
"Whoever destroyed this facility has to be completely crazy, or maybe they know something we don't yet," Glitch speculated, his voice carrying a hint of concern.
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6.28PM
Dubai, Alpha earth
The grand banquet hall was alive with laughter and the clinking of glasses as guests from all corners of the world gathered for the formal banquet held by Faust, the CEO of Kingdom.
Brimstone and Viper were dressed in their finest attire, disguised as a businessman and businesswoman respectively. They mingled with the elite guests, keeping their true intentions hidden beneath charming smiles and polite conversations. They had assumed the roles of wealthy business partners, eager to forge new connections and partnerships with 'Faust's empire'.
Sova, who had recently investigated Radiant crime scenes, concluded that a certain someone has been supplying Radiant criminals with weapons. Now hidden in the nearby building, he kept a watchful eye on the proceedings below. His Operator was ready in his hands, ready to provide support if needed.
Beside him sat two captured Radiants from his previous mission, their hands tied behind their chairs, and their faces filled with fear and uncertainty. Sova knew that they held the key to identifying their target—the supplier of illegal weapons to the Radiant criminals.
"You see, my friends," Sova spoke calmly, his voice tinged with a hint of steel. "I have ways of making people talk. If you don't tell me what I need to know, your families might find themselves in grave danger."
The Radiant criminals exchanged nervous glances, realizing that Sova was not bluffing. "Look, man, I already told you what I know. All I know is that he'll be here in Dubai, attending the banquet," one of them said. Sova remained composed, knowing he had to push further to get the information they needed. He then pulled out a picture of a girl which he got from Cypher, a knowing smirk playing on his lips.
"Hmm... I wonder how this little girl is doing?" he sarcastically wondered, showing the picture of the girl to the man. "T-that's my daughter. Please don't hurt her! She's only ten! I'll tell you everything!" the man pleaded, his fear evident in his voice.
Sova's eyes softened momentarily. He knew he had to be firm, but he also understood the desperation of the Radiant criminals. "Your daughter's safety depends on you cooperating fully," he stated, putting the picture away.
"Tell me everything you know about your supplier. His appearance, any distinguishing marks, anything that could help us identify him," Sova demanded once more. The Radiant criminals knew they had no choice but to comply.
"O-okay. He's white. Tall, slender, and well-built. H-he dresses fancy, wears glasses, and keeps his hair slicked back," one of the Radiants finally replied, his fear palpable.
Sova nodded, satisfied with the information. "Good. Now, remember, your cooperation will ensure your daughter's safety," he reminded him, a hint of reassurance in his voice.
As Sova returned to his vantage point, he relayed the description to Brimstone and Viper, who were making their way through the extravagant banquet hall. "Tall white man. Slender and well built. Dresses fancy, wears glasses."
Brimstone and Viper split up carefully, engaging in small conversations with many people as they searched for individuals matching the target's description. "Sova, there are a couple of guys matching the description. We need something more specific!" Brimstone whispered through the comms as he smoothly took a glass of red wine from a passing waiter's tray.
Meanwhile, Sova faced the two Radiants behind him and demanded more specific details about the target. "The description's too basic. Give me something more!" he urged them. Nervously, one of the Radiants managed to recall, "Okay, okay!! Uhh, I think he's French. He has a French accent, yeah!"
"That's not enough! More!" Sova pressed further. The other Radiant chimed in, "I-I remember! He has golden tattoos from his forehead down to his neck! You'll know immediately when you see him! I promise!"
With this additional information, Sova went back to his vantage point and relayed it again to Brimstone and Viper. "Golden tattoos, from head to neck. There shouldn't be many with that description," Sova reported.
"Copy that," Brimstone replied.
"We're working on it," Viper added.
Viper and Brimstone continued their search, their eyes keenly scanning the crowd for anyone with the unique description they had received.
Time seemed to stretch on, and they were starting to lose hope when suddenly, a man approached Viper. Extending his hand, he greeted her warmly,
"May I have this dance, mademoiselle?"
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To be continued