[Location: Control Base – Eastern Entertainment District]
The air in the narrow corridor was stifling, hotter than the temperature outside, and the stale smell of alcohol mixed with cigarette smoke trapped in the walls created a rare and suffocating atmosphere that seemed to cling to their skin like a second layer. Dim red strip lights flickered rhythmically, casting distorted silhouettes on the dark glass lining both sides, thereby enhancing the overall mysterious and foreboding vibe of the setting.
Makima stopped in front of a double-layered steel door, feeling the tension wrapping around them. "After this," she said quietly, her tone flat yet challenging, "we can no longer pretend to be a couple of tourists. Everyone here will know who we really are."
Fitran tightened his coat, trying to calm himself even though his voice remained low. "So we're stepping into their territory… but on our own terms." He shifted his gaze to the door, sensing the intensity hanging in the air. "We need to stay in control of the situation."
She nodded and then reactivated Attention-Para. This time, the effect was anything but subtle—neon lights outside the base flickered excitedly, as if sending Morse code that drew the attention of those around, making them stare suspiciously and lose focus for a moment, momentarily breaking the tension that had enveloped them.
The door opened with a hydraulic hiss, revealing a mysterious space beyond.
Inside, five people sat around a long table. They were dressed neatly, but their gazes were colder than the metal of the table itself. At the end of the table, a bald, large-bodied man smoked a cigar, the silver smoke dancing in the air before he pointed at the empty chair in front of them. "Sit down. Now."
Makima stayed silent, not moving an inch. "If we sit, it means we acknowledge your higher position." Her voice was firm, filled with courage, challenging, as if rejecting the notion of submitting to anyone.
The bald man exhaled cigar smoke, letting out clouds that floated slowly, while his lips curled into a faint smile full of meaning. "If you don't sit, it means you're prepared to not leave here safely," he said, fixing them with a sharp, challenging gaze, as if testing how brave they truly were.
Fitran stepped forward, his muscles tense with strain, the weight of the impending confrontation palpable. "Are you sure that threat still holds under the active contract?" he queried, his breath slightly labored with a mix of anxiety and determination, fully aware of the high stakes involved. He understood the risks associated with confrontation, knowing that courage must be met with a bold stance, particularly in the face of uncertainty.
Three figures on the right side of the table began to rise, their faces reflecting intent and determination, waiting for a move from both parties. The tension enveloped the room like smoke filling the air, creating an atmosphere that felt like embers ready to ignite.
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Situational Analysis Initiated]
Hostile Intent Detected – Affinity Sync Enabled
Public Alert: Null (Isolated Zone)
Swiftly, Makima stepped forward, her sharp gaze assessing every detail of the situation with a keen eye. "Let's finish this," she declared firmly as she unrolled the contract string tied around her wrist, a gesture laden with intent. The end hit the floor with a resonating clang that shattered the tense silence surrounding the room, sending a slight vibration that trickled through the opponents' legs and caused them to momentarily lose their balance while heightening the impending sense of chaos.
Fitran wasted no time. "Now!" he shouted, seizing the moment. With one strong push, he flipped the long table, hurling it toward the two opponents who were still standing. "Watch out!" he yelled, trying to create a vibrant chaos.
The bald man remained seated, but quickly grabbed something from under the table. "A weapon," Makima hissed, her voice carrying a sharp warning. In her mind, every move had to be calculated. "Don't let him get that!"
Without hesitation, Fitran reached for the curved knife hidden beneath his coat. "This is for you!" he shouted, throwing the knife with an eager spin, aiming directly at the bald man's hand. The knife lodged firmly into the wooden table, just two centimeters from his fingers. "You need to move faster!"
The man froze, his breath heavy and irregular. "You have no idea… who you're up against," he said, his voice dripping with threat. His expression was defiant, as if he wanted to prove his undeniable strength.
Makima leaned slightly forward, her gaze full of concentration. "We know exactly who you are. That's why we're here," she replied, her tone calm yet radiating confidence and solid strength.
She took a deep breath, gathering her focus, then grabbed her contract with trembling hands that betrayed her inner turmoil. "Look at this!" she shouted, as a dim red-orange light surged from its knot, casting ominous shadows on the walls. The Attention-Para effect gathered, pressing down on everyone in the room, drawing them into a suffocating silence, as if time itself had stopped and tension suffused the air like a thick fog enveloping them in a paralyzing grip.
The next second, the window on the left shattered with a small explosion that took everyone by surprise, the sharp sound echoing against the walls. "Our infiltration team!" someone shouted from the corner of the room, their voice laced with urgency and a hint of panic. Rapid footsteps began echoing, entering the room and intensifying the already charged atmosphere, transforming it into a battlefield prepared for conflict.
[SYSTEM PROMPT]
Phase Three Trigger – Mask Off Protocol Active
All Remaining Hostiles: Engage or Flee
Fitran turned to face Makima, his expression serious and resolute. "We've reached a point of no return," he said, his voice firm, revealing a deep understanding of the consequences they were about to face.
Makima replied in a flat tone, though there was a glint of satisfaction shining in her eyes. "Good. Now... let's get started," she said, her smile breaking the tension, lifting their spirits in the midst of chaos.