The next day...
The morning haze clung to the city like ash. Missio leaned against the balcony railing, staring at the skyline that glittered with glass and gold. A cup of tea still smoking was beside him placed on a saucer. The strong breeze swept at the hair, flowing through it like a river. He picked up the tea and drank it. Placing it back on the saucer, he drew a deep breath. After a few seconds, his phone buzzed with a certain frequency.
He didn't move or flinch. He knew that frequency like the back of his hand – it belonged to the elites of the government. He picked up his phone, answering the call. He pulled his headphones down and placed the phone on his ear. A polished, political voice cracked through the call.
"Lieutenant General Augustus. Good morning."
"Prime minister…" Missio sipped his tea. "Didn't except you to call me directly."
"Nor did I." The prime minister coughed.
"Anyways…what's the problem? If you're calling me directly, then…it must be quite important." Missio replied.
"You're correct on that…" the man's voice tightened. "A name has surfaced…Dick Quartel. Part of the national assembly and finance committee."
"And?" Missio put down his cup.
"He's been acting suspicious lately. In finances, in the assembly, in meetings, we want you to investigate him." The man said.
Missio remained silent for a while. He opened his mouth and talked to the prime minister in a serious tone.
"…Y'know…if you contact the first unit of the black ops to investigate someone, then…"
"I want to leave no traces, just disappear as if you never investigated him in the first place…That is if he is clear." The prime minister added.
"And if he's not?" Missio frowned.
"Make him disappear." The man responded in a calm tone.
"…Understood." Missio cut the call.
He tucked the phone into his pocket. He placed the phone back into place, glazing into the golden skyline. Eventually, he picked up the cup and saucer and walked back into the HQ.
***
"Really?" Krishna blurted.
"Yeah, it's exactly as you heard." Missio leaned back in his chair.
"But why Viscount Dick Quartel? He hasn't done anything wrong." Henry asked in confusion.
"It's an order from the PM. We have no choice." Missio replied.
"For US, not you, Mr. prince." Krishna groaned.
"…Anyways, I'll need the cyber bureau to fully investigate this." Missio shrugged Krishna off.
"My hacker skills have been awaiting this moment. It's my time to shine." Krishna stood up with gleaming eyes.
"Sit down. You're not doing anything." Missio ordered.
"Hmph, Fine!" Krishna frowned.
Missio, Henry, Eira and Mary and simultaneously sighed while shaking their heads. Missio looked at Eira and spoke in a calm tone.
"Eira, go down to the cyber bureau and tell them to investigate everything and anything about Dick Quartel."
"Okay, be back in a moment." Eira stood up.
She then exited his office and headed towards the cyber bureau. Missio, then turned to look at the remaining members.
"Henry, Krishna. After the investigation, I'll need you two investigate him personally."
Henry raised a brow. "A secret investigation?"
"Yes." Missio confirmed, nodding his head.
"Alright, I'll do it. But make sure this idiot doesn't mess me up." Henry said.
"Hey! For your knowledge I have an IQ of 147." Krishna scoffed.
"…Okay." Henry ignored Krishna.
Krishna happily leaned on his chair; his lips couldn't help but curl up into a wide smile. Missio exhaled greatly and tiled his head to the side.
'These two are like two puzzle pieces who fit perfectly together…but are different colors.'
***
The evening sun was dipping past the horizon. Missio stared into his reflection on his digital watch. He looked away but in the corner of his eye he saw his reflection blink. He snapped his head towards his clock with wide eyes. He stared at it for a long time but eventually gave up. He groaned and clenched his teeth.
'That's fine but…what is taking the cyber bureau this long?'
He rose from his chair and departed his office, locking the door with his insignia. He spiraled back, staring out at the other buildings that stood above the clouds. Many skyscrapers pierced the soft, white clouds reflecting the light of the sun from their walls. He began hurrying towards the cyber bureau. He set foot in the elevator and the doors shut behind him. After a few minutes, he was on the lower floor.
He stepped off into a massive office with hundreds of cubicles. He walked past all of them and arrived at a door. He opened it and saw a man wearing a stitched brown suit sitting on a chair with his legs on the desk. As the man noticed Missio, he put his legs down and stood up.
"L-Lieutenant General? What brings you here?" The man asked.
"What's taking you so long to find info on Dick Quartel?" Missio sat down on a chair.
The man flinched and rubbed his hands together. "W-Well, you see…It has proven more complex than we thought."
Missio perked up. "…Continue."
"Well, you see… we found that a large part of funding was diverted by Mr. Dick to an unknown account which was erased shortly after and we're trying to find any traces but.... no luck." The man replied.
"And when was this?" Missio leaned forward.
"…17 years ago." The man said after a long pause.
Missio froze – memories flashing before his eyes. The void – The demons – The fire, it began to come back to him. He gritted his teeth and slammed his head on the table. The Head of the cyber bureau's jaw dropped. Missio held his head in agonizing pain. After a few minutes, it went away but the head was still shocked.
'17…17…17…17…'
That number repeated in his mind repeatedly. His mind spiraled into a rabbit hole with no end. He stood up burying his thoughts. A certain unease rose in his heart. He halted at the doorway and looked back at the starstruck head. His lips parted but nothing came out. Then, he clicked his tongue and said to the head in a raspy voice.
"…Very well…continue your research. Take as much time as you need."
The man nodded rapidly as Missio exited his office. He walked past the many cubicles, flashing with blue light. Men wearing different types of suits and casual clothes were typing away rapidly in their computer. Missio entered the elevator and went down to the ground floor's lobby. He departed the elevator, its doors closing behind him.
"Goodbye, Lieutenant General. I hope you had a nice day." The receptionist waved at him.
"Goodbye." Missio waved back with a wide smile.
The doors of the HQ's entrance opened for him. He passed the guards standing at the entrance. They saluted him with respect, stomping their feet. He stopped on the pavement of the HQ's massive garden, lifted his head, gazing into the twilight. The stars reflected on his irises as he pondered something.
He lowered his head, placing his hands in his pockets. His expression was calm but filled with worry and confusion underneath that mask called the 'face'. Then, he opened his mouth and said in a somber tone.
"This nation protects its people…I hope you don't ruin it, Dick Quartel."