Chapter Text
There are days where Phoenix finds it hard to look in the mirror, especially once someone notices the growing dullness in their eyes. They clenched their gloved fists as they fixed the Zoraxis uniform they wore on.
“Well, Agent, seems like you would blend in well. You have to return to this facility not long after your ankle healed. But you didn’t show any other pain when we tested it.” Reginald spoke in their earpiece that was tucked in behind their hair. “Be careful. You may not have the best track record in coming out unscathed but you have a track record of dealing blows. I’m worried for you.”
“Sir, I’ll be alright. Eventually. But I don’t think I can sit by and watch this going on. But I’m putting my trust in an entire half-empty glass. I need a vacation away from all of this but not medical leave. I… I think I need to get out of this nightmare for a few more days at least. No offense.”
“None taken. Aside from going through your own shenanigans, you kept meeting parts of your past that you don’t want to see. That blonde… she was the one who ruined you, isn’t she? The one inside Zoraxis?”
Phoenix merely closed their lips before leaving the CR restroom. They took in a deep breath while trying to walk inside the facility like they actually belong there.
“I hit the mark.” Reginald sighed, watching the footage from the screen. “Are you worried if you two have another confrontation? She seems to have a fondness for you to the point of sparing your life. And she… saved a few lives of our agents.”
“I know.” They were one of them. They wouldn’t even be here if it weren’t for her. They controlled their pace, avoiding the sensation that they shouldn’t be here. They have a mission and they have to finish that quickly.
“Our intel showed that this facility contains the latest project Zoraxis has in store. Keep your eyes peeled for any clue. Follow my directions since the last group of agents who went here got lost and a confrontation happened. If it wasn’t for whoever was in the control panel having a heated confrontation… many of them wouldn’t be unscathed.” Reginald’s voice was steely, the click of the tea cup on the saucer echoing not long after.
The halls were winding as they followed the directions once more, trying to keep a proper pace to avoid any accidental injuries. The rooms were identical, only the numbers on the plates providing any distinction between each. The lack of windows except at the end of each turn added to the suffocating feeling.
Could they navigate this facility with the map they memorized? Yes. Would they rather hear their handler blab about things? Also yes.
The lighter in their pocket feels like a heavy weight as they finally reach their destination: An office that had a bunch of burnt out candles. It wouldn’t really bother them much, if it wasn’t for the fact they know a person who would do this. They never really bothered to ask why before.
“We should’ve figured that if anyone would hide an important data cache, it would be a really obvious place.”
“She wouldn’t hide it here.” They muttered, looking at the empty office that was a bit too… clean. The filing cabinets don’t seem to be disturbed and there was practically no dust in there. It was almost the weekend, if anyone would be cleaning it wouldn’t be now. Not when she confessed to just shoving everything in a storage—
They muttered to their earpiece. “Find any storage closets with two doors to access it. If my guess is right—”
Their words were cut off when a blunt object hitting the back of their head made them see stars. A throbbing pain blooming in their head while they TK’ed the object away from them.
“Turns out she’ll be the weakest link in the entire department. I can’t believe she’d be that careless. Don’t you know? She’s suspended following an investigation. Her move yesterday was an unexpected boon for me. But you’d be worried about her, right?” Red hair shone when the light of the hall seemed to bloom harshly enough to sear their eyes. Amber eyes seemed to gleam with malice before widening when they saw an object approach towards her with a quick speed.
“Agent? Agent, do you copy?!” Reginald’s alarmed voice echoed in their earpiece as they fought the urge to hiss in order to get him to avoid giving their brain any more to process. They just knocked out a Zoraxis operative dangerous enough to compromise their civilian identity and connections.
“Handler, requesting for a retreat… and the proper protocol when your hostage is someone who could compromise your civilian identity.” They clenched their fist as they tried to ground themselves in the present moment. “I may like setting things on fire but even I have things I don’t want to burn down.”
What a mess this will be.