In 2015, I dragged my long–suffering beta Elegant Malice to the arcade to play Time Crisis 5: True Mastermind Edition after it was released. When we finished, the only thing I could think of was yelling WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH YOU at Bandai Namco.
Without a proper explanation for Robert's betrayal, I started trying to think of my own explanation for it. Eventually, I hit upon an idea... which took me 3 years of revising and trying to plan before I actually deemed the FIRST chapter ready to post -_- Yes, I am a REALLY slow writer. I already know how it starts and how it ends, but some (ie A LOT) of the middle parts still need to be fiddled with.
A huge thank you to Elegant Malice, who has been patiently acting as a sounding board for my evolving drafts of this monstrosity... for the past 3 years :P (Sorry mate :P)
Due to the way I'm writing this fic, I've included some footnotes at the end of chapters. These footnotes are basically my additional comments about certain stuff, which might need elaboration that I can't fit into the story without it sounding clunkier than it already is. I'll try not to rely on them too much.
For plot purposes, I end up fiddling with the years in the canon timeline somewhat (I'll mention it when it happens). I'll try to make sure my altered timeline of events still makes internal sense though.
Warnings for multiple character deaths (multiple times, in some cases), certain (ie most) characters being rather emotionally screwed up at several points, and plenty of artistic license about a lot of stuff like technology, medicine, and just about everything else.
If I haven't scared you off yet, then strap yourself in. This is going to be a long one.
Three months ago, if someone had told Keith that he'd be accused of betraying the VSSE and killing his girlfriend, then forced to go on the run, he would have suggested they visit the infirmary for a check–up.
Three days ago, if someone had told Keith that he'd be better off not knowing the real traitor's identity, he would have punched them in the face.
Yet here he was, swimming away from the wreckage of a cargo plane and his ex–partner's burnt corpse. Had it really only been a few hours since he'd learned of Robert's treachery?
Whoever said the truth will set you free was either delusional or a sadist.
"Will you guys hurry up?" An impatient shout interrupted Keith's bitter musings. He looked over to see the annoying rookie – Luke, was it? – already halfway to the distant island.
The other rookie – Marc – rolled his eyes. "Not everyone has super speed, dumbass. Slow down a bit, will you?"
Catherine sighed in exasperation. "Honestly boys, knock it off. Quit bickering and swim so we can get to dry land before we drown."
Stars shining brightly against the backdrop of the night sky…
Robert's irritated complaints about being stranded in the middle of the ocean…
Christy grinning with fond exasperation as Keith and Robert began squabbling like children…
Keith swallowed painfully, banishing the memory with a vicious shake of his head.
Neodyne was a long time ago. Even if he wasn't a traitor back then, the Robert I once knew is long gone.
Now that they were no longer in danger, Keith realised that his adrenaline rush had begun to wear off. He was honestly surprised he had managed to keep up with the rookies' super speed through sheer desperation.
Exhaustion crashed over him as he finally reached the shore, hauling himself onto dry land with the last of his strength. Coughing, Keith closed his eyes as the rookies' voices echoed oddly in his ears, fading into an inaudible murmur.
"Are you alright?" He opened his eyes to find Catherine's face hovering above him, looking both weary and sympathetic. Wincing, Keith slowly clambered to his feet. A sudden wave of dizziness caused him to stumble slightly. Catherine caught hold of him as he fell.
"Sorry," he muttered, pulling away from Catherine. Ignoring her concerned look, Keith hurried to catch up with Luke and Marc, who were standing near a path leading into the island's vast jungle.
"So, do we have a plan? Wandering around the jungle aimlessly sounds like an awful idea." Marc crossed his arms, frowning contemplatively.
"Afraid you'll be eaten by wild animals? Or worse, dinosaurs?" Luke smirked, raising an eyebrow.
Marc snorted. "I highly doubt there's much wildlife on an island this small. And dinosaurs? Really? Does this LOOK like Jurassic Park to you?"
Oh, for crying out loud…
Pinching the bridge of his nose, Keith sighed, reminding himself that strangling rookies would give the VSSE a legitimate reason to hunt him down.
Not that they needed one before…
"Heading further inland is our best bet," Catherine interjected. "Aside from contacting the VSSE, we need to find a place to make camp for the night. Your enhancements (1) should be wearing off soon, and you don't want to be running around when the adrenaline crash hits."
Without a word, Keith turned and trudged down the path. After a moment's hesitation, the other agents followed him.
As the first rays of the morning sun lit up the sky, Catherine looked at Keith. The older agent looked… awful, to put it bluntly. Physical exhaustion aside, there was a horrible blankness to his expression as he made his way through the foliage.
"Keith?" She hesitantly placed her hand on his shoulder.
Keith tensed up but made no move to shake her off. "What?"
"About Robert–" Before Catherine could finish her sentence, Keith pulled away and glared at her.
"Whatever you were about to say, forget it. As far as I'm concerned, Robert Baxter died a long time ago."
As quickly as it had appeared, the cold fury drained out of Keith, leaving the same empty expression from before. Catherine couldn't decide which was worse.
Seeing the look on her face, Keith laughed bitterly. "Look, we don't have time for this. Don't waste your breath trying to play therapist with me, Catherine."
Turning away, he strode forward into the underbrush just as Luke and Marc caught up with Catherine.
Pushing her way through the foliage, Catherine came to an abrupt halt at the sight before her.
"What the hell?" Luke's startled exclamation came from somewhere behind her.
An imposing facility stood before them, looking entirely out of place.
"Why is this here? On an uninhabited island in the middle of the ocean?" Marc looked from the jungle to the building and then back, as though he could glean an answer by doing so.
"Does it matter? It might have communications equipment, and it's better than roughing it in the jungle." Without a backwards glance, Keith walked up to the building and tested the front door. As expected, it was locked. Pulling out his gun, he shot the lock and pushed open the door, disappearing into the building.
Glancing at each other, Luke and Marc followed suit.
For a moment, Catherine considered doing otherwise. Keith had the bearing of someone who had been pushed too far by life and was now on the verge of snapping. However, emotional instability or not, Keith technically still outranked her (especially since he turned out to be innocent). And like it or not, he was right: Immediate survival came first.
As the door swung shut behind her, she found herself hoping there would be time to deal with everything else afterwards.
The interior of the facility proved to be just as surprising as its exterior, if not more so.
Catherine wasn't sure what she'd been expecting. A warehouse perhaps, or an abandoned military base.
Instead, the agents found themselves in what appeared to be a high–tech research lab. The first few rooms they checked were full of gleaming metal surfaces and sinister–looking equipment.
"It's too clean to be an abandoned lab. Someone was here recently." Catherine's eyes narrowed as she looked around the room.
"Do you think it was… him?" Marc suggested apprehensively.
Silence filled the room as the other agents deliberately avoided looking at Keith.
There was a flash of anger in Keith's expression. "I may be missing an eye, but I'm not blind. Stop treating me like I'm made of glass," he spat, glaring at them with his good eye. "Keep your eyes peeled and let's move. This place might not be as empty as it seems."
Nobody dared to say anything as they followed Keith out of the room.
After about an hour of searching, the agents had yet to come across other people, hostile or otherwise.
They had, however, found a generator room, which appeared to be supplying power to the entire facility.
More unnervingly, they discovered two operating rooms, an autopsy room (thankfully devoid of corpses) and what appeared to be an empty block of holding cells.
Fortunately, their efforts soon paid off as they found themselves standing in a room filled with computers and communications equipment.
"This is what we want," Keith broke the silence for the first time since his outburst. "Catherine, could you work your magic?"
Wordlessly, Catherine took a seat in front of one of the computers. Silence descended once more, punctuated only by the rhythmic clacking of keys as she began working on the computer.
The monitor glowed blue, blinking intermittently as the video uplink attempted to establish a connection. (2)
A few moments later, a blond man wearing sunglasses appeared onscreen. Even through the video, he exuded a cold and commanding presence. (3) Almost unconsciously, the agents stood straighter as they waited for him to speak.
The VSSE Director inclined his head, acknowledging their presence. "Officer Ricci. Agents O'Neil and Godart." Then he stopped, frowning slightly as he noticed Keith standing behind them. "I trust you have a good explanation for this." The agents looked at each other.
Marc stepped forward and took the lead. "Yes sir. We tracked the briefcase to a facility where Keith was hiding and engaged him in combat. Keith had the briefcase with him and succeeded in cracking its encryption just as he was disarmed. The data named Robert as the real traitor, which was confirmed by his attempt to dispatch us while we were reading it."
The Director's lips thinned. "I see. And what became of former agent Baxter?"
Keith's face clouded over. Turning away, he let out a harsh, barking laugh that was dangerously close to a sob.
Marc nearly winced before he caught himself and continued. "Robert's goal was to unleash a missile filled with a dangerous drug on New York. Cathy – Catherine – crashed the chopper to sabotage the missile launch. We were forced to kill Robert when he wouldn't back down. Unfortunately, Robert blew up the base as he died, along with any evidence within. We escaped to a small island nearby and found another facility with communications equipment."
"Hm." The Director steepled his fingers and appeared to be considering Marc's words. "Very well. We'll pull up your coordinates and send an extraction team. I can already tell you that from your last known location, it will take us at least 18 hours to reach you. I hope you have somewhere to spend the night."
"I believe we passed by a dormitory wing earlier. We should be able to rest there until the chopper arrives," Catherine replied.
"Understood. I'll expect an official report from all of you when you return." The Director seemed to hesitate for a moment. "Agent Martin?"
Keith went very still but didn't turn around.
"I'm sorry about what happened." The Director's stoic expression didn't change, but his usually professional tone sounded almost gentle.
"You're sorry?" Keith echoed disbelievingly. He turned slowly. The revulsion in his remaining eye was unmistakeable. "You can take your apology and—"
Catherine inhaled sharply. "Keith…" she hissed in alarm.
Fortunately, the Director didn't seem offended. "At ease, Officer Ricci. Agent Martin has been through a lot. His reaction is understandable. Until tomorrow, agents."
With that, the screen went black. Catherine glanced at the clock hanging on the wall.
1.30 pm. 18 hours till extraction.
"The chopper won't be here till tomorrow morning. The dormitory wing should be just past this corridor, back the way we came. We should get some rest." She shot Keith a look. The older agent either didn't see or didn't care.
"Let's hope it has some supplies," Luke muttered.
Aside from half a dozen bunk beds, the dormitory had a small washroom with a shower, a trunk with clean (albeit ill–fitting) clothes and a cupboard containing a few packets of crackers.
"I hope whoever lived here doesn't come back for their stuff," Marc commented. They had taken turns cleaning themselves up in the washroom and were now sitting on the bunks, dividing up the packets of crackers. It wasn't much of a meal, but it was better than nothing.
Keith said nothing. He had been silent since lashing out at the Director. Even after showering and changing into clean clothes, he looked like a walking corpse.
They ate in silence. Keith didn't look at any of them.
When they had finished, he quietly slipped off the bunk and flipped the light switch.
In the darkness of the room, the other agents heard the rustling of sheets, followed by silence.
Wordlessly, they followed suit and climbed into bunks of their own.
It was 2.30 pm, and all was quiet.
This chapter was perhaps a bit slow (One of the reasons it took me a while to finish), but I needed to get the characters in position first to kick off the plot. Next time, on Temporal Fates: Things start to get pretty interesting... and complicated. Next chapter is already written, so I'll post it in a few days once I do my final checks.
Notes:
1. The enhancements thing refers to how Luke and Marc have super speed in TC5. It'll be explained much, much later on, but for now just take it that it's something temporary which allows them to jump around much faster and higher than a normal human should be able to. I know there are some points that Keith starts warping around during his boss fight, but just pretend that doesn't happen and he's just jumping around through skill/training/adrenaline.
2. I know the way technology works in this fic is probably not at all how it's supposed to work in real life. However, given the use of technology we've seen so far in canon, and other improbable stuff like bosses being able to take a whole bunch of rockets to the face and still not die, just treat it as a suspension of disbelief. If it makes you feel better, imagine it's some high–tech thingy that lets the VSSE do stuff like that.
3. As far as I can tell, fanon usually has the VSSE Director named Porter Davis. While googling around revealed someone by that name is mentioned in the manual for TC1, the person is mentioned as SPEAKING to the Director. So, whoever he is, he's clearly not the VSSE Director himself. For the sake of convenience, I'm not going to include him.
The Director himself is an enigma. The only time he appears in canon is in the Prologue of TC4, where he briefs Giorgio and Evan about what's going on. I know we sort of get to see what he looks like from the picture accompanying his voice clips in that stage, but I'm just going to ignore it. Because honestly, he looks too much like Richard Miller to me, and I would prefer to have a larger distinction between Richard and the Director.
Appearance–wise, I imagine him looking somewhat like Wesker did in Resident Evil 1. Personality–wise, he's basically a cross between Wesker and Agent Smith from the Matrix if they were heroic characters. So, a bit on the cold side and very professional, but he does care about his agents (Obviously he can't get too attached to all of them given their line of work, but that doesn't mean he doesn't care. He just has to keep a professional front at all times since he's in charge of the whole agency).
Don't worry, you'll (hopefully) get to see more of the Director in future chapters, and you can judge for yourself what he's like.