Surprise!


"Ar, it's clear, go on ahead." The ghost cleared the area ahead.

Ducking out of cover, I noticed what was probably the security camera in the corridor. From here, it looked like half of a large black ball stuck to the ceiling.

Quickly, I stuck myself to the wall right below.

"Don't worry, it doesn't check like that."

Wow, I just kinda took my chances that if it was one of those oscillating cameras, it wouldn't see what was right beneath it. It sure is nice having a dependable ally to cover your back.

Like a little rat, I scurried down the hallway quietly, keeping a close eye on the perceptual display all the while. Like I always did with infiltration missions, I kept both of my hands on the silenced sidearm, it's always easier to hold things when using both of your hands, it's just the way things were, since the dawn of time and existence. The icon of a ghost appeared in the top corner again.

"Get past that corner, quick!"

By the blessing of the gods, the sensors were clear of the danger colors. My feet hurriedly took me into the corner, beyond the returning camera's line of sight.

"Nice. Right there, a few meters down, there's a large door."

"I see it, Cup."

"Good, beyond that, is where they're keeping the hostages. I'm reading their comms, and it sounds like they're getting flustered about the outside situation." The icon of the ghost blinked on and off.

"Is outside breaching?" Right now, it was the only thing they could do, if some sort of negotiation was unreachable. And with the way people are, they never were. Once again, the ghost up in the ship answered.

"Sounds like they're getting ready to do just that. They're saying to wait ten minutes until they go through the front doors, and likely any backdoors as well. Go loud if you have to, but do try and remain secretive. I'll keep an eye out for anything else."

"Right, gotcha." I approached the door. Right there, the very edges of the mini-map filled with red dots, and the primary radar had one of it's sections go red. I watched the sound-wire shake more than usual. This was where the main event is at, I guess.

I took a hand from the sidearm, and gently pulled the door's plain handle with it.

"I know I should have told you this before, but see if the're are any other goons in the building. Don't want to get surprised just when you thought you've put them all to sleep."

That was probably the better choice.


It was a warm night, as it always was in this region of the world

From outside of the bank, an officer murmured into his small comms device, which was affixed to a strap on his shoulder. Currently, he only received static. The man keyed the portable phone, and confirmed the channel before testing the waters of the militarised walkie-talkie.

But, he speaked in a foreign language. Here's his words.

"-¡Capitán, ya no tenemos signos del interior, han pasado cinco minutos! ¿Deberíamos enviarla?"

Now here it is, translated perfectly thanks to the brilliance of the Ghost himself. Or, you know, Google translate.

"Captain! We're not getting any signs from the inside anymore, it's been five minutes. Should we send her in?"

The Spanish-speaking policeman waited for a couple moments, until garbled speech came through the hand-sized device, with little static.

The sound of a gunshot filled the night.

He looked at the rest of the policemen, who only did the same. All of them were confused out of their minds as to why such a thing would happen, other than the killing of the civilians. But they haven't made any kind of contact with the force that would entail that kind of action, or any message at all.

The one policeman murmured into the walkie, and called for the specialist of the operation, who came over with a worried face.

After a small conversation, the specialist agreed to something and ran behind the building, no doubt making use of the backdoor entrance.

It was a fairly neat area. The bank wasn't too large, but enough to be the victim of an organised crime such as the one taking place right now. The specialist produced a key from her person, and gently placed it into the handle. She lightly pressed her ear on the entrance, and moments later, she entered the building.

"Blimey...what's happened here?" The woman was greeted with a goon who lay flat on his back as if he was put to sleep by a knock out punch, but received no kind of facial wound. She approached with caution, and softly nudged his side with her shoes. Wouldn't want to be too rough and wake him up.

A falling out?

Was someone already here?

She looked up, and found herself inside a short hallway. A single door lived at the very end, which was the only way to go, apart from the exit that was behind her. Her steps were muted against the polished wooden floor as she treaded towards the double-doors.

Once more, she pressed her pale ear against the wood and listened in. Nothing.

Here goes.

She opened the door slightly, conveniently without a creak as she did so, and leaned past the edge.

There were lots of bodies lying on the floor, lacking the pool of blood. There was the staff, huddled in a small group, with their heads down in their hands. Some of them shook.

But an outline of a human eventually called to her eyes, and the specialist nearly called out to it, for questioning, obviously. She remained hidden, theorising about who this person could be. A haze of dark cloud seemingly appeared from nowhere, and started to fill the room. Only a second later, a dark blue light spawned in the center.

"What on earth?"


I took a steady aim at the final criminal in the room using my incredible sleep sidearm. He was at the front of the bank, peeking in between the gaps of the thick blinds at the boys in blue just outside, and at their flashing lights.

But, I lowered the weapon. I figured that he could have fallen forwards, and pulled down the blinds with him. Lucky I thought of that. I stood behind him and lifted an arm, ready to grab him. The sidearm did it's purpose, and the man heavily fell limp in my two arms. I was especially sure to pull his arms close so it doesn't drag the folds down with him and quite possibly reveal me to the outside. I'd rather stay as unknown for as long as possible, thank you very much. The farthest I'll let them get is to know that there was someone here, but not me specifically. Maybe a crpytic note once in a while, but that's it.

Now that would cause some complications, wouldn't it? Getting found out by people, and even the world. How would they react to me? Probably not great, and I'd rather continue my duty as a guardian of the people, even if there was no imminent darkness. The lack of which I was greatful for. I know that billions have died during the collapse because of the darkness, and I've seen the kind of harm it could do to a person.

Very, very, terrible things. The loss of their homeland, and the deaths of things most precious. Strangers such as us could only comfort them so little, but it was the best we could do, which really is, the only thing we could have done.

I am one of the oldest guardians. Old enough to remember Takanome, and the solemn masses we had to guide towards the Last City, back then there were so few of us, and so many to shepherd and escort. I've known a few guardians who've been tasked with this mission, who felt like they have betrayed the people by failing to protect them on the way to the final haven for humanity, poor souls felt unworthy of being guardians who couldn't even save a mass of immigrants. Many did not complete the journey.

Rest their souls.

...

Bah, I sound like an old man.

Regardless, as Petra of the Awoken said; "I live to serve". But I really am starting to miss those reef three. Four, counting the once-loved Xur. An icon of the ghost formed at the top corner opposite of the sensory arrays.

"Ar, I think it's about time to leave. The software is coming off."

"Sure, when you're ready, Cup."

Our mental conversation ended, and the room was filled with a dark smoke, accompanied by a blue light, darkened by the initial cloud. And I was gone.

The only thing I left behind was a vague, cryptic note.


The pilot's seat was still warm when I was warped back into it. Immediately, I inspected the console deck, and it's various flashing lights.

"And you didn't even have to use your scout, wonderful work, Ar." The floating form of the ghost appeared over my shoulder, looking around, pretending like he knows how to operate the more complex features of the Aspect.

"Yeah, didn't get spotted either." Once I had finished reading the extremely complex Vex text, I relaxed in the main chair, basking in the cool, dark pilot's room, and watching the lights blink away. I let a heavy breath escape me, as heavy as my eyes.

I was quite proud of myself, for saving those hostages. It was a little victory, but one nonetheless. Besides, a victorious day can only be achieved through the small, short hours of triumph.

But for now, I think it's time to let this old man have his hour of rest.

Then maybe tomorrow, I fight crime again.


"So I got in, but ev'one was already unconscious, cep't for the hostages. Oh, and I found this note, here." The specialist pulled a small piece of paper from one of her pockets and gave it to her friend, who affixed her glasses, preparing to read what was written on it. Even if Lena had already read it a load of times, she felt that maybe hearing it again could help her get a better idea of what it could mean.

"Dear police...G" The woman had a wonderful accent, as did her friend sitting across of her.

The woman who received the note was a doctor, nowadays, more of a medic. She looked over it again, flipped the small page, nothing. Between the 'G' was two dots of ink, and a long curved line, all formed to resemble the familiar smiley face.

"What can you make of it, Ange? I showed the cops, but they just waved it off as nothing." Tracer waved her hands around, properly expressing her confusion. Between the two, the doctor was more likely to get something out of it.

"I'd like to think it's just a smiley face and nothing else, but..."

"Doesn't really give you much to go offa, dunnit?"

"No, Lena. It doesn't." The doctor shuffled a thoughtful hand to her mouth, an old habit that just wouldn't break.

"It could mean so much, but also so little...Maybe we go to bed and show it to Winston later on, I'm sure you must be tired by now." The doctor's orders were always a good idea to follow.

"Yeah, I am feeling quite knackered, maybe a good rest'll do'it."

"I'm sure, Lena."


SURPRISE!

Once again, thanks for having a read. Big thanks to the follows and favs.

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