Tatyana found herself in an unusual situation, far from her typical fieldwork. Her laptop was open with mundane paperwork and emails, but a series of beeps diverted her attention from a live camera feed. The notification drew her focus, revealing a group of Tekken Force soldiers moving crates of weaponry onto a military-grade carrier plane. Her curiosity piqued, she tapped on the camera symbol as the footage filled the screen.
"Move it! We need to get this stuff to Hokkaido now!"
Tatyana raised a slim eyebrow and pondered aloud, "What could be in Hokkaido?"
Before gathering her thoughts to speculate, a message from her informant popped up.
I have something if you have time to talk…
Tatyana began typing her reply. Where and when?
Two days from now in Shinjuku.
See you there.
Likewise.
Shinjuku, Japan:
Master Raven approached a familiar man in a black hoodie and dark red cap who sat alone at a table in a small coffee shop along the road. Her informant rarely showed any semblance of subtlety, as she discovered during their first meeting all those years ago. But who could complain about the results he produced every time?
She sat across from him. "This place seems too bright to be your spot, considering your tastes."
He rolled his eyes before chuckling, "Glad to know you didn't stand me up. Besides, you became easier to track when you're always in your 'atypical.'"
"What is it this time?"
"Word around town is…The Mishima Zaibatsu is attending a conference summit."
Master Raven raised an eyebrow. "Heihachi's here?"
The guy shrugged. "I don't know, but I did catch a glimpse of Nina Williams. I've been seeing her around the place a few times now. Not with any soldiers, though…"
"Any possible reason as to why she's here?"
"None, but this summit will host every country immersed in the growing conflict. Even the smaller provinces are getting involved. It seems odd Nina would attend in Heihachi's place. Something like that is a highly respected tradition to show up as the head honcho."
She touched her chin. "Unless Nina is only there as a guise for whatever facade he's giving the rest of the world. We can't be too sure."
Her informant handed her a backpack. "Your mission suit and blade are inside, along with an encrypted earpiece. I packed casual clothes to blend in with the crowd."
"What's wrong with my suit?"
"Come on, Tatyana. You stick out like a sore thumb compared to the locals."
With a sigh, she took the backpack and headed for the bathroom. "Until next time, agent."
Several minutes later, the kunoichi entered the busy city streets, donning a new ensemble to integrate with the crowd instead of her dark suit: a white turtleneck sweater with sleeves pushed to her elbows, dark jeans, and sneakers. Sunglasses sat over her face to help keep it mostly concealed. Unfortunately, nothing could be done about her hair as she let the dreadlocks flow down. A communication device sat in her ear if there was an update on Nina's whereabouts. Her informant was already out of sight when she began her trek.
Walking through the crowd, Tatyana's thoughts couldn't help but wander to Raven whether or not he took the opportunity to recover at her place and continued to train despite his condition.
"I didn't want to lose you that night, not just as my subordinate."
"What do we even call this?"
Tatyana sighed, still finding it difficult to believe she and her top subordinate were entangled, considering how she'd never thought about love or that it ever crossed her mind. This was all brand new to her. Despite knowing Raven since the beginning of their clan days, his words still surprised her. She remembered the small but pointed conversation about him leaving with their team for Russia.
Tatyana tied her long dreads into a high ponytail, "I don't want you going on that mission, Raven."
He looked up, eyeing her through his shades. "Worried the job won't get done?"
She faced him after his typical retort, giving him a look that expressed: Are you serious right now?
"It's not the mission I'm worried about. I would assist if it didn't raise suspicion about this 'thing' between us. I'm worried that your condition hasn't fully recovered."
"Blame Dwight for that."
She rolled her eyes, grabbing her tie from the couch. "Dwight isn't the type to push, Raven. You were adamant about returning to the field."
He sighed. "You're worried I won't come back…"
She paused, hand slipping while fixing the tie's knot.
He walked over to stand next to her. "I'm coming back."
"You're speaking as if it'll be easy."
"It's just reconnaissance and infiltration."
"Not with your current condition."
"Tatyana-"
She tensed at him, saying her real name, something each was getting used to. Raven noticed the new wrinkles at her shoulders, her suit failing to hide them.
"I promise…" Raven added, his shoulder brushing against hers. "We will all come back."
"Okay, but..." Tatyana looked at him with soft brown eyes, "Call me immediately if you need assistance."
"I can't-"
"No exceptions, as clan master."
Raven finally understood and slowly nodded. "Understood."
The master kunoichi's head suddenly shot up, sensing a familiar aura nearby.
Tatyana leaned against a pillar and hung her head low, keeping her eyes on the crowd. Nina appeared from the glass doors of a hotel's lobby dressed in a dark suit, heels, and sunglasses. Surrounding her were armed Tekken Force members. Tatyana couldn't help but clench a fist, wanting another fair shot at the blonde woman. She had no interest in pointless rivalries but didn't forget Nina nearly getting away with murder. She wanted Nina to feel the sting of her fists in a rematch without interruptions.
Poof!
Tatyana followed them with her eyes and watched them enter a trio of armored black Escalades. She crouched atop a roof before following the cars until they arrived at a hotel. Just before she could track them to their hotel room, a voice rang out in her left ear.
"Agent, we need you to confirm Tekken Force in Hokkaido immediately."
She let out a small sigh, being so close. "Understood."
Poof!
Tatyana stood on another building rooftop; her eyes narrowed while gazing at the sizable base of Tekken Force soldiers. She looked around and spotted a silver-haired man talking to one of the soldiers. It seemed the Tekken Force was imposing on Violet Systems' front yard.
'What are you planning, Heihachi Mishima?'
Siberian Wilderness:
The moon hung high in the night sky, casting an eerie glow over the Spetsnaz weapons factory. Raven stood at the edge of the forest in his noticeable stance of folded arms and still as a statue, his keen eyes scanning the heavily guarded compound. Behind him was his handpicked team of UN subordinates who were experts in various fields, each possessing unique skills to ensure the mission's success.
Their objective was clear: Infiltrate the factory, destroy their weapons supply, and uncover the Spetsnaz's plot. Rumors swirled of Russia's group aiding either the Zaibatsu or G Corp for control of the globe. Were that the case, the UN would have to act swiftly.
Huddled closely amid the frigid climate, Raven spoke calmly but commandingly. "Listen up. The Spetsnaz have fortified their base with several layers of security. We need to be stealthy precise, and stay in communication. Each of you knows your role, so execute with precision."
Mia, a tech-savvy specialist and Raven's second-in-command tapped her earpiece and nodded. "We're good to go. Satellite imagery suggests the main entrance is heavily guarded. We need an alternate route."
Raven pointed to a darkened, narrow alley leading to the factory's rear. "That's our way in. It's less guarded, but don't underestimate it. Spetsnaz operatives are trained to eliminate intruders like us. Let's move and get this over with."
With cat-like agility, the team moved through the forest and approached the rear of the factory. Tension was palpable as the night seemed to grow colder than usual. They reached the alley's entrance, concealed in shadows, and Raven signaled for the team to halt. He glanced back at them, their eyes filled with determination.
"Remember, stay low and quiet. This mission is too critical for any mistakes."
The team nodded in unison, each member mentally preparing for what lay ahead.
Raven led the way, his movements fluid and precise, as if he were part of the darkness. The factory loomed in the distance, its intimidating presence growing with each step. The team found themselves at the perimeter as they reached the alley's end. With stealth and precision, they began their infiltration. Entering the alley, the team was surrounded by crates and discarded machinery. The factory's layout was a labyrinth of looming buildings and interconnected structures. Large, dimly lit halls stretched before them, their echoes amplifying every footstep. Dressed in dark, heavily armored uniforms, the Spetsnaz guards patrolled the factory's perimeter with military precision. Their menacing presence sent shivers down the spines of Raven's team. These guards were no pushovers and were the best, specially trained to protect the factory's assets.
Mia, their tech expert, whispered into her headset. "I've hacked into their security system, but it won't last long. We need to move quickly."
Raven nodded and gestured for the team to split up into pairs. Stealthily, they moved deeper into the factory, staying hidden in the shadows and using their ninjutsu skills to evade the guards. Every creaking floorboard and flickering light became an obstacle, intensifying the strain of each movement.
Leading his team forward, Raven's thoughts raced. He knew failure wasn't an option, not with the lives of innocent civilians at stake. As it always did, a sense of responsibility weighed heavily on his shoulders. No one here, especially himself, could afford to make a mistake.
Busy watching the surveillance cameras through her tablet, Mia couldn't help but feel the adrenaline coursing through her veins. Her heart pounded as she silently cursed the Spetsnaz for their meticulous security. Every second counted, and she knew their mission would end if they were discovered. Their weapons expert, Carlos, shared a concerned glance with the team's medic, Sarah. The two had a special bond and knew their skills would be crucial if things went south. Sarah's hand trembled as she clutched her medical kit, ready to assist her teammates.
Amid tension and uncertainty, the team pressed on. Each member's thoughts raced with supposed risks and enormity. The Spetsnaz guards remained a constant threat while lurking in the shadows, and the factory's layout seemed to shift with every step. This was a high-stakes game, and the outcome was far from certain.
As the team navigated into the factory, they encountered a layout that was more of a maze of dimly lit corridors and chambers. Electric fences rigged with alarms blocked their way, and security cameras constantly scanned the area. Mia's hacking skills were tested as she disabled the alarms and temporarily blinded the cameras.
The path led them into a hollow chamber filled with stacks of crates. The crates, marked with Cyrillic letters, contained an arsenal of weapons. The sheer magnitude of armaments being produced in this factory was staggering. Sarah, the team's medic, couldn't help but shudder at the devastation these weapons could cause.
They reached a crossroads while continuing, and Mia's tablet showed signs of interference. "I'm losing the feed," she whispered urgently.
The Spetsnaz guards were jamming their communication, so the team had to rely on hand signals and instinct.
Despite focusing on the mission, Raven couldn't shake the nagging thought that had haunted him since receiving this assignment. He knew his sworn enemy, Dragunov, might lurk somewhere in this factory. It had been a mere few months since their last confrontation, and Raven's thoughts were filled with determination yet dread. He couldn't let personal vendettas interfere now, but the memories of their brutal battles, the scars he still carried from those encounters, were impossible to forget.
Every corner they turned and every guard they avoided could bring them face-to-face with Dragunov. Raven's breaths became measured, and his senses heightened as he mentally prepared for the possibility of that long-awaited showdown.
The team pressed on, unaware of the turmoil in Raven's mind at a critical juncture. The obstacles continued, with laser grids, hidden traps, and Spetsnaz patrols around every corner. They were inching closer to their goal, but each step became more difficult. Venturing deeper into the factory, they carefully placed small, strategically positioned grenades at critical locations throughout the facility. Once the Spetsnaz's operations were disrupted, they could provide themselves with an escape route.
Mia's fingers danced over her tablet, ensuring the grenades' timers were perfectly synchronized. "Grenades are set. We must keep moving and can't afford to be here when they detonate."
Advancing, Sarah uncovered a document that shed light on the Spetsnaz's nefarious plans. It detailed a large-scale arms deal with the Zaibatsu, potentially leading to widespread conflict and destruction. The gravity of their mission became even more apparent. Just as they were about to escape, the alarm system blared to life, and flashing red lights filled the corridor. The team froze, exchanging frantic glances.
They had been discovered.
"Shit! Raven! Get the team out of there! Now!"
Mia's urgency was noted. The Spetsnaz guards descended on them from all directions, their weapons raised and voices shouting in Russian. Raven's jaw clenched, though he remained composed. If he weren't, the crew would fall here. The moment he had feared was at hand.
Raven's hand darted to his holster, and with precision, he unleashed a smoke grenade, filling the corridor with a thick haze. The team dispersed and disappeared into the smokescreen. Relying on her tablet's night vision mode, Mia guided the team through the confusion as they tried to regroup and escape.
The grenades they had planted earlier detonated with thunderous explosions amid chaos and combat, further throwing the factory into turmoil. Crates of weapons and vital equipment were destroyed, sending shockwaves through the Spetsnaz's well-guarded stronghold. But Raven needed to focus on one thing: survival. His senses were honed to perfection, every step calculated to navigate the chaos, evade the enemy, and ensure his team made it out of this fiery inferno with his team intact.
Amidst the chaos and the smoke-filled corridors, the team fought through a labyrinth of Spetsnaz forces. Their training and synergy were evident as they covered each other and moved with calculated precision. Carlos unleashed bursts of suppressing fire to keep the enemy at bay while Sarah administered first aid to those injured in the intense firefight.
Raven's mind remained laser-focused, determined to lead his team to safety. He knew their extraction point was a significant distance from their current location. The risk of being captured or worse remained the longer they stood within the factory.
Clutching her tablet tightly, Mia found cover behind a stack of destroyed crates, desperately trying to reestablish contact with their extraction team. The smokescreen provided some temporary cover, but it was only a matter of time before the Spetsnaz regrouped and pushed forward.
"Raven, I've got our jet's location!" Mia's voice crackled over the earpiece. "It's approximately two kilometers east of our current position!"
"Understood."
Raven relayed the information to the team, and they began a tactical withdrawal. Every step was a calculated move to keep their enemy at bay. The Spetsnaz, hindered by the explosions and the thick smoke aftermath, struggled to locate the team as they slipped through their grasp. Nearing the exit, the Spetsnaz guards regrouped and gave chase. It was a race against time, and the team's resolve was unshaken. They knew that the Spetsnaz would stop at nothing to capture them and protect their nefarious plans.
With Mia's guidance, they reached a desolate, snow-covered clearing where the jet stood ready for takeoff. The team boarded swiftly, their breath visible in the frigid air. Scanning the perimeter for any signs of pursuit, Raven finally breathed a sigh of relief after hearing the jet's engines roar to life. The aircraft lifted off the ground and left behind the Spetsnaz-infested factory. They had accomplished their mission, disrupted the arms deal, and gathered valuable intelligence. The team felt accomplished while watching the factory disappear into the distance as the jet soared through the night sky. Mia skillfully navigated them to safety, leaving the Spetsnaz and the destruction of their factory far behind.
The mission's success meant they had bought precious time for the world to prepare and respond to the Spetsnaz's plans.
The hum of the jet engines provided a soothing contrast to the adrenaline-fueled chaos they had just left behind during the flight home.
With his thoughts never straying too far from the safety and well-being of his team, Raven walked through the narrow aisle. His keen eyes swept over each member for injuries and signs of exhaustion. The team had faced a relentless battle and was undoubtedly physically and mentally drained.
"Everyone okay?" Raven asked, his voice laced with genuine concern.
Carlos, battered and bruised, flashed a tired but reassuring smile. "Been through worse, boss. We made it."
Sarah, who had been busy tending to minor injuries, nodded in agreement. "Everyone's accounted for while no worse for wear."
Still clutching her tablet, Mia responded with a weary but satisfied grin. "You led us through that mess like a true pro. We're good."
Raven nodded, relief washing over him. The bond among the team was strong, forged through countless missions and shared experiences. He was acutely aware of the risks in their line of work, and their safety was paramount. With a final reassuring pat on Carlos's shoulder, he retreated to the jet's cockpit to report to UN headquarters. Seated in the cockpit, Raven took a deep breath and reached for the satellite communicator. to relay the mission's outcome, the crucial intel they had gathered, and the disruption of the Spetsnaz arms deal.
"UN Headquarters, this is Raven. The mission is a success. We've disrupted the Spetsnaz arms deal and retrieved valuable intel on their plans. We're on our way back."
A voice crackled over the radio, acknowledging his message. "Copy that, Raven. Good work. Your dedication and expertise continue to serve us well. We'll prepare your debriefing upon your return. Also, you are to report to Master Raven afterward."
Ending the call, Raven leaned back in his seat with a mixture of respite and achievement. He was proud of his team's performance but knew this victory was just one step in the ongoing battle to maintain global security. As the jet continued its journey, Raven allowed himself a momentary rest. He remained vigilant, ready to face the next mission's challenges. The shadow of Dragunov still loomed, and there were many more battles to be fought.
'Wait a minute...' Raven thought before realizing the message's last part.