PORT ŻERAŃSKI - 8:59 P.M.:
Anna glared at Nina, who mounted her motorcycle. The trio of criminals stood outside as the Tekken Force soldiers began moving the crates of ammunition and firearms. Bishop waited inside the Rolls-Royce while one of his red-suited goons drove the boat to his ocean-side mansion. His driver-side window was down as he smoked a half-burned-out cigar.
"It better not be a long wait to paint that bitch in her own blood."
Nina's jaw clenched. "It won't be. I have a simple but effective plan to catch more than just her attention."
Dragunov shoved his hands into his pocket, both fighters waiting for the blonde to elaborate.
"I'm willing to bet their clan has an informant," Nina stated. "I even caught a glimpse of a guy in a red cap sneaking around my hotel in Shinjuku. If there's more like him working with those ninjas, it won't be hard finding the rest of them."
"And how do we do that?" Anna questioned.
"Leave it to me. Find one; we'll find the others. I need you to be ready for a small game of tag."
The brunette smirked evilly at her words, knowing full well what she meant, as the new throwing knife in hand spun at a practiced speed. "Perfect time to redecorate, dear sister?"
"For the time being. Be ready. I'll need you at my location once I confirm our target."
"Of course."
Nina eyed Dragunov. "We'll be in touch. For now, sit back and let us handle this one."
He grumbled in response as if to say, 'Fine.'
With that, Nina pulled back the throttle of her motorcycle.
Riding toward the open gate, Bishop remarked, "I guess this means it's time for a shopping spree, Love?"
Anna grinned. "Oh, you have no idea."
Nina slipped under a stoplight, leaning left to round a small corner. A signal from the device on her right ear of a call. Before she could speak, a cold, calm voice entered her ear.
"Hello, Williams."
She feared no man, but that cynical tone always chilled her spine - absent of warmth and humanity, with only an underlying tone of lust to cut someone open for the sake of admiring their bones or to amuse himself. Frigid, like the scalpel, he used to do his work or kill them without a chance of recovery.
"Doc," she replied calmly.
"Haruto said you needed my expertise, so I figured it was time to talk."
"I'll need new knives, a few more lessons, and some names."
"Will Anna be involved as well?"
"Yes..." Nina weaved her bike from behind a truck.
He chuckled darkly, and Nina swore she could almost see the wide, toothy grin painted his face. The way his tongue seemed to twist between his abnormally long canines and his purple eyes glowed with excitement.
"Perfect," he breathed. "Who are you looking for?"
"Raven Unit informants." She answered before pulling back the throttle. "I want every name as soon as possible."
He laughed. "Consider it done. See you soon, Nina."
Beep.
Nina tapped the break, leaning her foot out as she entered an alley that led into an underground tunnel. The back tire slid across the pavement to a stop as Nina stood from her riding position before taking a deep breath.
"That guy..."
Her phone vibrated inside her leather jacket pocket. She pulled it out and was met with a text from a familiar contact labeled Haruto.
Damn it, Nina...
Under the words was a voice message, Nina's eyebrows raising at the sight. "He never sends voice messages."
She tapped the play button: 'We are so fucked... I hope you plan on killing these people cause we'll have a new guilty conscience if Aron gets his hands on them, especially those ninjas. Let's get this done before I call this off.'
Usually, the Japanese commander sounded stone-cold and entirely sure of himself. He was stubbornly strong without hinting at his thoughts, especially not over the phone. This time, he sounded petrified. He was nervous in the voice message, but there was something about Aron and his entire persona that was hard to stomach, let alone deal with. It was difficult to pinpoint when his role, voice, stare, and overall personality were beyond unnerving.''
'Nothing made him nervous...'
Elsewhere:
The ride back to the coastal loft was silent, tense with unspoken words.
Master Raven preferred silence when angry to avoid any unwanted confrontation. At least until she could release it in meditation or practice on a punching bag. Raven nor Victor spoke after Master Raven's cold words several minutes ago, the latter wanting to but keeping his silence. Victor could only eye his agent to try and decipher her mindset while Master Raven sat with crossed arms, head hung low. Her finger slowly tapped on her arm, silently waiting for them to arrive at the loft. The armored Hummer stopped, and the soldier in the driver's seat turned around to the agents in the cabin.
"We're here."
Raven kept his distance as Victor opened the door, and Master Raven hastily exited. They entered after Victor, and the blond-haired agent went right to his room.
Victor began taking off his suit jacket. "Surveillance Room, ten minutes. And change out of your mission suit."
She nodded and headed for her room without another word. Victor sighed, shoulders visibly dropping. He'd seen Tatyana angry before but had never seen that look, hoping this wasn't another brash decision out of anger.
Master Raven fastened the belt around her waist before hearing Raven's voice from the other side of her closed door. "May I come in?"
"Sure."
The door slowly opened with a creak, allowing Raven to slip inside without a word before sitting on her bed. The tense silence still sat between them. He looked down at the floor, leaning his elbows on his knees.
"Were you serious about that?"
Master Raven raised an eyebrow, glancing back at him. "You mean the retinal scanner?"
He slowly nodded.
"Of course I am."
Raven's dark, slim eyebrows creased. "I get that you and Nina are at each other's throats, but you can't just make decisions like this when you're angry."
She paused. "It's not just anger anymore."
He sat up with narrowed eyes. "I find that hard to believe. You could get shades like Victor and I."
"One..." Master Raven began as she turned around. "Although that failed mission in an attempt to observe the meeting is a reason, I can't always rely on my instincts. Second, it was only a matter of time before it happened."
Raven shook his head. "There's always an alternative. You can't just make this decision so quickly after not without going over the risks, this—"
"Rashad..."
He paused instantly as Tatyana honed on him with a laser-like focus - a leveled mix of determined fury still visible even after the twelve-minute drive from Port Żerański back to the loft.
"I understand you're worried, but I've decided on this. Some things don't change. You and I know that well enough with each other."
He sighed. "You're being stubborn again."
Her eyes narrowed. "Even the sharpest mind will need assistance from a machine sooner or later."
Rashad stood from her bed. "But you could just—"
"I'm not changing my mind." Tatyana picked up her suit jacket off the bed. "Victor and I are heading out. He hasn't told me where we're going, but I know the location well. Hopefully, we'll be back before it gets late."
Rashad headed for the door, pausing just as he hooked his hand around the polished, silver knob. "I hope you think this through, Tatyana... because you won't be the only one paying the price if something goes wrong."
Without another word, Rashad left the room and left his girlfriend to consider his words. He knew full well that talking to her right now without getting abrasive like their previous conversation when they kissed for the first time wouldn't be the best idea, especially when Victor was possibly in earshot. He hoped she would consider the consequences of this decision beyond just an upgrade.
Victor glanced behind his shoulder, sensing Master Raven entering the room. He sat in the swivel seat on the left of the camera surveillance room, where the screens stayed on most of the day. His eyes stared at the empty camera screens, not bothering to turn around and face his agent. Master Raven closed the door and leaned against the wall, waiting for her superior to speak. A heavy, tense silence lingered briefly as she secretly dreaded the Frenchman's first words.
"You spoke to Raven?"
Victor's tone was expectant, with no audible emotional cue toward the current situation.
"He's... understandably upset."
"Did you tell him we're leaving?"
"Yeah."
"Good."
Victor's finger repeatedly tapped the chair arm. "I won't direct you, Tatyana, but make no mistake. You surely realize this decision won't merely affect you. Becoming the clan's first cyborg is uncharted territory that any of us can fathom should you survive the procedure. Considering your stubborn nature, I'll give you some time to think. We're going to an underground UN soldier base an hour from here. Once inside, you and I will discuss with the best surgeons in Poland to map out the procedure to insert the Retinal Scanner."
"But..." Master Raven started, knowing too well her superior always had a caveat.
Victor narrowed his eyes, turning around to face her as his light blue eyes landed on the book and tablet in her possession. "The surgery is scheduled for tomorrow at five-thirty in the afternoon, so you have until then to change your mind. If not, we'll commence as planned, and this decision will be final with no second guessing. Do I make myself clear?"
"Crystal, sir."
"Good. I also notified your parents of the current situation. They demanded the first jet over here and will arrive in Poland by tomorrow at eleven twenty-two. They're scheduled to arrive on post at four-thirty in the afternoon."
For the first time in years, Master Raven's blood froze. She hoped not to drag her parents into this, but Victor was never one to keep anything from former agents he worked with in his younger years.
"Vic—"
"It's too critical of a decision, Tatyana," Victor reminded, his tone firm and unforgiving. "I won't mislead former agents, especially family members, with something this drastic. I'm ensuring you hear both sides of the situation and not just your own."
Master Raven sighed again. "Understood."
Standing from the chair, Victor fixed his tie. "I wish you had more time to think this through, but we're short of it with Dragunov and the Williams sisters targeting us."
"I've made up my mind, but I get it."
"I sincerely hope you do, Summers."
Victor followed Master Raven out of the room. Raven leaned against the doorway of his room, watching as the two left through the loft's front door. They glanced at each other before Raven retreated inside his room. Master Raven wasn't surprised, but the silent treatment stung more than she realized.
Pałac Kulutry i Nauki [Palace of Culture & Science] - 9:34 P.M.:
"I forgot we had a base under this place."
Looking over at her superior, Victor offered no response. His neutral expression remained, closing the driver-side door and walking toward the elegantly designed building. It was a mix of Britain's Victorian-era architecture with a mesh of small Grecian details, paired well with statues beside the main exit to the side. The tall spire at the top of its intricately detailed clock tower reached toward the sky. A tan brick and white marble pillars almost seemed to glow in the night. The courtyard was mostly empty, except for a few cars and several Tekken Force soldiers standing in the background.
Tatyana followed silently, though she hated this sharp muteness between them despite knowing it wasn't personal. Victor was sticking to his plan, but she couldn't help but feel like a teenager in trouble again. Her shoulders tensed underneath the suit, new wrinkles defining themselves in the dark fabric.
'Hopefully, this won't last long.'
Superior and subordinate traversed the small hallways before reaching a black staff-only door with a numbered keypad where the handle would be. Victor quickly typed a small sequence of numbers; each keypress emanated a small beep.
70427
The door unlocked and opened automatically. After slipping through the door, the agents entered a golden elevator with three numbered white buttons on the right side. The second button glowed red, indicating their current floor, which was the ground level. Victor tapped the number three button, and a slight hum sounded from the camera just above the doors.
A robotic voice spoke. "Scanning... Welcome, Phantom Raven, Master Raven."
The elevator shifted, descending below ground level into the hidden underground base.
Tatyana placed a hand on her hip. "You're not gonna talk me out of this?"
Victor rolled his shoulders before coupling his gloved hands behind his back. "I'm here to assist if you're too persistent in getting the Retinal Scanner implanted. My only hope is that everything goes right and you're fully informed of the pros and cons of such a thing."
"Right..."
"As I've watched you grow into the woman you are now, Tatyana... I have confidence that your intelligence regarding this subject will serve you well."
A small chuckle sounded from Tatyana; the silence between them seemed to lighten enough for her to relax and sigh. She could always count on her superior to say something reassuring in uncertain times.
The elevator doors slid open, revealing a room identical to the underground base beneath the UN Headquarters in Neo City. The only difference was the decrease in soldiers due to the Tekken Force's presence in Poland. A few standing holographic screens projected the Polish flag around the room.
Upon entering, a man slightly shorter than Victor approached them. He was extremely pale with wrinkles on his face but still looked healthy for his age. Tired hazel eyes, ruffled, short, greying black hair sat upon his head, and a matching black, short beard with a single stripe of gray under his bottom lip. He wore a pale blue button-down shirt with rolled-up sleeves tucked into his black suit pants. He wore black oxfords with brown soles and a tan leather watch fastened around his left hand to match the dark emerald stone wedding band on his left hand. Clipped to his belt loop was his badge with lines of information and a small picture of him giving a corny smile.
Neurosurgeon Borys Anatol
15 Years Experience
Medicover Hospital [Leading Surgeon]
He held out his hand to Victor, a friendly, bright smile on his face despite being a neurosurgeon. Tatyana half expected him to be more tired and eager to retire.
The Frenchman shook his hand. "Dr. Anatol, nice to see you again."
"Likewise, Victor," Borys replied, his Polish accent emphasizing the k and t in his words. "Glad you're still in good health."
His face lit up with a familiar glee at the sight of the woman. "Ah, Tatyana," he added with a laugh. "My, you're tall as ever now! What did Victor feed you?"
Tatyana laughed. "The usual fruits full of growth hormones and chemicals."
The surgeon chuckled. "Of course. Time has flown since you were last in Poland. Nearly feels like a decade since I last taught you how where to aim a knife for a quick kill."
"You always said to go for the jugular," She said, then shrugged. "Or just neck snap if you don't feel like it."
Borys nodded while laughing. "Ha ha! And here I thought you forgot about that little joke. As much as I wish you could show the new things you've learned, I know you're here on business and have little time to dillydally. My partner is waiting in the upgraded operating room. Please, follow me."
As he led them down a vast hall, the master kunoichi spoke again. "I'm surprised you're still jovial as ever, Borys."
"With the war and these... skurwiele [Fuckers] patrolling around the city, I try to keep my head up. Not having to operate on people since most don't come back from this war is, in a way... a relief. I stay positive, not just for me but for my little girl."
"Piper," Tatyana named. "She'll be turning fifteen next week, right?"
He placed a hand over his chest. "You remembered! I'll tell her you and Uncle Vic wish her the best on her birthday."
Victor smirked. "I'll send over a gift when I'm not too busy."
Borys shook his head aggressively. "Oh, no! The last time that happened, I had to send it back. Let Tatyana pick the gift if you're going to get her something. I can't have her turning spoiled at a time like this. Something like a practice katana, not an actual sword, Vic."
The silver-haired fighter rolled his eyes as his subordinate laughed.
Borys cleared his throat. "So, Tatyana. Do you have a prototype of this device of yours?"
Tatyana passed him her tablet. Borys's eyebrows furrowed as he pressed the power button, looking over the 2D drawing with much-needed details and notes. He nodded after skimming through, but his eyes soon widened in shock at the blueprint's complexity.
"Oh my..."
20 minutes later:
Tatyana looked over the blueprints of the Retinal Scanner as she sat at a mounted table that lined the back wall of the expansive room. It had several pieces of equipment able to make robotic advancements on the spot for these procedures. She was looking over the final changes Victor made, tuning the world around her out as Borys, Victor, and another doctor conversed among themselves.
"Tatyana," Borys called.
He stood behind the young woman as she looked up, her eyes landing on the guy standing next to Borys - a shorter, bald, skinny guy with tanned skin and green eyes. His dark auburn eyebrows, sharply trimmed anchor beard, and mustache were the only facial hair present. He looked younger than Borys in a white lab coat, pale blue dress shirt, black pants, and dress shoes.
"This is Piotr August," the older doctor began. "He'll be assisting in the procedure and specializes in cybernetics. He's not on your level in that expertise but will ensure everything is in order during the procedure."
"Nice to meet you," Piotr said with a small smile, holding his hand out.
Tatyana shook his hand. "Likewise, August."
He raised an eyebrow, looking over at her tablet. "The processor..."
"Huh?"
He pointed at the blueprint on her tablet, adding, "It doesn't have the designated material to connect to the brain."
She let out a small sigh of frustration. "Still haven't figured that part out yet."
The doctor placed a hand on his chin. "I would give a few suggestions, but padded plastic isn't the best option, and thick rubber wouldn't be as flexible."
"You know anyone that could help with this part?"
"I... happen to know someone, though he isn't very favorable with me at the moment," Tatyana admitted with an eye roll.
"Ha ha!" Lee grinned widely at the laptop screen. "I knew you would call for my presence sooner or later, Ms. Raven. It was only a matter of time! Should we celebrate with a luxurious visit to the Bahamas or play a small game in my red room with a few glasses of wine?"
"Can it, Lee," Tatyana sharply remarked. "This is a business call, not personal. I called you because I need your assistance on this piece of technology."
"Oh?" His eyes lit up with a glow of intrigue. "What for?"
"A retinal scanner I've worked on for the past few hours. I'm in Warsaw, Poland. When can you get here?"
"Eight hours by my private jet."
She nodded. "Okay, meet me at noon in the Palace of Culture and Science tomorrow."
Lee smirked. "Got it. I'll be sure the bouquet of roses is nothing short of an eyesore."
Without another word, she ended the video call. "God, he's annoying."
Borys walked over. "Do you want to review the procedure tonight or wait until tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow. And thanks for doing this, Borys."
The Polish man chuckled. "No need to thank me. It's the least I can do. So, I'll be seeing you and Victor again?"
"Count on it."
Coastal Loft - 11:15 P.M.:
Upon entering the polished wood door, Tatyana could feel the weighted tension still in the loft. Despite Raven's room being only slightly ajar, she could see he was still up and lying on his bed, wide awake. Tatyana glanced over at Victor, who nodded. She walked toward his door, hesitating as her hand landed on the doorknob. Taking a deep breath, Tatyana opened the door and stepped inside. Raven looked over, silently watching her with skeptical eyes. Tatyana placed her book and tablet on the short bookshelf beside the door.
"Couldn't sleep?"
"Somewhat, but I decided to wait up." Raven blinked while staring at the ceiling. "You're still serious about this whole thing?"
She sat on the side of his bed, glancing over at him as he adjusted his recline. "I meant what I said. But... I was acting recklessly due to my anger with Nina."
"Glad to know I wasn't the only one who thought that."
"I'm still going through with it. It's just now; I won't be facing merely you when it happens tomorrow."
Raven raised an eyebrow.
"Victor called my parents and said they'll be here by eleven tomorrow," Tatyana elaborated.
That got Raven's attention as he slowly sat up. "Really?"
"Should've seen it coming." Tatyana let out an uncharacteristically shaky breath. "I don't know how I'm gonna face my Dad after this."
A new silence seemed to devour and replace the tension with palpable nervousness. Raven noticed that his girlfriend habitually tapped her finger when nervous. He scooted towards her, wrapping his arms around her waist, head resting on her shoulder with each leg hanging off the edge over his girlfriend's legs.
"Rashad—"
"It's okay to be nervous, Tatyana. You can't let what your Dad thinks stop you. He has reservations with this more than I do, but he'll trust your judgment since it's your decision."
"That's what I'm worried about. I'm rarely wrong, but what if this is one of those times where I am?"
The uncertainty in her voice was no longer hidden in focus and determination.
"They come and go nevertheless. Are you still going to do it?"
"Yes..."
"You understand the risks?"
"More or less."
"If you can say that aloud, you should have no issues," Rashad added. "Your father's a big part of your life and your initial trainer before Victor took you in. He'll have to understand his daughter knows what's best for herself even with the high risks."
Tatyana gave a humorless laugh. "I suppose. So, you'll still try to talk me out of it?"
Rashad shook his head. "No, but I hope everything goes well. Besides, you have your parents to deal with now."
"Trying to make me nervous again?"
"If it distracts you from making that decision, then I sure am."
They both laughed this time, and a small but present smile formed on his girlfriend's face. "Thanks, Rashad."
"No need to thank me. I'm ensuring you don't stay up late ruminating this decision all night."
Tatyana gave him a longing stare. "I wouldn't be ruminating, but considering every angle."
"Sure."
Soon, the agents found themselves lying in bed with Tatyana still wearing her suit. She laid her head on Raven's chest as her long, untied dreadlocks pooled lazily around her shoulders.
"Despite my disagreements, sometimes you must trust the decision and hope for the best. Something I suddenly find hard to do at the moment."
"Worried about me?"
"An understatement."
"For now, I'm sure of what I'm doing. However..." Tatyana's head rose off his chest. "Remember what I said last night?"
Raven's eyes softened. "I do."
Tatyana pecked his lips. "Victor's gone, and I want to forget about all this for only tonight. Please?"
"Anything you want, Ty."
Leaning forward, the pair kissed again as Raven's arms encircled Tatyana's waist while her hands palmed his shoulders. He gently rolled their bodies to end up on top before she rose to a seated position, loosening and discarding the tie. Raven meticulously unbuttoned her dress shirt to expose her shapely yet fit midriff. Tatyana deftly removed his shirt and caressed his entire torso from the top down before teasing his neck regions.
Neither spoke again except for faintly murmuring each other's names.
Pałac Kulutry i Nauki [Palace of Culture & Science] Underground UN Soldier Base [Cybernetic Operating Room] - 12:14 P.M.:
Victor listened intently as Borys explained how they would go about the surgery procedure before his eyebrows lifted in shock. "What!? Have you gone over this with Tatyana!?"
"Uh... not yet," Borys answered nervously. "She was preoccupied with her blueprints, so I figured it would best not to disturb her. I'd hate to mess up her focus, as she seems so intent on getting this done. I saw her working on software before I came to talk to you."
"Borys..." Victor sighed, his shoulders sinking under his suit. "This is—"
"Splendid!"
A familiar but unwanted voice sounded from the front door. Victor looked over at Tatyana from across the room, too enveloped in her tablet to be distracted by the tycoon's loud entrance. He almost chuckled but held his visible annoyance as Lee and his assistant approached them. The samurai raised an eyebrow at the armored aluminum briefcase in his right hand.
"Chaolan," Victor spoke through his teeth. "You're late."
"Hi to you too, Victor," Lee replied with a smirk. "My apologies. I would've arrived sooner, but was so fascinated with Ms. Raven's Exo-Spine that I tried replicating it myself. The process was harder than I presumed due to the small intricacies she put into the Spine's functionality. Perhaps you could help me with this—"
Tatyana's head shot up from her tablet. 'What?'
"Those are not my secrets to tell. I do suggest you tread carefully, Chaolan. We may be allies now, but my best subordinate is no stranger to keeping her technological advances from the outside world."
Lee sported a devilish grin. "What exactly are you saying, Chevalier?"
"Not a word. I'm merely warning you to avoid unnecessary conflict," the Frenchman stated.
"Do you think I'm a fool?"
Victor merely smirked as Lee huffed. "Where is Ms. Raven? We have much to discuss."
A mere nod of Victor's head directed Lee toward the back of the room.
"Ms. Raven," Lee grinned. "Glad you—"
"You're late," she interrupted, her tone colder than usual.
He cleared his throat. "No greeting? I get working on a piece of tech can be frustrating and tedious even, but—"
Master Raven turned to face him with an unbridled anger that shook the arrogant tycoon. "Save it. I fully understand your desire to devise the most impressive technological advancements. Still, you'd be a fool trying to replicate what isn't yours."
Lee fidgeted with his tie. "Are you going to make me that fool?"
"If you'd stop to think with your brain instead of lusting after what you can't have, you'd consider that you're not the only one who knows how to wipe and scramble seemingly impenetrable databases."
"Oh, come on, Ms. Raven. You wouldn't dare do that to me."
"If only you really knew me. Consider this your first and final warning, as I won't have any qualms about neutering your ass. Wouldn't want to disappoint your scarlet bimbo, correct?"
Without another word, Master Raven returned to typing the code for the software.
Lee swallowed hard with a nervous chuckle before placing his briefcase on the table. "Right... so, anything I can do to help?"
"You can start by looking over the blueprint," Tatyana answered, her voice still cold.
"How will I—"
She tapped the corner of her tablet's screen, and a new wide holographic one appeared.
Lee rubbed a hand on his chin while examining the projected blueprints. "It looks sound, but I can see the trouble with the wiring connecting the processor to the retinal scanner. You'll need something to contain the wire in case it frays or is damaged, along with not possessing the necessary processor."
"Got any ideas?"
"A silicone sleeve should help with keeping it from injuring the host. I have small processors that can hold a microchip for the software and can harness a human's natural bioelectricity directly from the brain and convert it into information. It uses a small amount of bioelectricity to maintain peak functionality."
Tatyana's eyebrows creased. "But you work with androids. How is that possible?"
Lee smirked. "I was testing and perfecting the process with a synthetic brain and a pair of two slightly long needle rods. May I ask who we are making this for?"
She didn't bother looking his way. "You're speaking to her."
"W-wha!?"
Master Raven rolled her eyes and ceased typing before sitting back in her chair, waiting for him to finish.
"I don't mean to be a bummer, Ms. Raven," Lee began, his tone full of concern and worry. "But you do know the dangers of doing this, right?"
"Enough to comprehend, but I'm not afraid of death," Tatyana answered as she swiveled in her chair, glancing at Victor. 'It's the ones I'd be leaving behind if it goes awry...'
"I see... You do know this is completely irreversible as well?"
"No, I had no idea Chaolan."
Lee chuckled nervously, detecting her obvious sarcasm. "Of course. I... Being a cyborg would be intriguing, but I hope you live to experience it. If this doesn't go as planned, it would be a shame and loss. What should I do next?"
Master Raven slipped a microchip from her table, one with a blue death kanji engraved onto its surface. "You can start by constructing this."
Lee nodded before snapping his fingers. "Aki."
"sir," his assistant replied.
"Would you be so kind in assisting with the dimensions of each piece as we go along?"
"Of course. Ready when you are, sir."
Pałac Kulutry i Nauki [Left Wing Outside Courtyard] - 4:22 P.M.:
Raven looked in the rearview mirror of the driver seat inside an armored Hummer, an armed UN soldier occupying the front passenger seat. He caught the gaze of the older couple, who were finding it hard not to show their anxiousness - at least the woman was.
The man noticed the agent's stare through his glasses. "Go on ahead, Raven. We'll be there in a few minutes."
Nodding, Raven exited the vehicle.
Tatyana's slim eyebrows furrowed; the sight of polished copper needle rods at the end of two wires was unnerving. "Where would those go exactly?"
"These would have to be plugged into the brain, specifically under the occipital lobe," Lee explained. "The rods are how it gets the bioelectricity, but there's no need to worry about it being painful. The worst is a headache lasting two days; nothing strong painkillers can't fix."
"That doesn't help," Tatyana remarked as an eerie shiver shot down her spine.
Before Lee could explain further, their ears caught the sound of heavy footsteps - boots hitting the ground at a fast, heavy pace. Tatyana let out a sigh of relief at seeing her boyfriend donning an all-black outfit as usual. Timbaland boots, jeans, and a short-sleeved t-shirt tucked into his pants.
"Raven," Tatyana breathed while greeting him with a hug, which he reciprocated.
Beside them, Lee growled lowly. 'He's so beneath her.'
Tatyana somehow picked up on the near inaudible sound. "Something wrong, Chaolan?"
Caught red-handed, Lee turned away in embarrassment. "N-not at all, Ms. Raven!"
Separating, Tatyana spoke again." Are they..."
"Yeah," Raven answered, seeing her relax. "They just need a few minutes before entering. Your father didn't want me to wait, figuring you'd be nervous for this reunion."
"It's been six years since I last seen them. I guess it's time I join Victor in the hall."
Raven's eyes landed on their intertwined hands, noticing the slight shake in her hands. "Listen, I'm nervous for you. Your Dad's stare still freaks me out, but you got this. Either way, he'll still have to respect your choice."
"That doesn't make facing him any easier..."
Victor, Master Raven, and Victor waited outside the Cybernetic Operating Room. The master kunoichi sat in the middle of a trio of cushioned chairs. Victor and Raven stood, each sensing the woman's unease as she stayed silent, arms crossed while tapping a finger on her arm.
Master Raven inhaled deeply, knowing the sound of those footsteps well - heavy, calm, yet commanding sounds of boots hitting the ground, followed by light taps of heels and a pair of suede booties. She stood from her chair and loosened her tie. Victor nodded at his former agents, a proud smirk formed on his face. New tension settled in the hallway, quickly silencing the small moment of comradery.
Emani and Kevon Summers - Tatyana's parents and former agents of the Raven Unit back when Victor still had sharp black hair.
Kevon's complexion resembled his daughter's, with a muscular build. He still stood tall and strong despite being well into his fifties. A square jaw accentuated the sharp facial features that Tatyana shared with him. Slender dark brown eyes, small ears, and lips. He donned a primarily black ensemble - armored-plated-toe combat boots, cargo pants, a tank top tucked into his pants, and a brown leather jacket. And like his daughter, he also had three noticeable facial scars. A short, ragged one across his nose, another on the left side of his jaw that cut into his beard, stopping a few inches short of his eye, and a final one beginning atop his left eyebrow and ending just below his cheekbone. Kevon also had a chin curtain beard with a thick streak of gray at a square at its center, a square of dark gray facial hair under his lip, and a painter's brush mustache. The sides of his head were shaved into a low buzzcut with geometric lines, a small afro, and a patch of blonde hair on the right side. The roots of his air showed visible gray and white hairs. Kevon stood two inches short of being at eye level with his daughter.
On the other hand, her mother, Emani, stood slightly shorter than her husband and had a lighter complexion than her daughter and husband. She possessed a curvy figure that complimented her toned muscles. She had light brown eyes and shared her daughter's head shape and hairstyle. Carved into the right side of her face were thick scars resembling a claw slash from a wild animal, courtesy of a former friend who joined the Mishima Zaibatsu. They started from her jaw and ended at her eye. She wore a red t-shirt top, jeans, and black short-heeled booties. Over her t-shirt was a wool, dark gray peacoat. Her hair was shaved down at the right side while long, thick dreadlocks hung down her shoulders. Several strands were faded blonde and streaked with white, clearly the primary influence on Tatyana's hairstyle.
"Mom," Tatyana said, her eyes switching to her father. "Dad."
"Six long years..." Kevon chuckled with a shake of his head. "I keep forgetting how tall you are since you rarely visit. Video calls never do you justice."
Kevon sounded at ease despite his deep voice, often firm in dire situations. He was relieved to see his daughter again, almost as if he would laugh at his own statement.
She let out a small chuckle. "Right."
Tatyana found herself within her parents' embrace. Her father's strong arms were still comforting, and her mother's soft lavender scent brought back vivid memories of home in Philadelphia. Hard days of training with relaxing weekends and the occasional shenanigans of helping her mother make brownies and banana pudding for family gatherings. She used to have a sweet tooth as a child before entering the Raven Unit at age fifteen. Her favorite pastime was her father regaling her with his mission stories almost every night over dinner.
'It's still weird I have to crouch to hug my folks.'
Her father laughed. "You're in heels, girl."
They separated as Tatyana chuckled again. "Right. I knew that."
"Despite how much I wish we could catch up," her mother began. "You know why we're here."
Reluctantly, Tatyana nodded. "I know."
"Please, take a few minutes to catch up," Victor interjected. "Your daughter could use a break after her activities today. When ready, return to the room where Borys will discuss the procedure."
"Thanks, Vic," Emani acknowledged.
With that, the Frenchman and Raven headed for the metal sliding door of the Cybernetic Operating room. Raven paused near the door, giving his girlfriend a slight but noticeable smile. She didn't have time to react when Kevon cleared his throat as the metal door slid shut behind them.
"So, you mind catching us up on what's happened recently?" Emani asked, giving her daughter a knowing look.
They both noticed Raven's gesture just as much as she had.
"Well..." Tatyana rubbed the back of her neck. "We're currently dealing with the three-way alliance of Dragunov and the Williams sisters. So far, it's been tedious having to deal with Lee Chaolan as an ally... but I'm slowly getting used to it. But I had this one CE Mission and had the chance to fight Anna. Dad, you should've seen it! She was no challenge, but it was a pretty good workout. I won with no problem, of course. I can confidently say she's probably the easiest opponent I've ever faced."
Emani smirked. "We're glad you've been having fun while in the field. But we don't mean recent business."
"Mom," Tatyana whined.
"What's going on with you and Raven?" Kevon questioned with obvious suspicion.
"Dad!"
He stayed silent, eyeing her.
Tatyana would be red as a tomato if she weren't graced with ebony skin as she took a deep breath. "He and I... Well... He's my boyfriend."
"Took you both long enough," Emani remarked.
She looked at her mother with vivid shock and confusion.
Kevon crossed his arms. "How long?"
"Uh... about three months," Tatyana answered, nervously coupling her hands behind her back as she tapped the toe of her right heel on the floor.
"No call, no text. Could've at least sent an email," Kevon rambled.
Emani rolled her eyes.
Tatyana's hands found her hips. "To be fair, telling you like that would've been inadequate. News of that degree should be told face to face. Besides, I know how you get and don't want to be up at four in the morning cause you decide to visit randomly, Dad."
He laughed. "I was going to anyway. It was only if and when your mother was coming with me."
Emani giggled. "I wasn't going to come with him if he did."
"You couldn't stall him, Mom?"
"Nope!" The older woman playfully shot back. "I'm happily retired and need sleep. What do I look like taking a several-hour flight for some nonsense? This man drives me crazy already, so I don't want to deal with more in a different country."
Tatyana laughed, glad to see the banter between her parents still present. Even after decades of marriage and the hard times of the Unit, they could still joke with each other like they were still young ones in love. Tatyana missed that and hoped she would be as happy as they were in marriage one day.
'Maybe what Raven told me a few weeks ago...'
Kevon shook his head. "A guy can't help it. I've seen how men look at you, and I'm not risking it with anyone. Are you and Raven serious about each other?"
The master kunoichi paused expectantly before answering. "Yes..."
"Good, cause if he breaks your heart, I'm breaking his—"
"Dad!"
Her parents laughed as their daughter's eyes closed while holding the bridge of her nose. "Please tell me you won't grill Raven about this?"
"Sorry, Ty. Raven is no exception to the rule per my prerogative."
"Can you not scare him off?"
"He'll accept my hard outer exterior if he's worth it."
"What?"
Emani laughed. "Okay, lighten up, Kev. Don't freak her out, too."
Tatyana shook her head. "I'm pretty much past that point, Mom. I'm so doomed..."
"Maybe later you could show me the new moves you've learned since your last visit."
The master kunoichi smirked. "Think you can keep up?"
Kevon bobbed on his feet. "Try me."
"Do you guys always have to do this?" Emani asked in exasperation.
"It's a tradition at this point, sweetheart." Kevon eased into his stance and beckoned his daughter to come closer with a simple gesture. "Come on."
Tatyana swung a fist as Kevon leaned away to block her punch. He ducked her high kick, stepping back before noticing a shift in her footing. With a small grunt, Kevon hooked his foot around hers, bending enough to trip her. Tatyana almost fell had it not been for him gripping her tie.
Kevon laughed. "What's the score now? Thirteen to five now, right?"
Tatyana crossed her arms and huffed. "I hate that I never see it coming. The score is actually twenty-nine to five. You always get it wrong when you win."
Her father helped her return to a vertical base. "Don't worry, you'll get your wins when I'm in a wheelchair."
"So basically, never?" She nodded with a hand on her hip. "Got it."
"If you two are done fighting like amateurs, we can get on with this whole thing," Emani interjected.
"Amateurs?" Kevon repeated, placing a hand on his chest in mock hurt. "Ouch."
Tatyana chuckled before heading back into the operating room with her parents closed behind. Upon entering, they found Borys discussing something with Lee while looking at a closed small wooden box and a mannequin head on a silver cart next to the surgical table in the center of the room. Borys noticed them approaching, and the conversation with Lee paused. The silver-haired tycoon stood with his hands behind his back.
"Are you ready to go over the procedure?"
Tatyana nodded. Behind her, Kevon and Emani shared expressions of concern.
"Okay..." Borys picked up the clipboard next to the mannequin head, which seemed to have moving parts. "As you know, this procedure is crucial and can only be done once. Our way of execution is fairly simple."
He tapped the button at the back of the mannequin's head, opening half to reveal a 3D model of the brain, its stem, nerves, veins, and muscles.
4:45 P.M.:
"Easier said than done," Kevon stated. "What are the downsides?"
Borys scratched the back of his head. "Even if it is done correctly, the downsides are precarious. Tatyana could lose complete functionality in her right eye. She could go blind, slip into a coma with no possibility of waking up, become paralyzed from the neck down, or die during surgery. Opening the brain is risky, even for the most experienced neurosurgeons. I don't mean to be negative, but you have possible funeral plans and a written will, right?"
Raven tensed as he listened to the Polish doctor divulge the possibilities that could occur. He grimaced slightly at the thought of burying Tatyana too soon. A gasp sounded from Emani, and tears began to pool in her eyes.
Kevon's gaze hardened. "What about using anesthesia and channeling ki to keep her alive during surgery?"
Borys facial expression twisted into one of uncertain nervousness. "As much as I'd want to, the uncertainty of the ki interfering with brain activity and possibly awakening Tatyana during surgery is too high of a death risk. The most I can do is give her enough to be unconscious but not fully to keep the risk of slipping into a coma low. The best we can hope for is good odds; your daughter's will to stay alive will see this through."
"So that's it!?" Kevon growled.
Borys hung his head, shaking it slowly at the arguments to come, the most hated part of his job.
"Dad—"
"We are not doing this!"
"Dad—"
"NO! That's final!" Kevon stormed out of the room.
Tatyana sighed, hating when he got like this. "Mom—"
"I'm sorry, Ty. But you're father's right. We're not losing you over a risky upgrade."
The comment stung, but her mother did have a valid point. With that, Emani left for the door to calm her husband outside. Tatyana could only sigh.
4:52 P.M.:
Kevon angrily paced the hall while Emani sat in a chair on the left side of the wall, her head in her hands concealing her emotions. Tatyana hadn't seen her parents this distraught since Victor's near trace with death during an encounter with Dragunov on an oil rig in Siberia. Several grumbles were muttered under Kevon's breath.
"This is stupid, to say the least, Tatyana. You can't just go off on an impulse of anger to risk your life for a piece of tech. You can still use your instincts or get shades like Victor."
Again, the comment stung.
"My instincts can only go so far, and glasses aren't my style," Tatyana stated. "It's not enough to be sharp anymore. I was caught and would've returned with debilitating injuries had it been a more critical situation. The world is becoming more technological, and we have to be able to keep up."
"Do you hear yourself right now!?" Her father questioned, "I can't tell if you're just being stupid or too stubborn to see the hazards of this whole thing."
She crossed her arms. "Stubborn, huh? Wonder where I get it from."
"You're father's right, Ty," Emani finally spoke, her voice soft with fear as she slowly exhaled and removed her hands from her face.
The master kunoichi's heart sunk at the look on her mother's face. A mournful look engraved onto her gracefully aged features with dimmed, pleading eyes. "It's too much of a risk for one piece of tech. We understand you designed it yourself, but neither of us is willing to lose you over this."
Tatyana held every urge to look away, knowing she was the cause of her parents' distress. It was enough to make one of her hands shake. Her heart said to call off the procedure altogether, but her mind nearly clouded every thought with one single statement.
'If you run now, you'll never be as strong as you thought you were.'
She clenched her jaw, hesitating to speak.
"I swear I was hoping you'd make a stupid decision like every kid in their twenties, but you never did. I was proud but always dreaded that day, fearing what stupid decision you would make when it finally came. But this? Tatyana... This is beyond idiotic and avoidable! You may act mature for your age but still young."
"Dad, I risk my life every day out there. This is no different."
"Yes, it is," Emani stated after standing from the chair. "Your father and I were proud when you wanted to join the Unit. It was in your blood. But I'd be lying if I said we endorsed it. Victor swore to pull you out if things went too critical during your first field mission. We dreaded every moment, hoping not to get that phone call. We knowingly take risks daily, and knowing you're out there is hard on us. You're not invincible, even with your skill. This time, we're both saying no. And neither of us are changing our minds."
The sharp expression on Emani's face struck a nerve with Tatyana. It hurt to know they didn't think she'd be capable, but not as much as the reassurance they'd rather her be angry at being pulled out than dead. She understood this pain well enough to know they meant well.
Kevon paused to regulate his breathing after stopping his pacing. "Our family will always be here, but Ty... you're not just our kid. You've grown into this wonderful woman, a deadly agent, and a daughter I'll gladly show around. And I—I'll be damned if I lose you while I'm still breathing and had a chance to stop it! Don't go through with this. You're not replaceable, and I'm not ready to lose the other treasure in my life."
"Please, Ty," her mother added, pleading with their daughter. "What would Raven think?"
Tatyana failed to stifle a gasp from leaving her hips, hands shaking uncontrollably before clenching into fists to hold back emerging tears.
'If you run now, you'll never be as strong as you thought you were.'
A hand on her chin, Tatyana's finger tracing the scar on the left side of her lips. Her first that accompanied her first kill.
Blood stained her hands as she forced the blade of her dagger into the guy's stomach. Crunched bones and squelched flesh and organs filled her ears; the smell of blood invading her nose nearly caused her to vomit in disgust.
Only one thing shot through her head. I… killed him.
Tatyana blinked, letting her hands relax and fall with a calm voice devoid of anger. "Mom, Dad... You guys trust me, right?"
"Of course we do," Emani answered.
Kevon nodded his head. "With our lives."
"This may seem reckless, but you must trust my decision despite the inherent risks. There's uncertainty with everything, but it will take much more to kill me. And it sure won't be a surgery. If I do pass, you both can spit on my grave and have the words stupid on my tombstone."
A small smile soon formed on Emani's face, and a chuckle sounded from her father. "You know we'd never do that," Kevon said with a half smile.
"Yeah, but I just needed to emphasize how serious I am. But Dad..." A knowing expression painted Tatyana's face. "Please go easy on Raven while I'm gone."
He narrowed his eyes. "Not a chance."
Tatyana's shoulders fell. "Fine. Mom, help me out here?"
"Three months and no info? Sorry, you brought this one on yourself, Ty."
"Great..."
5:11 P.M.:
Borys cleared his throat while eyeing the kunoichi with worried hazel eyes. "Are you ready to proceed, Ms. Summers?"
She glanced back at her parents, who showed hopeful looks mixed with worry. Her eyes then found Raven, his expression subdued before he gave a curt nod.
Turning back to the Polish neurosurgeon, Tatyana nodded. "Affirmative."
Borys released a shaky breath, knowing a full day and night's work was ahead of him. "Understood. Piotr, Lee!"
Each man turned toward him.
"Prepare yourself for a long night. We have much to do and cannot afford any missteps."
She looked over at Victor, who nodded and gave a thumbs up.
5:22 P.M.:
Tatyana sat on the surgical table, feeling underdressed in a hospital gown with her black bra and suit pants underneath. She had a small moment of solace while her father, mother, and Victor went outside for some needed fresh air after that conversation. Borys, Piotr, Lee, and his assistant were preparing the required tools and Retinal Scanner for the procedure.
"Your father yells pretty loud," Raven remarked.
Tatyana's head shot up, chuckling nervously. "He did that a lot while training me. You were worried about me?"
A small smile formed on her boyfriend's face. "Can you blame a guy? Your father can be a bit-"
"Don't. I love you, but my Dad is off-limits despite being unreasonable sometimes. Only I'm allowed to say that."
"Point made. I just can't- Wait... Repeat what you said earlier?"
Tatyana decided to use telepathy to keep this part of their conversation private from Borys, Piotr, and especially Lee. 'I love you. And not just because I'm about to undergo this procedure. It started during initiation training.'
Raven was shell-shocked at her admission coming so suddenly, so much that he was rendered speechless momentarily. 'I... why didn't you say anything before? Not that I'm complaining.'
'Just never found the appropriate setting until now. Horrible timing, I know. Believe it or not, I always admired how you carried yourself despite your exterior. We're not opposites as we may think. Spending this time with you, whether during missions, out in town, or privately, has been... wonderful. And I don't want it to end. I know what I'm doing now hurts you like it is my folks, but it's not out of spite.'
Caringly, Tatyana reached a hand up to caress his face. 'Raven... Do you... see us having a future together?'
Regaining some semblance of clarity, Raven grasped her hand. 'I do, but we have a job. No matter what happens, I'll be by your side like I've always been.'
He looked at Lee, checking over the retinal scanner as it sat in the cushioned wooden box. Raven gestured with his head in the tycoon's direction. 'What's he still doing here?'
'He'll be supervising the implanting process of the scanner and making sure it works before they close my skull.'
'Right...' Raven cringed with disgust. 'I don't trust him, Ty.'
Tatyana laughed. 'Neither do I, but this is too important to leave out any loose ends. Which reminds me...' She dug into her pocket and fished out the microchip from earlier. 'Give this to him for me, please.'
'Only cause you said please,' Raven replied before shocking Tatyana with a deep kiss, taking his time to move away. 'And I love you too. You got this. We'll be waiting on the other side.'
5:30 P.M.:
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Borys took a deep breath. "Okay, making the first incision... now."
The group stood behind the thickened glass walls enclosing the surgical table with six feet of space at each side. They rose up from the floor to give the surgeons space to perform the procedure without any outside interruptions. The only ones allowed inside the glass room were Borys, Piotr, Lee, and Aki. It was unnerving for the group to see them stand over Tatyana's unconscious body, let alone with her brain and skull nearly on full display. The only hint of her consciousness was the occasional beep of the vital signs monitor on its stand.
Kevon stood next to his daughter's boyfriend. "She didn't warn you, did she?"
"Hmm?" Raven turned his head to the shorter man beside him.
"She figured it would be more of a real conversation if you didn't see it coming." Kevon's face became cold to accentuate his seriousness. "What is it you want from my daughter?"
"Kev, not now," Emani warned.
He shrugged her off, looking back at Raven and waiting for an answer.
"I don't get what you mean by that, sir."
"Cut the crap. You know exactly what I mean, Rashad. I know how men look at her, and I need to make sure you're not one of those lusting fools."
"With all due respect, since we're going by names now, Kevon," Rashad stated. "I have no intention of lusting after your daughter the same way outsiders do. I'm doing the exact opposite."
"Apologies, but I can't seem to believe that," Kevon stated, noting how Raven wasn't backing down. "I know when I'm being protective, but your exterior isn't doing much convincing."
The blonde-haired agent narrowed his eyes, returning to watch Borys and Piotr as they continued the surgery.
"You're not the only one with someone to lose here," Raven admitted. "Sure, I may not know her as well as her parents, but she does mean a lot to me. As a best friend and the love of my life, one I don't intend to let go any time soon or at all. You may or may not believe me, but..." He removed his sunglasses. "Your daughter means more to me than words can describe. Whether you approve of me is your issue. But please understand that losing your daughter would mean losing the only person I'd want to share the rest of my life with."
Kevon nodded with crossed arms. "Glad to know, but I hope you put action behind those pretty words."
"I fully intend to."
"Good."
12:06 A.M.:
Borys examined the vital signs monitor on its stand, eyes narrowing at the screen. The bed holding Tatyana's unconscious body had been moved to a smaller, separate room that resembled one of a hospital. The surgery had been a success, but she still had yet to wake up and show if there were immediate side effects. Bandages stained with blood had been wrapped around her head to cover the stitches and cuts in her skull.
"Everything seems normal and stabilized. Tatyana's brain activity is minimal due to the anesthesia and should increase when she wakes up," Borys announced before glancing at her worried yet hopeful parents with tired hazel eyes. "You're free to stay here as long as you like, but I can't say if she'll wake up tonight. The best we can hope for is she'll awaken tomorrow. However, it's proven that talking and holding hands help patients wake up from unconsciousness. I've also left a bottle of painkillers for her to take that should help with the pain adjustments of the copper rods in her head. Only give her two for now. If there's anything else you need, please call me. I'll come as soon as I can."
"Thank you, Borys," Victor said.
The Polish doctor nodded and left the room to talk with Piotr outside.
"Lee," the Frenchman called.
The tycoon looked up from his tablet. "Yes?"
"How long should it take her to adjust to its functions?"
Lee cleared his throat. "Full adjustment with vigorous practice should take five full days. It won't be hard to learn because of its ease of use with its blink-sensitive capabilities. The sync with the UN Database and software upload went smoothly, so I have no doubts it will serve her well."
Victor nodded, jaw clenching as he coupled his hands behind his back. "The best we can do is hope she wakes up soon."
Kevon sat beside the bed, his rough hands intertwining with Tatyana's soft, nearly lifeless one. It still channeled a comforting, soft warmth.
"Come back to us, Ty..."
2:23 P.M.:
Beep.
Beep.
Tatyana groaned, her right hand slowly clenching as she stirred. Kevon, Emani, and Raven froze while eyeing her in bed, waiting for any words. She attempted to open her eyes, only to be met with the stark, bright lighting that stung her eyes. Her mouth opened to speak, but her ears began ringing as an intense pain erupted in the back of her head. The vital signs monitor began to beep furiously as her eyes rolled back.
"Fuck! Call the doctor!" Kevon roared in a panic, rushing over to his daughter. "Tatyana!? TATYANA!"
Words muffled into silence as everything blurred into a morbid silence...