This chapter was originally posted early by accident as I messed up the chapter number. It is now in the correct sequence.
"Fingerprint scanner and voice identifier? You should have used a padlock instead."
- Phaya
Hereford Base, England
The atmosphere in the room was thick with tension, despite the calmness of the two men seated across from each other. Rainbow operators and NIGHTHAVEN agents watched with quiet anticipation as Dusk and Grim, both former members of the Republic of Singapore Navy's Naval Diving Unit, sat down to engage in a game of chess. The irony wasn't lost on anyone. Once comrades, now on opposite sides—one a Rainbow operator and police officer, the other a mercenary for NIGHTHAVEN. The two had a well-known dislike for each other, but here they were, calmly playing.
Grim made his next move, emotionlessly capturing one of Dusk's bishops.
"So, Dusk," he began, his voice gruff and monotonous, "What's the deal with Phaya? Why does he have such a problem with us?"
"Phaya's brother is Khunpol Suwannakorn," Dusk replied, his words carrying a weight that Grim immediately recognized.
"Khunpol?" he scowled, "The former Thai police officer who got executed in Singapore for drug trafficking? That makes sense. But still, it's a stupid grudge. He can't just blame everyone for that. Laws are laws. If he can't get past it, that's on him."
Dusk's gaze remained steady, unfazed.
"You broke our country's laws too, Grim. You're a mercenary now."
Grim didn't retort, merely accepted the fact with a nod. He then moved his rook, his eyes narrowing as the game continued. His next move, unfortunately, turned out to be his last. Dusk checkmated him in one swift motion, and Grim sat back, acknowledging his defeat with a slow nod.
The room exhaled collectively, the tension finally breaking as the game concluded. Valkyrie, watching from a distance, turned to Dokkaebi, who was clearly puzzled by the unexpected calm between the two.
"Why do they seem so... fine with each other? I thought they hated each other?" Dokkaebi asked, still trying to make sense of the dynamic.
"They don't hate each other. They dislike each other, sure, but that's different. They've been through enough together that they understand each other. It's respect, in a twisted way. They're not friends, but they've got enough history to keep things civil. Chess is just another way to show it."
"Respect... I see."
As Dusk set up the chessboard for the next round, he could feel the weight of the moment settling around him. The faint shuffle of footsteps reached his ears, and from the corner of the room, a shadow seemed to glide forward and stopped right next to him.
Nøkk.
She appeared almost spectral—her face completely concealed beneath a ghostly, veil-like balaclava. Dusk had never met her before, only heard of her, and the silent, fluid way she moved stirred an unease in him.
"Undskyld mig, Dusk. May I take the next game with Grim?"
Dusk, still adjusting to the eerie aura she exuded, nodded stiffly, his throat tightening.
"Sure."
Dusk stepped back from the board, allowing her to sit. Grim's expression remained impassive as Nøkk settled in front of him. The two operators exchanged a long, calculating stare before Grim spoke, his voice gruff.
"Pontianak."
"Bee guy."
"You stabbed me in the leg last year."
"And you broke into my house after that."
"Because you broke into ours first."
Dusk let out a low, rugged sigh, rubbing the back of his neck as if trying to shake off the tension. He reached for the chess pieces and handed them to Nøkk.
"White pieces. You go first."
Without a word, Nøkk took the pieces and began to arrange them with a precision that spoke of years of practice. Her movements were deliberate, calculating, but not hurried. Grim took his seat, and the two operators locked into their silent game.
But Dusk couldn't seem to look away, feeling an odd tension in the air between the two. It was clear that both players were sizing each other up in ways that had little to do with the chessboard in front of them.
Not wanting to linger nearby any longer, Dusk quietly turned on his heel and approached Dokkaebi, who was watching the game from the sidelines, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"Who is she?" Dusk asked quietly, careful not to disturb the match.
Dokkaebi tilted her head slightly, her expression turning serious.
"Nøkk… she's a mystery even to most of us. Her personal file is almost entirely redacted. She's from Denmark's Jaeger Corps. Most of what we know about her, we've had to gather from her actions. It's like she wants to be as invisible as possible."
"What does she do in Rainbow?"
"She's an infiltrator. A damn good one too," Dokkaebi continued, her voice taking on a hint of admiration, "She's done some high-profile missions, but there's one that stands out—she infiltrated NIGHTHAVEN's headquarters in Singapore last year. It was all handled very quietly, of course, because NIGHTHAVEN didn't want to stir up too much of a scene."
Dusk's mind immediately flashed to the news reports about a breach in NIGHTHAVEN's state-of-the-art security. There had been some coverage, though it was carefully managed: While Singapore's authorities were not shy about sharing what they knew, NIGHTHAVEN, as a foreign private military company whose presence is only tolerated by the Singapore government due to a financial contract, had been tight-lipped, offering little cooperation.
But now, Dusk has learnt the truth of the matter.
"That was her," he muttered under his breath, "NIGHTHAVEN's intruder was Nøkk."
"Yep. She's been doing things like that for years. She's hard to track, and even harder to stop."
Dusk mulled over this new information, his thoughts whirring. He glanced back at the chessboard, where Grim and Nøkk's silent game continued, the tension between them as palpable as the shadows around them.
Meanwhile, Hibana stood off to the side, watching Dusk and Dokkaebi having a casual conversation with each other. Hibana remembered when Dokkaebi first joined Rainbow, the way she'd put on a cool, composed act, always reserved and detached with a forced smile on her face. But ever since Dusk arrived, something had changed. Dokkaebi was becoming more playful, livelier, her smile becoming more genuine—especially around Dusk.
Hibana couldn't deny there was a little pang of jealousy in her chest, but she quickly pushed the feeling aside when a voice called out to her.
"Yumiko."
She turned to see Pulse standing behind her, arms crossed, a serious look on his face that felt uncharacteristic given his relaxed personality. Hibana lets out an irritated sigh as she turned to face him.
"Jack," she muttered, clearly not in the mood for small talk.
"Still mad at me?"
"What do you think?"
Her voice was cold, her words carrying an edge of bitterness. To Hibana, Pulse had betrayed her when he broke up with her and joined NIGHTHAVEN. It had stung more than she cared to admit, the way he'd just walked away without a second thought, and she hadn't forgiven him.
Pulse hesitated before apologizing.
"I'm sorry, Yumiko."
"We're just acquaintances now. That's all."
There was a pause between them, and Pulse seemed to take a moment to digest her words. Hibana, clearly not interested in continuing their personal conversation, shifted the topic.
"Did you receive the data Clark sent out?" she asked, her voice regaining its usual calm professionalism.
Pulse nodded, the moment of personal tension swiftly dissolving as he switched gears.
"Yeah. It's a mess. This Wu Hsing character has some dangerous allies working under him. We're dealing with more than just ordinary mercenaries here."
"I figured as much. We need to stay ahead of them. The situation's escalating."
"I'll make sure we do."
Heilongjiang, China
The snowstorm in Heilongjiang was not heavy, but still made the air biting cold as the armored van came to a slow stop some distance from a military storage site. Ignis stepped out first, rubbing his hands together for warmth. His jacket was thick, but the chill still managed to seep through.
"This weather's brutal," he muttered, pulling his collar up against the wind, "Could've sworn the briefing said it'd be clear today."
Undertow followed him, her face expressionless as she surveyed the surroundings, unbothered by the cold.
"You're the one who chose a short-sleeved shirt under your armor, idiot," she remarked, glancing at him, "Doesn't make much sense in winter."
Ignis gave a half-hearted shrug, wincing as he adjusted his gear.
"Guess I didn't think it through."
From inside the van, Mercury, who had been focused on his laptop, glanced up. His glasses reflected the light from the screen as he sighed, clearly not interested in their banter.
"Focus, you two," he said, his tone direct, "Datura and Gravitas are already in position. We need to get moving."
He quickly tapped a few commands into his laptop, and a set of drones hummed to life, lifting off from the van and heading toward the storage site.
"Let's go," Mercury added, his attention already back on the screens, "We're on a timetable."
The Chinese soldiers stationed at the military storage site were quick to notice the approaching drones, their sensors picking up the small machines in the distance. One soldier broke from the group, rushing toward the command tent to report the incoming threat.
The remaining soldiers scrambled, weapons raised, preparing to defend the site. But before they could organize a response, a sudden cry echoed from the guard tower. The lookout had fallen from the tower ten feet to the ground, a gaping wound on his head as the sound of a sniper rifle's shot echoed through the air.
The drones surged forward, opening fire with precision, their small but effective cannons tearing through the air. The soldiers scattered in a flurry of movement, trying to return fire, but they were disoriented, caught off guard by the rapid assault. Panic spread through their ranks as the drones zipped above, each taking down one target after another.
Unbeknownst to the chaos unfolding below, three figures moved steadily through the storm, a shadow against the snowfall, silently approaching the site…
Hereford Base, England
In the dimly lit meeting room of Hereford Base, Director John Clark sat at the head of the table, his steely gaze fixed on the video call screen. Military representatives from various countries were present, each one visible in their respective settings. Clark's expression was unreadable as he addressed the Chinese representative.
"I trust you're aware of the recent attack on one of your military storage sites," Clark began, his voice calm but firm. "Could you provide some details on what happened?"
The Chinese representative, seated in a stark office, his expression unwavering, gave a slight nod.
"Yes, Director Clark," he said in a measured tone, "The intruders only took some canisters of polonium and arsenic, leaving the rest of the storage untouched. We believe the operation was highly targeted, but it is still quite strange."
The Canadian representative interjected with a question.
"And what about casualties? How many were lost?"
"Two-thirds of the platoon stationed at the site. It was a well-coordinated strike. Remains of attack drones were found on the scene. We are still assessing the full impact as well as the origins of the drones. They do not appear to belong to any militaries at all… Like they were custom made."
Clark's eyes softened slightly, but his voice remained professional.
"My condolences to the families of the fallen," he said, his words sincere, "I trust your government is taking all the necessary steps to address the situation."
"Thank you, Director. We've already sent surveillance footage and survivor testimonies to Rainbow for further analysis. We believe their expertise will be valuable in understanding the full scope of the attack."
Clark leaned back in his chair, absorbing the information.
"Understood. We'll review the materials immediately."
The cafeteria was quiet, the soft clatter of trays and the murmur of conversation in the background as Dusk, Valkyrie, and Thermite sat at a corner table. Their simple breakfast of sandwiches and chowder seemed to be enough for the moment, though the conversation had shifted from food to something more pressing.
Thermite, ever the observant one, had long picked up on the subtle changes in the air.
"You notice anything odd about NIGHTHAVEN lately?" he asked, "They don't seem as confident as they did when we first met them."
Valkyrie leaned back in her chair, considering his words.
"You're right. Kali's still putting on that I'm-better-than-you show, walking around like she owns the place, but some of her people... They look worried, maybe."
Dusk, who had been quietly listening, gave a small nod but said nothing. Before the conversation could go any further, the door to the cafeteria opened, and Tina Lin "Frost" Tsang walked in. She approached their table, looking as unbothered as always.
"Morning, everyone," she greeted as she sat down across from them.
"Morning, Frost," Valkyrie said with a slight smile, "What's got you up so early?"
"Got word from Director Clark," she began, her tone serious, "There's been an attack on a military storage site in China. The same group that hit the Mojave Desert black site earlier this month. Clark suspects they're behind it."
Dusk's brow furrowed slightly, the mention of a black site bringing back memories of past missions. But he remained silent, his gaze shifting toward Frost as Valkyrie seized the moment to make introductions.
"Oh, by the way, Dusk, this is Frost. Frost, meet Dusk," Valkyrie said casually.
The instant Frost's eyes met Dusk's, there was a brief, almost imperceptible pause. A flicker of recognition—or something more—passed between them. But it was gone in an instant as Frost cleared her throat and leaned forward.
"So... tell me about your K9, Lucy," she said, changing the subject quickly, "I've heard she's a bit of a legend around here. But from what I know, you didn't go through the usual K9 training process. How'd she end up in that role?"
"Long story," Dusk replied, keeping his tone light, though there was a quiet pride in his voice.
Thermite and Valkyrie strolled down the narrow corridor, their footsteps steady as they passed Montagne, Bandit, and a few of the newly promoted operators like Breaker and Razorback. The atmosphere was casual, but Valkyrie's mind was still on the conversation back in the cafeteria.
"You notice how Frost reacted when she saw Dusk?" Valkyrie asked, her voice low, but her expression curious, "It was quick, but you could tell something was there for a moment."
Thermite snorted and struggled to suppress a laugh.
"Yeah, I noticed. Honestly, Dusk is somewhat good-looking for an average guy," he said with a grin. "Soft-spoken, loves animals—sounds like Frost's type to me."
Valkyrie chuckled.
"I'm sure Frost is already thinking about how he ended up in Viperstrike instead of Wolfguard."
"Clark gave Wolfguard special permission to borrow him from Viperstrike at any time, though. That should keep Frost on her toes."
As the two continued walking, the sound of their footsteps echoed through the corridor, unaware that just around the corner, Dokkaebi had paused in her tracks. She had overheard the last part of their conversation, her curiosity piqued by the mention of Dusk.
Her mind seemed to freeze for a moment, a strange sensation swirling in her chest. It wasn't anything she could name—just a mild worry, an unease that settled deep inside her regarding thought of Frost being near Dusk. It didn't make sense to her, not understanding what had triggered it in the first place…
As the year shifted from 2022 to 2023, the world felt a subtle change. New missions, new recruits, and the constant evolution of Rainbow's operations were just some of the marks of a fresh year. The air in Hereford had a sense of anticipation, as if the coming months would bring new challenges, tests, and triumphs for the operators ready to face them. The past year's trials were behind them now, but the future remained unwritten.
Helicopter blades cut through the crisp air as Marius "Jäger" Streicher piloted the chopper toward Hereford. Beside him, Mina "Thunderbird" Sky flew her own helicopter, carrying the rest of the recruits. In Jäger's helicopter, Dusk sat with Frost and Zainuddin "Sabit" Nasir, the Malaysian UTK operator who had assisted Rainbow on a mission not long ago. The atmosphere was casual, but there was an underlying tension as the new recruits prepared for what was to come.
Sabit, his eyes bright with anticipation, leaned forward in his seat, looking around.
"I've heard so much about Rainbow," he said, his voice full of curiosity, "How does it all work? How do you guys train?"
Dusk gave him a small, knowing smile. He could tell Sabit was eager to prove himself, but Frost, seated beside him, wasted no time with her bluntness.
"You'll need to prove yourself first," she said coolly, her eyes never leaving the window, "You'll go through the same tests every recruit does. Nothing's handed to you here."
Sabit chuckled, his confidence unwavering.
"I'm not worried. I'll earn my spot. Just wait and see."
"Confidence is good. But humility is just as important. Don't forget that," Dusk said.
Sabit nodded, acknowledging the wisdom in Dusk's words. Before he could respond, another recruit, António "Ripple" Mensah, who hailed from Cape Verde's Brigada Anticrime (BAC), leaned in from across the cabin, his curiosity piqued.
"So," Moray asked, his voice laced with both excitement and nervousness, "how difficult is the training? I've heard rumors, but I want to know the truth."
The training's not just about physical strength and skill," Frost replied, "It's about resilience. Whether you're strong enough to take a hit, get back up, and keep going. That's the difference between becoming an operator and being sent back to your unit without making an impact."
Moray took in her words, his eyes narrowing slightly as he processed the weight of her statement.
Meanwhile, behind Jäger's helicopter, Thunderbird's followed tightly. Inside, Dokkaebi sat quietly, her gaze drifting out the window. She couldn't shake the feeling gnawing at the back of her mind that started when Hibana told Dusk to join Frost on Jäger's helicopter while Dokkaebi ended up with Thatcher. The itch in her mind persisted, a quiet discomfort she didn't know how to shake.
Thatcher, sitting across from her, glanced over and frowned.
"You okay, Dokkaebi?" he asked, his voice gruff but concerned.
"I'm fine. Just... a little tired, I guess."
Thatcher raised an eyebrow but said nothing more. He leaned back in his seat, clearly not fully convinced but letting it slide for now.
"If you're air-sick, you don't have to hide it. This bird's not exactly smooth."
"I'm not air-sick, Thatcher. Just... thinking."
A recruit from the United States, seated nearby, tried to casually strike up a conversation.
"I hear you've been around a while, Miss Nam," he said with a friendly, relaxed smile, "Must have some good stories from your time here. If you ever want to grab a drink or chat…"
Thatcher turned his head sharply, his gaze sharpening as he let out a quiet but effective warning. The recruit immediately straightened up, his posture stiffening in acknowledgment, and he quickly looked away, returning to his seat.
Dokkaebi exhaled softly, her thoughts still tangled as she returned her attention to the distant landscape. She kept the discomfort to herself, unsure of what was bothering her or why.
Back at base, some of the newly promoted operators lounged in the common area, waiting for the arrival of the first new recruits of the year. Ram, Naga, Chameleon, Breaker, and Pyre sat in a loose circle, their conversation flowing easily as they speculated about the new blood.
"I wonder what these new recruits are like," Pyre mused, glancing at Naga.
Naga shrugged, adjusting his seat.
"Heard a couple of them are from Southeast Asia. Looks like Rainbow's making a push in the region."
Breaker interjected, narrowing his eyes, "Maybe they want to show NIGHTHAVEN who's the boss. They've been getting a little too comfortable with their so-called territory."
Ram, who'd been quietly listening, nodded in agreement.
"Interesting theory," she said thoughtfully, "But this could be more than just a statement. Could be some serious talent coming through."
Chameleon, who had been bouncing in her seat with excitement, suddenly waved her hands in exaggerated gestures, a bright grin spreading across her face.
"It doesn't matter, right? Besides, after all the hardship we endured to become operators, now it's our turn to torture the recruits!"
Everyone instantly froze and turned to stare at her. Chameleon blinked, looking around at the silence.
"What?" she asked innocently, tilting her head, "I'm just saying, we'll make them work for it!"
Her teammates stared for a moment longer before breaking into chuckles, with Ram shaking her head and smiling.
"Don't worry, Chameleon," she said dryly, "We'll let them suffer in their own time. But maybe don't give them any actual ideas about torture, alright?"
Chameleon simply giggled, hands on her hips, clearly unfazed by the earlier shock. The group rolled their eyes but couldn't help but laugh along. Whatever Chameleon said, there was never a dull moment with her around.
Dusk and Dokkaebi walked side by side across the cold gravel of the landing pad, their boots crunching as they headed toward the kennels. The sound of the helicopter's rotor blades slowly faded into the distance, leaving only the quiet buzz of the base in the air. The newly arrived recruits were now under the watchful eye of Kaid, which meant it was Dusk and Dokkaebi's moment of quiet before the day really kicked off.
Dokkaebi was unusually quiet, her mind racing as she tried to figure out how to start a conversation with Dusk. It wasn't that she didn't have anything to say; she just couldn't find the right words. Her thoughts were interrupted when she noticed Dusk's phone vibrating in his hand, a new message flashing on the screen. It was from Frost.
Curious, Dokkaebi couldn't help but ask, "So, what do you think of Frost?"
Dusk glanced at his phone and smiled faintly.
"Frost? Well, she's pretty cool. Definitely my type of woman, I guess."
Dokkaebi felt a small knot in her stomach as a slight disappointment washed over her. She hadn't expected to feel that way, but hearing it from him made something stir in her. She kept her expression neutral, not wanting to show anything.
But then Dusk continued, unaware of the effect his words had.
"She's been asking me for tips on how to take care of her boyfriend's Belgian Malinois. Oh, she just sent a picture… What a handsome beast, but I don't think he's pure-breed, though. He's way too big…"
Dokkaebi's eyebrows shot up in surprise, and she let out a small, involuntary chuckle.
"She's asking you for dog care tips?"
"Yeah. I've had Lucy for a while now, so I guess she figured I might know a thing or two."
Dokkaebi laughed again, this time more naturally, though it still felt a little awkward.
"Well, I'm sure she'll figure it out. She's got all those survival skills, right? Anyway, you've got K9 training later, right? Should be fun."
"Er.. Yeah, looking forward to it."
As Dusk turned to head off toward the K9 training area, Dokkaebi gave him a quick wave.
"I'll meet you at the kennels later," she called after him, her voice a little more strained than she intended.
Once Dusk was out of earshot, Dokkaebi stopped in her tracks, mentally scolding herself.
Why did I even get bothered by that? she thought, her hands flailing in frustration, It's not like Frost doesn't have a boyfriend, right? And who even cares what his type is? So what if he thinks Frost is his type? Having a type doesn't mean one must go for it, right? Why did I even get worried in the first place? Dusk's is just a dog-loving, fun colleague whom I owe a lot of gratitude towards, anyway…
Her mind was whirling, going in circles as she tried to make sense of her feelings. She started pacing in exaggerated, tiny steps, muttering to herself.
"I don't even know why I'm upset. It's just... Why would I care? I'm fine, I don't—"
Blitz and Bandit were strolling past when they witnessed the strange display. Dokkaebi was mid-tantrum, her arms flailing as if she were trying to wrestle with invisible forces and stomping her feet. Without saying a word, both men shared a look of mutual understanding and, with perfect synchronicity, slowly backed away, quietly retreating out of sight.
Dokkaebi, blissfully unaware, continued her mini meltdown.
The training field was quiet as Dusk stood at the front, feeling a little out of place. It wasn't every day a junior operator was tasked with leading a training session with some of Rainbow's most seasoned operatives. He adjusted his K9 training vest nervously, casting a glance at the mixed group of junior and senior operators gathered before him.
Pyre, Ram, Breaker, Mozzie, Frost, Lion, Sledge, and Alibi were all lined up, eyes on him. Valkyrie and Blackbeard stood to the side, watching the session with quiet interest. Thatcher, noticing Dusk's discomfort, gave him an encouraging nod.
"It's fine, Dusk. You're the only certified K9 trainer here. They're in good hands," he said, his tone reassuring.
Taking a deep breath, Dusk cleared his throat.
"Alright, everyone. Today we're going over the basics. Trust is key when working with K9s. They're not just machines—they're companions. And they need to trust you before they'll follow your commands."
He motioned for Lucy, his Belgian Malinois, to come forward, the dog obediently trotting to his side.
"This is Lucy, my partner. We've worked together for a while now, so I'll show you how she reacts to certain commands. The first step is gaining their trust. With Lucy, I start with eye contact. Not a hard stare, but just enough to let her know I'm paying attention to her. Then, we start with simple commands."
He gave Lucy the command to sit. She immediately obeyed, and the operators watched closely.
"The 'sit' command may be simple given our line of work. I mean, it's basically the first thing any pet owner teaches their dogs, but it is a foundation. The key is patience—don't rush it. Reward them when they obey. Praise goes a long way. We use a firm, but gentle tone when giving commands."
Dusk turned to Frost, who was standing near the front of the group.
"Would you like to try giving Lucy a command?" he asked, his voice inviting but still carrying the seriousness of the training session.
Frost nodded, stepping forward as Dusk handed her a leash. She hesitated for a moment but then gave Lucy a gentle "sit" command.
Lucy immediately obeyed, and Frost's face lit up with a smile.
"She's a fast learner," Frost remarked.
"Exactly," Dusk replied, his tone pleased, "It's all about establishing that bond and consistency."
More operators had arrived, and Dusk motioned for them to gather around as he walked over to the kennels. Lucy now sat quietly at Valkyrie and Blackbeard's side, observing the activity with a calm demeanor. Dusk, feeling more at ease now that the session had moved on, began guiding some K9s out of the kennels.
"Alright," he called out to the operators, "Choose a dog. These are all well-trained sniffer dogs. They're here to help us in the field, and I'm going to show you how to handle them properly."
Dokkaebi raised an eyebrow, looking over the dogs curiously. Her eyes stopped on a German shepherd, and she made her decision.
"I'll take this one," she said, kneeling down to get closer to the dog.
Dusk nodded in approval as the operators continued selecting their partners.
"The K9s I've chosen today are all specifically trained to detect explosives and other dangerous substances. The dogs are equipped with an incredibly sensitive sense of smell, and it's up to you to guide them correctly. The first thing you need to know is how to give a precise command. When you give your dog a command, it needs to be clear and consistent. No ambiguity. For example, 'find it' or 'seek' for detecting an item, or 'alert' when they've found something. If your dog signals that they've detected something, they will sit down."
Dusk raised a hand to halt the group's questions.
"Thatcher and I have hidden a few dummy IEDs around the training area. Your job is to work with your K9s, give them the right commands, and see if they can find the items."
The first dog up was Sledge's bloodhound. The hound sniffed the ground eagerly as Sledge gave his command: "Find it, boy!"
The bloodhound immediately started sniffing the air, its nose twitching with concentration. But as the dog hears more commands from Sledge, it seemed to lose focus. The bloodhound, confused by the thick Scottish accent, mistook the last command for something else entirely and rolled onto its back, belly up in a play-dead pose.
Sledge's eyes widened.
"No, no, lad! Get up! I didn't mean 'play dead'!"
The operators around him burst into laughter.
Sledge rubbed the back of his neck, feeling a little sheepish as he helped the dog back onto its paws. "Alright, let's try this again."
Mira stepped forward next, her eyes focused on the Golden Retriever she had selected.
"Find it," she said softly, her voice gentle and almost coaxing.
The Golden Retriever tilted its head, seemingly more interested in Mira than in working. It sat down in front of her, its tongue lolling out as it gave her a goofy, happy grin. Mira repeated the command, but the dog just stared at her with adoration, clearly enjoying the attention more than focusing on the task.
"Uh... I think he's more into you than the IEDs, Mira," Dusk commented.
Mira sighed, gently patting the dog's head.
"Alright, I guess you'll just have to settle for being cute, then."
Next up was Ram and her Labrador. The dog quickly sniffed the ground, its nose twitching with focus. Ram commanded, "Find it!" and the Labrador moved confidently, locating two of the dummy IEDs in quick succession. However, when Ram gave the command to stop, the dog became momentarily confused. It started walking in circles, sniffing the air, unsure of what to do next.
"Not quite, buddy," Ram said with a grin, trying to redirect the dog.
Dokkaebi wasn't having much better luck. Her German Shepherd, excited and full of energy, nearly dragged her off her feet as it pulled at the leash upon hearing her command, eager to get moving.
"Hey! Slow down!" she grunted, struggling to keep her balance.
To everyone's surprise, it was Mozzie who had the most success. His assigned Labrador obeyed his commands perfectly, sniffing around the area and finding all three hidden dummy IEDs without issues. Mozzie looked down at his dog, impressed.
"Well, I didn't expect that… I'm not even really a dog person like my wife is," he muttered, raising an eyebrow in disbelief.
It was evening, but the low hum of activity in the Hereford Base lobby was suddenly interrupted by the ring of Dusk's phone. He glanced at the screen, seeing his cousin Faith's name. His heart skipped a beat, a mix of guilt and longing tugging at him as he swiped to answer.
"Hey, Faith," he greeted, his voice quieter than usual.
"Dusk! It's been ages. When are you coming home for a visit?" Faith's voice was warm, but there was an underlying concern that he caught immediately, "You've been gone for months, and you haven't even called. Are you okay?"
Dusk paused, the realization hitting him like a wave. He had been so caught up in the whirlwind of his duties with Rainbow that he hadn't even made time to contact his family. Three months. Too long.
"I… I'm sorry, Faith. I've been busy with work. I didn't mean to worry you."
Before Faith could respond, a voice cut in from behind him.
"Dusk," Director John Clark said, walking up with his usual authoritative presence. "Get yourself a week off next week. I'll arrange your trip back to Singapore. You need it."
Dusk turned, surprised. "I—"
"I'll make sure the leave is approved," Clark continued, offering a rare, slight smile. "But the tickets are on you. Make it happen."
A week off. It had been so long since he'd taken any time for himself. His first instinct was to protest, but the thought of seeing his family, of being home, softened his resolve. He turned back to the phone, giving Faith a small, quiet smile.
"I'll come home next week," he promised.
Singapore
The warm, humid air of Singapore enveloped Keith as he stepped out of Changi Airport Terminal 3's Arrival Hall. His small suitcase rolled steadily behind him, and Lucy trotted beside him with a leash. Thanks to special documents provided by Rainbow and signed off by the Singaporean government, there were no quarantine issues to worry about. For the first time in months, he could breathe freely without the weight of duty hanging over him.
Keith took a deep breath. For once, he wasn't Dusk, the operator, the soldier. He was Keith Sng Wei Hao again. A part of him felt a small pang of relief at the thought. He back in his home country and could finally set aside the cold, efficient persona that Rainbow had molded him into, even if only for a few days.
As he made his way to the taxi stand, he heard a familiar voice call out from behind him.
"Oi! Keith!"
Keith froze, his heart skipping a beat. He turned around, half expecting to see something out of place, and blinked in surprise. Standing there, looking completely out of place in civilian clothes, were none other than Grace Nam (Dokkaebi), Elias Kötz (Blitz), and Ana Díaz (Solis).
"What are you all doing here?"
"Vacation!" Grace beamed, her grin mischievous as always, "We're here for a three-day trip."
Keith was skeptical, his eyes narrowing slightly as he glanced from one face to another.
"A vacation? Here? You're not on duty?"
Elias chuckled, crossing his arms, "Believe it or not, we've got time off too, mate."
"Relax," Grace added, her tone light and teasing, "Also, we're all on a first-name basis now. You don't have to be 'Dusk' here, Keith."
A resigned sigh escaped him. Of all the places and all the people, of course it had to be them. Keith rubbed the back of his neck and gave in, offering a half-smile.
"Fine. Grace."
"There we go. Glad to see you're finally relaxing."
As Keith approached the taxi stand, he realized the situation wasn't as simple as hailing a cab. Lucy, who had been faithfully following him, made things a bit more complicated. He pulled out his phone and dialed a number he knew well—his family friend, Mr Lim, who had been driving a taxi for years.
It didn't take long for the older man to answer.
"Ah, Keith! Is everything alright?"
"I'm fine, just need a ride from the airport," Keith replied, "I've got Lucy with me, so I was wondering if you could pick us up."
"Of course, of course. I'll be right there," Mr Lim hung up with a friendly chuckle, clearly eager to help.
Minutes later, a weathered taxi pulled up to the curb. Mr Lim, a man in his early sixties, greeted Keith with a hearty handshake. His eyes widened when he saw the trio standing nearby.
"Well, well, I didn't expect you to have such... interesting company, Keith!"
Ana, ever the easygoing one, smiled.
"Could you drop us off at the Cermon Hotel on the way?"
Keith's brow furrowed slightly as the name registered in his mind. The Cermon Hotel was located near the Singapore Police Force's main hub. It was an odd choice for a casual trip. His suspicion grew, but he didn't let it show. Keeping his face neutral, he loaded Lucy into the cab.
"I'll take you there," he said quietly, his gaze flickering to his companions, wondering what exactly they were up to.
Hereford Base, England
Clark sat in his office at Hereford Base, his fingers steepled in front of him as he stared at the report on his desk. The news from Singapore weighed heavily on him. He had genuinely hoped that Dusk would finally get the break he deserved, a chance to reconnect with his family and put the burden of Rainbow behind him—at least for a little while.
But now, Singapore's Internal Security Department (ISD) had raised alarms. They suspected that a high-ranking officer in the Singapore Police Force named Leo Khoo Chang Huat might be an agent of the Keres Legion, and they wanted Rainbow's help investigating. The request had come through on the day before Dusk got on the flight back home, and it left Clark with little choice but to deploy his team.
He glanced at the roster on his screen: Dokkaebi, Blitz, and Solis. It made sense to send them—they were mildly familiar with the region, having visited the country a few times. But it was the thought of Dusk returning home only to be potentially dragged back into the field that troubled him.
Aurelia Arnot, standing by the door, crossed her arms.
"You know Dusk won't be able to avoid getting involved in this, right?"
Clark sighed deeply.
"I know. I'm just hoping that Dokkaebi, Blitz, and Solis can keep him in the dark for as long as possible. The last thing he needs right now is to be pulled into a mission like this so soon after getting a break."
"You're really counting on them to hide something this big from him?"
Clark exhaled sharply.
"I have to. Dusk's not in the right headspace for this. If he finds out… it's going to hit too close to home."
Singapore
Keith sat in the back of the taxi, Lucy curled up at his feet. It was just the two of them now—the others had been dropped off at the hotel, and he was on his way home. Grace, however, had decided she wasn't quite done with her curiosity about him, and had opted to stay in the cab instead of following Ana and Elias into the hotel.
Keith glanced over at her, slightly surprised.
"You're not going to the hotel?"
Grace shrugged casually, her eyes glinting with amusement.
"Why would I? It's not every day I get to see where Rainbow's finest from Southeast Asia lives. I'm sticking with you."
"Finest, my ass," Keith muttered as he shook his head with a resigned smile, aware that Grace never was one to back down from an opportunity to get under his skin.
The taxi drove on, the city slowly unfolding outside the window. As they passed familiar streets, Grace leaned back in her seat, her eyes not missing a thing.
"So, tell me about your family," she asked, her voice soft, though her curiosity was evident, "What's it like back home?"
"My father's a retired lieutenant-colonel in the Singapore Armed Forces. Mom's a pediatrician. She's Indonesian-Chinese. My paternal grandmother, she's from Japan—retired military biologist, still sharp as a tack. I've got two brothers. Gareth, my older brother, he's a veterinarian. Seth, my younger brother, works in animal control."
Grace nodded, taking in the information with interest, when Mr Lim interjected from the front seat with a chuckle.
"You want to know something funny, missus? Keith and his brothers used to beat up animal abusers in the neighborhood. Real menaces, those three. Got themselves into trouble with the law so many times, they are lucky they didn't end up with criminal records."
Keith winced slightly, rubbing the back of his neck as memories of those younger, reckless days resurfaced. Mr Lim laughed warmly, shaking his head.
"Looks like I'm stuck with you, huh?" Keith muttered, glancing at Grace, who was now watching him with a mixture of amusement and interest.
"Yep. You're not getting rid of me that easily," Grace grinned.
The taxi eventually pulled up in front of a modest three-story bungalow in Yishun. Grace blinked, slightly taken aback by the understated yet carefully maintained home. The house was far from opulent, but there was something about it that spoke of a quiet, subtle wealth
Keith unloaded his luggage from the taxi as Grace stepped out, eyeing the house with a mix of curiosity and surprise.
"This is where you grew up?" she asked, her voice carrying just a hint of awe.
"Yeah. It's not a mansion, but it's home. You'll see. Thanks for the ride, Mr Lim. I'll catch you later."
"No problem, Keith! Have a good time with your family!"
Keith and Lucy stepped through the gates as the taxi left the area, and Grace followed. As they reached the front door, Keith's father, lounging outside on a recliner with a newspaper, looked up, his sharp eyes spotting his son. He immediately stood, his face lighting up with a broad grin.
"My boy!" Keith's father greeted warmly, stepping forward with an energy that belied his age, "It's been too long! You look well."
"Hey, Dad," Keith replied, giving him a quick hug, but he didn't miss the way his father's eyes flicked to Grace as she approached, introducing her with a little hesitation, "This is Grace Nam. A colleague of mine from South Korea."
Grace offered a polite smile.
"It's nice to meet you, sir."
Keith's father looked at Grace with a faint glimmer of something unreadable in his eyes. His expression softened, but then—almost imperceptibly—he tilted his head as if sizing her up.
"And tell me, how is John Clark doing these days?" he asked, his tone smooth and almost too casual.
Both Keith and Grace froze for a second, caught off guard. Grace's eyebrows furrowed slightly, while Keith's stomach did a small flip. His father had a way of turning what seemed like an innocent question into something far more charged, as if he knew exactly how to put them on edge.
"You know John Clark?"
His father chuckled softly, a glint of amusement in his eyes as he leaned back into the recliner.
"Of course. I keep up with things. You think I wouldn't know my son joined Rainbow? And as for you, Miss Nam…" He paused, eyes narrowing playfully, "The way you move—precise, confident—I'd say you're military too, and probably with Rainbow as well."
For a brief moment, Keith and Grace exchanged a glance, both of them caught off guard by the older man's perceptiveness. Keith's heart rate quickened a bit, his mind racing. How much did his father actually know? Keith's father smiled knowingly, his voice light but filled with an undercurrent of something almost teasing.
"I'm not as out of the loop as you might think, son."
Keith exhaled slowly, shaking his head with a mix of disbelief and admiration. Just as the silence hung in the air, a soft voice called out from inside the house.
"What's all this talk about my son?"
Keith's mother appeared in the doorway, a bright smile on her face. She looked younger than her years, her dark hair still holding a touch of vibrancy despite the streaks of gray. She had clearly been in the kitchen, and the smell of fresh food wafted out to greet them. Keith's face lit up as he saw her.
"Hey, Mom!" he called, stepping forward to greet her, "It's been a while."
"I wasn't expecting you so soon, Keith. It's good to see you."
Keith's mother stepped closer, brushing a hand over his arm in a motherly gesture before her eyes shifted to Grace, asking, "And who is this young lady?"
"This is Grace Nam, a colleague of mine from South Korea."
But just as Grace offered a polite bow, Keith's eyes a familiar twitch in his mother's eye, the subtle shift of her gaze, but before he could react, his mother's grin widened mischievously, and she asked in a voice too sweet to be anything but teasing, "So, Grace, tell me—are you my son's fiancée?"
Grace's face immediately turned pale, her eyes wide with shock. Keith, on the other hand, face-palmed in dismay.
"Mom, no—!"
But his mother was already laughing, clearly enjoying the reaction. Keith's father, settling back on his recliner, chuckled heartily.
"Oh, don't mind her. She's just messing with you."
"Ah, you little witch, always putting Keith on the spot."
Keith turned in surprise as his grandmother, a petite woman in her early eighties, wheeled herself into the room, her sharp eyes gleaming with amusement. She looked every bit the image of a grandmother, but there was an unmistakable sharpness in her demeanor that commanded respect.
"おばあちゃん," Keith greeted.
"Oh, don't you 'おばあちゃん' me, Keith," she teased with a mischievous smile, "I see your mother's still trying to embarrass you. Some things never change."
She looked at his mother, shaking her head, "Honestly, you're as bad as I was when I was younger. Putting your poor son through all that. At least I can take comfort in the fact that my daughter-in-law has inherited my sense of humor, unlike my eldest son here who only knows how to laugh at it."
Keith's father, who had been quietly enjoying the exchange, chuckled but didn't respond, clearly used to the banter. Just then, Lucy darted over to Keith's grandmother and leapt into her lap.
"Oh, it's been a while, you beautiful rascal," she cooed at the dog, as Lucy flopped happily in her lap.
The commotion in the front yard didn't go unnoticed. From inside, two voices—loud, playful, and unmistakably familiar—began calling out in mock anger.
"Oi, where the hell have you been?" one of the voices yelled.
A moment later, Gareth, Keith's older brother, emerged into the room. He was a slightly rotund man in his mid-thirties, glasses perched on his nose, his loose shirt concealing his round belly. Hiding behind him was a young girl about four to five years of age.
"You vanish for months, and now you just stroll in like it's nothing?"
Keith rolled his eyes, but before he could reply, Seth, his younger brother, stepped in from behind him. Despite his lean frame and somewhat harmless appearance, Seth had a presence about him—an air of casual confidence that hinted at trouble, the kind that came with the streets. He cracked his knuckles with a grin as he walked up to Gareth, his voice dripping with playful sarcasm.
"Oh please, Gareth, don't act like you missed him. The only thing you missed was having someone to fight with."
"Shut up, Seth. I've been stuck listening to you whine for months."
"I wasn't whining, you just can't handle a real argument unless it's against Wisteria here."
"You keep my daughter's name out of your mouth."
"Or what? Will you slap me in the face?"
His mother, noticing Grace's amused but slightly overwhelmed expression, turned to her with a smile, "Would you like to stay for lunch? Keith has never brought anyone home before other than stray cats and dogs that he finds. It'll be a nice, quiet meal. I promise, no more embarrassing questions."
Grace glanced at Keith, who shrugged with a sheepish smile. After a moment's thought, she nodded.
"I'd be happy to stay."
"Well then," Keith's mother said with a satisfied nod, "let's get to it. Everyone, help me set the table!"