"Why did I reject NIGHTHAVEN's offers? The pay and opportunities were impressive, but their methods are questionable."
- Dusk
Hereford Base, England
Director John Clark winced as a familiar pang of pain twisted in his chest. It passed as quickly as it came, leaving only a lingering reminder of his age. A knock at the door broke the silence, and he gave a weary sigh.
"Come in."
Keith "Dusk" Sng entered, his posture a mix of hesitation and resolve. He looked... sheepish, which Clark found unusual. His reputation as a no-nonsense operator usually preceded him. Clark gestured for him to sit, his voice soft yet firm.
"This isn't about discipline, Dusk," Clark began, his tone measured. "But there are a couple of things I need to discuss. First, your... hostile relationship with Leo Khoo Chang Huat. The former CID officer is now the most wanted man in all of Singapore. What's the story there? And then there's yesterday—the brawl with Phaya in the armory. What happened?"
Dusk's eyes darkened at the mention of Leo's name, and Clark could see the tension tighten in his shoulders. The younger man didn't speak immediately, as if choosing his words carefully. He took a long breath, staring at the floor as the weight of Clark's question sank in. His fingers flexed slightly at his sides before he spoke, his voice low but steady.
"Khoo… he was my bully. All through secondary school. Four years of constant torment. He knew where to hit me, how to break me down. He made my life a living hell." Dusk's eyes flickered briefly toward Clark, but quickly returned to the ground. "When I finally snapped... I don't think he saw it coming. I went after him. It wasn't pretty."
Clark's eyes narrowed, but before Dusk could continue, the director cut in, his tone calm but firm.
"I'm aware it was brutal, Dusk. You don't need to paint the picture for me."
Dusk nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. He didn't want to revisit that moment, the violence of it—the rage that had consumed him. It had been a line he'd crossed, one he couldn't erase. But his voice didn't falter as he continued, the confession spilling out more easily than he expected.
"That… was the first time I realized there was something inside me. Another version of myself. One that's cruel, unforgiving. I didn't know I had it in me. And it scared the hell out of me. I couldn't just let it go. And that… that's what haunts me. The thought that I could become that person again."
Clark's gaze remained steady as he absorbed Dusk's words. After a moment of silence, he leaned forward slightly.
"Is that darker version of you the reason behind your... non-lethal code?"
His voice was even, but there was a hint of curiosity behind it.
Dusk exhaled through his nose, the question clearly weighing on him.
"Yeah," he replied, his voice quiet, "It's why I made the decision. I figured if I could keep my hands clean, keep the violence to a minimum, maybe I could keep that… other version of me locked away. I never thought it would come to a point where I'd have to rely on it, though. I mean, Singapore's a peaceful place. Violent incidents are so rare that even Wikipedia barely has articles about the ones that do happen. I thought I was safe from it, that the code would just be something I chose to follow. Until I was attached to Ghos-"
Dusk cut himself off quickly, clearing his throat.
"I mean, a US Special Forces squad. I was attached as a support member. Recon sniper."
Clark's brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of suspicion crossing his mind. Dusk's slip wasn't lost on him, but he chose to let it slide for now. There were more important things to address.
"Putting that aside, what do you think of Leo Khoo now?" he asked.
Dusk's jaw tightened, his hands clenched into fists.
"Hate doesn't even come close to what I feel for him," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper, "But even I didn't expect him to fall this far. Joining the Keres Legion? Jeopardizing Singapore's national security? That's... beyond anything I imagined."
Clark nodded, his expression grim.
"I know. He's a threat now, to more than just you," he said as he leaned forward, his voice steady, "Are you ready to do what needs to be done when the time comes?"
Dusk didn't respond immediately. His gaze flickered to the ground, a storm of thoughts swirling behind his eyes. Then, without a word, he simply nodded. Clark leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable.
"Now, let's talk about yesterday's incident in the armory. The brawl with Phaya. Do you two realize how dangerous it was to fight in a room full of weapons and experimental equipment meant for combat?"
Clark's voice remained level, but the reprimand in his words was clear. Dusk immediately lowered his gaze, his hands clasped tightly in front of him.
"I'm sorry, sir. It won't happen again. I'll take full responsibility for my part in it."
Clark raised a hand to stop him.
"Don't cover for Phaya. Both of you may be at fault, but I'm aware he started it—verbally and physically. His behavior has been a growing concern for some time. The arrogance. The hostility toward you, especially," Clark paused, his tone turning sharper, "Then there's the report from Hibana about the Viperstrike mission in Malaysia which both you and Phaya were involved in, and his actions there put the entire team at risk."
Dusk stiffened at the mention of the mission. He knew Phaya had acted recklessly, and that even if Dokkaebi and Dusk covered for him, there was no way the sharp-eyed Hibana would not see what Phaya did.
Clark continued, his voice colder now.
"And there's the issue with Dokkaebi. She's been feeling harassed by him. It's more than just a personality clash. Her discomfort is something I take seriously."
Dusk's expression remained neutral as he replied, "I know he's been difficult. I've seen it. But with all due respect, sir, I don't think what Phaya needs is punishment. He doesn't need me or anyone else trying to fix him. What he needs is a professional. Someone who can get through to him, not another person telling him what he's doing wrong."
Clark's eyes narrowed, sensing Dusk's detachment.
"I take it that you're not volunteering for the job despite your suggestion?"
"No, sir. I'm not. But someone with the right training—someone who knows how to handle whatever's going on with him—might be able to reach him. I believe he is in denial over something that happened in his life, and punishment won't help him get it resolved."
Clark studied Dusk for a moment, then let out a quiet breath.
"I'll consider your suggestion. But Phaya's behavior can't go unchecked. If it continues, I'll have no choice but to take further action. For now, you're dismissed to partake in any activity that requires your attention for the day."
"Understood, sir."
The helicopter's blades churned the air as it touched down on the landing pad at Hereford Base. The doors swung open, and a team from Ghosteyes disembarked—Valkyrie, Nøkk, and Vigil. Their faces were hard from the mission, but the tension was palpable as they made their way toward Caveira and the squad captains gathered nearby.
Valkyrie stepped forward first, addressing Caveira with a curt nod.
"We infiltrated the office in Luxembourg," she began, her tone businesslike, "It was a shell company for the Keres Legion. We've gathered intel, but not everything is clear."
Caveira crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing.
"What did you find?"
"We've uncovered the codenames of several individuals working with the Legion, with these two names being the most prominent: Beom and Murmur. They've got military knowledge and combat capabilities, but they're more focused on logistics and desk work than direct action. It's difficult to determine who they really are with the data we have."
Vigil added, his gaze intense.
"They're behind the scenes, coordinating resources, supplies, and possibly even personnel. They might not be the ones pulling the trigger, but they're crucial to the Legion's operations."
Caveira exchanged a glance with the other captains before turning back to the team.
"Understood. We'll need to dig deeper. These names don't mean anything to us yet, but we'll figure out who they are."
The squad captains went silent for a moment, each processing the new information. The stakes had just risen.
Dusk moved quietly down the corridor, Lucy at his side, her ears pricked and alert. The hulking figure of Lockpick, the Indonesian recruit from Densus 88, followed closely behind, his large frame a stark contrast to Dusk's more reserved presence. Lockpick's callsign was an ironic nod to his ability to break through barriers, not unlock them.
As they approached a door, Lucy paused, her collar vibrating faintly as it tagged two electronic devices hidden behind it. Dusk's augmented reality goggles flared to life, displaying the information in real time. He glanced over to Lockpick, who nodded in response, his fingers gripping the handle of his EMP-Emission Battering Ram nicknamed "Guruh."
Dusk moved back a step, taking Lucy with him. Lockpick stepped forward with a silent precision, his imposing frame effortlessly towering over the door. He brought Guruh down in one swift, powerful motion. The sound of metal against wood echoed through the hallway as the door splintered on impact.
In the same instant, an EMP pulse emitted from the battering ram, the shockwave frying the circuits of the laser trip mines hidden just beyond the door. The faint hiss of electricity crackled through the air, but the mines fell silent, disabled.
Lockpick stepped aside, scanning the now open space with a wariness that matched Dusk's. But inside—nothing. The room was empty.
As Dusk and Lockpick began to turn, ready to leave the empty room, Lucy's collar suddenly buzzed, a faint ping in Dusk's earpiece signaling a nearby electronic device. Dusk paused, scanning the room once more. It felt empty—no movement, no sound—but there was something strange in the corner of his vision. A flicker, as though the world itself had glitched for a split second.
His instincts kicked in, and without hesitation, Dusk raised his weapon, firing a single shot at the corner. The loud thwack of paintball ammo hitting something solid was followed by a sharp yelp.
From the corner, a figure shimmered into view, like a ghost materializing from thin air. Chameleon, the quirky Vietnamese operator, stood before them, her eyes wide with mock indignation. She stared down at the bright blue paintball stain on her Kevlar vest, then pouted at Dusk, who cocked an eyebrow.
"Are you supposed to be dead?"
Chameleon rolled her eyes, then dramatically nodded. With a flourish, she threw herself into an exaggerated spin, twirling down the wall and dramatically collapsing to the floor. Lockpick, towering and stoic as ever, surprisingly lets out a deep laugh, the sound rumbling through the quiet room.
Chameleon lay motionless for a moment, but finally sighed, sitting up with a smirk as she said, "Honestly, I'm not sure if I should be embarrassed or just roll with it."
Dusk could only sigh at his comrade's childish antics.
The training session had ended, and the participants sat around a small table near the training grounds. Maxim "Kapkan" Basuda, the ex-Spetsnaz member who is now a full-time Rainbow operator, joins them after recovering his EDD Mk2 that were fried by Lockpick's Guruh earlier.
Chameleon was still grinning at her earlier antics, but Dusk and Kapkan were both intrigued by the device Chameleon had been using during the simulation. Kapkan, ever the professional but still curious, leaned forward, his fingers steepled.
"So, Chameleon," he began, his voice gruff, "this device of yours... how does it work exactly?"
Chameleon flashed a playful grin, clearly enjoying the attention.
"Ah, the BONG-MA," she said, tapping her finger on a switch attached to her Kevlar vest, "Bio-Optical Nulling Machine. It's a cloaking device developed by Vietnamese military engineers with help from Skell Tech. Pretty neat, huh?"
She activated the switch with a simple flick of her wrist, and in an instant, she was gone. The only trace of her was the faint distortion in the air around her.
"The device makes me near-complete invisible," Chameleon continued, her voice coming from somewhere in the air, "I can stand still, breathe, blink, and even turn my head slowly, but it's not exactly perfect."
The distortion vanished, leaving Chameleon visible once more.
"The slightest limb movement deactivates it. Anyone who uses it has to be very disciplined in their movements. Only snipers like myself and jungle warfare specialists are issued the prototypes, which at the moment only seven exists."
Dusk nodded thoughtfully.
"Effective, but dangerous if you're caught in motion."
"Hey, it's a work in progress!"
Kapkan raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical.
"How did Skell Tech even manage to come up with a stealth device like that? Seems like something out of a science fiction novel."
Chameleon smirked, crossing her arms as she explained, "It's not as easy as it looks. The circuitry flows through my entire uniform, even into my custom-made ballistic mask, which has to be connected to the device separately for my entire head to go invisible too. It's all integrated, but it's delicate work."
Dusk's gaze sharpened as he processed the technical details, while Kapkan seemed to mull over her words.
"The idea behind it came from a real event," Chameleon continued, her tone turning more serious, "In 1987, several guerilla fighters, Green Berets and a team of American mercenaries were wiped out in the jungles of Central America by an unknown enemy, leaving only two survivors who were rescued seperately. They both described an invisible entity hunting the team, a force that could only be felt, not seen."
"I have heard rumors of something like that. Some people claim it was an alien, or a demon, that killed the victims," Kapkan said, his brow furrowing, "And a good chunk of that jungle got destroyed in a huge explosion of unknown origins."
"Exactly. Skell Tech was inspired by the testimony of those survivors and reverse-engineered the concept into a cloaking device. But, like I said, it's not perfect. The moment I move too much, the cloak breaks down."
"So, stay still, or lose the hide-and-seek championship?" Dusk asked.
"Exactly. But don't blink too fast, either."
It was a particularly cold day in Herefordshire, the biting winter air sweeping across the courtyard. Dokkaebi, bundled in civilian winter wear, adjusted her gloves as she prepared to head into town. She needed a specific electronic part to upgrade her laptop and enhance the output of her Logic Bomb hacking program. As she made her way toward the gates, she noticed Dusk standing in conversation with Smoke and Ace from NIGHTHAVEN. Dusk was dressed similarly, a thick winter jacket and scarf wrapped snugly around his neck, though his posture was slightly tense, his face set in a look of mild annoyance as Ace animatedly spoke.
Smoke, ever calm, nodded along, his eyes flicking between Dusk and Ace.
"I appreciate Kali's offer, I do. But my answer is still 'No.'" Dusk's tone was firm, almost too quiet for Ace to challenge, "I can never forget how NIGHTHAVEN willfully injured a hostage just to take out a pirate a few years back. That's something I can't overlook."
Dokkaebi's eyebrow arched. She couldn't help but feel a tug of curiosity—and a little amusement—as she overheard the conversation.
With a playful grin, she took a step forward, her voice pitched to catch the attention of all three men.
"Are you two trying to steal my Dusk?" she asked, half-teasing, half-threatening.
The reaction was instant. Ace blinked, his brow furrowing as he processed the words.
"Wait, your Dusk?" he asked, his curiosity piqued, glancing between Dokkaebi and Dusk, "Are you two dating or something?"
Dokkaebi shot him a sharp look.
"We're not in a relationship," she snapped immediately, though a faint blush colored her cheeks.
She didn't want to entertain that line of questioning, at least not in front of Ace, who was now smirking like a cat who'd found a mouse. Without another word, she grabbed Dusk by the arm and yanked him away, making sure to put distance between them and the two men. Lucy, ever the loyal companion, followed at her side, giving Ace a disdainful glance as she passed, though she accepted a head scratch from Smoke without hesitation.
"Hey, that's not fair. I'm a dog person too, you know?" Ace complained.
Once they were a fair distance away from the NIGHTHAVEN members, Dokkaebi let out a small sigh of relief and turned to Dusk, her face softening.
"Are you free?" she asked casually, but there was something more in her voice, an underlying invitation that wasn't lost on him.
Dusk glanced down at her, his expression neutral but with a hint of curiosity in his eyes.
"I was actually heading to town," he replied, "Didn't want Lucy to get too bored staying in the base all day."
"Well, then. How about you come with me? I could use some company while I run errands."
Dusk shrugged, the motion effortless.
"Sure, why not?"
And with that, they set off toward the gates, Lucy trotting along beside them, her tail wagging in contentment as the cold air whipped around them. For a moment, there was a quiet, comfortable camaraderie between the two, a subtle understanding passing between them without the need for words…
Dokkaebi and Dusk sat outside a fast-food joint in town, the midday rush outside barely affecting their quiet corner. Dokkaebi, who was fuming from having just learnt about the brawl between Dusk and Phaya in the armory yesterday, ripped her burger into two like it was a personal affront.
"I swear, Phaya is an indestructible cockroach," she muttered, eyes narrowing as she tore another chunk from the bun and crammed it into her mouth, "He's got that smug, infuriating attitude, like he thinks he's better than everyone. I can't believe he got into a fight with you in the armory. You should have, like, shot him by 'accident', if you catch my drift."
Dusk, who was calmly munching on a crispy fried chicken thigh, reached down to quietly slip a piece of meat under the table for Lucy, who was waiting patiently. His eyes flicked up to Dokkaebi, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Don't let Phaya get to you. He's got his own problems, that's all. And stop mutilating your burger. It's not like the worker printed a picture of Phaya's face on the bun. Doubt you'll even eat it if that was the case."
Dokkaebi snorted, biting into her ripped up burger, still angry but finding a little humor in the situation.
"You know, sometimes I think you're some sort of Buddha or something," she said, her tone teasing but curious, "I mean, how do you just calm down like that? After everything with Phaya? You were ready to rip his head off, and now you're here, eating fast food like it's a regular Tuesday."
Dusk paused, taking another bite of his chicken before responding quietly, his voice steady and unbothered.
"I learned from my grandmother," he said, "She used to tell me, 'You have the right to be angry, but never let it take over your life.' It's something I try to live by."
Dokkaebi looked at him for a moment, then gave a small, thoughtful nod.
"Sounds like good advice," she said, "Maybe I should try that. To be honest, though, I don't get why Phaya always feels the need to compare himself to you in front of me. Like, he's constantly trying to prove he's better or more important, and it's exhausting."
Dusk chewed thoughtfully, glancing up.
"Everyone in Hereford knows Phaya has a thing for you," he said, his voice calm, almost too casual, "Maybe he sees you as a challenge."
"I'm not some trophy to be earned, Dusk. I won't tolerate any man who sees me like that."
She paused for a moment, her expression darkening as the memories of Phaya's past insinuations resurfaced.
"You know, after everything you've done for me, every time Phaya opens his mouth to talk shit about you in front of me feels like a personal attack. You've saved me so many times, Dusk, and in such a short amount of time. I couldn't just let it slide."
Dusk took a moment to process her words, his expression unreadable for a second. Then, as he reached for his fries, he spoke again.
"It's part of the job, and I don't like the idea of losing friends. Not on a mission, not off it. Whatever it is, I've got your back, just like I've got everyone else's, even Phaya's if I have to."
Dokkaebi met his gaze, her expression softening for a moment. She felt a strange warmth in her chest as she realized how much Dusk had done for her, and how much she had come to rely on him. A brief, unfamiliar sense of shyness washed over her as she made a silent promise to herself: One day, she'd be the one to protect and save Dusk.
Dusk and Dokkaebi returned to Hereford Base in the evening, but as they walked down the hallway, they were drawn to the sounds of grunts and strained breathing coming from the gym. Curious, they peeked inside and were met with a surprising sight.
A handful of Rainbow operators and NIGHTHAVEN agents were hanging from pull-up bars, their faces contorted with effort. Buck, Frost, Wamai, Nøkk, and Saif "Oryx" Al Hadid, were all hanging on, but the real surprise came when they spotted Sam Fisher taking part in the unofficial competition despite his age.
"Is he...?" Dokkaebi asked, blinking in disbelief as the two joined the crowd of onlookers.
Dusk simply shook his head, equally confused.
First to drop was Buck, his hands slipping as he crashed to the ground, Montagne just barely missing the catch as Buck landed flat on his back with a loud thud. Frost wasn't far behind, losing her grip with a loud yelp. But Sledge was quick, catching her mid-air and spinning her safely to the ground. She grinned, raising her fist in the air.
"I survived!" Frost declared with a victorious grin.
Buck, still lying on his back while Montagne gives him a panicked apology, muttered, "And I'm dead."
Meanwhile, Fisher remained completely unfazed as he teased, "Nice try, kids."
Nøkk was the third to lose her grip, dropping down with a soft thud—right into Dusk's arms. The sudden weight caught him off guard, and she immediately looked up at him, slyly commenting, "Didn't know you were such a good catcher, Dusk."
Dusk, however, felt a chill run down his spine as he looked at Nøkk, her features completely hidden by her veil-like balaclava. Involuntarily hallucinating that he was carrying a pontianak in his arms, Dusk unceremoniously dropped her onto the floor.
From across the room, Grim lets out a single "Ha!" at the sight of what Dusk had done. Nøkk sat up, clearly annoyed despite having her face hidden, but Dusk simply acted like nothing had happened.
"Don't tease me," he muttered under his breath, clearly uncomfortable with Nøkk's eerie appearance while Dokkaebi struggled not to laugh at Dusk's discomfort.
Wamai, despite his naturally superior lung capacity, ended up dropping next. He landed with impressive grace, managing to stay on his feet as he straightened up, rubbing his hands in mock disappointment.
"Well, that's that," he said with a shrug.
The competition now came down to Oryx and Fisher. Oryx, his impressive physique showing no signs of strain, held on for as long as he could, but in the end, both he and Fisher dropped at the same time. However, it was Fisher who held on for a fraction longer—just 0.1 second more. As both men landed, Fisher can't help but smirk at the younger operators as he flexed an arm.
"Don't underestimate old men in a job where people die young," he said, his voice full of dry humor.
Pattaya, Thailand
The early morning mist hung thick in the air as a local farmer noticed a figure stumbling toward his small homestead: A young African man, bloodshot eyes wide with fear, his clothes torn and dusty from travel. The farmer initially thought he was a lost tourist until he saw the man's bruised face and the wild, desperate look in his eyes.
The foreigner barely managed to whisper that he had escaped from a place where he was held captive—a makeshift compound somewhere in the city. He was forced to partake in online scams, deceiving unsuspecting victims under constant threat of death. Trembling, he clutched a crumpled piece of paper.
"They're everywhere," he muttered, "The Keres Legion... they run it all."
The farmer hurriedly called the authorities, and soon, the Royal Thai Police had him at the station. Under questioning, the man revealed enough—just enough—for the rumors long whispered among law enforcement to become undeniable: a large-scale, transnational scam syndicate had entrenched itself in Thailand. His story would prove to be the first solid lead in what was quickly becoming an international crisis…
Hereford Base, England
In the command center, the atmosphere was tense. Director John Clark stood at the head of a large table, flanked by the squad captains—Hibana, Thermite, Doc, and Caveira—with Kali seated at the far end. The room was dimly lit, the only sound the faint hum of servers and the soft clink of coffee mugs. A series of images flickered across the large screen at the front, showing various scam operations, from fake online businesses to fraudulent charities.
"Gentlemen, ladies," Clark began, his voice sharp and commanding, "the scope of the threat we're facing is unlike anything we've seen before. These scam syndicates, which started as simple e-mails and phishing schemes, have evolved into fully-fledged criminal networks. And we're not talking about just fraud anymore."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle in. The team exchanged wary glances.
"These syndicates are operating like mafias, with the sole goal of profiting from human misery. We've seen it in India, in Pakistan, and now, it's become a plague in Southeast Asia. The only difference is that the ones in Southeast Asia, unlike in India and Pakistan, are run by Chinese criminal organizations and its members are actively engaging in kidnapping, extortion, modern slavery, even murder. And while the major hubs are in Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar, the one we are targeting is in Thailand."
A map of Thailand flashed on the screen, pinpointing Pattaya, the city where the latest incident had occurred. Clark gestured toward the screen.
"The Royal Thai Police have called us in. They've received a report from a man who escaped one of these operations. He's a citizen from Kenya who was reported missing after going overseas for a job opportunity two months ago, and his testimony confirms the syndicate's reach. But what's more concerning is what he drew before he collapsed."
The image changed, revealing a logo scrawled in a frantic hand. It was an intricate design, black and angular, unmistakable to anyone who had seen it before—the emblem of the Keres Legion. Hibana's eyes narrowed.
"The Keres Legion? They're really getting their hands deep in dirt for every known criminal act."
"If they're involved, it's worse than we thought," Thermite added, "We have to move fast. If the Keres Legion is behind this, there's no telling how far their network has spread."
Clark nodded, his gaze firm. "This is both Rainbow's and NIGHTHAVEN's mission now. We're going in—locating their operations, stopping them before they get any more traction."
A quiet murmur ran through the group as the squad leaders exchanged glances. Clark's voice cut through again, this time more forceful, "We're heading to Thailand tonight. Be prepared."
With that, the room fell into the heavy task of finalizing preparations, each operator mentally gearing up for the mission ahead.
The squad captains stood at the helicopter landing pads, finalizing their team selections for the operation. The cold air was thick with tension, everyone on edge as they prepared for the dangerous mission ahead. Thermite and Hibana had already pulled together their best operators, and now Redhammer and Viperstrike were pooling their assets.
Dokkaebi, Ash, Shuhrat "Fuze" Kessikbayek, and Dusk were the first to be selected. Their skills were complementary—Dokkaebi's tech expertise, Ash's speed and breaching abilities, Fuze's area denial, and Dusk's calm, controlled presence and K9 tactics. Sabit and Lockpick, though new, had shown enough promise to be put on the "rapid track" program and become full operators. They were eager to prove themselves and their specialties were useful, thus Hibana and Thermite both agreed to add them to the mission.
As the squad began assembling their gear, a familiar voice interrupted the hum of activity. Phaya approached the group, his posture stiff, as he asked, "I want in."
Hibana's brow furrowed in surprise. The one-sided rivalry between Phaya and Dusk was no secret—Phaya's jealousy often surfaced in subtle taunts, hateful words and bitter glances. He'd made no secret of his disdain towards Dusk and his unrequited feelings for Dokkaebi.
Hibana studied him for a moment. His face was serious, and his posture wasn't that of someone seeking attention or glory, something Phaya was known for. His usual arrogance was missing. Instead, there was something almost… sincere in his tone.
"You sure about this?" Hibana asked, wary but not dismissive.
Phaya nodded, meeting her gaze without flinching.
"I'm from Pattaya. I know the city, the people. This isn't about proving myself. I need to be part of this."
It was a rare moment of honesty from Phaya, and Hibana, despite her doubts, could see it. She exchanged a glance with Thermite, who gave a slight nod, and then turned back to Phaya.
"Fine," Hibana said, her voice resolute, "You're in."
Phaya didn't smile or gloat, but there was a subtle shift in his demeanor as he moved to gather his gear. For once, his motives seemed aligned with the team.
As the preparations continued on the landing pads, Doc was finalizing his team. He had already assembled Lion, Néon "Sens" Ngoma Mutombo, and Siu "Ying" Mei Lin—each handpicked for their specific skills. However, as the clock ticked down, he realized one key piece was missing. He needed one more medic.
Turning to Viperstrike, Doc raised an eyebrow, "Got anyone you can spare?"
Hibana, who had been coordinating with the other captains, glanced over to Sabit, who was adjusting his gear nearby.
"Sabit's not officially allocated to any squad yet and he has medical knowledge. Let him go with you."
Doc gave a slight nod of appreciation, understanding the decision. Sabit may have been new, but he'd proven his competence under pressure, and his medical expertise would be crucial in a mission with so many risks.
Hibana continued, her tone clear, "And Dusk will be on stand-by. If Wolfguard needs backup, Dusk will go assist them."
Doc nodded once more, satisfied with the arrangement. Sabit was a good choice, and Dusk's versatility would ensure the operation could adapt if anything went wrong. With the team solidified, Hibana turned back to her role in overseeing the operation.
Across the pad, Ghosteyes was forming their own squad. Caveira had already selected Myotis, Nøkk, and Naga, each of them chosen for their expertise in infiltration and information gathering. They would be responsible for locating the syndicate's base of operations and collecting vital intel before the main assault.
On NIGHTHAVEN's side, Kali had chosen Pulse for his tech expertise and his ability to monitor the battlefield. Aruni, determined to protect her homeland, volunteered without hesitation.
With the teams set and the helicopters ready, everyone felt the weight of the mission settle in. Rainbow's biggest operation yet was about to begin.
The squad members filed off the helicopters at a nearby airfield, the buzz of engines fading as they gathered their gear. With the addition of NIGHTHAVEN's agents, there were now twenty operators and agents on the mission, a full force ready to take on the threat in Pattaya. But there was one more surprise waiting for them.
Dusk, Myotis, and Sens stood together on the tarmac, chatting about what to expect once they hit the ground in Thailand. They were making final plans, going over roles, and speculating about the syndicate's possible defenses when they heard a strange noise behind them—something that sounded almost like footsteps. The three of them froze, eyes darting around.
"Myotis, did you—" Dusk started, but was cut off by the sudden appearance of a shadowy figure standing just a few feet away.
The figure was tall, cloaked in a dark, high-tech suit that shimmered like it was made of liquid shadow, and had three glowing green eyes—bright enough to light up the night. It was like something out of a bad sci-fi movie.
"Putang ina mo!" Myotis yelped, jumping back and bumping into Sens, who in turn stumbled back a few steps. Dusk's eyes widened in surprise.
The figure stood still, not moving, its glowing eyes seemingly focused on the three operators. It was dead silent. Then, the figure spoke, his voice cool and collected, despite the ridiculousness of the moment.
"Really? Did I scare you three this bad?" Sam Fisher asked, his tone completely serious.
The three of them stared, completely dumbfounded. Dusk blinked a couple of times, still trying to process what he was seeing.
"Fisher, sir? You—what the hell are you wearing?"
Fisher's eyes were hidden beneath his signature three-lensed night vision goggles, but the smirk was clear in his voice.
"Upgraded my suit, but these goggles' a classic, so I leave it as it is. Figured I'd give you all a little surprise," He straightened up, the dark fabric of his stealth suit almost gleaming in the light, "I'll be running this mission. We've got a lot to deal with, so I'll be in the field with you."
Myotis was still wide-eyed, trying to shake off the shock. Fisher ignored the reaction, his tone shifting back to business.
"You can thank me later. Now, let's focus. We've got a mission to complete."
As Fisher turned to head toward the aircraft, Dusk, Myotis, and Sens exchanged looks, still processing the unexpected jump-scare. Finally, Sens sighed and shook their head.
"Well, that's one way to wake up," they muttered, half-laughing as the trio followed Fisher to the C-130.
Pattaya, Thailand
The hum of the C-130's engines faded as the team touched down in Pattaya, Thailand, under the cover of darkness. Rainbow disembarked swiftly, the weight of the mission heavy on their shoulders. Sam Fisher—now going by the codename Zero—took charge, immediately starting to organize the team.
"First priority," Fisher said, his voice steady, "we talk to the escapee. He's Kenyan, knows where the rest of the victims are held."
Doc and Ying moved out first, heading toward a safehouse where the escapee had been sheltered. Inside, they were surprised to find the man wasn't alone. Several other escapees were gathered—ranging from Chinese, Filipinos, Laotians, and even a Turkish national. All had managed to flee, some through rural areas, others via the sewers, but one common thread ran through their stories.
"We were all held in the city," one of the escapees, a Filipino woman, explained, her voice trembling. "Until we found a way out, they kept us in a building. We don't know where, but it was somewhere in Pattaya."
Doc exchanged a glance with Ying, their minds racing. It was a breakthrough, but the location of the captors' base was still a mystery. Fisher's voice crackled through their comms.
"Keep them talking. We need every detail," he ordered, his focus sharp. The mission was just beginning.
Meanwhile, in Rainbow's temporary FOB, nestled in the remains of a small, recently abandoned factory, Phaya, Naga, and Aruni stood around a makeshift table, the weight of the mission heavy on their minds. The faint hum of the evening wind crept through the windows, the air thick with tension.
Phaya, his arms crossed and expression dark, stared out at the surrounding area.
"I can't believe this is happening in my country," he muttered, frustration lacing his voice, "A scam syndicate this deep in Thailand? It's disgraceful."
Aruni, her brow furrowed, nodded in agreement but with an added layer of concern.
"It's not just the scam. They're tied to the Keres Legion. That's the real danger. If they're involved, violence might be inevitable."
Naga, ever the optimist despite the grim circumstances, glanced between the two of them.
"You worry too much, Apha. We do our best to minimize casualties. We not here to wage war on our own people. We fight Keres Legion."
"I hope you're right, Nattapong. But the Keres Legion doesn't leave much room for mercy."
The conversation shifted as Naga turned his attention to Phaya, his voice low but firm.
"Listen, I know you and Dusk still not get along, but don't make this personal. We got job to do, and tensions like that won't help anyone."
Phaya snapped back, his voice sharp, "I've got a lot on my mind right now, Naga. The last thing I'm worried about is that Singaporean."
Naga exchanged a look with Aruni, but said nothing more. The tension between Phaya and Dusk was old news, and it seemed neither of them had the energy to entertain it right now. With the Keres Legion in the mix, there were bigger threats to face.
As the sun dipped beneath the horizon, casting a muted orange glow over the streets of Pattaya, Dokkaebi stood at the edge of the hideout, watching the scene unfold. Myotis and Dusk had wandered off to speak with a group of children huddled near the cemetery. The kids' families had made shanties among the tombstones, their laughter and play a stark contrast to the graveyard around them. The juxtaposition of life and death was unsettling, but it was a reality these children had learned to adapt to.
Myotis crouched down, talking to a young girl who clung to his side, her dirt-smudged face wide with curiosity. His tone was soft and patient, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
"I didn't realize people could live in cemeteries," Dusk said, his voice low as he watched the children.
Myotis looked up at Dusk, his face thoughtful as he straightened.
"It's not uncommon in places like this, especially when people have nowhere else to go. Poverty breeds desperation, and some find shelter wherever they can. Back in Manila, I grew up in a cemetery too. My family—my mother, brother and two sisters—lived around a mausoleum in Manila North Cemetery. It wasn't just us; many impoverished families made their homes there."
Dokkaebi, who had been silently observing, took a step closer, her voice laced with empathy.
"That sounds… difficult."
Myotis nodded slowly, his gaze distant.
"It was. I joined the military to earn enough money to move my family out of there. It took me three years of hard work, but with the help of a rich officer who had a kind heart, I finally managed to get my family a place. It's just a small two-room apartment, but it's a far cry from living among the dead."
Dusk, usually a man of few words, placed a hand on Myotis' shoulder, a quiet gesture of understanding and respect.
"You did what you had to for your family. That's more than many would have done."
Myotis gave a small smile, his eyes reflecting both the weight of his past and the hope that had carried him through. Dusk and Dokkaebi shared a look, both silently moved by the story of hardship and resilience.
Dokkaebi watched as Dusk and Myotis continued to interacted with the children, her curiosity piqued. After a moment, she couldn't resist breaking the silence.
"So, what's the deal with you two? Eager to bond with the kids? Are you practicing to be fathers in the future?"
Dusk glanced over at her, his face expressionless but his eyes betraying a hint of amusement.
"It's a trick I learned during peacekeeping missions in rural, impoverished areas. Children know the streets better than adults do. They're often the first to pick up on things, even when no one else will talk."
Myotis nodded in agreement, his expression growing more serious as he added, "Before I joined Rainbow, the SRR was conducting an operation in slums in the Western Philippines. We were looking for a dangerous criminal who had been evading capture for months. No one would admit where he was hiding—except for the children. They played near his hideout, and I was able to get the information indirectly from them. It led to a successful arrest."
"They might not have the information directly, but they're the eyes and ears of the streets. They see things adults miss," Dusk added.
A child approached them, speaking to Dusk in broken Chinese. Dusk glanced down, then his eyes flickered back to the others.
"This girl says she'd seen a lot of black, military-like SUVs with tinted windows passing by the cemetery over the last four months and is asking if it's ours. It could be something, or it could be nothing... but it's worth investigating."
Myotis and Dokkaebi exchanged glances, a silent agreement passing between them. This could be the lead they needed.
"Looks like we're not the only ones keeping tabs on the area," Dokkaebi murmured, her tone low and focused.
The night had fallen deep, and the humid air of Thailand felt worlds apart from the chilling winds of England at this time of year. Distant thunder rumbled, a subtle warning that the monsoon rains were fast approaching Pattaya.
From a van hidden in a narrow alley, Caveira, Lion, and Ying kept a close watch on the road leading past the cemetery. The rest of the team had already set up a surveillance network around their forward operating base, which would serve as their home for the next three days. Meanwhile, Zero, Dusk, and Fuze were busy securing a storm barrier around the antenna Dokkaebi had rigged on the factory rooftop. Their silhouettes flickered faintly against the backdrop of the city's dark slums.
"I hope that kid wasn't trying to pull a fast one on Dusk just for some candy," Lion muttered, adjusting his EE-ONE-D drone in the backseat.
"Me too," Ying replied, her grip steady on the steering wheel as she glanced over at Naga, lying on a bench in tattered clothes, blending in like a homeless man. "But Dusk isn't the type to jump to conclusions. He won't act on unreliable info unless he's sure it's accurate."
"Shh! Hear that?" Caveira suddenly whispered.
The roads ahead were dimly lit by scattered streetlights, but Ying's sharp eyes caught the movement of dark shapes in the distance. Four black SUVs soon appeared, gliding silently past the cemetery like shadows. As the first SUV passed Naga, the occupants remained unaware that he had dropped a small box beneath their vehicle. The box, triggered by the SUV's movement, activated and fired two darts into the underside. The remaining SUVs met the same fate, each receiving darts as they rolled past.
"Naga's trackers are in place," Ying said, watching the dots appear on her GPS, marking the locations of all four SUVs.
"Pick up Naga and let's follow them," Caveira said, her voice low and focused.
Dusk had just finished a cup of instant porridge in one of the factory's two designated rest areas. The room he was in had once served as the factory's conference room, but now it was a temporary refuge. As he leaned back, he was interrupted by Dokkaebi's voice calling from what used to be the security room.
"Ah, I was so close to falling asleep," Fuze grumbled, rolling off the mattress he'd found in a storage room—one Dusk had painstakingly disinfected, using six cans of pesticide to rid it of ticks and other pests.
Entering the security room, Dusk was greeted by the flickering of old monitors coming to life. The screens displayed surveillance footage of the area around the factory, while a large map of the city dominated the wall. Dokkaebi sat at the controls, a satisfied grin on her face that made it clear how proud she was of her work. She folded her arms and swiveled her chair toward them.
"Finally got it working," she said, a touch of triumph in her voice, "Now, nothing in this city can hide from me."
Fuze raised an eyebrow.
"How did you manage to connect these antiques to your modern tech?"
"It's a secret."
"Ugh, should've expected that."
At that moment, Lucy, the Belgian Malinois, trotted in, whining as she nuzzled Dusk's hand. It was clear she needed to relieve herself, and Dusk sighed as he led her to the toilets at the far end of the factory. Meanwhile, Ash, Kali, and Pulse arrived at the security room.
"Impressive," Kali remarked, eyeing the setup with approval, "I should've recruited you into NIGHTHAVEN sooner."
Ash shot Kali a sharp look but quickly refocused on the task at hand. "What are we picking up here?" she asked, pointing at the map on the screen, where four red circles were moving down a street, followed closely by a blue circle.
"The red ones are the targets we're tracking. The blue one's us," Dokkaebi explained, her eyes never leaving the monitors.
"These parts are the poorest in the city," Naga explained, his eyes fixed on the SUVs they were tailing as they approached a cluster of rundown buildings and shanties. "Crime used to run rampant here, but in the past two years, it's suddenly gone quiet. Even the cops couldn't figure out why."
"They're splitting up," Ying observed, easing off the accelerator as she watched the SUVs diverge—one going straight, one turning left, and two veering right.
"Stop in that alley. We'll let Lion take it from here," Caveira instructed, her voice calm but focused.
The van crept into the alley, its tires whispering on the wet pavement. Lion silently crawled from the backseat into the cargo hold, swinging open the doors to release his EE-ONE-D drone into the rain-soaked air. The drone ascended steadily, its sensors scanning the area, while data streamed to the GPS screen in the van.
"Wait, this can't be right," Caveira murmured in disbelief. "There's hundreds of life signs... no, wait—almost a thousand."
Ying glanced at the screen, her brow furrowing. "And look at the SUVs. Naga's Tracker Darts are showing that each vehicle is entering from a different point. But the area... it's…"
"An entire freaking neighborhood?" Pulse exclaimed, his voice tinged with disbelief as he stared at the map on the screen.
The room fell silent, each of them struggling to grasp the scale of the scam syndicate they had been assigned to dismantle. Dusk, who had just returned from taking Lucy to the toilets, entered the security room with Zero and immediately sensed something was off.
"Guys? What happened?" he asked, his confusion evident.
Lucy barked once, drawing Dusk's attention to the screen. His eyes widened as the full picture became clear.
"What the bloody hell... Is that the headquarters of the scam syndicate we're after? It's nearly the same size as the Kowloon Walled City!"
Even the usually unflappable and highly confident Kali couldn't hide her surprise, her eyes narrowing as she processed the information.
"It seems we've underestimated their operational capabilities," she said, her tone steady but laced with frustration, "We should've expected something like this, especially with the Keres Legion involved."
"For once, we actually agree," Ash responded, still trying to wrap her head around the revelation.
Zero folded his arms, his expression hardening as he studied the map.
"Contact Caveira. Tell her and the others to return to the FOB. We've got enough data now. It's time to figure out how to handle this mess," he order quietly, his face betraying only a deep frown—no surprise, no fear, just the quiet weight of what lay ahead.