"Lucy, no! Not my Welcome Mats too? Give them back, they're not even electronics!"
- Frost
Singapore
Grace sat at the corner of the table, her fingers drumming absentmindedly on the surface. The tension in the room was palpable, the quiet murmur of the meeting room only interrupted by the occasional rustling of paper or the soft click of a keyboard. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The investigation into Leo Khoo Chang Huat was a delicate operation, moving like a slow-moving tide beneath the surface—everyone working in coordination, but careful not to stir up the waters too much.
The team had been gathering intel on Khoo for months now, working with the Internal Security Department (ISD) to piece together his ties to organized crime and, more troublingly, the Keres Legion. It was the kind of investigation that required patience, and Grace wasn't exactly the most patient person. But this… this was different. This was something bigger than they'd initially suspected.
She shifted slightly, glancing at the others around the table: Elias, Ana, Olivier and the handful of ISD agents who had joined them today. There was a quiet resolve in the room, the kind that came from months of following crumbs and hoping they led somewhere solid.
As the meeting continued, Grace kept her focus sharp, nodding along as the team discussed logistics and strategy. But even as she played her part in the operation, a small, nagging feeling lingered at the back of her mind. She'd always been able to compartmentalize—work was work, and personal was personal—but lately, it was getting harder to keep the two separate.
Keith was on her mind more than she cared to admit. She knew how important his time with his family was to him, especially after everything he'd been through. He deserved peace, away from the chaos and violence of the world they lived in. Part of her felt relieved that he was far removed from this mess, enjoying time with his family and Lucy before he returns to Hereford and becomes Dusk again.
But then there was the other part of her—the part that felt conflicted. Keith was a good man. A man who hated seeing people hurt and always sought a way to avoid the worst of it. He'd never forgive her if she didn't involved him without a damn good reason. All the more reason to keep the whole investigation a secret from him, especially since the target happens to be Keith's childhood bully.
With a deep breath, Grace refocused. She'd made her choice. For now, Keith had his distance—and that was a good thing. But that responsibility, the one she couldn't shake, was only getting heavier. She just hoped she'd know when the right time would come to bring him back into the fold.
"We've got a lead," Ana spoke up suddenly, her voice low but confident. "Last night, Lion and I checked out a couple of warehouses Khoo's been visiting. We managed to get in without being spotted."
"And?"
Olivier, sitting across from her, slid a file toward the ISD agents.
"We found one that's definitely got something to hide. Based on the satellite surveillance data from Rainbow, the place is packed with weapons."
The room grew quieter as Grace flipped through the file. Satellite images of the warehouse appeared, showing a large, nondescript building surrounded by fences and security cameras. There were markings indicating areas of interest, likely based on the heat signatures and motion sensors they'd been able to track overnight. Nothing out of the ordinary, until Grace reached the last page—an image of an open crate, filled with what looked like high-grade weaponry.
She glanced at her team. They all knew what this meant. The time for quiet investigations was over. With the evidence they had now, they were in the thick of it. Grace's gut twisted. They'd been sitting on this long enough. Khoo's ties to the Keres Legion were undeniable now. They just had to make sure they weren't too late to stop whatever was coming next.
"This is it," Grace murmured, "We've got Khoo's connection to the Legion. This is what we needed to tie him to the arms trade."
The ISD agent across from her nodded.
"We'll be able to move on this soon, but we need to be careful. We're treading on thin ice. If Khoo knows we're onto him—"
The door to the meeting room opened, and an Indian ISD agent stepped inside. Her presence was commanding, and the room fell silent for a moment as she scanned the occupants. Without a word, she made a subtle gesture to the ISD team's leader, a tall Malay man with sharp eyes. He excused himself and followed her out, the door closing softly behind them. Grace, sitting near the entrance, instinctively shifted her attention toward the hallway. The muffled voices of the two agents drifted in through the thin door, barely audible, but enough for Grace's sharp ears to catch a few key phrases.
"...informant... nearly assassinated..." the agent said, her tone low but urgent.
"Taken to the hospital?" the ISD leader replied, his voice tight with concern.
"Yes... killed the assailant in self-defense... found a police warrant card..."
Grace's heart skipped a beat. She couldn't make out all the details, but the words were enough to piece together a horrifying reality. A police warrant card. It hit her like a punch to the gut. Khoo wasn't the only one in the SPF with ties to criminal activity. Another officer, perhaps more than one, was involved in this network of corruption.
Her mind raced. This was no longer just a case of one rogue cop. The rot went deeper than she had imagined, and it was spreading fast. The implications were terrifying, and Grace felt a cold knot form in her stomach. They were up against more than just Khoo. Far more.
Keith leaned against the doorframe of the hospital room, arms crossed as he observed Zhong lying in the bed, his face somewhat bruised but still wearing his signature grin. The doctor had just finished his examination and was giving a final report.
"You're lucky, Mr Zhong," the doctor said, glancing at the chart, "Apart from the bruising, the stab wound on your shoulder is just a flesh wound. Not too serious, but it could've been worse."
Zhong chuckled softly, wincing as he shifted.
"My face still looks like a battered coconut," he joked, tapping his cheek lightly.
"I'm surprised you're in one piece, to be honest. You're not exactly in peak shape these days." Keith said as he eyed Zhong, who had gained some weight since the last time they'd met, "And yet, you took out your attacker? How?"
"Pure luck. I was mopping the kitchen when the guy came at me. The struggle knocked him off balance. Slipped right on the wet floor. I then threw the pot of boiling oil at his face. I did not expect the thermal shock to kill him. Seriously, it was too close. If I hadn't gotten lucky... well, I might not be here."
Keith nodded, the weight of Zhong's words sinking in. Luck had been on his side this time. But something told him that luck wouldn't always be enough to keep them both safe in the mess they were about to face. Meanwhile, the pieces of the puzzle were falling into place. Grace and the others weren't here for vacation—he was certain of that now. Based on Zhong's attack and the involvement of a police warrant card, it was clear they were investigating Keres Legion activity in Singapore. And Leo Khoo? He was no longer just a local criminal—he was now a threat to the state.
"I'm heading out for now. I'll come back this evening to check on you," he said, his voice steady, though his mind raced with the implications of what was unfolding.
"Take care, Keith. Stay safe."
Keith paused for a moment, then turned and walked out of the ward, the weight of the situation growing heavier with each step. As Keith stepped into the hallway, he dialed his STAR commander, ASP Raguram. The voice on the other end was light, a playful edge to it.
"Well, well, look who's back in Singapore. Didn't even bother visiting your old team?"
Keith sighed, rubbing his forehead.
"Sorry, sir. This isn't exactly a social visit. I need to talk to you about something serious."
The tone on the other end immediately shifted.
"What's going on?"
"Our former informant, Red-eye Zhong, he was attacked this morning. Someone tried to kill him in his diner, but Zhong turned the tables on him and killed him by accident. We found a police warrant card on the assailant. He's one of Inspector Leo Khoo's subordinates, and I'm hearing rumours that Khoo's involved in something—and it's bad."
There was a long pause.
"Alright," Raguram said, voice now firm. "I'll come by the hospital with Kok Leong. We need to talk."
Keith hung up and made his way toward the restroom, walking with purpose. As he passed down the corridor, he didn't notice the man standing by Zhong's ward. The man watched as Keith entered the bathroom, but his attention quickly shifted back to Zhong's door.
In the ISD's locker room, the Rainbow operators were a flurry of movement, each of them transitioning from their civilian attire into their tactical gear. The hum of zippers and the clatter of equipment filled the air as they shed their everyday identities, becoming once again the soldiers and specialists they were trained to be.
Dokkaebi adjusted her Kevlar vest with practiced ease, her expression neutral but focused. Lion and Blitz were nearby, their voices low as they discussed the growing tension.
"I still don't like this," Lion muttered, securing his helmet, "Dusk is gonna find out sooner or later. How do you think he'll react when he knows the truth?"
Blitz grunted, pulling on his gloves, "He missed out on getting Khoo, the guy who's supposed to have been a thorn in his side for years, as an enforcer of the law. He's not gonna be happy about being kept in the dark."
Dokkaebi paused for a moment, taking in their words. She didn't have to think long.
"He won't react angrily," she said, her voice steady but reassuring, "Dusk isn't the type for that. He's calm, but once he knows the danger, he'll want to act. We're keeping him in the dark for a reason—so he doesn't rush in before we're ready."
Lion and Blitz exchanged uneasy glances.
"You sure about that?" Blitz asked.
"I'm sure," Dokkaebi replied, tightening the straps of her gear, "Let's just keep it this way for now. For his safety. And for ours."
Leo Khoo sat at his desk, his fingers tapping lightly on the case document in front of him, finishing the last few details of the report. The room was quiet, the only sound being the soft hum of his computer as he prepared to wrap up his day. Suddenly, the phone rang, an unknown number flashing on the screen.
With a sigh, Khoo picked up the receiver, already irritated by the interruption. "Khoo," he answered curtly.
A familiar voice crackled through the line, immediately setting his nerves on edge. "You messed up, Khoo."
His jaw clenched as he recognized the voice of Wu Hsing, one of Deimos' right-hand men in the Keres Legion. "What the hell do you want, Wu Hsing?" he snapped, trying to keep his temper in check.
Wu Hsing's tone was calm, but laced with an underlying threat, "You sent your subordinate to kill the informant, but it backfired. The informant killed your man instead. Now the ISD knows what you're up to. You've made a mess of everything."
Khoo's heart sank. He had underestimated the informant, and now it was clear his plans were unraveling.
"I—I didn't mean for that to happen," Khoo muttered, panic creeping into his voice despite his best efforts to remain composed.
Wu Hsing wasn't sympathetic.
"That rash move has disrupted everything. The Keres Legion's plan for Singapore is in jeopardy, and that's not a good sign for someone in your position, Khoo. You're an executor, not a liability. Anyways, I have dispatched a Legionnaire to deal with that informant. Right now, however, officers from the SPF's Internal Affairs are already on their way to detain you."
The panic hit Khoo fully now, but he forced himself to take a steadying breath.
"What do I do?" he asked, his voice tight.
"Listen carefully. You need to get out of the police station. Right now. Follow my instructions. You'll make it out clean, but don't waste time."
Khoo's mind raced as he processed the instructions. His hands shook slightly as he stood up from his desk and swiftly exited his office, moving with purpose. He knew exactly where to go, and thanks to Wu Hsing's precise guidance, he managed to slip past security without drawing suspicion, leaving the station in a controlled panic. By the time anyone realized what had happened, he was long gone—his escape smooth, though the storm brewing behind him only grew more intense.
Zhong sat quietly, engrossed in a book, while two nurses, one of them a young intern, attended to the other patients in the ward. The usual bustle of the hospital faded into the background, but then, Zhong's eyes flicked toward the door. A man entered, wearing an oversized coat.
Zhong blinked, his mind immediately registering the oddity. Singapore's too humid for that kind of jacket, he thought. No sane person would be wearing that in this heat.
The man moved toward the center of the room, and suddenly, he pulled out a gun, causing the nurses and patients to freeze in terror. Zhong reacted instinctively, grabbing the book in his hands and hurling it at the man with all his strength. It hit its mark, knocking the gun out of the man's grasp.
The man cursed and drew a knife, advancing toward Zhong with dangerous intent.
Before he could take another step, the sound of a fast-moving body cut through the air. The man turned—only to find himself face-to-face with a furious Keith, who had just disarmed him with swift precision.
The ward fell into an eerie silence.
Raguram and Kok Leong arrived at the hospital, the air thick with tension as Kok Leong couldn't hide his concern.
"You sure about this, sir? Khoo working with the Keres Legion? That's... that's a whole new level. You sure Keith got his information right?"
Raguram nodded, his expression hard.
"Rainbow's already been dealing with the Legion. It's not surprising Keith's dragged into this mess now that he's part of Rainbow. The problem is, is Leo Khoo the only one in the SPF who has switched sides?"
Before Kok Leong could respond, a loud scream pierced the air. Everyone around the ambulance froze as something heavy landed on its roof with a sickening crunch. Paramedics, staff and visitors backed away in alarm, eyes wide with fear as a few screams are heard in the lobby. A second later, a bald man in an oversized coat slid off the dented roof, dropping to the pavement like a ragdoll. He groaned, cursing under his breath as he struggled to push himself up, pain etched across his face. The scene was over in seconds, leaving a stunned silence in its wake.
Raguram and Kok Leong rushed over to the man, still groaning on the pavement. They looked up just in time to see Keith's figure framed in a broken third-floor window, glaring down at them. Raguram frowned, his gaze still on the man.
"Keith, what the hell? You threw him out of the window?"
"Yes, sir. Can you and Kok Leong bring that botak mangkuk up to the ward?" Keith called down, his voice steady, "We need to interrogate him. Then I will throw him out another window."
Before Raguram could respond, Kok Leong's eyes narrowed.
"Sir, look at his hand."
The man's palm was visible, and there, clearly marked, was the unmistakable tattoo of the Keres Legion. Realization hit them both.
"Right. Let's get him inside."
They quickly handcuffed the man, dragging him toward the elevator for questioning, the weight of what they'd discovered settling heavily in the air.
The mood in the briefing room was tense. Rainbow operators, alongside their ISD counterparts, watched through a one-way mirror as officers stood over three former colleagues, now cuffed and awaiting relocation. Each one had been confirmed to be working with the Keres Legion, a betrayal that sent a ripple of disbelief through the entire organization. These were people they had once trusted, who had once been part of the force, now reduced to criminals awaiting the same fate they had once delivered to others.
The Police Commissioner, his brow furrowed in frustration, stood at the front of the room.
"This is a nightmare for PR," he muttered, shaking his head. "We're going to have to figure out what to tell the public, and it's not going to be easy. Especially with one of these three being a 19-year-old serving his National Service. This is going to blow up."
Dokkaebi leaned forward slightly, her gaze sharp as she studied the scene unfolding before her. The fact that SPF officers who had sworn an oath to uphold their country's laws had been involved in terrorist activities, especially with one of them being so young, was a reminder of the deep rot that had nearly spread throughout their ranks. She didn't miss the way the room was heavy with the realization that their investigation was already having major repercussions. Leo Khoo's escape meant that their cover was now compromised, and the situation was escalating far faster than she'd anticipated.
She could feel the tension tightening around her chest, a gnawing sense of unease creeping in. This is going to spiral out of control if we're not careful, she thought, her mind already running through potential risks. The walls of the room felt like they were closing in, and she couldn't ignore the mounting pressure in her gut.
"We need to prepare," she said quietly, turning to the others, "If Khoo's still out there, this mission is far from over. And now, with everything compromised, I'm not so sure about the level of control we have left."
Blitz, who had been listening quietly, met her gaze, "You think it's going to get ugly?"
"I'm certain of it," she replied, her voice steady but laced with concern, "We all should prepare for a confrontation. There's too much at stake now, and it's only going to get worse from here."
Lion and Solis gave a grim nod, the tension in the room palpable. They all understood what was at stake. It was no longer just about the mission—it was about survival. And in this game, there were no guarantees.
In the dimly lit, smoky bar, Leo Khoo gripped his phone tightly, his face etched with concern as he listened to Wu Hsing's voice on the other end.
"Listen, Wu Hsing," Khoo started, glancing nervously around the dingy room, "The warehouses... They've been raided. This is a mess. What are we going to do about the weapons? And the NIGHTHAVEN equipment? Some of that stuff can't fall into the wrong hands."
Wu Hsing's voice was calm, almost dismissive.
"Relax, Khoo. Most of the weapons were already moved. It's the NIGHTHAVEN gear you need to worry about. They've got permission from Singapore's authorities to conduct an armed reclamation, so we had no choice but to leave it behind. Their operation has already been authorized, and they've probably hit some of the warehouses by now."
Khoo's jaw tightened, but Wu Hsing continued, "Singapore's in a state of emergency now. It was announced an hour ago. Malaysia's UTK are already on standby, ready to cross the Causeway to assist Singapore in the clean-up. It's only a matter of time before things escalate."
Khoo's mind raced, his thoughts grappling with the scope of the situation. The stakes were higher than ever.
"What about Rainbow?" he asked, his voice laced with frustration, "They're onto us too, and I can't just sit here and wait to be caught. I need a way out."
"You're aware of Rainbow, and they're aware of you. There's no going back now. You need to come up with a plan to shake them off, or it'll be damn near impossible to get you out of Singapore. They've already got their eyes on you, and if you don't act fast, it's not going to end well."
Khoo exhaled sharply, looking out over the darkened streets. His options were narrowing, and the clock was ticking. He had no choice but to come up with something—fast. Khoo's senses were sharp as he slipped out of the bar, blending into the bustling crowd with the ease of someone who had spent years moving unnoticed through dense environments. His movements were purposeful, yet unremarkable, passing within inches of two police officers who, despite the tension in the air, were too preoccupied to notice him. It was the subtle art of blending in, an art he had always excelled at. But he wasn't just hiding in plain sight; he was scanning everything, every movement, every face, constantly alert for something out of place.
Then, out of the corner of his eye, something caught his attention. A van parked a little further down the street. The antennae on the roof was being adjusted by a slender arm that reached out the window—too deliberate, too precise for anyone trying to simply adjust their car. Khoo's eyes narrowed. The sleeve and gloves were unmistakable: tactical gear. Special forces. He didn't know who exactly, but he knew that whoever it was, they weren't just casual civilians.
A small smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. He had found his opening to get a step ahead of his opponents. He had spent years outsmarting others—detecting their patterns, exploiting their oversights—and this moment would be no different. The antenna was likely a part of a signal system for surveillance, a way to monitor and track without being detected. He needed to disrupt it without raising alarm.
Khoo's mind raced. It wasn't a complex plan, but it was effective. He continued his walk, weaving through the crowd until he reached a nearby electronics store which he is aware sells illegal items, discreetly snatching a small military-grade jammer from the counter—just a simple device, but enough to send the right signals into disarray. The surveillance system would lose its connection, if only temporarily.
Khoo slipped back into the crowd, careful not to draw attention, his eyes never leaving the van. As he walked, he activated the jammer and dropped it under the van, the interference taking hold just as he rounded the corner, knowing that within moments, Rainbow's special forces would be left trying to troubleshoot their suddenly dead connection. Stopping in an alley, he leaned against the cool concrete of a nearby building, far enough from the van but still close enough to make sure his plan had worked. He pulled out his phone and dialed a number. The line clicked, and the voice on the other end was laced with surprise.
"Khoo? You're still in Singapore?" The contact sounded incredulous, and Khoo could hear a low hum of traffic and background noise, indicating that the person was already on the move.
"Not for long," Khoo replied, his tone steady despite the urgency of his situation, "But before I leave, I need a few things taken care of. Get the Legion set up in 'Warehouse Bravo'. I'll need it ready soon to welcome our friends from Rainbow."
There was a brief pause, then the voice came back, cautious.
"How should we go about leading them there?"
"You know my favorite haunts. Go to one of them and leave something that'll point them toward Warehouse Bravo. Make sure it's enough to send them on a wild goose chase first. Let them think they're closing in, but don't make it too obvious. Let them waste time."
"Understood," the contact replied without hesitation, the confidence clear in their voice, "I'll handle it. Just make sure you get out before they close in. I'll make sure they think I'm you in the meantime."
Khoo took a deep breath.
"You're truly the 'Jangsan Beom' for a reason. I'm counting on you."
The contact chuckled softly. "Leave it to me."
Dokkaebi clenched her jaw, frustration evident as she adjusted the antenna again, trying to fix the constant signal breakups. Each attempt only seemed to make it worse. "This isn't working," she muttered under her breath, glaring at the screen.
Solis, sitting across from her, glanced at the unstable feed and raised an eyebrow.
"We're not exactly in a great spot. Maybe we should relocate to a better vantage point."
Lion, sitting beside him, shook his head dismissively.
"Waste of time. We've got the locations Khoo frequents when he's off duty, courtesy of the ISD. We don't need to waste more time here. First one's a jazz club near the Singapore River. Let's head there and investigate."
"Fine, we'll check it out."
Blitz, already in the driver's seat, fired up the engine. With a nod from Dokkaebi, the van pulled away, and the team set off toward the next location, hoping the trail would lead them closer to their target. Fifteen minutes later, the van arrived outside the jazz club, the neon lights casting a soft glow on the street. Dokkaebi quickly shed her Kevlar and weapons, pulling a loose t-shirt over her tactical uniform to blend in. She glanced at the others before stepping out of the van, the cool night air brushing against her skin.
Inside, the music was smooth, but Dokkaebi's focus was sharper than the jazz playing in the background. She scanned the room carefully, eyes flicking from person to person. After ten minutes of scanning the crowd and exchanging a few quiet words with the bartender, she returned to the van, a small access card in hand. She slipped it into her gear pouch, then began putting her Kevlar back on. The card had "Scorpio Trading Company" printed on it.
"Let's go," she said, settling into her seat.
The van pulled away and headed for the next stop: Geylang. The red-light district was bustling with its usual crowd, but the diner they arrived at was quieter. According to the ISD, Khoo and his team once used this diner as a stakeout point and he has been returning to it every once a month since then. Solis stepped out first, her boots clicking softly against the pavement. Inside, the smell of greasy food and stale air filled the room.
After a quick look around, Solis spotted something on the counter—a keychain attached to an ignition key. It bore the name "Halaju Delivery" on it. Solis pocketed the key, her expression unreadable. The team exchanged glances, the pieces of the puzzle slowly falling into place.
Blitz parked the van in front of Scorpio Trading Company, but the sight of construction equipment and scaffolding greeted them. The building was under renovation, its windows boarded up. A lone night shift worker was on the ground floor, hammering away at something. Blitz stepped out and approached him.
"Scorpio Trading Company? Is it still operating?" Blitz asked.
"No, abang. It shut down two years ago—bankrupt. New owners are doing the renovations now. If you're looking for courier services, Halaju Delivery is just down the street. They're 24/7."
Blitz nodded in thanks, relaying the information to the team. They drove to Halaju Delivery's office, a nondescript building tucked between other businesses. Inside, the receptionist greeted them, but a look of shock formed on her face when she saw that they were all decked out in tactical gear.
"Calm down, miss, we just want to ask a few questions. We found this," Solis said, pulling out the ignition key with the Halaju keychain, "Any idea where it's from?"
The receptionist glanced at the key, then shook her head.
"It's probably from one of our old trucks. We don't do freight deliveries anymore—just small-scale courier services now. Why do you need it?"
"We need to find out who's still using your old trucks."
The receptionist flipped open a file behind the counter, pulling out a stack of papers and flipping through it until she reached the right one.
"Here," she said, pointing to the sales records, "NIGHTHAVEN was the one who bought the trucks. A few of them, actually. They paid in full, no questions asked."
She hesitated for a moment, looking around as if to make sure no one was listening before adding, "To be honest... I had some misgivings. I mean, why would a private military company want our old trucks? My boss had the same idea and told me to keep a copy of the records just in case anything came up."
"Thanks, miss. You've been helpful."
As they returned to the van, the team quickly exchanged notes. Solis was the first to speak up.
"Since the Keres Legion already stole several pieces of equipment from NIGHTHAVEN, could they have stolen the trucks too?"
Lion shook his head, his brow furrowing.
"Seems a little convenient, don't you think? All these leads pointing in one direction... Maybe it's too easy."
"I don't think so," Dokkaebi replied, "When I found the access card at the jazz club, it wasn't in the usual places. It was on the floor of a toilet cubicle, of all places. That's not a place anyone would think to look for something valuable. Almost too accidental to be true."
Before anyone could respond, the low rumble of an engine cut through their conversation. A freight truck rolled past the van at a casual pace. As it slowly cruised by, the team caught a glimpse of a familiar face—Leo Khoo, sitting in the passenger seat, his eyes scanning the surroundings as if he knew they were watching.
"That's Khoo," Dokkaebi murmured, her gaze fixed on the truck as it faded into the distance.
Without wasting another second, they slammed the van into gear, chasing after the truck that could lead them straight to their quarry. As the van followed the truck at a safe distance, the hum of the engine filled the silence, but Dokkaebi's mind was elsewhere. She stared out the window, her thoughts drifting to Dusk. Despite the focus on their mission, something kept nagging at her—something personal. She shifted in her seat, catching Solis' eye briefly before speaking in a low voice.
"Do you ever feel conflicted about all this?" she asked, her voice quiet, almost uncertain.
Solis raised an eyebrow, but Dokkaebi pressed on, "We've been hiding this mission from Dusk. And... it doesn't sit right with me. He's the kind of person who deserves to know what's at stake, especially in his own country… He's got a good life, a family, the resources to live a peaceful, carefree life if he wanted to."
She sighed, her gaze fixed ahead.
"But he still chose this job, putting himself at risk to protect others. Even knowing the cost."
Solis nodded, her expression softening as she listened. "It's not easy, is it?"
Dokkaebi shook her head. "No. It's not. But I can't help but admire him for it. He's not the kind to seek the spotlight or glory. He just... does it because it's the right thing to do. I don't think I could ever explain to him why I kept this from him." Her voice trailed off as the truck ahead made a turn. Dokkaebi's eyes sharpened, her focus returning to the task at hand.
But the weight of her words lingered, heavy in the quiet of the van.
At STAR's headquarters, the atmosphere was thick with anticipation as Raguram entered the locker room. The hum of nervous energy filled the space, with twelve officers, including Kok Leong, Ben, Azmi, and Hadi, fully geared and standing at attention. Tactical vests, helmets, and weapons were all in place, ready for action.
Raguram surveyed his men, wearing tactical gear himself, his voice steady but commanding.
"The ISD has located Rainbow's whereabouts. We're going in to assist them with the capture of Leo Khoo Chang Huat. This is a priority operation. I need all of you on your best."
His words lingered in the air as everyone's attention shifted to the man in front of the mirror: Keith Sng Wei Hao. His presence stood out in the room—not just as a squad leader of STAR but also as a Rainbow operator. Technically on leave, yet here he was, without a word of hesitation, preparing for the mission with his Singaporean colleagues.
Keith calmly fastened his balaclava, securing his goggles and then his helmet. With each piece of gear, the man known as Keith Sng Wei Hao slowly melted away, replaced by "Dusk." The transformation was subtle, but the shift was undeniable.
"Let's go," Dusk said, his voice now low and purposeful.
Beside him, Lucy barked in unison, her tail wagging eagerly, ready to move. With a final glance at his teammates, Dusk turned towards the door. The operation was underway, and there was no turning back now.
Rainbow's van came to a stop outside a large, dilapidated warehouse. The air was thick with tension as the team exchanged quick glances, their minds already running through possible scenarios. Lion immediately deployed his EE-ONE-D drone, watching the small device hover silently above them as it began scanning the area for any signs of movement. But after a few moments, his brow furrowed in confusion.
"There's interference... The signal's not clear."
His fingers worked the controls, trying to force the drone's system to adapt, but the reception remained blocked. Solis pulled out her SPEC-IO device, her eyes scanning the screen.
"I'm getting the same thing. Something's jamming the signal."
Lion cursed under his breath, frustrated, "We're flying blind here."
"We'll go in blind. No choice now," Blitz replied, stepping forward and raising his riot shield as he took the lead.
The others fell in behind him, with Lucy at their side, alert and tense. They advanced cautiously, moving toward the warehouse's entrance, using the access card to enter the building. But before they could get far, a sudden burst of light illuminated them from above. Two powerful spotlights blazed to life, blinding them temporarily. Before they could react, the unmistakable sound of gunfire rang out, followed by the harsh crack of bullets ricocheting off nearby walls.
The team quickly scrambled into cover, with Blitz shielding the others and Solis ducking behind a stack of crates. Lion and Dokkaebi took the opposite side, weapons raised, ready for whatever came next. But as the sounds of the barrage echoed through the warehouse, one thing was clear: their exit was blocked.
They were trapped.
The gunfire stopped abruptly, the silence hanging heavy in the air. A voice, cold and venomous, cut through the stillness—Leo Khoo's voice.
"Well, well, Rainbow. You've really spoiled my business, haven't you? Exposing me like this."
Dokkaebi narrowed her eyes, not missing a beat, "Is this how you justify betraying your own country, Khoo?"
There was a brief pause, and then Khoo's voice, tinged with a mix of frustration and weary resignation, responded.
"Betrayal? No. Disillusionment, maybe. I'm no saint, but I did care about my job. I spent years fishing for the big catches—the ones pulling the strings behind the biggest criminal syndicates. We broke up some of the most dangerous networks in the world, but those 'big fat fishes'? They either serve short sentences or get off with some diplomatic maneuvering. Some countries even pressured Singapore to keep their hands off them."
His tone darkened, bitterness seeping through.
"If justice is such a joke, why should I keep being the punchline? Might as well shoot the jokers in their face and turn this whole law and order crap into a business I can manipulate."
Dokkaebi was silent for a moment, her thoughts churning as she processed his words.
Then, Khoo's voice sliced through the tension again, sharp and demanding.
"So, what will it be, Rainbow? You've got one choice—surrender."
Dokkaebi's eyes scanned the warehouse, calculating her options. The exits were sealed, and the Legionnaires had them surrounded. They could probably take out a few before their luck ran out, but she knew that wouldn't be enough. They were sitting ducks. But she didn't flinch. Her hand tightened around her weapon, and her jaw set with resolve.
"There's a second choice," she said, her voice steady.
Khoo's mocking tone echoed through the space.
"A second choice? What's that?"
Dokkaebi grinned, a sharp, defiant expression.
"Up yours!" she shot back, pulling the trigger.
The bullet whizzed past Khoo, inches away from his face and startling him rather badly, but it was enough to send a message.
A volley of gunfire erupted as Rainbow moved into action. The team engaged, taking cover behind crates and industrial equipment, returning fire as Keres Legionnaires fired back in a chaotic storm of bullets. The clash of gunmetal, the sharp pings of bullets ricocheting off steel, the tense, heavy air—it was all happening at once.
But just as the firefight raged on, the unmistakable wail of police sirens pierced the air, growing louder with every passing second. Helicopters thumped overhead, their rotors beating like thunder. Lastly, a familiar voice emitting from their two-way radios cut through the chaos, startling them all.
"Hey, Wednesday, did you miss me?"
It was Dusk. In an unexpected turn of events, Rainbow's reinforcements had arrived.
The warehouse's shutters were suddenly ripped apart as three heavily-armoured vehicles smashed their way in. The doors had barely opened when STAR operatives poured out, their weapons blazing as they immediately targeted the Keres Legion, wiping out a dozen before the latter could react.
But it wasn't just STAR: Gurkhas, dressed in their distinctive armor, stormed in behind them, adding even more firepower to the mix. Dokkaebi's eyes widened as the scene unfolded before her. She could see dozens of police vehicles outside, their sirens wailing as more officers poured into the warehouse, both in plainclothes and uniform, armed with pistols but ready to fight. They flooded in, taking positions alongside STAR and Gurkhas, their resolve clear despite their lighter arms.
"Singapore's police are untested, my ass! Which idiot made that claim?" Lion asked as he watched the carnage unfold as a dead Legionnaire fell from the rafters, riddled with bullets.
"I think every country in the world, including Singaporeans themselves…" Blitz replied.
In the midst of the chaos, Khoo screamed in rage, his voice barely audible over the gunfire. His face twisted with fury as he realized the game was up. He turned and bolted, sprinting toward the far end of the warehouse, determined to escape. The surviving Keres Legionnaires, realizing they were outnumbered and surrounded, dropped their weapons in surrender, their hands raised high as the police moved in to secure them.
Dokkaebi, never one to hesitate, snapped into action. She dashed after Khoo, weaving between crates and shadows as she pursued the fugitive with precision, her movements swift and decisive as she tackled him to the floor. The two crashed down, Khoo's gun flying out of his hand as they struggled against each other. Dokkaebi's agility and quick reflexes allowed her to keep up with Khoo's larger size and strength, but he eventually gained the upper hand, wrapping his arms around her, pinning her arms against her body in a crushing bearhug.
As Dokkaebi struggled to free herself, Khoo tightened his grip, causing her to cry out in pain, but Lucy burst into the scene, her jaws snapping shut around Khoo's shoulder. He yelped in surprise, releasing Dokkaebi as he tried to shake off the Belgian Malinois. But Lucy held tight, her teeth digging deep into Khoo's flesh.
Khoo finally managed to pry Lucy loose, sending her tumbling across the floor with a kick. Dokkaebi took advantage of the distraction to scramble to her feet, but before she could launch a counterattack, Khoo turned on her again. That's when Dusk appeared, his eyes blazing with fury as he kicked Khoo in the head, causing him to stumble back a few steps
"You're done, Khoo," he growled, to which Khoo sneered in response.
"You sure you want to take me on? You've never won a fight against me fairly, Sng."
Dusk's expression didn't change, eyeing the fallen pistol on the floor. Khoo seemed to realize the same thing as he glanced at the same weapon before smirking at Dusk. Both men sized each other up for a few tense seconds before they moved at the same time. Khoo, nearer and faster, reached the pistol first, snatching it from the floor and lifting it up just in time to see Dusk already pointing at his chest an M870 shotgun, one he had kept hidden behind his back.
"You're right," Dusk said coldly, "I stopped fighting fair a long time ago."
Khoo's eyes widened as he realized his stupid mistake: Why would Dusk had dared to challenge him unarmed? But it was too late for him to respond as Dusk pulled the trigger, the blast knocking Khoo off his feet and sending him crashing into the darkness. As he disappeared, Dusk turned to Dokkaebi, helping her to her feet.
"You okay?" he asked, his eyes scanning her for injuries.
"Yeah... thanks to Lucy."
Dusk's gaze flicked to the Belgian Malinois, who was already scrambling to her feet, shaking off the effects of Khoo's kick.
"You're fine, girl," he murmured, scratching behind her ears.
But as he turned back to Dokkaebi, his expression turned grim as he saw a set of bloodied boot prints leading to an exit. He had been certain that the point-blank shotgun blast would have been fatal, but there was no denying that Leo Khoo Chang Huat had escaped…
As the police continued to secure the warehouse and take inventory of the seized equipment, the heavy buzz of activity around them seemed distant. Dusk sat silently at the back of one of STAR's armored vehicle, watching the officers move in coordinated precision. His gaze, though, was focused elsewhere—on the fugitive that had slipped through their fingers.
Dokkaebi approached him slowly, her usual confidence tempered by a rare hint of hesitation. She sat beside him, shoulders slightly slumped.
"I'm sorry, Dusk," she said, "I should've told you sooner about the mission. I know it wasn't easy to be kept in the dark, but Director Clark wanted you to be able to spend time with your family."
Dusk gave a soft exhale, removing all his headgear and giving Dokkaebi a calm, understanding smile.
"You did what you had to do. Nothing to apologize for. Besides, my family understands. They're all military, police or used to be in some way, so they know duty doesn't stop just because you're on a break."
But even as he said the words, there was a flicker in his eyes. He couldn't shake the feeling that they had failed in one crucial aspect. Khoo had been right there—close enough to touch—and yet, in the end, they'd let him slip away.
"What's your game, Wu Hsing? Saving my ass now so you can kill me later?" Khoo asked, his voice sharp as Wu Hsing accelerated down the road toward East Coast Park in a sleek black car.
"Don't take it personally," Wu Hsing shot back, "After your screw-up, I wanted to leave you to your fate, but Deimos wants you alive."
Khoo coughed, but managed to sneer as he replied, "Should've expected this."
"Don't get cocky, Khoo," the Taiwanese warned, "Deimos needs you, but he's not thrilled with your screw-up. Thanks to you, all our spies in the SPF were exposed and arrested, and the Keres Legion's operations in Singapore are done. And we might want to check your chest once we get out of this country—Kevlar or not, you're still lucky to be breathing. Deimos doesn't want me hauling your corpse back to him. You're too useful to him… And me."
Khoo fell silent, staring out the window as memories of his former bully victim, Keith—or Dusk, as he now called himself—flooded back. To think that the wimpy boy he used to beat up was now more than willing to end his life…
One day, Khoo vowed, he'd make Dusk pay for that shotgun blast.
The afternoon sun filtered through the windows of Red-eye Zhong's Szechuan diner, casting a soft glow over the familiar, cozy interior. Dusk stood at the counter, a concerned frown on his face as he watched Zhong shuffle around the kitchen, his movements careful but determined despite the injuries still visible on his frame.
"Zhong, are you sure you should be back at work already?" Dusk asked, his voice laced with worry. "You just got out of the hospital."
"I was bleeding money from that hospital bill, Dusk," he replied, his tone matter-of-fact, "I've got bills to pay, and it's not like I can't move my shoulders. The work keeps me moving. Besides, I've got a pretty unique group of customers today."
Dusk looked around and watch the crew gathered around him—Dokkaebi, Solis, Blitz, and Lion—all seated with his family: his parents, grandmother, Gareth and his daughter Lydia, Seth and his cousin Faith. Zhong's diner was usually a quiet place, but today it was filled with the kind of warmth and bustle that made it feel like home, with even Lucy being allowed into the diner as she chowed down on dog food next to Dusk.
"Guess I can't disappoint them," Zhong added with a wink.
Dusk couldn't help but chuckle. Despite everything, Zhong always managed to make light of the situation, until Lion raised an eyebrow, staring at the steaming plate of food in front of him.
"So, Mr Zhong," he said, his voice teasing, "is this real Szechuan food, or just your take on it?"
Zhong's eyes widened, clearly offended.
"What did you just say about our food?" he barked, "No one insults the cooking of Red-eye Zhong's wife!"
Without missing a beat, he turned and shouted toward the kitchen.
"Darling! Teach this French baguette a lesson!"
Dusk's eyes widened as he watched a woman emerge from the kitchen, her movements graceful but confident as she carried a bowl of extra spicy Mapo tofu in her hands. She was stunning—tall, poised, and radiating a calm authority that commanded attention. The team stared, their mouths slightly agape.
"Wait, is that—" Gareth began, his voice faltering in disbelief.
Wang Xiaoyue, the famous celebrity chef from Sichuan Province, known for her culinary genius, stood before them. Dusk's brothers were stunned—Wang Xiaoyue had announced her retirement from the celebrity culinary world three years ago so she could focus on small culinary business as well as her impending marriage with an at-that-time unknown Singaporean, now revealed to be Zhong.
"You were the one who married her?!" Seth exclaimed, "I can't believe it!"
"What, you think I can't get a hot wife just because I'm a fat boar with a criminal record?" Zhong shot back.
Lion struggled with the fiery spiciness of the Mapo tofu, Zhong and his wife took pleasure in watching the Frenchman turn red, sweat beading on his forehead as Blitz force-fed him. Lion's grumbling protests mixed with laughter as the team, including Dusk's family, watched the spectacle. Meanwhile, Dusk leaned back in his seat, glancing at his parents. His mother gave him an understanding look while his father raised an eyebrow, as if the world had never seemed more normal despite the chaos they'd all witnessed.
"I'm sorry to cut the vacation short," Dusk said, his voice softer now, the weight of duty pressing down on him, "I'll be heading back to England tomorrow with the team, not at the end of the week as planned."
His parents, ever supportive, shared a quiet understanding. His father placed a hand on his shoulder, nodding, "We know, son. Duty comes first. Just promise us you'll be safe."
"Stay safe," his mother added with a warm smile, "We'll be here when you come back."
Dusk gave a tight, appreciative smile, "Thanks, both of you."
As the laughter around him continued, Dokkaebi sat quietly, observing the scene. Her eyes flickered to Dusk, who was talking with his family, his demeanor relaxed but still carrying the weight of responsibility. She felt the unspoken bond of duty between them, something that had shaped their lives in different ways but brought them together in this line of work. It was the same bond that tied the whole team together—an unacknowledged but solid connection between each of them, where personal feelings were often pushed aside for the sake of the mission.
Yet now, Dokkaebi couldn't deny the emotions stirring inside her as she watched Dusk interact with his family. The realization came slowly, but undeniably—she was beginning to feel something deeper for him, something that went beyond mere camaraderie. But for now, she kept her feelings in check, unsure whether the timing was right to let them surface.