As they drove along the plane of desertification, Jon drifted into a state of solitude as Myles traversed the landscape.
Suddenly a loud beeping pulled the duo back into reality, "Taking a glance at the brace positioned on his left hand, Myles raised his head up to sight the landscape ahead.
"We're here!" He conferred to Jon as he proceeded to tap a button on the metallic brace.
Up ahead, a large rock cropping at the edge of a rugged plane breached in the middle with a crack, spanning round to the shape of a wide garage door. The rock plate protruded from the surface, sliding all the way in the opposite direction, revealing an entrance.
The door led down a neatly designed and metallic-plated tunnel. The vehicle swished away from the road onto the rugged landscape and drove towards the rock. They passed into the tunnel and drove at full speed across the floor ramp, descending into the tunnel.
Closing in on the end of the tunnel, Myles tapped a blue button on the chassis of the motorcycle. This, in turn, activated the deceleration sequence as robotic mechanisms in the vehicle realigned segments of the bike, disengaging and sheathing its covers to reveal Myles and Jon mounted on its seats. The realigned parts arranged into the sides of the craft, forming a leaner bike-like vehicle. The vehicle synchronized with the metallic ramp as it ran down the wide tunnel.
Just before the end, the vehicle's front and rear reformed into a leaner shape, now revealing some framing that latched onto a metallic rail on the ramp. Its deceleration sequence initiated gradually, bringing the vehicle to a stop as it reached the end of the tunnel.
Jon and Myles now alighted from the vehicle. They had arrived at the service bay at CREED's HQ, an underground base isolated from civilization in a remote desert.
"Welcome back to CREED HQ, Jon," Myles greeted.
Jon stood at the enclosed parking stripe for a short while, taking in the view.
"CREED Headquarters... How long has it been?" Jon wondered.
"Long enough!" a voice proclaimed from behind. As they turned around, the voice came from the director of CREED, Ken Nylar.
"Hello, Jon. Good to see you again," Nylar greeted, extending his hand for a shake. Jon grasped it tightly, and the handshake turned into a brotherly hug.
"Welcome back," Nylar offered comfortingly to Jon.
"Thanks," Jon replied.
"I gather that there are several pressing situations at hand," Jon called out, a sense of urgency in his voice.
"A lot has happened since you left, Jon. Since your team left," Nylar stated as he proceeded to walk away from the bay and into the main facility.
Nylar led them further down the hall, guiding them toward a chamber where important discussions and briefings took place.
"Another mission accomplished, Myles. Good job," Nylar commended Myles, his voice filled with a sense of pride. He acknowledged their success but emphasized the urgency of the challenges they now faced.
As they walked along the passages inside the facility, Myles couldn't contain his curiosity any longer. He turned to Nylar, his tone reflecting a mixture of desperation and determination.
"Nylar, what do you know about these 'Syndicate' guys?" Myles inquired, his eyes searching for answers.
"Well, that depends. What would you like to know?" Nylar responded, his voice steady and calm.
"General intel. Who they're working with, what they do? We're on the edge here," Myles explained, his sense of urgency palpable.
Nylar leaned back in his chair, contemplating the best way to convey the information without compromising their security. "The Syndicate was formed about 30 years ago. Originally, they were just a group of mercenaries, but they've evolved into something more dangerous," he began.
"They possess advanced weaponry and technology, far beyond the usual kind. I'm guessing you've encountered them recently," Nylar added, a knowing smile playing on his lips.
"Yeah, no kidding. They're up to something," Myles confirmed, his mind still replaying their recent encounter.
Nylar's expression turned serious as he continued, "The intel we have on them is limited, but we suspect they're involved in illicit activities such as arms smuggling, assassination contracts, and even human experimentation."
Myles and Jon exchanged a concerned glance, realizing the gravity of the Syndicate's activities.
"I was attacked during what was supposed to be a discreet investigation. They somehow knew who I was. Where does that leave CREED?" Jon wondered, his voice tinged with worry.
"I'm sure you're insinuating that there must be an inside agent," Nylar mused, his eyes narrowing with suspicion.
"Yeah, that ain't far from the truth," Jon replied, his voice filled with determination to uncover the traitor within their ranks.
Nylar shot Jon a stern glance, signaling the need for discretion. "Come on, let's talk in my chamber," he said, leading them down the hall.
The three of them entered the room, surrounded by holographic screens displaying various pieces of information. Nylar took a seat at the head of the table, while Myles and Jon settled into chairs on the other side. Jon's gaze lingered on the holographic display, focusing on a tightly sealed section of the facility with reinforced steel walls and advanced locks, hinting at its significance.
Amidst their conversation, as they conveyed all the recent happenings to Nylar, Jon couldn't shake off his curiosity about that sealed area. He shared his suspicions with Nylar, and they both approached the holographic display.
"We've begun researching ways to reverse the mutation in the genes of the anomalies," Nylar revealed, his voice filled with a mix of hope and caution.
Jon's eyes widened with intrigue and concern. "That's a bold step, Nylar. But do you understand the implications?" he questioned, his voice tinged with urgency.
Nylar nodded, his expression somber. "Yes, Jon. If we succeed, we could find a way to return these creatures' cells back to their normal, stable form, permanently neutralizing the mutation. But we must tread carefully, for there is a risk."
Jon's mind raced, contemplating the potential ramifications of such a breakthrough. "How close are you to making this work?" he inquired, his voice filled with a sense of urgency.
Nylar sighed, a hint of frustration evident in his tone. "We had a leading scientist working on this research. He made progress, but then he vanished, going under the radar. It's highly likely he has a hand in recent events."
"The research is still a work in progress. The outcomes of the tests we've run so far have been unstable. We need more time to perfect it," Nylar explained, his voice laced with a mixture of hope and concern.
Myles interjected, his mind racing with implications. "Wait a second... If the serum you're developing is meant to suppress the mutation, does that mean it could also affect us and our abilities?" Myles questioned, his eyes narrowing with concern.
Nylar paused, his gaze shifting between Myles and Jon. "Unfortunately... yes. If exposed to the radiation of the serum, our own powers could be neutralized. That's why the lab is heavily secured, and its research kept top secret. We're walking a fine line here, balancing the potential benefits and risks," he clarified, his voice tinged with caution.
Jon and Myles exchanged a weighted glance, fully comprehending the delicate nature of their situation. They had always relied on their unique abilities in their battles against anomalies, and the thought of potentially losing those powers weighed heavily on their hearts. They understood the importance of safeguarding the research and preventing it from falling into the wrong hands.
"The lab and its research documents have been contained and secured," Nylar continued, his voice tinged with a sense of urgency. "But if this knowledge were to be exploited, it could spell the end of everything we've worked for. We have trusted sentinels ensuring its utmost protection."
A sense of responsibility settled upon Jon and Myles as they contemplated the potential consequences of their actions. They understood the need for secrecy and the gravity of their mission. Their roles as agents of CREED took on an even greater significance as they embarked on a mission not only to confront anomalies but also to uncover the identity of the spy within their midst.
With renewed determination, they turned their attention back to Nylar. "What's the next move, Nylar? How do we proceed?" Jon inquired, his voice firm and resolute.
Nylar leaned forward, his eyes focused and determined. "We suspect there's a spy within CREED HQ, leaking information to the Syndicate organization. We need to uncover their identity and put an end to their treachery. We'll initiate a discreet investigation, working alongside our most trusted agents."
Myles and Jon nodded in agreement, their resolve hardened. They were ready to face the challenge head-on and protect CREED from internal threats. But there was still the lingering question of Denumbit, the elusive figure who seemed to be pulling the strings behind the scenes.
"Denumbit is still out there, and we need to find out what he's up to before any of this gets out of hand," Nylar concluded, his voice filled with determination.
Jon and Myles exchanged determined glances, their focus clear. They would not rest until they had unraveled the mysteries surrounding the Syndicate, neutralized the spy within their ranks, and thwarted Denumbit's plans.
The next chapter of their journey was about to unfold, filled with danger, uncertainty, and the relentless pursuit of truth. As they prepared to face the challenges ahead.