A military vehicle rumbled out of the base, its headlights cutting through the early morning haze as it rolled onto the main road. The car moved steadily, its dark, armored frame blending with the shadows as it headed toward the Merem District, the hum of its engine echoing softly in the quiet streets.
Time skip
A group of six figures emerged from a military vehicle, their uniforms dark against the evening shadows. they approached the building beside them, slipping silently through the entrance. Inside, they signaled each other before fanning out, each team with a specific sector to search. Their mission was clear: locate the target.
Two of the operatives made their way up the dimly lit stairwell, boots thudding softly against the steps. Halfway up, they halted, spotting a boy sprawled on the staircase—a teenager, unconscious and seemingly out of place. They exchanged a glance, silent questions in their eyes: *What was a kid doing here, and why was he out cold on the stairs?*
One gestured for the other to stay put and continued up the steps to the rooftop, scanning his surroundings as he opened the door. Stepping out onto the rooftop, he searched for signs of recent activity—a footprint, a misplaced object, anything that might offer a clue. But the rooftop was empty, bathed only in the faint glow of city lights. Satisfied there were no traces, he turned back, heading down the stairs to rejoin his teammate.
With a final glance at the unconscious boy, the operatives exchanged a silent nod and continued their search, their focus returning to the mission. But the unanswered question of the boy lingered in their minds—a new puzzle in an already tense operation.
Retrieval Team 1: "Anything up here?"
Retrieval Team 2: "Nothing. The rooftop's deserted, but I'm picking up traces of residual energy. It's faint, but it's there."
Retrieval Team 1: "Residual energy, huh? So... you think this kid could've been the source of that massive energy spike we detected?"
Retrieval Team 2: hesitates, scanning the area "Hard to say, but it lines up. Either way, we need to report this. Let's not take any chances."
Retrieval Team 1: nods "Agreed. Help me secure the area, and let's get word to the team leader."
10 Minutes Later
Retrieval Team 1: "Captain, we're back with the report."
Retrieval Team Captain: raises an eyebrow, glancing at the tied-up boy behind them "I see. Care to explain why there's a civilian in restraints?"
Retrieval Team 2: "Sir, the rooftop was empty, but we detected faint residual energy traces. Following the trail led us straight to him. The energy readings matched precisely."
Retrieval Team Captain: frowns "Are you certain? Could the device be malfunctioning?"
Retrieval Team 1: "We're sure, sir. We double-checked the equipment and even had the other team members confirm it. The device is fully operational."
Retrieval Team 2: "So... could this kid be the source of the energy spike we detected?"
Retrieval Team Captain: pauses, studying the boy thoughtfully "Possibly. I'll report this back to base to be certain."
Retrieval Team Captain: activates his radio "Retrieval Team to Base, come in."
Static crackles, then a beep.
Base: "Base here. What's your status, Retrieval Team?"
Retrieval Team Captain: "We've located an unconscious boy on the premises. Based on our readings, he appears to be the source of the energy spike from earlier."
Base: pauses "Clarify that, Captain. You're saying a kid caused the energy disturbance?"
Retrieval Team Captain: "Yes. We verified with detection devices—he's emitting energy even while unconscious. At first, we suspected a malfunction, but everything checks out."
Base: silent for a moment "Understood. Can you send a visual of the kid?"
Retrieval Team Captain: "Copy that. Sending image now. Stand by."
Base: "Alright, pulling up his file now… Got it. Name: Arata Hisagai. Age: 10. Says here his parents, Kai and Nara Hisagai, were killed in a car crash five years ago. Arata was the only survivor. He suffered minor injuries but was still put into an orphanage right after."
Retrieval Team: "So he's been in the system all this time?"
Base: "That's right. From what I can tell, he stayed at the orphanage until recently. He went missing without a trace—no belongings taken, no signs he was planning to leave. Just disappeared. They filed a missing person report, but after months with no leads, they listed him as presumed dead."
Retrieval Team: "No other family? No close connections?"
Base: "Nothing. No extended family on record, no guardian, and not a single friend or relative listed in his file. He's been alone since his parents died. All we know is he's officially off the grid, and there's no sign of how he made it out or where he might be heading."
Retrieval Team: pauses "Understood, Base."
Major Allen: "This is Major Allen to the retrieval team. Bring him in, now. Over and out."
The radio crackles as the transmission ends.
Retrieval Team Captain: exhales sharply "You heard the Major. Get him up—let's move. Summer, get the van prepped. We're out of here in five."
Summer: "Yes, sir!" She nods and heads off quickly to ready the vehicle.
Meanwhile, at the base
???: "Major, do you think what they're saying is true?"
Major Allen: sighs "Hard to say for certain, Corporal Tai. We don't have much to go on—no cameras in the area, and all we're working with is the energy reading from that device the higher-ups sent us. Keep a medical team on standby for their arrival, and have the retrieval team captain prepare a full report."
Corporal Tai: "Understood, Major."
Later
Arata's eyes fluttered open, and he stared up at a stark, white ceiling. Blinking a few times, he took in his surroundings—sterile, quiet, and filled with the faint scent of antiseptic. It looked like a hospital room… or something close to one.
As he tried to sit up, a tug at his wrist stopped him. Looking down, he saw his hand cuffed to the bed railing, the metal glinting coldly in the sterile light. Panic flared in his chest, and he frantically pulled at the handcuff, glancing around the room with wide, desperate eyes.
Just then, the door creaked open, and a nurse stepped in. She froze, noticing his panic and wild expression, then quickly backed out of the room to alert the doctor and call for security.