"I'm in!" I declared with measured determination as I strode into the sprawling event hall of the Vargas mansion.
Clad in a sleek black blouse that accentuated my confidence and an above-the-knee skirt boasting three-inch slits on the left side, I was making a statement. Black stockings clung to my legs, and two-inch pumps enhanced my poise. A silver scarf was knotted around my neck, conjuring an unwitting resemblance to a flight attendant in the midst of a high-society gala. Yet, I wasn't alone in this guise; ten other female servers were similarly attired. I mirrored a sophisticated member of the Vargas staff.
However, jubilation was a secondary sentiment. The excitement of executing a dual-pronged task — the mission's covert execution and Phelan's enigmatic favor — was clouded by an impending quandary. An intersection of purpose and a twist of fate seemed inevitable.
"Stride to the left exit. According to the mansion's intricate blueprint, there lie two exits from the event hall. The right passage leads you directly to the parking area, while the hidden left exit is our target," intoned Rumina through the discreet nanophone attached to my left earring. "Spritz your face with the solution I supplied. The neuron image stimulator will mask your true identity, cloaking you with the desired appearance. Remember, you must resemble a Vargas to gain unfettered access."
"Copy that, Agent Gorgos," I acknowledged tersely, obediently complying with Rumina's directive. With purposeful intent, I proceeded toward the elusive left exit.
Gathering in a corner of the event hall, Phelan's associates detected my presence, their laughter resonating. I paid little heed to their mirth; their amusement was inconsequential compared to the weight of my mission.
Closing in on the left exit, a mere few meters away, my progress was interrupted by an intrusive voice. Perched regally on the stage, Kelvin, known as Polar, manifested abruptly, sensing an anomalous aura among the garden revelers. His uncanny knack for deciphering behavioral cues rendered him a living lie detector.
"Lucy, what's causing the delay?" Kelvin's urgent voice whispered in my earpiece, vibrating with unease. The garden ambiance was evidently off-kilter.
"One unruly guest demands his indulgence. Rest assured, I've got it under control. Alert me if you sense anything, Polar," I replied, harnessing Kelvin's code name in our coded exchange. Redirecting my attention to Phelan, I simulated aloofness, immersing myself in my fictional world. My awareness of Kelvin's watchful scrutiny only compounded the challenge at hand, a potent reminder of my dual obligations.
Kelvin's smile expanded, a foreshadowing of his impending playful taunt. I could gauge his intentions from his mischievous aura, confirming my anticipation.
"Stride to the left exit. According to the mansion's intricate blueprint, there lie two exits from the event hall. The right passage leads you directly to the parking area, while the hidden left exit is our target," intoned Rumina through the discreet nanophone attached to my left earring. "Spritz your face with the solution I supplied. The neuron image stimulator will mask your true identity, cloaking you with the desired appearance. Remember, you must resemble a Vargas to gain unfettered access."
"Copy that, Agent Gorgos," I acknowledged tersely, obediently complying with Rumina's directive. With purposeful intent, I proceeded toward the elusive left exit.
Gathering in a corner of the event hall, Phelan's associates detected my presence, their laughter resonating. I paid little heed to their mirth; their amusement was inconsequential compared to the weight of my mission.
Closing in on the left exit, a mere few meters away, my progress was interrupted by an intrusive voice. Perched regally on the stage, Kelvin, known as Polar, manifested abruptly, sensing an anomalous aura among the garden revelers. His uncanny knack for deciphering behavioral cues rendered him a living lie detector.
"Lucy, what's causing the delay?" Kelvin's urgent voice whispered in my earpiece, vibrating with unease. The garden ambiance was evidently off-kilter.
"One unruly guest demands his indulgence. Rest assured, I've got it under control. Alert me if you sense anything, Polar," I replied, harnessing Kelvin's code name in our coded exchange. Redirecting my attention to Phelan, I simulated aloofness, immersing myself in my fictional world. My awareness of Kelvin's watchful scrutiny only compounded the challenge at hand, a potent reminder of my dual obligations.
Kelvin's smile expanded, a foreshadowing of his impending playful taunt. I could gauge his intentions from his mischievous aura, confirming my anticipation.
"Lucy, what's causing the delay?" Kelvin's voice sounded urgently in my earpiece, betraying his concern. His ability to read people's intentions based on their behavior was uncanny and useful, but right now, it added another layer of pressure.
"One guest is acting out, but I can handle it. Let me know if you sense anything, Polar," I replied, addressing Kelvin by his code name. As I shifted my focus back to Phelan, I projected an air of nonchalance, pretending to be engrossed in my surroundings. My heart pounded, the presence of Kelvin's scrutiny serving as a constant reminder of the complexity of my task.
Kelvin's grin widened, a harbinger of his forthcoming jest. I could practically hear the mischief in his voice as he observed my predicament.
"Lucy, what's causing the delay?" Kelvin's voice sounded urgently in my earpiece, betraying his concern. His ability to read people's intentions based on their behavior was uncanny and useful, but right now, it added another layer of pressure.
"One guest is acting out, but I can handle it. Let me know if you sense anything, Polar," I replied, addressing Kelvin by his code name. As I shifted my focus back to Phelan, I projected an air of nonchalance, pretending to be engrossed in my surroundings. My heart pounded, the presence of Kelvin's scrutiny serving as a constant reminder of the complexity of my task.
Kelvin's grin widened, a harbinger of his forthcoming jest. I could practically hear the mischief in his voice as he observed my predicament.
"Lucy, what's causing the delay?" Kelvin's voice sounded urgently in my earpiece, betraying his concern. His ability to read people's intentions based on their behavior was uncanny and useful, but right now, it added another layer of pressure.
"One guest is acting out, but I can handle it. Let me know if you sense anything, Polar," I replied, addressing Kelvin by his code name. As I shifted my focus back to Phelan, I projected an air of nonchalance, pretending to be engrossed in my surroundings. My heart pounded, the presence of Kelvin's scrutiny serving as a constant reminder of the complexity of my task.
Kelvin's grin widened, a harbinger of his forthcoming jest. I could practically hear the mischief in his voice as he observed my predicament.
The minutes ticked by as I maintained my position beside Phelan, the birthday boy. Although Rumina's reminders were flooding my earpiece, urging me to depart and resume my mission, I found myself ensnared by Phelan's enigmatic magnetism. Observing the crowd, I noted the absence of women flocking to him during my presence. No fangirls vied for his attention, no captivating models vied to catch his eye. The realization struck me, and an odd sense of satisfaction unfurled in my chest.
Eventually, Kelvin's insistent calls yanked Phelan away from my side. He left, albeit reluctantly, to attend to his companions. Rumina's voice resounded in my ear, a blend of exasperation and urgency, likely aggravated by my lingering beside the elf truck stationed outside the mansion. The vehicle was loaded with surveillance equipment and espionage gadgets, all primed for our inaugural mission.
With a sense of determination and anticipation, I followed Rumina's instructions, poised for the impending sequence of events.
"First mission: Zero Artifact 1A, Black Scorpion Box."
A clandestine relic, Zero Artifact 1A, the Black Scorpion Box, lay concealed within the Vargas Mansion's deepest bowels, specifically in the elusive fourth basement. Precise directions were crucial, yet doubt swirled in my mind – doubts not only about Phelan's family, but about Phelan himself.
The weight of this inaugural mission loomed heavily. Our triumph here was the key to unlocking the labyrinth of challenges within the League of the Unseen (LOU). This was not merely an assignment; it was a harbinger of trials that would define us.
"Move, Lucy. I've spotted three potent outcrosses entering," Kelvin's usually steady voice quivered, the unusual tremor underscoring the danger. The outcrosses' significance wasn't lost on him, and his gulp betrayed the gravity of their presence.
"I sensed them too, Lucy. Hurry and apply the face spray," directed Rumina.
"Copy, Polar and Gorgos. Spraying now."
My heartbeat synced with my breath as I faced Phelan engrossed in conversation. Seizing my opportunity, I made my way to the left exit, quelling the anxious flurry in my chest. Adrenaline surged through me as I reached for the handle, meeting the gaze of two suited guards. Their nods granted passage, and the door swung open. "Access granted. Proceeding to the first basement."
"Perfect," echoed Rumina's voice, a hint of admiration piercing her typically composed demeanor. "Remember, the door is DNA-encoded. Do you have Phelan's hair?"
"Affirmative, Agent Gorgos. I've had it since my arrival." A strand of Phelan's hair, secured in my purse, was ready for analysis. Placing it beneath the DNA scanner, I initiated the authentication process.
ACCESS GRANTED. The mechanical voice affirmed my entry. The ease of it was astonishing, prompting a sigh of relief from Rumina.
"I anticipated a need to hack Vargas Mansion's system," I remarked, descending to the second basement with resolute determination.
"I shared your concern, Gorgos," Rumina's response held a tone of gratitude. "The efficiency surprises me. Impressive."
Each step into the oxygen-thick atmosphere deepened my doubt. The basement itself seemed a conspirator against my mission. "Hold your breath, Lucy. Oxygen reduction is a staple in Vargas basements. Convenient access, concealed peril," Rumina advised, her guidance bolstering my focus.
"C-copy, Gorgos." The portable oxycandy dispenser was my lifeline. I consumed one, feeling a wave of minty coolness enrich my lungs. Breaths became easier, a lifeline tethering me to the task.
"Move faster, Lucy. They're heading your way," Kelvin's voice sounded a siren in my ear, his urgency palpable.
"Agent Polar, delay them," I commanded while reaching the third basement. Consuming another oxycandy, I fortified my breath. The clock's hands neared midnight, and my window of opportunity was closing.
"Lucy, abort. They're close," Kelvin's voice quivered with desperation. I peered at the clock. It was almost midnight, the legal threshold of my age almost upon me.
"Six minutes left. I can hold my breath for two, stretching it to thirteen. Gorgos, the code?" I pressed on, my resolve unwavering.
"Thirteen minutes, Lucy. If it complicates, abort. It's two to one," Rumina stipulated. "Try 102307."
Keystrokes tapped out the code.
ACCESS DENIED.
"Underestimated them, Rumina. Let's attempt 646712, their wealth minus six zeroes."
I punched in 646712.
ACCESS DENIED. Panic lurked.
"Polar, Gorgos, I'll guess," I declared, my voice steady. My fingers danced over the keypad. 143440, 143143, 123456... no response. Frustration and desperation escalated.
"Lucy, they're approaching," Kelvin's urgency echoed.
"Agent Polar, intervene," I said, facing the fourth basement door. The pressure mounted. Consuming the final oxycandy, I felt its effects cascade through me.
ACCESS GRANTED. Elation coursed through me.
The fourth basement's door creaked open. A treasure trove of jewelry glinted in displays. My eyes locked onto the black scorpion box, mirroring our research. It awaited at the basement's end, a beacon of triumph.
With a lipgloss, I initiated an unconventional technique. Its contents bore the power to corrode metal and glass. A circular pattern on the box's surface dissolved a path. I seized the box, satisfaction coursing through me.
Emerging, I faced a new urgency. Footsteps echoed, danger impending.
The scent of peril pricked my senses.
I had been forewarned.
Now, I would confront it head-on.