September 9th, 2222. "Soon, we can setup a joint operation to look into the rogue outbreak in Seeira." Holly says in the command room. "When this joint operation commences, we have been given a few... safety measures. It seems America is weary that we're going to just kill off any agent they send our way. First and foremost, we can only send one of our own. As Silas is the lead of your squad, I've volunteered him. The agent from America will be Jade Haskell as she personally requested it." As Holly said this, Carl elbows Silas in the side softly as he smiles at Silas. "Last, there will be a third agent. Reaching out to contacts and nearby countries, we've found an agent that can speak English fluently who was willing... upon a request. This agent will be sourced from Brazil. Her name is Garcia Espinoza of the BOPE. However, there has seemingly been an outbreak in their area as well, involving the cartel and rogue hunters."
"So, we need to help assist this Espinoza in Brazil before they join with Silas in some bullshit investigation?" Dana asks.
"That is the gist of it, yes." Holly replies.
"Why?" Carl asks.
"America demanded heavily on a third party attending this joint operation." Haru interrupts. "I negotiated the best I could and what I got to take away from that series of conferences were that we could at the very least find a third party ourselves so long as America agrees. I didn't want them having full control of the team setup. Who knows what they might plan if they had that control."
"So they want a third member to make sure I don't kill Jade?" Silas asks, confused.
"Silas couldn't kill a fly..." Dana complains. "Especially not one called Jade."
"Will you drop it already?" Silas asks.
"Focus, you three." Holly speaks up. "The day after tomorrow, you three are to meet with Espinoza at the designated RZ, and once there, she will give you the full debrief. Take care of that, and Silas will be temporarily assigned to this joint force. Dana and Carl, while Silas is working with Espinoza and Haskell, I want you two to keep on eye on them from the distance. We can't afford to relax too much right now, knowing these people."
"It's an unfortunate situation, but that's just how it is..." Haru adds. "Do try to get along with your joint task force when the situation approaches, Silas. Agents Espinoza and Haskell are... very different from you and your friends. An adjustment period will likely be necessary."
In a house, in the city of Farnhardt, a phone rings in the residence of Felicia and Henry Keyes. Felicia picks it up hesitantly at first. "Hello?" she answers.
"Felicia, it's Silas." Silas replies.
"Silas! Long time no see, fox boy. What's up?"
"It's about information on America." Silas asks. "Are you still up to your old habits of digging into any and all material you can find about information?"
"Boy, have I ever?" Felicia replies sarcastically. "What did you want to know?"
"These... rogue Hunters." Silas replies. "I can't shake the feeling someone is... planting them there."
"Anyone could've told you that." Felicia says.
"But who?" Silas asks.
"My gut tells me Americans are..." Felicia says. "I just... don't have anything on that. It seems like any news outlet in America doesn't even acknowledge that it's happening. Though, I can tell you now based on radio chatter, we have intercepted some of their calls and they are fully aware. But radio interception is hard, so... not like I can say I've caught them red handed..."
"That's still helpful, thanks." Silas replies. "I'm just worried about an upcoming investigation."
"An investigation of?..." Felicia asks.
"An agent from Brazil, America and I are supposed to be investigating this together." Silas adds. "The rogue Hunters, I mean."
"An American agent?" Felicia asks. "Like... CIA or..."
"SWAT." Silas replies. "And I've met her in person beforehand. I don't think she knows anything, so I'm not worried she's some insider."
"You be careful around those SWAT members, Silas." Felicia says, suddenly full of concern. "A shark tank, that's what that whole organization is. If she ain't biting, someone will either make her bite, or bite for her. Shit doesn't shoot up a ladder, Silas. It falls. If she isn't near the top, she's likely being carefully guided exactly where she needs to be, and she'll be pressed enough to do it. They already know that."
"W-what do I do?" Silas asks.
"What do... what do you do?" Felicia asks. "Avoid her, obviously. You can't save everybody." Silas was silent for a moment. "I mean it, kid. I don't mean to sound harsh, that's just the line of work you chose. The hardest part of wanting to do the most good, is accepting you're going to see the most bad in people. Cut your losses before it gets too great. That's my advice."
"Well... like you have your gut feelings, I have my own." Silas replies.
"Like?"
"Like I want to help her." Silas says. "I mean it, there's some people out there who need a reaching hand. If we keep pulling away-"
"Silas, you're easily fooled, aren't you?" Felicia asks. "I get the feeling you're gullible."
"That's not it..." Silas pouts. "Look, if you find out anything, please let me know. It would mean a lot for the mission, myself and the security of Omnia."
"Will do, Silas." Felicia says. "Henry and I will still be here as your informants, but... do try to look out for yourself too. I mean it. What would your mother think if you were to go missing?"
"I won't let it come to that." Silas promises.
"I would certainly hope not." Felicia replies. "Good luck."
"Skell, welcome back." an agent in a blue suit says as the two of them entered a small room with no windows and only one door. "One of our own has been awfully hard at work in the FBI. One might think she'd deserve a promotion."
"Just get to the point, I'm not one for these elongated talks about your overreaching power, Cornell." Mathias replies impatiently.
"Well, this particular FBI agent... she's strong, dutiful, efficient." Cornell replies. "Problem is she's honest, sharp and morally guided. All things we... can't exactly let go unchecked if she were to continue. Some things can't be taught, they must be learned. The hard way. In this next portfolio is the names, location, and everything we know about the Haskell family. The foster family of our beloved agent Jade Haskell."
"You want me... to kill someone's defenseless family?" Mathias asks.
"I want you to obey." Cornell replies harshly. "Remember... one... small... step. That's all it takes." There was a short pause, then "I want you to be ready. If it were ever to come such an unfortunate measure be needed, we'll let you know."
"But why w family?" Mathias asks, angrily. "This isn't what I do! My thing is politicians! Criminals! A family!? Are you insane!?"
"Skell, did I ask for your fucking opinion?..." Cornell asks. There was another pause, then "Be... at... the... ready. You don't have a choice in this matter. If you didn't want to go down this path, you shouldn't have put a target on your back by killing governor Trevor Warrendale. You could've stopped at that call center and we probably wouldn't have ever found you. But you just had to keep going. You had to keep exercising your power. This is the game you played, Skell. Learn your place."
Cornell stands up, opens the metal door and walks out, closing the door behind him but not locking it. After a while of waiting in silence, Mathias stands up and kicks his chair against the wall, denting the metal frame of the chair and making a loud banging noise. "Fuck!" Mathias yells in anger. After a few deep breaths, he dusts off his clothes and leaves the room as well.