Manhattan Police Department
After days of search, investigation, and thorough analysis of the victim's equipment, the attack on the Brilliant Star was finally resolved.
Inside a conference room, Chief Jeffrey directed his focus on Brooklyn.
"Yes, these mercenaries must be based in Brooklyn. Once we locate their hideout, we'll uncover who's behind this operation," Chief Jeffrey declared confidently.
"Brooklyn again? Is it a haven for terrorists now?"
One officer, clearly frustrated, voiced what others were thinking. Brooklyn, once rife with crime, had only recently seen peace, but now it was spiraling back into chaos.
Chief Jeffrey sighed, his frustration evident. Brooklyn was even more chaotic than he'd anticipated, with cases surfacing daily, leaving its police force stretched thin.
"But Brooklyn's huge. How do we even start?" another officer questioned.
Chief Jeffrey raised a hand. "This is beyond our local department's capacity. I reached out to Brooklyn PD before this meeting. They reported a recent spike in crimes involving suspects with matching equipment, and they've identified a potential hideout. The Special Forces will be handling it from here."
"Special Forces?"
One officer's surprise was palpable. If Special Forces were involved, this criminal organization was no small threat.
"And not just any unit," Chief Jeffrey added. "We're talking about Falcon Special Forces."
"Falcon!"
The officers were visibly impressed. Over the past two years, Falcon had dismantled dozens of criminal networks with unparalleled precision and minimal casualties. Often dubbed the U.S. military's "sharp sword," Falcon was known to strike at the heart of any threat swiftly and decisively.
Terrorist organizations trembled at the mention of Falcon. If they were on the case, the public would soon have answers, alleviating the fear that had gripped the city.
A wave of relief swept through the room. The terrifying string of incidents that had plagued them was finally nearing an end. They could look forward to a moment of peace in their high-stress roles.
In the afternoon, when sunlight hit the station, a rare quiet moment might allow them a simple pleasure: a fresh cup of coffee.
---
Two hours later, Robert finally arrived at his destination: a deserted area west of Manhattan.
A solitary, circular building resembling a factory stood there, surrounded by open land. Robert was unconvinced it was a legitimate factory.
Could Thomas be here? he wondered.
But how to get inside?
A direct fight didn't seem wise. He had no knowledge of the layout or the number of guards. Without eliminating everyone inside, he'd always be at risk.
Should I disguise myself as one of them and gather information first?
It seemed like a solid plan.
Earlier at a burger joint, he had asked Tony how he managed to make Thomas look exactly like Soldier 76. Tony had explained his technique in detail and handed Robert a device.
The gadget, a black square with a glass side and a red button, was something Tony had crafted on a whim while designing the Soldier 76 outfit. Knowing Thomas wanted to disguise himself as Soldier 76, Tony had realized that Thomas's facial features didn't match, leading him to create this device, whimsically naming it the "Face Replicator."
Despite its simple design and unimposing name, the device could read the facial data of a virtual character and project it onto a human-like skin mask. Tony had used it to replicate Soldier 76's face onto a mask, allowing Thomas to look remarkably lifelike in the disguise.
Fully geared up as Soldier 76, Thomas had an edge: his uniform revealed only the upper half of his face, concealing his darker skin tone beneath the helmet. Tony's ingenuity was apparent.
Robert was about to attempt a similar infiltration. Although the device was originally calibrated for virtual characters, with Tony's permission, it could scan and replicate human faces as well. However, these reproductions were less precise, as factors like nose and brow structure didn't align perfectly with the real person.
But absolute accuracy wasn't essential; as long as the disguise was passable, he'd be fine.
It was time to act.
Robert parked his car in a hidden spot, armed himself, and began to approach on foot. The distance gave him some security, but he'd need to be cautious as he closed in.
He moved quietly, blending into the shadows and using scattered metal debris as intermittent cover.
Ahead, a guard with a rifle stood watch.
Observing him, Robert confirmed the guard's equipment matched that of the Brilliant Star attackers. They must have taken Thomas.
Keeping his back to the wall, Robert edged sideways. Due to the round shape of the building, the guards had a limited field of vision, which allowed him to stay within their blind spots.
Carefully, Robert activated the Face Replicator, switching to his Soldier 76 disguise. Though he lacked combat skills, he knew Soldier 76's extensive capabilities and planned to lean on that advantage.
For this mission, Robert opted to use a powerful tranquilizer pistol over a pulse rifle. With a single, well-aimed shot, he could put someone out cold in seconds.
Moving closer to the wall, he advanced silently, each step so light he could barely hear it himself.
When he felt the distance was right, Robert quickly turned and fired without a second's hesitation. He'd need to be that sharp to be worthy of the title "agent."
Just as the guard's finger reached the alarm, Robert was upon him, pulling him aside and swiftly using the Face Replicator to scan and project the guard's features onto himself.
The smooth surface of the mask shifted, molding into a rugged, angled face. It felt like applying a second skin.
Releasing the Soldier 76 transformation, Robert donned the guard's uniform over his own. It was a tight fit, but the guard's own bulky build helped maintain the illusion.
Next, he dragged the guard by the legs, moving him behind a piece of iron sheet about a hundred meters away, where he'd be out of sight.
Once in place, Robert took up the guard's post at the door, rifle in hand.
A short while later, another figure emerged. Robert could sense his tension rising.
"I'm covering you so you can take a break."
The newcomer, mouth full of food and teeth smeared with stray lettuce, clearly had just eaten.
Robert nodded in silence, choosing not to speak to keep his disguise intact, and entered the building.
---
Inside, the dimly lit corridors and industrial decor gave it an ominous feel. Robert's senses heightened as he proceeded, relying on his Soldier 76 disguise and the Face Replicator's effects.
Down the hall, he encountered a group of mercenaries, all armed and vigilant. Slipping into character, Robert moved through them, keeping his head low.
In one hallway, he spotted Thomas, bruised but alive, secured in a cell with heavy chains. A pair of guards stood by the door, conversing in low voices.
Robert waited for a moment of distraction, then took out his tranquilizer. Two silent shots later, both guards lay unconscious on the floor.
Rushing to Thomas's side, he inspected the lock. With his knowledge of the guard's layout, Robert quickly found a key on one of them.
"Robert?" Thomas mumbled, barely conscious.
"Hold on, Thomas. We're getting out of here," Robert whispered, gripping Thomas's arm.
Navigating through the hallways, Robert managed to avoid drawing suspicion, his disguise holding up until they reached an exit.
Once outside, Robert helped Thomas into his car and drove away from the hideout.
---
Their mission had succeeded, but Robert knew Brooklyn's criminal underworld was far from finished. Yet, with Falcon Special Forces on their side, a glimmer of hope remained.
For now, he'd focus on getting Thomas to safety and planning their next move.