"We really screwed up this time" Kostas muttered.
He ran a hand down his face, trying to push away the weight pressing on him.
The Troopers.....his team.... they had killed a criminal before any notice from jurisdiction. And it wasn't just any criminal, but a figure the media had turned into a symbol.
A freaking superstar.
Kostas had acted on impulse, pulling the trigger before he could fully process the consequences.
Good thing the media hadn't caught on to the story yet. But it was only a matter of time.
They'd be all over it soon, dissecting every detail. The Troopers had done reckless things before - public burnings, extreme displays of force. But this.... was different.
Killing someone that high-profile...
"Oh god, people outside our sector are going to be so mad."
....That too in broad daylight.
Right after the policy - legalizing the Troopers had been published… it will backfire no matter how you look at it.
10 a.m., the day already felt like a losing battle.
"Fuck it, we will see when the time comes."
Kostas flushed the toilet, and stood up.
Adjusting his belt, he opened the door and stepped out, only to nearly collide with..... a wiry man standing just outside.
The man had an awkward grin plastered across his face. Anyone could tell he was nervous.
"Who the hell are you?" Kostas growled at the poor guy, "And what the heck were you doing outside my toilet?"
The man extended a hand, "Harry. I'm from the capital." his movements were hesitant.
Kostas ignored the hand, crossing his arms as he loomed over Harry. "And what does the capital want with us?"
Harry's grin vanished, "They…" He cleared his throat, glancing at the floor before meeting Kostas' eyes again.
"They're… still heavily upset with the Troopers' recent actions. And, I'm just a messenger, here to deliver their thoughts and a special message. Don't think these are my words. Ok? I'll be leaving tomorrow."
Kostas took a step forward.
Seeing that, Harry instinctively stepped back, bumping against the edge of the sink.
"You look nervous," Kostas said.
"N-not at all," Harry raised his hands in a placating gesture. "Just here to do my job. Why would i be nervous.. Ha ha.. khe."
Kostas smirked, "Good. Let's talk somewhere more… civilized."
They left the restroom together and as they approached the common area, the faint murmurs of the TV grew louder and louder.
Kamala was leaning against the wall, arms crossed as she was watching a heated debate blaring from the screen.
Freddie, meanwhile, was sitting in a chair, shoveling popcorn into his mouth with almost mechanical efficiency.
The TV showed a panel of women arguing - some defending the Troopers' legalization as necessary for law enforcement, others labelling them as a dangerous overreach of power.
Kostas paused in the doorway, his gaze flicking to the TV before landing on Freddie. "I wonder how they're gonna react when they find out we killed Superstar Henry yesterday," his tone grim. "They're gonna freak out for sure."
Kamala and Freddie both turned, surprised by his voice. Kamala's eyes narrowed, while Freddie grinned, unfazed.
"Don't worry, boss," Freddie said, "I'm always with you. Fuck these people."
Kamala pointed at harry and asked, "Who's this?"
"Harry," Kostas replied.
Harry gave a weak smile, "One of your members... Rachel, I think. She let me in. I'm just a messenger from the capital."
Kamala's brow arched. "Messenger? What's the message?"
"We're getting to that," Kostas said.
Then, he turned to Freddie, who was now licking salt off his fingers. "Freddie, maybe quit eating for two seconds?"
Freddie grinned, "Popcorn helps me think, boss."
Kamala rolled her eyes, muttering something under her breath before addressing Harry again, "Alright, messenger boy. Spill it. What does capital want from us?"
Harry hesitated, glancing nervously at Kostas. "Uh, well, I was about to explain that…"
Kostas held up a hand, silencing him. "Not here. Let's take this to the hallway. You all continue with your programs."
Kamala : Bu-
Kostas cut her off with a Kamala, "It's fine, Let me hear him out first. And Kamala, could you please tell Rachel, I need her to repair my chain from Storpedo Market? It broke recently. Please."
Kamala sighed, "Sure."
With a smile, They left Kamala and Freddie behind and entered the dimly lit corridor. Kostas stopped abruptly, turning to face Harry.
"Alright. Out with it now," he demanded. "What's the big message?"
Harry paused, his fingers nervously tugging at the hem of his jacket. "The higher-ups from captial want you troopers to take on a mission," he said.
"There's a rogue. He breached Sector 1's vault. We don't know what he took, but he's dangerous. Last we know, he is in your sector now. Sector 5. Capital want him..... alive."
Kostas raised an eyebrow. "Is he with anyone? Any backup?"
Harry shook his head, "As far as we know, he's alone. But there's something you need to understand, Kostas…" His voice trailed off.
Kostas took a step closer, his senses on high alert. "What is it?"
Harry let out a long breath, "That rogue... he's one of the survivors of Operation Fivefold."
The name hit Kostas like a physical blow.
Operation Fivefold.
They didn't even speak its name anymore. The scars it left on the nation were still fresh, still raw.
Kostas' jaw tightened, "And they thought now was the best time to dump this on us? After knowing the shitstorm we are gonna face from media?"
"I know it's not ideal," Harry said quickly, almost pleading. "But the capital doesn't trust anyone else to handle this."
Kostas scoffed, "Fuck out of here with those words. They don't trust us either. They just need a scapegoat if it all goes south."
Harry's face reddened, but he didn't deny it. Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a phone. "If you don't believe me, I'll call Ronin. He'll explain everything."
Kostas said nothing as Harry dialed the number and handed him the phone.
Ronin's voice crackled through the speaker, sharp and commanding.
"Kostas. is it? I hope you are not giving our Harry a hard time."
"Damn right I am," Kostas growled. "Tell me... Why us?"
"Because Alex recommended you," Ronin snapped. "And because you owe us. You know the heat your team's going to take for yesterday's stunt. If you screw this up, it'll be the end."
Kostas' fingers tightened around the phone. "So, it's a threat now? you know you need us native officers for the Dead coral project in our sector."
"You really believe we couldn't replace you with another native officer for the project? Don't believe those media ladies. Sure, it might take time. A couple of years, maybe. But we could restart the project then. Don't forget, Kostas, your entire team exists because of Alex."
Kostas's knuckles turned white. "Where is Alex?"
"He will call you when it's necessary. Now, listen boy, you'll take the job," Ronin continued.
"You don't have a choice."