The clock ticked past 3 AM. The room was dark and quiet, save for the soft hum of the air conditioning. Kai and Hannah were wrapped in a blanket, tangled together like they couldn't bear to be apart, their bodies pressed close, the warmth of each other a comfort in the otherwise still room. The bed was large, clean, and luxurious, but none of that mattered right now. What mattered was the peace they had found in each other's arms, a rare kind of peace that Kai didn't want to lose.
But, of course, life had other plans.
The shrill ring of Kai's phone sliced through the silence like a knife. His eyes shot open, heart skipping a beat. He instinctively reached out, trying to silence it before it woke Hannah. He didn't want to disturb her, not now, not like this.
"Who the hell—" He muttered under his breath, squinting at the screen but not bothering to check the name. He grabbed the phone and answered, voice barely above a whisper. "Hey, who's this?"
A deep voice, rough around the edges, answered. "It's me. Alexander."
For a moment, Kai didn't say anything. Alexander's voice was familiar, but there was something in the tone that made Kai sit up straighter, the warmth of sleep beginning to drain from him. He glanced at Hannah, still nestled in his arms, blissfully unaware of the world outside their little bubble.
"Alexander?" Kai's voice was low, still trying to keep the calm. "It's 3 AM. What the hell do you want?"
There was a pause, and Kai could almost hear Alexander running a hand through his hair. "I know. I'm sorry. Didn't mean to wake you, but we've got a situation."
Kai's stomach dropped. "What kind of situation?" His voice was rough now, the edge of concern creeping into his words.
"Clara and Mina were taken. And Lukas... he's dead," Alexander's words hit like a punch to the gut. "Trying to gather intel on a breakout in Innenstadt."
The weight of it slammed into Kai. His eyes went wide, and the urgency in his voice broke through the quiet room. "What?! You're kidding me."
Hannah stirred a little, sensing his change in tension. Kai immediately softened, lowering his tone, though his mind was racing. "Clara and Mina... How the hell did this happen? You didn't do anything to stop it? What if—what if they—" He couldn't bring himself to finish the thought, the fear clawing at him.
"Calm down," Alexander snapped, his voice sharper now, a note of frustration cutting through the concern. "I didn't even finish, and you're already losing it. We didn't get a chance to pull them out. They were taken too damn fast. And Lukas... he got caught up in the mess. He's gone."
Kai's breath caught, his heart pounding. Lukas. Gone. The man who had been like family to him. The reality of it was almost too much to grasp.
"I... I can't believe this." His voice was hoarse now, more to himself than to Alexander. He clenched his fist, the anger bubbling up, but there was something else, something deeper—a gnawing fear. "They were just women, Alexander. They're not—what if those assholes—"
"I know," Alexander cut in, his voice softening. "I know. But we're not leaving them behind. I'll get them back, Kai. You have my word."
Kai closed his eyes, trying to steady his breathing. The anger, the fear—it was all too much. He looked down at Hannah, still asleep, oblivious to everything. He felt a sickening guilt twist in his gut. This wasn't just his fight. But it felt like it was.
"I'll be there," Kai muttered. He didn't need to say more. Alexander knew what that meant.
The call ended abruptly, and the silence returned. Kai sat there for a long moment, phone still in his hand, trying to collect his thoughts. His heart was racing, and his mind was a storm of conflicting emotions. He didn't want to wake Hannah. Not yet. She was still lost in her dreams, safe for the moment.
But he couldn't ignore the reality of it anymore. His team was in danger. And there was no going back.
The phone rang again, dragging Kai out of his thoughts. He answered it swiftly, still trying to process the weight of Alexander's previous words. He inhaled deeply, bracing himself for whatever would come next.
"I want you to assess the situation. Launch an operation. The timing's up to you, but you need to save them. Clara and Mina... before that group sells them off worldwide." Alexander's voice came through the phone, deep and unwavering.
Before Kai could respond, Alexander spoke again, cutting him off.
"A—"
"I'm visiting my family in Berlin," Alexander said, his tone smooth and steady, as if his words carried no weight.
Kai froze for a second, unsure how to react. The last thing he expected was this kind of answer.
"Obsidian, I trust you with this," Alexander added, his voice low and reassuring.
Kai's grip on the phone tightened, frustration creeping into his tone. "Trust isn't enough," he said sharply. "I thought you were a capable Federal Director. Now you're acting like someone who's lost all his spine." He paused, then added, "Leave a folder in your office. I'll pick it up. Put in the mission details—the group that took our agents. I need everything."
A brief silence followed, then Alexander's voice returned, colder. "Watch your mouth."
Kai didn't flinch. "Just do it," he said firmly. "Leave the folder tomorrow."
Kai ended the call, his hand still gripping the phone as he set it down on the bedside table. He exhaled deeply, trying to shake off the weight of the conversation. Slowly, he adjusted the blanket, pulling it back over their naked bodies, then wrapped his arms around Hannah.
He gazed down at her peaceful face, her lips forming a soft "O" as she breathed steadily in her sleep. For a brief moment, his mind drifted back to Mina and Clara. Will I ever save them?
The thought lingered, but then his gaze softened as he took in Hannah's calm expression. Her presence, so serene and undisturbed by the chaos in his mind, gave him a fleeting sense of relief. The tension that had clenched him moments ago started to unravel, melting into the warmth of the room and the quiet comfort of their embrace.
Kai cuddled Hannah tighter, pulling her closer as if trying to merge their bodies into one. He closed his eyes, allowing the warmth of her presence to settle him. The tension from the phone call and the weight of the mission slowly faded away as he relaxed deeper into the bed. With her soft breaths against his chest, he drifted off to sleep, finding a fleeting moment of peace in the quiet darkness.
.
.
.
.
.
"Hey, handsome, wake up..."
Kai heard Hannah's warm voice and slowly opened his eyes, wiping them to clear his blurry vision. He could barely make out the figure of Hannah standing by the bed. She was wrapped in the blanket, her body mostly covered, and in her hands was a tray with two plates of eggs, bacon, and yellow rice. The soft yellow glow of the room bathed everything in a peaceful light, the morning still fresh and calm. It was around 6 A.M.
"Good morning..." Kai said, his tone warm but groggy as he wiped his eyes, trying to focus on her face.
"Good morning, love..." Hannah replied, her voice soft and affectionate, her smile a quiet comfort as she carefully set the tray on the bed between them.
Kai sat up a little, his muscles stiff from sleep, but the smell of the food hit him immediately. He stretched, blinking a few more times to wake himself up fully. "You made breakfast?" he asked, his voice thick with sleep but filled with appreciation.
Hannah gave a playful shrug, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Yeah, I figured you could use a good start to the day."
Kai smiled, leaning back against the pillows. "You spoil me," he said, chuckling softly as he reached for a plate, the warmth of the food comforting him as much as the moment.
.
.
.
.
.
"I'm so full..." Hannah said, letting out a soft burp, leaning back against the edge of the bed and rubbing her stomach like a child, a satisfied smile on her face.
Kai chuckled softly at her behavior, shaking his head. He was still wrapped in the blanket, his naked body hidden beneath it, but his chest was exposed as he leaned back on the pillows. "You're adorable, you know that?"
Her eyes softened, still smiling as she gave him a playful look. "What? I'm just enjoying my food."
Kai paused, his expression shifting. "Anyways... last night, while you were asleep, Alexander called around 3 o'clock," he started, his tone turning more serious. "He said they failed a mission..." He paused. "Lukas was killed in action."
Hannah froze, her smile faltering as her eyes widened, registering the weight of his words. "Lukas...?" she whispered, her voice small, almost lost in the room.
Kai nodded, looking at her, trying to gauge her reaction. "Yeah, Lukas... and, uh..." He paused. "Mina and Clara... your close friends in the team..." He saw her stiffen, her body visibly tensing, as though bracing herself for something worse. "They were... kidnapped by a group. A group known for selling humans."
Hannah froze completely, her breath catching in her throat, her eyes growing wide in shock. The world seemed to stand still as her thoughts raced. What? No... She could barely process what he was saying, the implications too much to comprehend at once.
Kai watched as her expression crumpled, her eyes welling with tears. "Hannah..." he whispered, but before he could say more, she collapsed into him, burying her face in his neck, her body trembling.
Kai instinctively pulled her closer, wrapping his arm around her, even though the blanket barely covered his lower half. He could feel the weight of her tears against his skin. His voice was soft but steady, trying to reassure her. "Hey, hey... it's okay... don't cry, lovey," he murmured, pressing his forehead gently against hers. "We'll figure this out. We'll get them back, I promise."
Her sobs continued, and Kai held her as tightly as he could, trying to comfort her, despite the crushing weight of their situation. In that moment, it didn't matter that they were naked beneath the blanket—what mattered was keeping her safe, keeping them both together as they faced whatever came next.
Hannah's sobs grew more intense, her body shaking against Kai as if she couldn't control the torrent of emotions flooding through her. She clung to him like she might break, as if losing Mina and Clara was something too painful to bear. "Kai, please... let's head to the headquarters already..." she pleaded, her voice raw and desperate, her words almost lost in her tears.
Kai flinched, his heart aching at the sight of her distress. He tightened his arms around her, pulling her even closer. "Let's take a bath first," he said, despite how odd it sounded in this moment of urgency. His tone, however, remained firm, a calm anchor amidst the storm. "We need to take care of ourselves first."
"B-but Kai..." Hannah's voice cracked as she tried to hold herself together, her sobs interrupting her words. "W-we need to... head there already..." She hiccupped, each word seeming to fight its way out of her, her fear evident. "Please, we can't waste any time," she added, nearly pleading, her grip tightening around him.
Kai's expression softened, but the resolve in his eyes never wavered. He gently patted her back, trying to soothe her trembling form. "Hey, it's okay. Calm down," he said, his voice low and steady, but there was a fire beneath it—a promise to act. "We will save them, I swear we will."
Kai shifted slightly, pulling her back enough to look into her tear-streaked face. His heart hurt seeing her this way, but he couldn't let her spiral. He wiped away a tear from her cheek with his thumb, his touch tender yet firm. "It's okay, love... stop crying. We'll take care of everything, I promise."
Hannah looked up at him, her eyes bloodshot and vulnerable, but she nodded slowly, as though she needed the reassurance more than anything else. She took a shaky breath, trying to steady herself, and for a moment, the weight of the world seemed a little lighter.
.
.
.
.
.
Kai and Hannah were dressed in their usual agent attire, ready for action. "Let's go now, lovey..." Hannah said, her voice steady despite the urgency, as she took his hand. Kai opened the hotel room door, locking it behind them, and together they walked down the hallway. Once they reached the car, Kai started the engine without hesitation, shifting into gear as he sped off.
"Hey, Clark can store conversations, right? Even calls?" Hannah asked, her tone both curious and urgent.
"Yeah, yeah," Kai replied, his focus on the road. He removed his high-tech watch and handed it to her without a second thought.
Hannah quickly took the watch, her fingers trembling slightly as she settled into her seat. Kai's driving was relentless, but he didn't speak. The silence between them was heavy with urgency.
"Clark, retrieve the last call from Alexander Klein-Hoffman and send it as a text message for me to read," Hannah said, her voice firm and rushed.
The watch beeped in acknowledgment, the screen lighting up with a green text: Retrieving...
Kai's grip on the wheel tightened as he navigated through the congested streets. His eyes flicked to the road, frustration building as traffic inched forward. "Fuck, come on," he muttered, swerving around slower cars. He pushed the accelerator harder, the need for speed growing more intense by the second.
The watch beeped softly, its screen lighting up with the messages between Kai and Alexander from the previous night, displaying the conversation in semi-detailed form. The words scrolled across the screen as Hannah read them carefully.
"You don't really fear him, do you?" Hannah asked, her voice laced with disbelief, her eyes flicking between the screen and Kai as he focused intently on the road.
Kai's expression remained calm, his hands steady on the wheel. "What is there to fear..." he replied, his voice unwavering, though the tension in the air was palpable.
Hannah's eyes widened as she scanned the messages. Her fingers trembled slightly as she read one particular line, her voice dropping to a whisper, "Sell their body worldwide..." She repeated the words, her heart sinking as the reality of the situation hit her.
Her gaze met Kai's for a brief moment, a shared understanding passing between them, but neither of them spoke. The silence in the car was heavy with the weight of their thoughts.
and Hannah arrived at the headquarters of CIZA. The towering 12-story building stood in sleek black and white, its modern design exuding an air of power and sophistication. The gates, grand and imposing, were flanked by large flower pots, their vibrant blooms contrasting against the sharp lines of the architecture.
As they approached, the gates automatically slid open, welcoming them inside. Kai drove the car smoothly through, the engine humming softly as the sleek vehicle passed beneath the high-tech surveillance systems. Hannah's eyes studied the building, her gaze tracing the lines of the structure as she watched Kai's focused expression in the rearview mirror.
Kai drove swiftly toward the parking area, the urgency evident in every sharp turn of the wheel. As soon as the car came to a stop, both he and Hannah exited without hesitation. Hannah handed the watch back to Kai, who quickly secured it on his wrist.
Without a word, they moved toward the guarded entrance of CIZA. The building loomed ahead, its modern design softened by the rows of neatly arranged flowers lining the pathway. A staircase led up to the glass doors, guarded by two armed personnel, their presence both intimidating and reassuring.
As they approached the guards, one of them stepped forward and spoke, his tone low yet respectful. "Pocket check, sir."
Kai immediately raised his arms, his urgency reflected in his swift compliance. Hannah stood behind him, her expression tense as she watched the process unfold.
The guard conducted the check efficiently, scanning Kai's pockets with practiced precision. "Clear," he announced in a steady tone, stepping back to allow him through.
Kai nodded, turning to glance at Hannah. She stepped forward, raising her arms without hesitation, though her face betrayed her unease.
The guard patted her down carefully, his colleagues observing the interaction from their posts. Moments later, the guard stepped back and nodded. "Clear," he confirmed, his voice neutral.
Hannah exhaled subtly and moved closer to Kai, who gave her a reassuring look before they continued toward the main entrance. The tension in the air remained palpable as they pushed forward.
Kai gave Hannah a quick kiss on the cheek, his hand resting lightly on her waist as they moved toward the main entrance together. Despite the tension in the air, Hannah couldn't help but smile softly at the gesture, though her steps carried an urgency that matched his.
As they reached the main door, two armed personnel stood at attention. One of them, Fabian, a young guard in his early twenties, stepped forward. His uniform was crisp and well-fitted, but there was a slight looseness to his posture, as if his youth hadn't yet been entirely tempered by the discipline of service. His brown hair was cropped short, and his light hazel eyes held a calm intensity that suggested he took his role seriously, despite his age.
"ID, Colonel," Fabian said, his voice respectful but firm, his gaze shifting briefly to Hannah before returning to Kai.
"Oh, Fabian," Kai sighed, a note of frustration in his tone as he unfastened his coat and began patting down the inner pockets. "Just a second—I know I put it somewhere."
Fabian remained still, his hands clasped behind his back, his expression neutral but watchful. He didn't speak further, simply observing Kai with the quiet patience of someone accustomed to standing post for hours at a time. His presence was solid, but there was a youthful edge to his demeanor, as though he hadn't yet been hardened by years in the field.
Finally, Kai produced the card. "Here," he said, holding it out.
Fabian accepted it with brisk efficiency, scanning it with a small handheld device. The screen lit up briefly, displaying the text: Level-II Colonel | Codename: Obsidian.
"All clear, Colonel," Fabian said, returning the ID with a subtle nod. His voice was steady, though his eyes lingered on Kai for a moment longer than necessary. "Good luck, sir."
Hannah stepped forward for her own ID check, Kai giving her space but keeping a firm hold on her hand. She handed her ID to Fabian, her movements steady, though the urgency in her eyes lingered.
Fabian took the card, his light hazel eyes flickering over her with a brief up-and-down glance that didn't go unnoticed. His expression was neutral, but the intensity of his gaze made Hannah shift slightly. He scanned the ID with swift precision, the device emitting a soft beep as it displayed: Level-II Colonel | Codename: Viper.
"Clear," Fabian said, handing the ID back.
Hannah took it quickly, glancing down as if to avoid his eyes, but she couldn't ignore the lingering unease in her chest. She squeezed Kai's hand, a subtle but clear gesture of discomfort, and looked up at him, her expression tense.
Fabian's gaze flickered again, his eyes briefly scanning her up and down a second time.
Kai noticed. His jaw tightened as he stepped forward, inserting himself into the interaction. "Hey," he said, his voice sharp and serious, cutting through the charged silence.
Fabian froze for a fraction of a second, his neutral expression hardening slightly. "Yes, sir?" he replied, his tone calm but guarded.
Kai didn't elaborate immediately, but the weight of his stare made his message clear.