CHAPTER 14: CH 14: THE MISSION.

The door of the interrogation room opened, Levi and Selene walked out.

Levi rubbing his wrists while following Selene whose eyes darted dead ahead ignoring the whispers from the soldiers they passed.

~Ding.~

The elevator’s sound echoed as they stepped into the new floor.

"Where we going?" Levi asked finally.

"It’s finally time for your first mission and it’s without me... Need to know how you can with others without ripping their heads off" she said flatly.

She eventually stopped before a door as a camera on the overhead wall projected lasers that scanned her face just before the metallic door slid into the wall with a soft hiss.

In the room sat a long circular ring-like table with several chairs all around it.

Mr Manhattan already sat, followed by Zack, Umbra and someone else.

Soft white hair that glistened in the artificial light, providing a perfect contrast from his green eyes and slender build.

Selene guided Levi to a seat next to Zack as they all sat and she began.

"Alright, we already all know each other so I’m not gonna waste time with pleasantries—"

"Uhmm... Sorry, Selene. I don’t think he knows me" The man interrupted. He continued, gesturing at himself, "I’m Jace Korran and one of the elite soldiers of the L.U.X division and—"

"Okay, Jace. Since we’ve got that out of the way..." She locked eyes with Jace before turning to the rest of them, "Let’s get to the major reason for this meeting. Umbra?"

Umbra quickly grabbed and tapped on the remote on the table.

The lights in the room slowly dimmed as an ethereal glow condensed at the centre, too bright at first but then dimmed to show a holographic projection of the Earth.

Levi gripped the edge of his seat slightly, ’Damn. All this equipment and their soldiers are as soft as butter.’

Mr Manhattan said nothing, just passing glances at each of them but ultimately settling on Levi.

The hologram of the earth zoomed in into a projection of an island, small and covered with greenery but at the centre stood a mansion-like structure, but hard to pick out the vivid details.

The holographic particles flickered in and out, making it impossible to make out the outline.

Immediately a file was slid across the table to Levi’s centre from Umbra, "That’s the physical description of the meeting and everything it entails... You can read, can’t you?"

"Umbra!" Selene roared, trying to keep Umbra in line.

Zack spoke up, his voice shaky, "It’s called Stormrend, it’s one of the facilities where some extremists are rumoured to be working on new variants—"

"But recently," Jace chimed in, "There’s been a lot of activity: movements on the grounds at nights, shipments to the location and an awful lot of trucks in and out."

Levi studied their expressions, not a single flinch from any of them, ’How long have they been doing this?’

Zack continued, "Umbra can’t go because more often than none these places have vampire radars so if one gets too close and it isn’t theirs they’ll know... So it’ll be you, Jace and four other soldiers."

Selene took over, "Everything else you need to know is right there in that file."

Levi finally opened the file within his grasp.

...

[OFFICIAL MISSION GUIDE]

CLASSIFIED.

Division: L.U.X unit C, Desert Watch.

Mission ID: ZC-DR-2691-D

Classification: Neutralization and Retrieval.

Mission Rank: D

Squad Size: 6 Members

Mission Objective:

Conduct a full-scale raid on the Stormrend island located within the Asartic Ocean, east of Europe. The Island has shown increased suspicious activity and scouting reports confirm the presence of organized vampire clans and possible new variants.

Mission Details:

* Enter and secure the Stormrend.

* Eliminate all major hostiles and their leaders.

* Recover new variants, variant serum, or Specimens for L.U.X Research.

* Ensure safe exit and provide a full combat report upon return.

Waring: Vampire Classes unknown. Sunlight does not fully penetrate the centre of the Stormrend and some signs of human life; they maybe human slaves or hostiles.

Issued By:

L.U.X Desert Watch Division in cooperation with L.U.X Elites.

....

He scanned the file, every word etched into memory, before closing the file and whipping his head back to all of them who sat at their seats staring at him.

"Any questions?" Jace asked.

He said nothing, just passing a slight nod.

"Alright, we move at 4:30 AM sharp, early enough to not be seen and yet late enough we know the sun’s coming up soon... Sometimes that can be the only saving factor when you’re going against these things." Jace lectured.

They all stood up before walking out—

"Wait," Mr Manhattan opened his mouth, instantly making them all still, "Korran, you already know this so it’s for the newbie...

If you fail, we burn the island. And you with it."

Levi, now getting a solid layout of the place was guided to his room by Zack.

Bed in the corner, wardrobe filled with some casual clothes while others military camo.

He slumped into the bed, the first time he’d had to himself since this all started, his body still aches from... Everything.

He rubbed his temples softly trying to see if he could ease the brewing storm in his head before letting sleep consume him.

~Knock.knock.~

The rhythmic tap on his door snapped his out of slumber at once.

It was Selene, as she leaned against the wall, eyes always on his, "Levi, I shouldn’t even have to say this again... But if you make me regret this, I’ll fucking kill you."

’So the bitch scares easy.’

Levi smirked, finally understanding her, she was more scared than brave but could make a stone appearance.

"You already regret this."

She pushed herself back on her feet, "Follow me, it’s time."

’so much for sleep,’ he thought but said nothing as he walked with her, into the elevator once more as they moved down.

Into the hanger as tens of jets lined up row by row, soldiers running by left and right before she halted before a plane where Jace was already in front of.

Draped in black camo and military gear all around him, he turned to Levi, "you ready?"