[ONBOARD SHIP — OUTER DECK]
The sky was still dark, but a faint line of light had begun to appear. Dawn was coming.
Vex stepped out toward the outer deck. Slow. Careful.
The sea stretched endlessly, cold wind brushing against her face. Her hand pressed lightly against her chest, the wound still there. Still aching.
Helen watched her from behind, eyes sharp. "…You okay?" A pause. "…You look pale."
Vex didn't turn. "…I have to be okay." Her voice was steady, but her breathing wasn't. "…I can't waste any minute." Helen sighed quietly, then reached into her bag.
"…Eat first." She handed over a sandwich. "…Just something to fill your stomach. " A small shrug. "…It's almost dawn anyway."
Vex looked at it, then took it slowly. "…Thank you." She took a small bite, then another. "… I need the energy…" A faint exhale. "…to walk."
For a brief second, her mind drifted. Blitz is laughing, holding two sandwiches at once. "Eat first, fight later!"
Vex's lips curved, just slightly. A faint smile. "… I hope both of you…" She whispered under her breath. "…don't follow me." The smile faded. Because deep down, she knew they would.
Vex straightened slightly. Turning toward Helen. "…Status route."
"…Any updates?" Helen pulled up her tablet map, holographic lines reflecting faintly in her eyes.
"…Based on current trajectory…" A pause. "…We're almost there. "She zoomed in, highlighting a location. "…We'll stop at the island first."
Vex's eyes narrowed. "…Before Canada." Helen nodded. "…Yes." A beat. "… someone is waiting for you."
Silence. Vex didn't respond immediately. "…Who?" Helen hesitated. Just slightly. "…The one who requested this route. " A pause..." He wants to see you."
The wind grew stronger. Vex's gaze shifted toward the horizon, where the island slowly came into view. Cold. "…Of course, he does."
Far ahead, a silhouette of land. KNSM Island. Quiet. Still. Too still.
This wasn't just a stop. It was a meeting. And something about it felt wrong.
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[KNSM ISLAND – DOCK]
The ship slowed. Water gently hits the dock. Soft. Too soft. The sky shifted from dark blue to pale gold.
Vex stepped down first. Mask on. Black. Covering half her face. Helen followed, equally hidden. No names. No identities. Only shadows.
The island was quiet. Too quiet. Modern buildings are lined neatly along the water. But no people. No movement. Like the place was paused.
Vex's eyes scanned everything. "…No civilians." Helen nodded. "…Cleared in advance. " A pause. "…This isn't a normal meeting."
Footsteps. A man stood near the edge of the dock. Still. Waiting. Face hidden. "…You're late."
Vex didn't respond. Just walked forward. Slow. Controlled. Helen stayed slightly behind, watching.
The man turned, gesturing toward a vehicle. A black van. Unmarked. "… Get in," Blitz would've argued. Vex didn't. She stepped in without hesitation. Helen followed.
The door shut. Dark interior. The engine started. No conversation. Only movement. Vex leaned slightly back, eyes half-closed. But alert. Always.
Helen glanced at her. "…You trust him?" A pause. "…No." The answer came instantly. "…Then why?"
"…Because I need what he has." Silence.
The vehicle passed empty roads, silent buildings, and narrow paths. Then, it turned. Into a smaller route. Hidden. The vehicle stopped.
A house stood there, isolated. Modern, but something felt wrong. Too quiet. Too perfect.
The man stepped out first. "…We're here." Vex opened the door, stepping out slowly. Her eyes lifted, studying the house. "…He's inside?"
The man didn't answer immediately. Then, "…He's been waiting." Vex stepped forward, toward the house. Helen stayed close.
The door is slightly open. Like it was inviting or warning. Some meetings change everything. And this one was already wrong.
Vex stepped inside but stopped. Not inside the house. Behind it. A garden. Small. Beautiful. Flowers blooming under the early morning light, colors gentle and peaceful.
And there, an elderly woman. Tending to the plants. Careful. Patient. Like nothing in this world was wrong.
She turned slowly. Her eyes met Vex. A smile. Warm. "…Long time no see, my dear niece." Tiana Hansel. Vex froze. For a second.
Then, "…Aunt Tia…" Her expression changed completely. The cold is gone. She ran forward, hugging her tightly, "…I missed you…"
Tiana laughed softly, holding her just as tight. "…I miss you too, Ran." She pulled back slightly, cupping Vex's face. "…How have you been?"
Vex smiled. "…I'm fine." A small shrug. "…Just… slightly good." Her eyes softened. "…I didn't know you had a house here." A pause. "…The last time we met…" A pause. "…Ten years ago, right?"
Tiana nodded slowly. "…Time flies." Her gaze lingered on Vex longer this time. "…Are you okay, dear?" A soft frown. "…You look thinner."
Vex laughed lightly. "…Maybe I've been eating too much heartbreak." A small joke. But not entirely one. Tiana tilted her head. "…Who hurt you? " A pause. "…Do you have someone now?"
Vex's smile shifted. Softer. Bitter. "…No one, Aunt." A breath. "…No one wants me." Silence.
Tiana gently touched her cheek. "…You're beautiful, Ran." A beat. "…Anyone would be lucky to have you."
Vex looked away slightly. "Can we skip about this?" A faint smile. "…It's not important right now." Tiana studied her quietly. She understood. Something wasn't right. But she didn't push.
"…Alright." Her tone softened again. "…As you wish." She turned slightly, looking at Helen. "Thank you for bringing her here."
Helen gave a small nod. "…It's my responsibility." A pause. "…You said you had something to tell her."
Tiana smiled again. "…Yes."
She turned back toward the house, gesturing gently. "…Come inside." A beat. "…Let's eat first." A brief pause. "…Then I'll tell you everything."
Vex followed. Slowly. Her eyes drifted. Once, toward the garden. Peaceful. Too peaceful.
For the first time in a long while, Vex smiled like she used to. But even here, something felt just a little off.
[KITCHEN – DINING ROOM]
The kitchen felt… different. Warm. Alive. Sunlight slipped through the window, touching the wooden table softly. For once, no gunshots. No tension. Just quiet.
Tiana moved around the kitchen, calm. Gentle. "…I'm trying a new recipe." She placed the plates down. "…Hope you like it."
Vex leaned forward slightly, a small smile forming. "…Lucky me." She inhaled the scent, familiar. Comforting. "…I missed your cooking." A pause. "…It always smells good."
Tiana chuckled softly. "…Here." She pushed the plate closer. "…Coconut egg wrap."
"…Eat." Helen nodded slightly. "…Thank you, Aunt Tia." Tiana only nodded in return, simply.
Vex took a bite. Her eyes softened. "…It's delicious." A small laugh. "…Like always." Then, her expression shifted. From warmth to focus. "… So…" She placed the fork down slowly. "…You're the one."
Tiana looked at her, calm. "…The one who's been sending me information." A pause. "…About my father." Helen stayed silent, watching.
Vex continued, "…Through Helen. " A faint smirk. "…I thought you were just a novelist."
Her eyes sharpened. "…Didn't expect you to track something like that." Tiana didn't react immediately. She sat down slowly. Across from Vex.
"…I used to work with your father." Silence. Vex's eyes didn't move. "…Before." Tiana's voice lowered slightly. "…Before he crossed the line."
A pause. "…When he decided to turn everything…" Her gaze hardened. "…into something cruel." Helen glanced at Vex. Tiana continued, "…I left."
"…He didn't like that." A faint, bitter smile. "…So, he banned me." A beat. "…From the organization. " A pause. "…And sent me away."
Tiana leaned back slightly. "…Since then." A pause. "…I've been moving." A beat. "…From place to place."
"…Tracking him. " Her eyes flickered, sharp. "…Watching what he's building." A beat. "…And stopping what I can. " Vex listened. Silent.
"…I used Helen's connections…" Tiana glanced at her. "…To keep track of you." A pause. "And your brother." The word lingered. "…Mike."
Vex's hand tightened slightly. "…But I couldn't find him." Tiana shook her head slowly. "…No matter how hard I tried."
"…He disappeared completely." Silence.
"…So…" Tiana's voice softened again. "…I became someone else. " A small smile. "…A novelist."
"…It's easier to move around that way."
"…No one suspects a writer." The room fell quiet. Vex looked at her long. "…So, everything…" A beat. "…wasn't a coincidence."
Tiana shook her head gently. "…Nothing about your life ever was." Silence.
Even the food felt different now. What was meant to be a warm reunion became something else. A table. Three people. And a truth, finally sitting with them.
Silence lingered after Tiana's words. The warmth of the food no longer felt the same.
Vex leaned back slightly. Eyes steady. "…Then tell me." A pause. "…What is he doing now?" Helen glanced at Tiana, waiting.
Tiana exhaled slowly. "…Canada." That one word shifted the air. Vex's eyes sharpened instantly, "…I knew it."
Tiana continued, lower now. "…He moved the main operation there." A beat. "…Not the whole organization." A pause. "…Just the part he wants to hide."
Helen frowned slightly, "…Hide from who?" Tiana's gaze lifted, cold. "…From everyone."
Tiana placed her hand on the table. "…He's no longer building soldiers." A pause. "…He's building control." Silence. Vex didn't move. "…Explain."
Tiana's voice dropped. "…Behavior override." A pause. "…Memory alteration." A beat. "…Emotional suppression." Each word heavier than the last.
Helen's expression changed. "…That's not just training…" A beat. "…No." Tiana shook her head slowly. "…It's rewriting."
Vex's hand tightened slightly, "…On who?" Tiana didn't answer immediately. Her eyes flickered toward Vex. "…Subjects." A pause. "…Selected carefully."
"…People with strong mental resistance." A beat. "…Or emotional instability." Vex's jaw tightened. "…Weapons."
"…No." Tiana corrected softly. "…Puppets." Silence.
Helen stepped forward slightly. "…What's the end goal?" Tiana looked at both of them. "Total obedience." A beat. "…Without awareness."
Vex's eyes darkened. "…That's not control…" A pause. "…That's erasing a person." Tiana nodded. "…Exactly."
Tiana leaned slightly closer. "…And Ran…" Her voice softened. "…You're not outside of this." Silence. Vex didn't blink. "…What do you mean?"
Tiana hesitated. Just slightly. "…He hasn't stopped watching you." A pause. "…In fact," Her gaze sharpened. "…you might be the key to his final phase."
No one touched the food anymore. The room felt smaller. Heavier. Because this wasn't just a mission anymore. It was something, Vex was already part of.
Tiana looked at Vex, hesitating. "…There's one person…" A pause. "…who already achieved what your father wanted." Silence.
Vex's eyes sharpened instantly. "…Who?" Her voice low. Dangerous. "…Do you know who it is?"
Tiana stood slowly. "…Wait." She turned and walked toward another room. "…I still have a copy of the file." Footsteps faded.
Helen glanced at Vex. "…Ran…" No response. Vex stared at the table, but her mind was already racing. The sound of footsteps returned.
Tiana walked back, holding a brown file. Old. Worn. She placed it gently on the table. "…Here." A pause. "…I don't remember all the agents…" A pause. "…Just their names." Silence.
Vex reached for it. Slowly. Her fingers were slightly trembling. She opened it. Pages flipped. Names. Codes. Then, she stopped. Her eyes froze. On one name.
ALISA KHALIS — SUBJECT DESIGNATION: SPECTER
Everything went silent. The file slipped, falling from her hands. THUD. Helen flinched slightly. "…Ran?"
Vex didn't respond. Her lips parted, barely. "…So…" Her voice cracked, just a little. "…It's true." A breath shaky. "…He really used her." Tiana's expression softened. "…Ran…"
"…No wonder…" Vex continued, eyes unfocused. "…She didn't remember me." Flash, a younger Alisa. Laughing. Free. Gone. "…Before training…"
"…She was different." Her jaw tightened. "…Completely different." Silence filled the room.
Vex looked down at her hands. "…And I knew." A whisper. "…I saw it happen…" Her breath hitched slightly. "…But I did nothing."
Helen stepped forward, concerned. "…You were a child…"
"…I still did nothing." That hurt more.
Tiana observed her quietly. Not interrupting. Because this was something Vex had to face. The truth was no longer hidden. And now, Vex carried it alone.
The file lay open on the table. The name is still burning in Vex's mind. Silence. Heavy.
Vex slowly bent down, picking the file back up. Her grip tightened. Then she looked at them. "…Please." Her voice is low. Firm. "…Both of you." A pause. "…Hide this."
Helen frowned slightly. "…From who?" Vex didn't hesitate. "…Everyone." Silence. "...Especially her." The weight of that word is clear. Specter.
"…I'll tell Alisa myself." A breath. "…When the time is right." Her eyes lowered just slightly. "...That would be better." Even she wasn't fully convinced.
Tiana didn't answer immediately. She just stared at Vex. Long. Reading her. Understanding and worrying at the same time.
"…You're just like him." A soft murmur. Vex's eyes lifted slightly. "…Carrying everything alone." A pause.
But Tiana didn't argue. Instead, she reached beside her. Pulling out another file. Thicker. More dangerous. "…Then take this." She placed it in front of Vex. "…This is the latest progress." A pause. "…Canada."
Vex's gaze hardened instantly. "…There's a second barrier." Helen leaned closer. "…Barrier?" Tiana nodded. "…A security layers." A slightly pause. "…Not physical." A beat. "…System-based."
A pause. "…If you stop it…" A beat. "…the entire operation will halt." Silence. "…At least temporarily."
Vex flipped through the file quickly. Eyes scanning. "…How long?" Tiana's expression turned serious. "…Long enough." A beat. "…But not forever."
Helen crossed her arms slightly. "…Meaning?" Tiana looked at both of them. "…Your father will notice." A beat. "…Immediately." Silence.
"…And when he does…" Her voice lowered, "…He will start again." A pause. "…Four times stronger." The words hit. Hard.
"…Which means…" Tiana continued. "…You won't be able to leave easily." Vex didn't react. "…You may have to stay there." A pause. "…For a long time." Silence filled the room.
Helen glanced at Vex. "…Ran…" But Vex already made her decision. Her eyes were cold. Focused. "…Then I'll stay." No hesitation. "…Until it's done."
This wasn't just a mission anymore. It was a sacrifice. And Vex had already accepted it.
Vex closed the file slowly. Her grip firms. "…Thank you, Aunt Tia." She stood up. "…This helps me more than you know."
Tiana looked at her, eyes soft. But worried. Vex turned toward Helen. "…We need to go." A pause. "…I think my team is already close."
Helen didn't question it. She just nodded. "…I'll arrange transport." Without another word, she walked out of the house. Already making a call.
Tiana stepped closer. "…Take care, dear." Her hand gently touched Vex's arm. "…And don't do everything alone." A pause. "…You don't have to."
Vex didn't answer. She just gave a small smile. One that didn't reach her eyes. "…I know." But she didn't mean it.
The morning light grew stronger. The flowers still blooming peacefully. Like nothing was wrong.
Helen stood near the gate, phone in hand. "…Transport is ready." A beat. "…Five minutes." Vex nodded. Her gaze shifted, toward the horizon. Toward the sea.
Somewhere out there, Blitz. Specter. Already chasing.
"…I'm sorry…" She whispered barely audible. "…Just this once…" She stepped forward. Not looking back.
Because if she did, she might not leave. And this time, she had to.
TBC