A week later...
In a charging station a few kilometers from the border between Rome and Ashland, Henry hummed a soft melody as he watched his car charge.
A thick black coil stretched out from the side of the car and into a small charging station that was currently supplying power to the EV's battery. A soft breeze swept past him, making his hair dance.
However, the peaceful atmosphere was abruptly interrupted by a tired groan from the backseat of Henry's EV.
"How much longer...?"
Henry rolled his eyes, stopping his humming.
"A few more minutes and we'll be back on the road."
Krishna's head leaned back, another muffled groan escaping his lips. He was currently sitting in the back of his friends' EV while Mary was resting her head on his shoulder – sleeping.
Finally, after a few minutes, the ring of light that circled the EV's charging port dimmed, signaling that the vehicle was fully charged. Henry grasped the coil and pulled it out in a single fluid motion.
Turning around, he hooked the coil back into place before sitting in the Driver's seat.
"Get ready." He stated, slamming his door shut and strapping himself in.
The Operator gripped the wheel with a single hand and adjusted the rearview mirror slightly. On its surface, he saw the reflection of his captain. Smirking slightly, he finished adjusting the mirror and gripped the wheel tightly.
He pressed the throttle and the EV began moving. The vehicle drove out of the charging station and got back on the empty road. The pavement stretched for kilometers on end, seemingly with no end in sight.
"How long before we reach the checkpoint?" Missio inquired.
"Hm... half an hour at best." Henry guessed.
Missio nodded, looking out of the window and at the empty expanse of nature that surrounded them. The grass swayed in the wind as the EV passed, glistening as the afternoon sun shone upon them.
However, slowly but surely... the environment began to shift.
The grass – which had once looked pale – began to seem lively and glistened as the sun shone upon it.
The air – which had been hot before – cooled down.
The sky – which had been crystal clear only a few minutes ago – began to be swallowed by the dark clouds.
And then... the world was shrouded in darkness.
The Darkness was split apart by a streak of light but that light too, was instantly swallowed.
Drops of water began to hail down from the lightless heavens, striking Henry's EV with unending ferocity.
And the only thing that could be heard... was the endless rain and the roar of lightning.
The team rolled up all the windows as the rain befell them. Missio leaned against the door and looked through the window.
He stared at the darkness, the rain, the lightning and the thunder that came after.
A foreign sense of calmness fell over him like a soft blanket and yet... he shook it off the very moment he felt it.
The feeling was too sudden – too foreign – too strange.
So, he shook it off and sank back into his seat.
Henry turned on the AC and twisted the knob to make the vents shoot out hot air. A minute later, the team let out sighs of relief as the warm air settled onto their skin.
Krishna leaned back and said in a neutral tone:
"Put on some Music, will ya?"
Henry shook his head.
"Later. We're nearing the check point."
Krishna snorted and as he did, Mary lifted her head from his shoulder. Rubbing her eyes, she groaned and opened them to the new lightless environment.
She blinked and opened her mouth:
"Did we enter Ashland?"
Henry slowed down as they began approaching the border checkpoint.
"We're about to."
He replied in a calm manner as they stopped before a camera with a blinking red light. After a few seconds, the light turned to green and let them pass. Once they did, it abruptly changed to red once more.
However, they didn't go far as their path was cut off by a reinforced gate. Beside the gate which seemed capable of stopping tanks, a small building stood, illuminated from within by an artificial source of light.
Henry activated the Handbrake of the EV with the press of a button and called out to Krishna and Mary.
"Give me your passports and citizenships."
The duo obliged and handed their friend their passports and citizenship certificate. Henry took their papers from them and tucked them into his coat's inner pocket.
"Let's go."
Missio nodded, unlocking the door at the same time as Henry. The duo quickly exited and rushed into the building. As they left the rain behind, they stepped into an illuminated office where multiple soldiers awaited them.
They passed those men and neared a desk. The soldier that was stationed there glanced up and said in an even tone:
"Please write the names of everyone who is with you."
Henry nodded, taking a black pen from the counter, and jotted down the team's names on the sheet of paper.
The soldier took the pen and the paper back before saying in a flat voice:
"Your passports, and citizenship, please."
Missio nodded, taking out his passport and handing it to the soldier. Then, he drew his wallet and handed him his citizenship. Henry handed the soldier his, Krishna's, and Mary's paper as well.
Then, they waited as the man scanned them using a particularly advanced device. However, the machine found nothing wrong with their document. The man took their passports and citizenship out of the scanner and handed them back.
After, he locked eyes with Missio and inquired in a gentle tone:
"Might I know the purpose of your visit and your destination?"
Missio cleared his throat and stated solemnly.
"Lieutenant General of the Black Ops Division of the REOC, Missio Augustus. We're here to arrest the Drug Lord known as Sun Daishen for his dealing with former Assemblyman – Dick Quartel. Our destination is Kharagen."
The soldier's face paled as he heard those words. However, he quickly recovered himself and leaned forward.
"Very well, sir... I wish you well in your mission."
Missio nodded and turned around. Henry trailed right behind him, moving towards the exit. The gazes of the other soldiers followed them as they exited and vanished into the darkness.
The duo sat back in Henry's EV, shaking the excess water off their bodies. Henry exhaled and looked forward, disengaging the handbrake. As he did, the reinforced gate that once blocked their path parted.
A terrifying gust of wind burst from the other side, howling as it scraped against the resistant gate. Countless bolts of lightning streaked across the sky, splitting the darkness as if it were welcoming their arrival.
Henry grimaced and accelerated. His EV drove forward once again, pressing against the howling winds as it passed the reinforced metal gate.