[[[ Ten Days Later ]]]
[[[ At Surai's Old House ]]]
Surai was living alone on an old farm in a village near the city where Task Force 293 was based.
In a secret basement beneath the house, Surai was sitting and watching television.
The news was reporting on wildfires that had swept through the region as a result of a battle against terrorists, during which a member of the secret forces of Task Force 293 had been killed... the name of this martyr was Zeus Raktes.
Zeus was still unconscious, and his body was healing inside a giant, transparent tube filled with green liquid.
In front of the tube was a couch where Beatrix was asleep, and in front of her on the table was untouched food.
Surai looked at the food for a moment, then sighed and went to get a light blanket to throw over the girl.
Then he looked at Zeus and thought with a laugh:
"This couple... they really are top-tier troublemakers."
He then left for the training base to continue his intense training, which he had not slacked on at all—in fact, he had increased the intensity and duration of his daily sessions after the Zeus incident.
Inside, he harbored a hidden anger and self-blame.
This sentence echoed in Surai's mind every time he remembered the moment Zeus asked to borrow his suit, and when he had woken up terrified for no apparent reason.
It had been obvious something was wrong... and Surai knew Zeus was indeed a target... how did all of that escape his mind?
He couldn't forgive himself. Nor could he forgive Zeus for not telling him.
---
(At Zeus's Family Mansion)
In the main dining room, Zeus's brother Zack, a police officer, was sitting with their mother and his twin siblings, William and Lily.
(Lily): Where's Natalie?
(Mrs. Lucy): She's still in her room. I couldn't get her out.
(Zack): Why did all of this happen!? I don't understand… Sebastian in the past, then suddenly our father and grandfather… and now Zeus!!? Why? Who? For what? You all even refuse to say anything... you and the grandparents, what's gotten into you!?
(William): Don't talk about them like they're dead.
(Zack, laughing hysterically): Really? You're telling me that after what we saw!? Let's say we know nothing about our father and grandfather... but what about Zeus? I saw that photo the press published... more than five experts confirmed it wasn't fake... they didn't just kill him... he was burned and mutilated...
They drained his body of blood, brother!!? I'll avenge whoever did this... I swear I will!
Zack then left. Lily clenched her fists in silence, tears falling from her eyes.
Lucy was also silent, quietly crying.
William was the only one who seemed indifferent, cold and unaffected.
(William): I'll say this one last time—I know that brat well... and I won't believe he's dead until I see the body with my own eyes.
He then left after saying that and took a portion of food to Natalie's room, hoping he could get her to eat.
The first thing he did was forcefully break the door open, waking her from sleep and angering her—which, in turn, made her eat before she could remember her sadness.
William took a few painful hits for executing this simple plan... but oh well... he had to endure.
---
No one knew what happened to Zeus except for Surai and Beatrix. The rest of the team was experiencing days of sorrow, anger, and harsh training.
Amidst this tense atmosphere came the opportunity everyone had been waiting for—a battle against the Green Lotus.
The team received a mission involving the pursuit of someone the Intelligence Division suspected of working with the Green Lotus. They wanted to assign a secret ops team to investigate.
Since Task Force 293 was the closest, the mission naturally fell to them.
As for Surai and Beatrix, they were on extended leave granted directly by the deputy commander, who told them to return to duty when they felt ready.
That's why the mission message didn't reach the duo, and they weren't currently in contact with the rest of the team.
Sam kept calling Surai repeatedly, but his phone was always off.
Hanabi also tried to reach Beatrix multiple times, but she was out of coverage.
The rest of the team found it strange that Surai and Beatrix had disappeared suddenly—after all, they were the first to rush to help Zeus, and since then, no one had seen them.
Were it not for the fact that Surai and Beatrix had informed the deputy commander and taken official leave, everyone would have thought they were in danger or something had happened to them.
Sam figured they were going through a deep mourning period, just as he was, but he was still upset at their absence when he personally needed them most to share his sorrow.
---
(The Next Day / Early Morning)
(Secret Ops Room of Task Force 293)
Deputy Commander Brook, the old man with the wooden cane, stood before the six soldiers.
George and Katie / John and Hanabi / Sam and Alia
(Brook): You were nine… Nine is a special number… so is six… They look alike, don't they? But they're not the same… I can see that you're not the same kids I used to see… I'll ask just once, and I want you to think carefully before answering… Are you ready for the mission? And are you capable of executing it without mistakes?
(In a unified strong voice): Yes, sir!
—I hope I won't regret choosing you… You'll be split into three teams as usual… Hanabi and John, you'll search for information on the gang the target is affiliated with… Alia and Sam, you'll be tracking the target… Katie and George, be ready to provide support at any moment… Katie, monitor the entire situation using your drones, and George, be ready to deploy the mecha at any time… If you need help, I'll send backup, and you can coordinate with the intel division… I believe you know how it works… It's been a while since you had missions like this, so as I said—no mistakes… This is the only man we have right now who can lead us to the Green Lotus organization.
(All): Understood, sir.
—You are dismissed.
---
(Three Days Later)
(Surai's Farm / Secret Basement)
[[[[[ Beatrix's Perspective ]]]]]
"When was the first time I saw him? ... Ah yes, I remember... he was always with Sam, and both of them were equally annoying... Then partners were assigned... I was irritated that they chose him out of everyone... aside from his handsome face, he was definitely annoying—and what I hated most was how he treated me from the start without any filters or boundaries, like we were lifelong friends."
"Then I noticed something... unlike Sam, he didn't treat everyone that way... and it wasn't as annoying as I thought it would be... I got used to his presence, and when he was gone, time felt empty, maybe even dead... as if life was in his presence."
"I don't know how to act around him, and I'm not sure what this partnership really means... Are we comrades-in-arms, or friends? My thoughts were scattered then."
"Maybe a few glances won't hurt."
Beatrix left the TV and went to the capsule where Zeus was in the second room.
She found him upside down in the glass capsule… At first, she didn't notice the oddity—she was more focused on how his hair had grown amazingly in just thirteen days, as if the burned bald head never existed.
Even the disfigured face had returned to normal—perhaps even better than before.
(Surai): I brought some fish and drinks.
Surai entered the main room and found no one, then went to the treatment room—just as he had expected.
When he saw Zeus upside down, he smiled.
(Surai): You bastard, stop pretending to be asleep… I know you well—you sleep like a bat.
Zeus opened his eyes quickly, meeting Beatrix's close gaze, shocking her into silence.
Zeus started talking, but no one could understand what he said—only bubbles rising in the liquid could be heard.
(Surai): Is that bastard cursing me?
(Beatrix, frowning): Yeah, seems like it.
Surai pressed several options on his tech bracelet, and the capsule opened immediately, causing Zeus to fall to the floor as green water flooded the room.
(Zeus): Ugh… my back hurts, you crazy bastard!!
(Beatrix): You deserved that.
—Betty, help me up please.
—You can't fool me. I've been monitoring your condition every day—you're in perfect health.
(Zeus, surprised with a mischievous smile): Every day?
Beatrix got flustered and answered with a slight frown.
—I mean! ... I'm leaving. Help yourself.
—Leaving!? Don't you want to see me after all this time!!? The patient just woke up—where's the decency!?
Beatrix stopped at the door, where Surai commented:
—Ignore him... he's messing with your head.
(Beatrix): I know, but... why does he always sound so logical? That bastard always leaves me confused.
—That's our friend... Zeus, we've got a series of final tests. Sit on that bed over there.
(Zeus, puzzled): I didn't know you were a doctor.
—Zeus, this is the doctor.
—Bro, that's a machine.
—Yup.
(Zeus): That's a damn robot!!
—I can see that.
(Zeus): You're trusting my life to a scrap heap!?
—It's the latest model of automated nurses.
—Wait, did you say nurse?
Surai just smiled without answering—and Beatrix could hear Zeus's fake screams echoing all the way to the kitchen.