Abandoned Warehouse, Tokyo

April 2, 2028, 16:02

The rain had started an hour ago, a steady drizzle that turned the cracked asphalt outside into a slick, glistening sheet. Inside the warehouse, the air was damp with the smell of rust and oil, the scent of long-forgotten machinery. Dust clung to the broken windows, filtering what little light seeped through the overcast sky.

Adam and Caldwell worked in silence, dragging the lifeless bodies of the Chinese agents inside. Their boots scraped against the damp concrete, leaving smudged trails of water and blood in their wake.

Caldwell exhaled sharply as he let go of the last body, rolling his shoulders. "That's the last of them."

Adam gave a curt nod, his expression unreadable. "Yeah."

Across the dimly lit space, Itami stood with his arms crossed, watching the two of them work. His gaze lingered on the blood streaks smeared across the floor.

"Was that really necessary?" he asked, his voice edged with something between hesitation and disapproval.

Adam glanced at him, unbothered. "It was us or them."

Itami's jaw tightened. "I could've lost them."

Adam scoffed, shaking his head. "Come on, man. You had no problem killing those bandits in Italica. What's different about this?"

Itami's expression darkened. "This wasn't necessary."

Adam shrugged. "Whatever you say. You got their weapons?"

Caldwell crouched beside one of the bodies, patting it down. He pulled a sleek, black handgun from a shoulder holster and turned it over in his hands. The markings on the side read QSZ-92.

He let out a low whistle. "Now this is exotic."

Adam gave it a cursory glance. "Can we keep it?"

Caldwell smirked. "Sure. When we get back, we'll throw it in the squad room. Let the guys mess around with it."

Rory tilted her head, a curious glint in her crimson eyes. "Oh? Is taking trophies part of your culture as soldiers?"

Adam chuckled. "If we think it's cool, we keep it. If not, we don't."

Lelei gave a small nod, filing the information away. "I see."

Tuka, who had been silently observing, stepped closer and peered at the handgun in Caldwell's grip. "What exactly makes something cool?"

Caldwell and Adam exchanged glances before Caldwell grinned. "Good question."

Before anyone could respond, the low growl of an approaching engine cut through the rain. The group turned as Vic-2's SUV rolled to a stop outside the warehouse. The doors opened, and Tomita, Kuribayashi, Yanagida, Pina, and Bozes stepped out.

The moment they stepped inside, their expressions shifted to mild disgust at the scene before them—the blood smeared across the floor, the lifeless bodies crumpled in darkened pools, the faint metallic tang of death clinging to the air.

Yanagida exhaled, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "So this is what you meant when you said you 'dealt with them.'"

Adam wiped a streak of blood off his Glock. "Not the cleanest hit I've done, but hey—" he gestured toward the bodies with a shrug, "—you take what you can get."

Pina's gaze swept over the carnage, her voice steady but tense. "These men were the ones targeting me?"

Caldwell nodded. "Yes, Your Highness. We've dealt with this group, but there will be more."

Bozes and Pina's eyes landed on one of the bodies—his head reduced to little more than torn flesh and bone. Their attention drifted to Adam, casually cleaning his weapon, unbothered by the lives he had taken.

Kuribayashi eyed the scene before looking at Adam. "You killed them, sir?"

Adam didn't even glance up. "Well, yeah. Where do you think all this blood came from?"

Rory nudged Kuribayashi with her elbow, a teasing smirk on her lips. "Hey, what happened to that fiery warrior I saw in Italica? You were cutting those bandits down like blades of grass."

Kuribayashi didn't respond immediately. She loved fighting in the heat of battle, the rush of adrenaline, the thrill of clashing steel and gunfire. But here—here it was different. There was no battle left, just cold, lifeless bodies and the grim reality of what came after.

For the first time, she found herself pausing.

Tomita remained quiet, his eyes lingering on one of the bodies. The man couldn't have been much older than him.

Adam noticed his hesitation. "Sergeant Tomita? You good?"

Tomita swallowed, his voice quieter than before. "Yes, sir..."

Caldwell took note of their unease and clapped his hands together. "Alright, no more daydreaming. We're going on foot. Spooks confirmed our plates are tagged."

Adam sighed, holstering his pistol. "Yeah, hang on." He keyed his radio. "Ark, this is Bravo 1-1. How copy?"

A moment later, Laswell's voice crackled through the comm. "Using your Delta callsign now, huh? I'm here, Bravo 1-1."

Adam exhaled. "Yeah. Where are we going?"

"Ueno Station's your best bet," Laswell replied. "It'll put you close to the Gate."

"Roger, Ark," Adam said before pausing. "Oh, and what do you want to do with the bodies? Burn them or leave them?"

Laswell didn't hesitate. "Screw it—burn them. Our team won't get there fast enough, and I don't want some poor bastard stumbling across a pile of dead Chinese spooks. Leave the car though."

"Copy that, out" Adam said, his tone flat.

He looked at the bodies, then at the damp floor. "Wait—do we even have a fire starter? It's pretty wet in here."

Caldwell hummed in thought before turning to Lelei. "Think you can handle it?"

Lelei tilted her head. "You wish for me to burn them?"

Caldwell nodded. "Yeah. Can you do it?"

Lelei gave a small nod, raising her staff. "Fire magic should suffice."

"Then go ahead," Caldwell said, stepping back.

Lelei took a breath, murmured an incantation, and with a flick of her fingers, flames erupted from the bodies, consuming them in an instant. The scent of burning flesh filled the air, mixing with the rain and smoke as the fire crackled in the dim warehouse.

Bozes grimaced, covering her nose as the acrid stench filled the air. Even Kuribayashi turned away slightly, her expression tightening. Tomita clenched his jaw, forcing himself to watch, while Yanagida took a half-step back, shielding his eyes from the sudden glare of the flames. Itami remained still, his posture rigid, his expression unreadable.

Pina, however, stared into the inferno, her face eerily calm.

Adam watched the blaze for a moment before turning away. "Alright, let's move."





Sidewalks, Tokyo

April 2, 2028, 16:24

The rain had eased into a fine mist, clinging to the city like a ghostly veil. Neon signs flickered to life as the afternoon dimmed, their glow reflecting off the wet pavement. Pedestrians hurried past with umbrellas in hand, their faces indifferent to the group moving among them.

Adam adjusted the hood of his jacket, keeping his head low as they weaved through the crowded streets. Sticking together in a tight formation, they blended into the evening rush, just another group of people navigating the metropolis.

Caldwell walked beside him, his gaze sweeping the surroundings. "You think we shook 'em?"

Adam kept his voice low. "For now. But we need to keep moving."

Behind them, Pina and her knight kept a brisk pace, their expressions tense. Tokyo was still overwhelming—the sheer number of people, the flashing lights, the towering buildings pressing in from all sides.

Bozes was visibly uneasy. "I dislike this. Too many people."

"Relax," Kuribayashi muttered. "We're fine as long as we don't do anything stupid."

Itami, walking ahead, stole a glance at his phone before murmuring, "Ueno Station is five blocks ahead. If we keep moving at this pace, we should be on the train within ten minutes."

Adam's phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, eyes flicking to the message from Laswell. All the ones chasing Maya broke off. They're looking for you.

He quickly typed back. Got it.

Tucking his phone away, he exhaled sharply. "More are coming our way—double time it."

The group quickened their pace, weaving through the crowd. The distant hum of the city filled the air, masking their hurried movements.

By the time they reached Ueno Station, the crowd had thickened, people flooding in and out of the entrance.

Adam scanned their surroundings before turning to the others. "You guys go first."

They descended the stairs into the station one by one, vanishing into the flow of commuters.

But Rory hesitated.

Adam frowned. "What the hell are you doing? Go."

Rory shifted uncomfortably. "Uh... is this really where we're supposed to go?"

Adam narrowed his eyes. "Yeah, go."

"I don't think—"

"Oh, come on," Itami groaned before grabbing Rory by the arm and dragging her down the stairs.

Adam sighed, took one last look around, then followed them down.

Unbeknownst to him, a pair of eyes watched from the shadows.

A voice muttered in Russian, "Они заходят на станцию Уэно." (They're going into Ueno Station.)

Another voice responded, equally calm. "Просто наблюдайте." (Just keep watch.)





Ueno Station, Underground Platform

April 2, 2028, 16:31

The station was bustling, filled with the rhythmic clatter of footsteps, the murmur of conversation, and the distant chime of train doors opening and closing. Fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting a cold glow on the tiled floor.

The group stood near the edge of the platform, waiting for their train.

Rory clung tightly to Itami's arm, her grip firm enough that he could feel her nails digging through his sleeve.

Itami shifted uncomfortably, glancing down at her. "What's wrong?"

Rory hesitated before muttering, "Nothing..."

Her voice lacked its usual confidence, and Itami wasn't convinced. She was always fearless, even in the face of battle. But now, here in this underground station, she looked... uneasy.

Before he could press further, the station speakers crackled to life.

「まもなく、電車が到着します。白線の内側までお下がりください。」

"The train will be arriving shortly. Please stand behind the white line."

A soft gust of wind swept through the tunnel as the distant rumbling of the approaching train grew louder.

Adam adjusted his jacket, keeping his head low. "Stay sharp. We're not out of this yet."

The train glided into the station, brakes hissing as it came to a stop. With a chime, the doors slid open.

Lelei, Tuka, Pina, and Bozes eyed it with curiosity, their gazes flicking between the sleek metal exterior and the passengers inside.

Yanagida gave a slight nod. "Get in."

They stepped inside, the train already packed with commuters. Shoulder to shoulder, they stuck close together, blending into the sea of passengers as the doors slid shut behind them.





Inside the Train

April 2, 2028, 16:33

The train lurched forward with a smooth yet forceful motion, causing the group to shift slightly as they adjusted to the movement. The air inside was thick with the scent of rain-dampened clothes and faint traces of perfume, mingling with the sterile cleanliness of the subway.

Adam remained near the doors, gripping an overhead handrail as his eyes flicked around the crowded space. He didn't like how confined they were—too many people, too little room to maneuver.

Rory still clung to Itami, her usually mischievous expression replaced with an uncharacteristic wariness. She scanned the cramped space, her grip tightening.

Itami sighed. "Seriously, what's wrong with you? You could kill multiple people without batting an eye yet you're scared of this?"

Rory hesitated before mumbling, "This is different..."

Itami raised an eyebrow. "Different how?"

She didn't answer, instead pressing closer to him as another wave of passengers shuffled in at the next stop.

Lelei, standing nearby, observed the interaction with mild curiosity. "Perhaps it's because this is an enclosed space underground?" she mused.

Tuka, gripping a nearby pole, nodded. "Yeah, the underground is... unnatural. This place feels like a metal cave, full of people with no air to breathe."

Bozes, wedged between two commuters, scowled. "And no room to move."

Pina, on the other hand, was engrossed in observing the passengers around her. She watched as a businessman scrolled through his phone, a schoolgirl adjusted her uniform, and a tired salaryman dozed off, rocking slightly with the train's motion. The efficiency of it all fascinated her.

"This is how they travel every day..." she murmured.

Yanagida, standing next to Adam, smirked. "Yeah, welcome to modern public transportation. You get used to it."

The train continued its rhythmic sway as it sped through the underground tunnels. The muffled screech of metal against metal filled the cabin, punctuated by the occasional chime of station announcements.

Adam finally allowed himself to relax, even if just slightly. His earlier paranoia had yet to be proven wrong, but at least down here, among the mass of Tokyo's evening commuters, no one seemed to be watching them.

He exhaled through his nose, shifting his grip on the overhead rail.

Then he noticed it.

Kuribayashi stood quietly near the edge of their group, her usual fiery energy dimmed, her gaze distant.

Adam furrowed his brows. "Something on your mind?"

Kuribayashi didn't answer right away. Her gaze remained distant, lost somewhere beyond the walls of the train car.

Adam watched her for a moment before speaking again. "It's about those bodies, isn't it?"

Kuribayashi exhaled sharply through her nose. "Never really thought about it before, but... Italica was my first time killing someone."

Adam studied her carefully. "You didn't bat an eye back then."

She let out a dry, humorless chuckle. "Well... that's because they were attacking innocents. I didn't think—I just acted." She hesitated, gripping the overhead rail tighter. "And... agh, I don't know. It felt different then. Like it was the right thing to do."

She paused, hesitating before lowering her voice. "But when I saw those guys, I..."

Adam nodded knowingly. "It reminded you of the ones you killed, didn't it?"

Kuribayashi glanced at him, then exhaled. "Yeah..."

Adam shifted slightly, glancing toward Itami, Tomita, and Yanagida. "Yeah, I don't think you're the only one."

For a brief moment, he said nothing more. He understood that feeling all too well. The first time was always different—it stayed with you.

Finally, he spoke again. "Look, I get it."

Kuribayashi scoffed, shaking her head. "Do you? You didn't seem to care much when I asked if you killed them or not."

Adam let out a slow breath. "Because I didn't." He paused, searching for the right words. "How should I put this... Actually, no—let me tell you a story."

Kuribayashi raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.

Adam adjusted his stance slightly, keeping his voice low. "I was fresh out of boot camp, just a lowly infantryman in the 101st. First deployment. Iraq, 2007—during the early troop surge."

Kuribayashi glanced at him, her curiosity piqued despite the heavy mood.

"Operation Phantom Thunder," Adam continued. "It was summer—peak fighting season. We were clearing out insurgents south of Baghdad. My squad got word that a high-value target was holed up in a residential block. Orders were simple: go in, clear it."

Kuribayashi's expression hardened slightly, but she remained silent, listening intently.

Adam exhaled, his grip tightening on the overhead rail. "So we went in. Cleared house after house, room after room. Then my squad leader pointed to this one house and told us we were stacking up to breach. I was point man."

He shook his head slightly, as if recalling the moment in vivid detail. "Door gets kicked in. I go in first. And there he was—some guy with an AK. No hesitation, I put five rounds center mass." Adam paused, staring at nothing in particular. "Dropped him instantly."

For a moment, the rhythmic clatter of the train tracks was the only sound between them.

"But you know what got me?" Adam finally continued, his voice lower now. "After the guy hit the floor, I heard a woman scream. Before I could react, she lunged at me. Screaming, wailing. A kid—couldn't have been more than six—was crying, clutching the guy I shot." He clenched his jaw. "And that's when it hit me."

Kuribayashi's fingers curled around the metal pole she was holding.

Adam exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "I wasn't thinking about whether he was an insurgent, whether he was trying to kill me, whether I had done the right thing. All I could think was—'Fuck. That guy had a family.'"

Silence hung between them, heavy and suffocating.

Kuribayashi swallowed. "And? What did you do?"

Adam shrugged. "Nothing. We had to move. Squad leader pulled the woman away, told me to keep going." He scoffed slightly, but there was no humor in it. "So I did."

Kuribayashi studied him, her own thoughts churning.

Adam met her gaze. "You think I don't care?" He shook his head. "I just learned a long time ago that dwelling on it doesn't help. You did what you had to do, just like I did. But if you're expecting some kind of closure..." He glanced away. "You won't find it."

Kuribayashi looked down, her grip on the metal pole tightening. "So what? You're saying I should just get over it?"

Adam sighed, running a hand through his hair. "No. I'm saying you're human for feeling that way."

She blinked, looking up at him.

He met her gaze, his expression softer now. "You think the fact that this is bothering you is a bad thing? It's not. It means you're not some mindless killer. It means you give a damn."

Kuribayashi let out a slow breath, shoulders still tense.

Adam continued, voice calm but firm. "I know it's a lot to process. First time's always the hardest. But you did what you had to do. You protected people. And if it's weighing on you now, that's okay. It should." He gave a small shrug. "It just means you're still you."

Kuribayashi's fingers loosened slightly on the pole.

After a pause, she exhaled, shaking her head. "I hate that you're making sense."

Adam chuckled, the tension between them easing just a bit. "Yeah, I get that a lot."

The others had been listening in, drawn into Adam's story. The girls, in particular, looked fascinated—Baghdad? 2007? Was that a war? The way he spoke of it, the weight in his words, made it clear that whatever happened back then had left a mark.

Even Rory, who was still clinging to Itami, seemed piqued by curiosity.

Itami, however, shifted uncomfortably. He had seen Adam in action, seen the cold efficiency with which he had executed that Chinese operative earlier. Maybe Adam was right—maybe it was just a necessity.

Caldwell, who had been silent until now, suddenly snickered. "Ever thought about being a therapist?"

Adam smirked. "No, never. Therapists are the enemy."



Outside the Station

April 2, 2028, 16:45

The train hissed to a stop, the doors sliding open with a mechanical chime. As the flood of passengers moved toward the exits, the group followed suit, stepping onto the platform. The air here was cooler, fresher, no longer thick with the smell of sweat and metal.

Rory first to let go of Itami's arm, exhaling softly as they ascended the stairs toward the surface. With each step upward, her tension seemed to fade. By the time they emerged onto the streets of Tokyo once more, her usual confidence had returned.

Itami noticed immediately. "Huh. Guess the underground really did freak you out."

Rory huffed, crossing her arms. "I just don't like being buried. There's something unnatural about it."

Lelei, walking beside them, tilted her head. "So now you're fine?"

Rory stretched, rolling her shoulders. "Of course. Fresh air, open sky—I feel much better."

Bozes, on the other hand, was still recovering. "There were so many people packed together... how do you live like this?"

Yanagida smirked. "You get used to it."

As they continued down the sidewalk, the city's ceaseless hum surrounded them—cars speeding past, pedestrians lost in their own worlds, the rhythmic beeping of crosswalk signals. Yet, as they moved closer to their destination, the crowds thinned slightly.

Adam, walking a few steps ahead, pulled out his phone and typed a quick message: Just exited the station.

Caldwell, keeping a casual but observant pace beside him, glanced over. "See anything?"

Adam shook his head. "Nothing yet. Let's keep moving."

Itami checked his watch. "We're close. A few more minutes, and we should be there."

Pina gave a small nod. "I see."

Then, just as they turned the next corner, a familiar figure came into view.

Komakado.

Standing near a lamppost, cigarette in hand, the intelligence officer spotted them immediately, a smirk tugging at his lips. He exhaled a slow stream of smoke before raising a hand in greeting.

"Well, well. Took you long enough," he murmured.

Itami's expression tightened. "If you're here, something must've gone wrong."

Komakado pushed off the lamppost, strolling toward them with an easy, almost lazy gait. But when he spoke again, his voice was low, edged with urgency.

"You've got some tails on your six. On foot. Professionals." His gaze flicked past them for a fraction of a second before returning. "We'll handle them, but you need to lay low—there's an ambush up ahead."

Caldwell exhaled sharply through his nose. "Got a place for that?"

Komakado shook his head, flicking the last of his cigarette onto the pavement. "Sorry, no safe house. You'll have to figure it out yourselves."

Tomita let out a low groan. "Oh, great."

Komakado didn't wait for more complaints. "Just get moving," he ordered, his usual smirk fading as he turned on his heel and strode past them.

As the group prepared to move, something caught Adam's eye—a car approaching from behind. The sleek, dark blue Subaru Impreza moved at a steady pace, weaving through traffic with ease.

His gaze flicked to the driver's seat. Maya.

But she looked different this time. The usual snark that accompanied her was absent, her expression unreadable, focused. And unlike before, she wasn't wearing her chest rig, nor did she have her MCX in hand.

Adam's attention shifted to the passenger seat. Alex and Sawyer.

Unlike Maya, They was still geared up—chest rig strapped on, rifle resting across his lap, eyes scanning the street with practiced efficiency.

Adam's attention shifted to the passengers.

Sawyer sat in the front seat, his posture relaxed but alert. Unlike Maya, he was still geared up—rifle resting across his lap, his fingers idly drumming against the receiver.

In the backseat, Alex sat partially obscured by the tinted windows, his own weapon kept low but ready.

Adam exhaled. "Alright then, let's get moving."

Kuribayashi frowned. "Yeah, but where?"

Yanagida glanced around. "Sergeant, you got a place here?"

Tomita shook his head. "Too far."

Itami sighed. "Same here... Wait." A thought seemed to strike him, and his expression shifted. "I know someone who lives nearby."

Caldwell raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

Itami scratched the back of his head. "Eh, hard to explain."

Adam didn't waste time questioning it. "Then take us there. Better than standing around waiting to get boxed in."

Itami nodded. "Alright, this way."

Itami led them through the streets of Tokyo, weaving through narrow alleyways and side streets to avoid drawing attention. The group moved quickly but casually, blending into the evening foot traffic as best they could. Adam and Caldwell occasionally glanced over their shoulders, keeping an eye out for any tails, but so far, no one seemed to be following.

After several blocks, Itami finally stopped in front of a modest apartment building—a standard concrete structure tucked between a convenience store and a laundromat. He pulled out his phone, typed a quick message, and then motioned for the group to follow him inside.

The lobby was small and unassuming, the kind of place that no one would look twice at. Itami led them up a flight of stairs to the third floor before stopping at one of the doors. He knocked twice, paused, then knocked three more times in quick succession.

There was a brief silence before the door cracked open slightly, the chain lock still in place. A single eye peeked through the gap before the door shut again. A moment later, the chain slid off, and the door swung open.

Standing in the doorway was a woman—early thirties, dark hair tied back in a loose ponytail, wearing an oversized hoodie and sweatpants. She squinted at Itami, then at the rest of the group.

"You have got to be kidding me," she muttered.

Itami grinned sheepishly. "Hey, Risa."

Risa's gaze swept over the group—five foreign-looking women, two Americans, and three fellow countrymen, all standing awkwardly in the cramped hallway. Her expression shifted from mild irritation to deep suspicion.

"This better not be trouble," she muttered, arms crossing over her chest.

Itami offered her a sheepish grin. "Let's just call this a necessity."