Alone in the office, a hologram suddenly popped up while the chief was dealing with paperwork.

  “Chief Vivian, report. Any updates?” Director Sullivan spoke from the holographic interface on the table.

  “The espers are all preparing for the mission, they will be accompanied by agent Dreadnought and agent Nice.”

  “Is that so? What made you decide on including those two?”

  “Agent Nice volunteered because he wanted to get back to his original rank, and his partner Dreadnought obliged.”

  “Original rank?”

  “Rank… sigh… sixty-nine, sir. He only ever does enough to maintain his rank, and ever since he got demoted, he’s been trying to claw back to it.”

  “I would not worry about Nice and Dreadnought. They may not be from Project ASTRAEA, but they are still enhanced humans, nonetheless. Is there anything else I should be informed about?”

  “Lewis Shaw was captured by agent Azalea419 earlier today, however the escort he was on got attacked, and well...”

  “This is the fourth time Lewis Shaw has escaped our custody. It’s almost as if…” Director Sullivan said as he looked to Chief.

  “There’s a traitor among us?” Chief Vivian replied.

  “We already know who Nero really is, but… what about Grant? There’s next to nothing about him. Much of Maria’s data is incoherent, and Renee and several others have also been acting strangely.”

  “Do you think they’re planning to rebel?”

  “I don’t know sir, I’ll look into it, but…”

  “But?”

  “Sir. Are you sure about this? Dahmer’s mansion. I’m afraid they’re not yet ready. Isn’t that where...”

  “Do you think our enemies will leisurely wait for them to get stronger?”

  “No, sir…”

  “Then don’t you think it’s time we push them out of the nest?”

  “I… yes sir.”

  “Vivian, you remember my old saying, don’t you?”

  Those words caused her to shudder slightly before replying, “O-of course, sir.”

  “Then say it.” The Director commanded.

  The chief took in a slight inhale as she uttered, “Karma… isn’t reliable…”

  *

  Two of the espers headed to the rest of their team, one with long silver-hair and the other with short black hair.

  “What made you decide on ‘Venom Vanguard?’” Isabelle asked the black-haired woman beside her.

  Maria tilted her head for a moment, and responded in a hollow, thoughtless tone, “I wonder what it could have been… I forgot. Maybe it’s something you choose when you’re younger, only regret it much later.”

  Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  “I want something bold, memorable, but not too over the top.” The red-eyed woman shook her fingers and gestured sparkles.

  “I just realized something.”

  “What?”

  “You’re a huge nerd.”

  “Guilty as charged.” Isabelle proudly shrugged.

  As they got to what appeared to be a large locker room, they met with their respective partners, Nero and Felix.

  “Are you ready?” Maria asked.

  “Just about.” Felix replied as he put his boots on.

  “What’s up with the trench coats?” Grant asked as he peeked from behind the two women, dressed in a black long-sleeved shirt with multiple straps.

  “Why don’t you just wear the reinforced suits? They’re standard issue.” Isabelle asked, wearing one of the reinforced suits, as opposed to the catsuit Maria was wearing.

  “For your information, this trench coat is top of the line, custom manufactured from my family, much sturdier than those suits.” Nero boasted as he tugged on the red cloak on his body.

  “Who’s your family?” Isabelle asked as she tied her long white hair into a ponytail, wrapped around a yellow ribbon.

  “And why are there tears in it?” Maria added as she knelt from behind Nero and lifted up his coat tails.

  “It makes it look cooler.” Nero smirked.

  Maria looked at him with cynical expression, “Oh yeah, sure, bring a bright red coat, why don’t you? Like a walking target! Let’s just have all their firearms aimed at the guy with a bulletproof coat!”

  “Hmph.” The blond man continued to grin just to taunt her.

  “And you? What’s your excuse?” Isabelle asked as she approached Felix.

  “It’s not like I didn’t want to wear the suits, but...” The blue-eyed agent responded.

  “But?”

  “M-my mentor thought this looked better on me.”

  Isabelle raised an eyebrow, “I see.”

  “I-I think that... the suit looks good on you.” Felix nervously remarked as he scratched his cheek.

  “Ah, th-thanks. It’s rather heavy, though.” She rubbed her arm.

  While the rest of the espers were conversing, Grant’s eyes glanced over toward a figure that quietly crept up to them, “Chief Vivian?”

  “You noticed me… So, what do you think?” The chief asked the vague question as she looked towards the espers.

  “May I be frank?” He asked in response.

  “Go ahead.”

  “They’re idiots.”

  She smirked, “Indeed.”

  “Sigh, I heard rumors that the Blue Phantom would be a cold killing machine. A danger that was known as the “Black Cat of Ruin” for being bad luck for his targets, who efficiently took the lives of twenty seven people.”

  Grant stated as his mind recollected the first time he saw Felix and Maria, and how he captured Lewis Shaw in their stead.

  “Well now you’ll be able to confirm for yourself what he’s capable of. Also, your information is outdated, he’s killed forty-five now.”

  Grant let out an exasperated sigh as she looked at her.

  “Can you not look at me like you’re thinking “Man, this woman’s such a pain in the ass.”” The chief remarked.

  “Oh, I thought I was the psychic. Yet here you are, reading my mind.” He snidely remarked.

  Anastasia walked up and asked, “Are you all ready?”

  “Oh yeah sure, ‘ready’, let’s bring the idiot wearing the bright red jacket to a stealthy mission.” Grant echoed Maria’s sentiments.

  “Don’t call him an idiot. I have faith in Nero’s abilities.” The red-haired woman replied as she glanced at the blond man.

  “Anya…” Nero muttered.

  “Then we’re ready to go. Chief?” Felix glanced over to the chief with a briefcase in hand.

  “Don’t mind me, I just came to check up on you all. Good luck, especially to you three.” She answered as she glanced over to the red-eyed trio, Isabelle, Nero, and Grant.

  “Right.”

  Isabelle looked at the rest of the team ahead of her as they walked out. She placed her hand on her chest and took a deep inhale.

  “Ready for your first mission?” Grant asked her.

  “Ah, yeah…” She nodded.

  Don’t be nervous. I’m surrounded by my friends, other veterans, and the strongest esper. Not to mention I’ve been getting the hang of my powers. I can do this.

  Those were the thoughts Isabelle uttered in her mind to calm herself down. She clenched her hand as she reassured herself.

  As they all exited, however, the Chief called out to Felix and gestured for him to come over. Maria crossed her arms as she waited for him by the door.

  “Felix. Unlike most Elite Agents, you’re not expendable... If worse comes to worse, prioritize your own safety. Don’t die. That’s an order.” The chief somberly instructed.

  “I feel like I’ve heard these words before.”

  The chief’s eyes narrowed, “Felix.”

  “Right.” He nodded.

  “You don’t have to worry about Felix so much. He’ll be fine.” Maria in a reassuring manner.

  As the group of espers exited the room, the chief spoke to herself as the pitch-black darkness and streams of sharp white light filtered the room, “Don’t forget. We are cogs…”

  The group met with the other two agents outside, where the private jet had waited for them.

  “In the machine known as retribution and justice.”

  ~