บท 2: Pilot Part 2
As dusk settled over the sprawling cityscape of Neo-Seoul, four sleek vehicles glided into the opulent entrance of the luxurious Grand Orchid Hotel. In the dim glow of the streetlights, the cars came to a graceful halt, their engines purring to a hushed silence.
Four men emerged from their respective vehicles, their identities obscured by the shadows. Dressed in tailored suits, their faces betraying little emotion, they shared a brief but knowing glance—a silent acknowledgment of the task at hand.
Escorted by discreet hotel staff, they were whisked away into the lavish elevator, the doors closing behind them with a soft hiss. The ascent was marked by an eerie silence, each man lost in his own thoughts, their minds consumed by the weight of their shared purpose.
They were guided to different floors, their footsteps echoing through the quiet hallways. The intention was singular, their destinations concealed by the elaborate design of the hotel, a cunning measure to maintain the utmost secrecy.
And yet, despite the illusion of separation, their paths would converge within the confines of a nondescript suite — a room chosen precisely for its unassuming appearance. Behind the elegant façade of plush furnishings and tasteful décor, it concealed the secrets that would bind them together.
Urgency permeated the air. These men knew that the crisis they faced was unprecedented. These were the people in charge of Operation Nexus— A top secret program that is only known to a handful of those having a level 5 clearance code within the National Intelligence Bureau.
Among the four men, two faces bore some familiarity, albeit to varying degrees. The first belonged to a seasoned statesman hailing from New Busan, while the second was Brigadier General D. H. Kim Dae-ho, the formidable figure known as "The Iron Hawk," a high-ranking officer whose expertise in covert intelligence operations made him a respected presence within the clandestine community.
The remaining two individuals operated within the intricate web of secrecy, their names known only to those who dwelled in the shadowed corridors of their respective agencies. One was a seasoned Naval Hunter, entrusted with overseeing the sensitive realm of Portal Control within the South Sea Region.
The fourth and final figure was a seasoned operative of the National Intelligence Bureau, a wiry figure with a restrained intensity. A veteran of treacherous operations throughout Southeast Asia, he had earned a reputation as "The Silent Viper" for his unmatched skills in infiltration and extraction. His true name, whispered only in hushed circles, was Lino Park.
The room, though outwardly ordinary, held an air of intrigue. Bathed in a soft, golden glow cast by delicately shaded lamps, its walls adorned with intricate paintings depicting serene landscapes, it exuded an atmosphere of deceptive calmness. The scent of fresh flowers mingled with a hint of mystery, enticing those who entered into its hidden depths.
Within this seemingly tranquil haven, the four men convened, their presence shrouded in secrecy and their intentions veiled by layers of political intrigue. As they took their places within the room, the room seemed to come alive, the air heavy with anticipation, the very essence of the gathering charged with an undercurrent of tension. Within this discreet sanctuary, the four minds entrusted with the secrets of Operation Nexus prepared to navigate a treacherous path.
As the Statesman settled onto the plush couch, his expression a mixture of weariness and resolve. He cast a glance at the Naval Hunter, who claimed his seat on one of the elegant armchairs. A stoic determination etched upon his face, the Hunter exuded an air of silent authority. Meanwhile, Lino Park directed his gaze towards the painting that adorned the wall, his eyes betraying a keen intellect sharpened by years of dangerous assignments. In contrast to the others, Kim Dae-ho, 'The Iron Hawk', ventured towards the kitchen with measured steps. His eyes gleamed with a sharp intelligence as he reached for a crystal glass and a bottle of whiskey. The amber liquid cascaded into the glass, its soft murmur a testament to the intoxicating allure of secrecy and power.
In that brief moment, the atmosphere within the room shifted, as the eyes of the assemblyman and the naval Hunter turned towards Kim Dae-ho. A silent tension enveloped them.
"You know, I, uh, talked to the Chief Scientist of NPDA today," said the Statesman.
"And?" Asked the Naval Hunter.
"Portal in New Busan turns first." The Statesman replied as he scratched his chin. "At least, according to the NPDA."
"When's the deadline?" Lino Park turned around, his gaze now focused on the Statesman. "How much time do we have?"
"NPDA gives us about two months." The Statesman leaned forward and placed his hands on the table. "And that's if we're lucky."
"Alright, well, I have to brief the Prime Minister about this; we're meeting tonight," Lino Park said as he clapped his hands together. "So, you guys better tell me everything you can, every single one of you. You begin, Hunter Lee. What in the name of god happened at your base?"
Naval Hunter Simon Lee glanced at the Statesman and Lino Park before replying, "Major Harrison was to meet with me for a short briefing two days ago. The time was firm, but he didn't show. At the same time I received a message that three of our surveillance cameras in sector 243 had been forcefully disabled, and that was followed by a code black notification, and I instantly became alarmed. The sergeant who I was with at the time immediately drove me to the base." Naval Hunter Lee paused for a second, glanced at the two men in front of him for a split second before continuing. "The security bolts had been jammed and the door of the base was just swung open; There was blood on the floor and walls, and about 57 dead agents and workers. Everyone on that base had died. Everyone except for, well, 'Red Star'."
"Fuck me. This is bad." said the Statesman."Tell me you cleaned this shit up."
"Ask him." Hunter Lee pointed his finger at Kim Dae-ho, who walked over and gingerly placed the whiskey-filled glass on the table, and tension crackled in the air like an electric charge. With deliberate precision, he settled into the seat before the trio of men, taking a measured sip, savoring the rich flavor as it danced across his palate, and a satisfied sigh escaped his lips.
A flicker of determination danced in Kim Dae-ho's eyes, mirrored by the subtle tightening of his jaw. As silence hung taut, The Iron Hawk's voice sliced through the anticipation, resonating with a mix of reassurance and resolve. " Relax. It's been handled. Hunter Lee had the presence of mind to call the NIB and insist on speaking with the covert operations division. He didn't say a word to anyone until he got me on the phone."
"The cleanup of the base was completed yesterday. No one will know that this incident ever took place. As of today, Base Aquamarine no longer exists. Wiped from the face of the earth." said Kim in his gritty voice, swirling his whiskey glass. "The real problem is your little pet project that is running around. He's brighter than most of the clowns you've got under you."
"That sort of tone isn't necessary, Dae-ho," admonished the Statesman, "but the man is right about his concern regarding Red Star. What do you say, Hunter Lee?"
Naval Hunter Lee exchanged looks with both Lino Park and the Statesman. "I reached out to Colonel Samuel Choi and his task force. He'll be reporting back to me if they find out anything about Red Star."
"Okay, I must admit, this news is far from ideal." Lino Park's gaze pierced through the room, his voice carrying a tinge of disappointment. "However, setting that aside for now, what progress have we made to present to the Prime Minister regarding Operation Nexus?"
"Well, our first course of action would be to simply purge all records associated with Red Star. Leave no trace. We'll report the remainder to the Prime Minister. As is." The Statesman responded with a nonchalant shrug.
"Well, I appreciate the confidence, but 'as is' may not be good enough," Lino waved his hands in the air. "This is a national level- no, an international level threat that we're about to face."
"It's the best we've got." Naval Hunter Lee spoke in a monotone voice, and the room turned silent once again.
"Well, we do have 'that'.." Kim Dae-ho's words cut through the silence, and everyone turned to look at him. "Project Cobalt, he called it."
"Project Cobalt? You can't be serious?" Lee's response was filled with disdain and confusion. "You don't seriously think-"
"I don't." Kim Dae-ho interrupted Lee's words before he could finish it. "But like it or not, it is part of Operation Nexus. I'm saying we should include Project Cobalt in the report, that's all."
"Unbelievable! Do you want us to be humiliated?" Naval Hunter Lee seemed like he was about to explode. "Project Cobalt is a dumb experiment that wasn't even supposed to be authorized in the first place. We need trained men, experienced soldiers for this Operation. Not a frat boy."
"Hunter Lee! That's enough." Lino Park spoke with a stern gaze. He then turned to look at Kim Dae-ho and continued, "I'll take your opinion into consideration."
"This is madness.." Lee muttered under his breath. Kim Dae-ho took the last sip of his whiskey, and stared at the empty crystal glass in his hand. "I need another glass.."
----------------------
"Alright students!" The loud voice of Arturo Esposito, the Beast Tamer teacher for the third year students, spoke with confidence in his voice as they stood on the training ground. Issac, who was standing next to Beaver and Enrique, had an excited expression on his face.
"I assume that all of you have been revising what you've learned throughout the year and training hard." Mr. Esposito's gaze fell on Beaver as he spoke, and Beaver immediately gave a nervous smile in response.
"Because your final year is about to end, and if you have nothing to show for at the Hunter & Association Convention, then you're going to be missing out on a very, and I mean VERY, special opportunity. You understand?" Mr. Esposito spoke with a serious tone, and everyone nodded their heads. "Good. Now that I have your full attention.."
GRRRAAAR!
Suddenly, a powerful roar reverberated through the air, interrupting Mr. Esposito. Gasps of surprise filled the space as the students instinctively raised their eyes skyward, witnessing an awe-inspiring sight. A magnificent formation of dragons soared toward them, their majestic forms weaving through the azure heavens. Wings thrashed the air, scales shimmering with an otherworldly sheen, invoking a sense of both fear and exhilaration.
WHOOSH!
With a thunderous descent, the dragons landed, their colossal weight causing the ground to tremble beneath their talons. Mr. Esposito, undaunted by their imposing presence, motioned the students forward.
"Remember your training." Mr. Esposito began, his tone firm yet encouraging, commanding their attention. "You have done this before. There's no reason to be nervous. This is the moment you've been waiting for. I'll warm you again; when faced with these magnificent creatures, never show fear. Dragons possess an acute sense, able to detect any sign of weakness. You must stand your ground, unwavering in the face of their dominance. Do you understand my words?"
The students nodded, their eyes fixed upon their mentor.
"Good." Mr. Esposito's voice took on a cautionary tone as he continued, "And you already know this, but do be mindful of the dragons' horns. They hold great significance. Like you've studied, the size of the horn reflects the age and strength of the creature. Larger horns denote elder dragons, formidable beings that require utmost skill and perseverance to tame. Respect their power and know your own limitations. There's nothing shameful about knowing your limits."
With these words of caution echoing in their minds, the students set forth in search of their dragon companions, their hearts pounding with a mix of anticipation and trepidation. They had done this before, but this was still, for some reason, making them nervous.
The art of dragon taming was a privilege reserved exclusively for university students, for the dragons possessed an innate ability to discern the age and maturity of humans, rendering them unyielding to anyone below the age of eighteen.
First-year students usually had the daunting task of training baby dragons, their innocence and vulnerability mirrored in their charges.
As the students advanced into their second year, they found themselves entrusted with the responsibility of training younger dragons. These young creatures, with fiery spirits and untamed potential, demanded a delicate balance of patience and discipline from their handlers. The trials intensified, testing the mettle and resilience of the aspiring dragon tamers.
In the pivotal third year, the students faced their most formidable test yet — taming the matured dragons.
"Oh, you have got to be kidding me!"
All of a sudden, laughter echoed through the air as Beaver, ever the adventurous spirit, found himself the recipient of an unexpected sneeze from a chubby green dragon.
Beaver, wiping his face in exasperation, muttered, "Aw, man... Why does this always happen to me?"
Enrique, unable to contain his laughter, chimed in, "Hey Beaver, you- you got something on your face..."
The surrounding students erupted into amused chuckles, and Beaver rolled his eyes and replied, "Ha ha, very funny."
Issac chuckled, but his focus was on something else. Amongst the sea of dragons, one stood apart — a red behemoth with a massive horn that projected an air of menace. The students hesitated, a collective murmur of uncertainty rippling through their ranks. However, within their midst, Issac's gaze remained unyielding, his focus unwavering. He sensed a connection, an unspoken bond beckoning him forward.
"Don't tell me that he's going to tame… That?!"
"I mean, he did tame the one with the largest horn the last time as well, didn't he?"
"Yeah, but still… I think this dragon has an even bigger horn! Look at the size of that thing!"
The students, normally filled with youthful exuberance, now stood in reverent silence, their eyes transfixed on the unfolding scene. Whispers of encouragement hung on their lips, unspoken words of admiration and support for their peer who dared to tame the seemingly untamable.
'Come on, come on…' Issac, unyielding in his quest, met the dragon's fierce gaze with a resolute stare of his own. 'Just a little bit more…'
GRRR…!
The creature's gruff growl reverberated through the air, perhaps a test of Issac's mental fortitude. And yet, he remained unfazed, his determination radiating like a shield against the dragon's imposing presence.
"Would you look at that…" Intrigued by the enigmatic connection unfolding, Mr. Esposito observed the situation with curious eyes as Issac approached the formidable red dragon.
With measured steps, Issac closed the distance between himself and the fearsome creature, and with a courage that defied conventional wisdom, Issac extended his hand, pressing it gently against the dragon's scaled face. "Take it."
The beast regarded him with a mix of curiosity and skepticism, its response withheld in silent deliberation. Moments passed, hanging in the air like suspended time, until the dragon relented, rubbing its colossal head affectionately against Issac's outstretched hand.
BAM!
In a stunning display of submission, the dragon lowered itself to the ground, its eyes conveying trust and acceptance. It was an astonishing sight, and the onlookers gasped in amazement, their voices hushed in reverent awe.
"Alright then, here I go!" Seizing the moment, Issac vaulted onto the dragon's mighty back, his heart surging with exhilaration and triumph. His audacity, his unwavering spirit, had tamed the dragon.
Mr. Esposito, witnessing the unfolding spectacle, broke into applause, a proud smile etched across his face, and the others followed suit.
"Damn bruv! The game's not even started yet and you're already winning!" Beaver spoke with a smirk on his face.
'All thanks to Mr. Bhryne..' Issac thought to himself in his mind before waving his hand at Beaver. "I told you bro.. All day, any day!"
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