Operation: Virus House (Ordis)

[New Spanishland]

Zaragoza Financial Tower
New Horizon, New Hyspania
01:23
Present Day
___________________________________________
―This has to be by far your best acquisition Carmen ―Said Miguel while looking at the painting in the wall.

―It is more beautiful than I expected ―She commented after a slip of Champagne.

The painting, showing a boy lying on a bed surrounded by medics and members of his family, all of them with the sorrow on their faces caused on Miguel a great impression, he was standing in front of the canvas observing, like expecting a miracle inside of it.

―It show us that life is nothing but a kite flying on a lightning storm, so fragile and yet, so full of possibilities ―He said after smoking his cigar, then he turned back to his desk.

―What’s the matter sweetie?

Miguel stand before his desk and looked to the window, outside was the dark sky over a New Horizon full of lights and life, but also something more beyond the buildings and the parks, beyond the common’s life and the nobles glamour.

―Did you manage to find the Knoth girl?

―No, the same with her mother, I imagine that they are hiding, or someone does –The blond woman touched her hair on a seductive way ―But I have news on that odd guy, what’s his name again?

―Volgt, Marco Volgt ―He said and turned back to her.

―Yeah, that one ―She took a brief pause and continued. ―He told me that it doesn’t matter what you have to say, he works on different terms and that he has an agenda of his own.

Miguel headed towards the painting on the wall, keeping a sober an unexpressive face.

―I see, really disappointing. I couldn’t imagine Volgt were that kind of man, I mean, after all, this is business.

―I told you this man was another hardliner; there’s nothing to do with people dense as bricks.
The man took the painting on his hands, admiring it again.

―Dear Carmen, we have many things in common, one of them is to use all our assets and resources while they are useful, but then… ―Miguel throw the painting to the floor in front of Carmen. She displeased with the rude behavior of his companion, come closer to the painting to pick it up.

―Do what you must Carmen, for your own sake.

―All right Miguel, I will deal with it, but only if I can find him.

Miguel stared to the woman in front of her with a thoughtful smile.

― Heh, It shouldn’t be so hard you know? The guy spends all its time at the old farmlands of his family, but recently he has missing.

Carmen at that moment was full of doubts “That Volgt fellow is certainly a creepy one” She reflected.

― And what about the “Product”?

― Dangerous ―He took another smoke of his cigar and continued. ―…And sort of… Unstable, but Volgt seems not to care much about it: The man is trying to make business with some private Ahrenric company to sell it; I learn that he has a couple of partners making the necessary errands for him, which leads me to this simple, yet, decisive conclusion, my dear.

Carmen buffed and smiled, and then she approached to Miguel to put her left hand over his chest.
― And what conclusion might be? My love.

― We may ignore where is he going next ― And he come close to her ear. ―But we know where he’s been.

St. Lorenzo Downtown
04:12

It is a common thing for the citizens to live and enjoy the night life of their city, go to bars or night clubs as the regular choice among groups of friends, especially if that city is Saint Lorenzo. Considered as one of the most beautiful cities of New Hyspania, this city is renowned by its museums, historical squares and the biggest botanical park of all the country, but the casinos, restaurants and parks are the main attraction of the nights. This is indeed a “City that never sleeps”.

The most crowded street of the city is “Avenida Los Cuatro Vientos”, this is where the most exclusive bars and restaurants are located, and some of them are entire buildings, with their music high and the lights reflecting the whole avenue, on the top of the buildings the party goes on, the penthouse hosting dozens of people dancing and laughing.

Down on the sidewalk, a seemingly normal man walks at calm pace, hiding his hands on the pockets of the hoodie and music playing on the headphones heading apparently to nowhere. Keeps its pace, undisturbed by the high music or the behavior of the people; in front of him a young couple walks dizzyingly by the effects of alcohol, “What a lovely pair” he thought; in that moment its phone buzzed so he took it and checked, a new message from an unknown number: “I’m at the Cariba’s bar, waiting.” He took the headphones out and headed to the corner, then right.

The Cariba’s is a well-known bar and restaurant, its decoration is a mix between industrial site and a modern art gallery, the ambient is always of ease and relax and the food is even better: A good place for a clandestine meeting. Once inside, the man started to look for his companion and saw him on a table near the bar, the other man using a grey suit and glasses saluted:

― Ah! You’re there. Please, sit down.

Once his companion took seat, he called the bartender with a hand gesture.

― So, what can I offer you? They have a nice selection of…

― Sorry ―He interrupted. ―But skip the host routine, Betancourt.

Betancourt dismissed the bartender and checked his phone, trying to dissimulate.

― You know why I’m here, I want the files, and the container.

― It’s not that easy, they are at my house and…

― Take me there.

Betancourt rose from his seat and took the car keys from his pockets; the man followed him to the restaurant exit. Outside, a black sedan was on the parking waiting for its owner. Betancourt opened the door followed by his companion, who took the copilot seat. Finally, the driver started the engine.

The man aside Betancourt draws out his phone and selected the recorder app.

― Heh, you don’t lose a chance ¿Right? ―He said smiling.

― I’m going to be rather sharp here, Mr. Roberto ―He took a pause to start the recorder. ―You are the head of the St. Lorenzo Health Superintendence, Roberto Betancourt, you’re being investigated under the suspicion of corruption and treason to the Empire.

The driver kept driving onward, heading to the city suburbs; the road was dark and deserted. The moon was the only light over the asphalt and grass.

― You will answer my questions. First, does the name of Venancio D’Mont ring a bell?

― Yes.

― Who is him?

― He is a biological scientist, works for Berenguer Pharmaceutical.

― Hmmm… What else? ― He inquired.

Betancourt sighed

― Which is a filial of Zaragoza Funds Ltd.

― Right, now. We already know you had contact with him before for the surveillance we did about two days. Where is he? Where is his research?

― W-what? ―He babbled. The question got him with the guard down.

― Dr. D’Mont was doing illegal research at the labs of the company, and the files somehow disappeared from his office and we have reasons to believe they are on your power. So how and where did you…

Suddenly all the world came in silence when the frontal wheels blew out, the sedan was out of control as Betancourt tried to handle it without success causing the vehicle to twist twice. Now looking as a steamy pile of junk, the car ceased to move over the grass of the sideways; the two only occupants were seriously injured and unconscious when another vehicle came closer to the accident, the driver jumped off and walked to the accident zone as other three men followed him.

― Take both, and check on their belongings.

As one of the thugs checked the car, another managed to get his hands to the driver’s seat and pick up something. A suitcase.

― Hey! Gerona, I found the suitcase.

The leader of the thugs approached to see the black leather cover. Inside there was a laptop and a folder.

― Good, we are moving now. We only counting with two hours before Andrae make its hit. Drive to the Industrial District.
________________________________________________________________________________
NDI Command Center
Bauxal City, Crown State of Bauxal
7:25am

“I’ve been on surveillance around the perimeter, apparently they been here for just a couple of hours, the suspect and her companion are clearly being assisted for someone aware of our movements. At this moment I’m heading to the restaurant to meet Betancourt, if my suspicions are correct, we are all in a great risk. I will summit the rest of my report as soon the meeting finishes. Martos out”

In that moment the connection shut down and the screen turned to blue showing the NDI insignia.
The head of the Division for the Imperial Enforcement had summoned its agents and officers to an urgent meeting due to the recent events, all of the presents were on foot listening. The air was tense and it wasn’t for less: So many happenings on a single week are something to be worried about, but for the Commander and their people, this was something that, more than concern, caused interest.

― That was Martos’ last transmission ―started to say Isabel Farrel―. I suppose everyone here is aware of the hostage situation in St. Lorenzo, we believe that he also got caught when the whole issue started ―Then she turned to the Commander―, Pedro?

― Thanks Isabel. Alright, we will split on two teams: Rosso and Ortega, you will check out the situation in St. Lorenzo and find Martos. Elvia and I will go to Puerto Yunque to surveillance Sandro Estevez’s movements.

― Everyone shall be briefed individually on their respective tasks. That’s it. ―Added Elvia.

― Also guys ―Intervened Isabel―. I know you don’t want to hear this but I need you recover all the information as soon as you found it. Check in once in a while.

― Ha! That includes you, Carreras ―said Ortega.

Agent Carreras smiled and winked to his colleague.

― You know that I deliver more information than bullets ―he checked hour and raised an eyebrow―. I shall go down to my locker and fix everything.

― Just one more thing before we finish ―Announced the Commander―. I gotta say, this is escalating pretty fast and the threat is growing every minute. Each one of you was chosen by the Director cause you are the most capable persons to make this job done; I count with each one of you. Thanks.

[New Spanishland]

07:30

Agent Alira Rosso and her partner, Carlos Ortega were talking about soccer and other trivialities when Commander Carvalho came to his office, both of them stand up for the briefing.

―The city of St. Lorenzo is under attack by a group of unidentified criminals presumably terrorist of some sort; since last night Police and National Guard operatives have tried to clean the area and push the enemy to the warehouse area at the Industrial District where they held some workers and civilians captive ―Carvalho showed a satellite image of a warehouse in the Industrial District. ―We believe Martos is there along with their leader, your mission is to assist the police forces disguised as operatives of the National Guard Elite Battalion, “Cuerpo de Operaciones Especiales” or COE then head to the warehouses and rescue Martos and Betancourt, finally I want whoever’s responsible for this mess alive, if it is possible, Understood?

―Yes, sir! ―They said in unison.

Carvalho used his pad to change the image on the screen, the mission objectives were exposed, now the details.

―In order to accomplish this you are going to be equipped with the COE’s uniform and gear: Pistol PH caliber 9mm and submachine gun HMD 30mm. Also, there are three anesthetic gas grenades and an electric Stunt Jack for non-lethal neutralization. ¬ ―The Commander swap the screen again, now showing an electronic device. ―Now, this is the most important piece of gear we have at our disposal: It’s not any PDA, this PDA has a “decryptor” to hack on everything that has a SIM chip on it and electronic locks, its connected to your earphones and from here, you can upload any information as well as the opposite from our side and before you two say something stupid, no, it doesn’t have MP3. Any of you have questions?

― No, sir! ―Both said.

They rose from the seats and headed out of the office, the locker and weapons check awaited them before the chopper.

______________________________________________________________________________

St. Lorenzo Downtown area
12:49

The Police Chief Oscar Barradas was having a meeting with the National Guard commanding officer of the city, Major Andres Sanchez inside an armored tactical vehicle. Two hours before, he sent a recon patrol on search for the enemy taking in consideration the Intel given by the police choppers on surveillance mission and there was no word of them since then. The first security perimeter was stablished four blocks away from the bank where criminals held their position, apparently they managed to retrieve millions of Solars from the vaults but they weren’t able of transport or deliver it to somewhere. Nonetheless, what worried both Barradas and Sanchez was the subway station around the corner; it was on their reach and stablished a connection between the downtown and the industrial district and it won’t be long before they try to smuggle it through the tunnels, if it wasn’t done already.

It was when NG Lieutenant Victor Marcano arrived, stood firm and gave his report.

―Sir! We managed to communicate with Algraves.

Both the Chief Barradas and Mayor Sanchez looked to the young lieutenant with wide open eyes like if it they just witnessed a miracle. Immediately, Sanchez connected with his operative on the radio.

―Here Almighty, you receive me Blue Leader?

“I receive you, Almighty.”

―What’s your status?

“I’m hiding in the office building at the east of the bank, the rest of the team got captured and I presume they are moving to the industrial district.”

―Can you return for re-assemble?

”Negative, there are snipers on each corner of the rooftop and they know my position, I’m currently hiding from a patrol they sent after me, I’ll try to engage them silently.”

―No! Listen to me Blue leader, I’m organizing a team to assault the bank, and they should be here in no time, meanwhile keep that radio working and report your status every ten minutes, they will come for you and assist them on the task. I make myself clear, Blue leader?

“Yes, sir.”

―Almighty out.

Major Sanchez left the radio and stared to the blueprints of the bank over the table, analyzing it carefully, looking for weak spots, then looked for the map of the downtown, it highlighted the perimeter made by the police, trying to set a safe route of insertion; quickly he took a pen and draw a route from Reforma street to the corner of the office building of Lido Co where Sargent Algraves was pinned down.

―We could distract the snipers on some way, maybe killing them on the process, it is obvious that they are trying to escape through the station to re-group and things would be a lot more difficult if we let them. ―Barradas said.

―The team that I requested has two sharpshooters, what I imagine is to infiltrate the building from the roof with two operatives and the rest from one of the security doors on the east wing of the building, which houses the administrative area; they will enter simultaneously as they are covered by our snipers, if they are trying to move the money from the vaults, which I suppose they are already trying, they would have to do on foot since we cut the electric supply to the city a day ago.

The radio buzzed again, Barradas answered this time.

―Here Almighty-one, over.

"Sir, the team is here ready for orders.”

“About time.” he thought.

Both of the officials jumped off from the armored vehicle and around them, the security checkpoint and the rest of the police officers on duty, one them was checking his pistol and another, was inside the armory; the day was perfect for a hangout with friends or family if wasn’t for the actual situation and it ought to be changed, that’s why when Major Sanchez and Chief Barradas saw the team of five men and two woman they couldn’t help to felt a mix of pride and courage: it was time to give justice and cast out the vandals from the streets.

Sanchez stood up firm and the team, lined in file, gave the military salute.

―Alright, listen up: The bank itself is being guarded with snipers on each corner; two of you will head to the Lido Co. Building and hold positions there to take them out as the rest of the team access through the rooftop and the east wing by separate. ―Took some breath and continued ―. We have a comrade pinned down inside the foretold office building and his team is held captive inside that bank, so I don’t need to tell how important is to act quickly, on the armored vehicle behind you will find silenced CS&HM silenced semi-automatic rifles, necessary for the success of this operation and finally, any arrest you make must be carried away ASAP. Understood?
All of them raised their foreheads as affirmative signal.

―Ok. ―And gave a firm and loudly footstep to the floor―. Let’s MOVE IT UP!
_______________________________________________________________________________

St. Lorenzo Bank
14:15

A manager office is sometimes conceived as a fine and elegant place, proper of who occupies such responsibility. You could think about a manager’s office as a spacious room with shelves full of books, modern paintings, a stylish rug and last but not least, the elegant handmade wooden desk; the pearled white marble along with the dark brown wooden walls and the window behind the desk illustrated the category and finest taste of the designer .
Over the desk there was small pile of books, a family picture, an opened laptop and a seemingly young man typing over the keyboard, searching for a specific file by order of someone who paid for his services but he wasn’t having success on the task. Despite that, 50% of his pay was already transferred and his commitment towards the client increased, it was a matter of honor.
Another man came into the office and the corporal language advised about his bad mood.

―Did you found the files?

―I told you before, is not that simple: broke encrypted folders or any kind of digital files requires of…

―I don’t give a damm about the hard time you are having with that computer, Andrae wants all the data, and I won’t get a bullet on my neck because of you.

―There are two kinds of problems: the ones that are mine and yours. Get a bullet on your neck is much like yours. ―The kid wasn’t even looking to the thug; his eyes were on the laptop screen.

The henchman felt the temptation of shoot the brat on his blood, but knew the kid was right and above all, this wasn’t his boss first time, if the young man was there was because Andrae trusted him enough.

―As much I agree with you there’s a detail you’re missing: Time’s not on our side and we still have money to transport through the tunnels.

―So, this entire b-boy attitude is because you’re worried about your payday?

―See it as suits you but I won’t stay here for too long and you better get those files by my leave out of here.

The henchman slammed the door behind him and sighed, dealing with smart kids was a downside on his job, but it was nothing compared with the rewards if this robbery was successful. Walked towards the window at the end of the hall outside the office, took a cigarette and his lighter and after a brief smoke decided to contact with the snipers on the rooftop.

―Did Ocampo and his guys found the policeman?

“No, I still have no reports on them and I been trying to establish contact.”

―He could not have run to far, take care of him if it crosses on your sight, by the moment the police comes here the money will be with Gerona and his other friends bleeding on the floor.

“Right, I’ll try to contact Ocampo again, I’ll call you if there is any news.”

When his man on the rooftop hanged out the radio, the henchman stand before the window and stared to the building outside, but a buzz got him out of his thoughts.

―Tell me you found Ocampo.

“No, but I found Betancourt’s files. I told you about my skills on this.”

―Excellent! Now send it to Gerona immediately before he starts…

The henchman didn’t notice the flash coming from the building in front of him, he also missed the fact that a bullet with his name was on its way to his forehead.

“Ortiz… Are you there? Ortiz!”

Two National Guards stormed from one of the rooms of the east wing shooting short burst of bullets against the unwarned thugs with their silenced submachine guns at the main floor of the bank, making them fall to the ground; around them the modern architecture of the building made contrast with the clear granite floor, along with the blood. Both gendarmes walked straight down to the offices of the administrative building and stand side to side to the door and subtly opened it, once in they checked it: it was just a set of eight cubicles on set of four on each side; there was another door on the right so the same maneuver was repeated, behind the wall they could hear some grumbling and footsteps coming imminently to them and set aside from each other, ready to ambush.
_______________________________________________________________________________

At the manager’s office, the young hacker tried to contact with Ortiz once again without any success, something was wrong since he heard some glass break out so he took the decision of check out what was going out there while rose from his seat and walked to the door. The hacker would realize two things on the following ten seconds: One, that wooden doors don’t open by itself if they aren’t electric and two, they do not have foots or guns. The edge of the door hit his head enough to cause a small cut from his right eyebrow to the middle forehead, his nose also suffered the price of such bad decision.

Soon after, a brunette-haired woman showed up, followed by an average height guy, both with pistols on their hands and using a grey camo combat suit.

―Please, don’t shoot! ―He begged.

The man behind the girl threw away his gun with his left foot and stared directly to him.

―Aren’t you too young to be in the mafia? ―Made a brief silence and then continued. No, no, no, no. Don’t tell me, you owe somebody. Seriously boy! Aren’t enough movies and soap operas to understand that the mafias are not to be trusted?

―I can tell you everything I know!

Agent Rosso was glad; there was no time to waste.

―Start by talking where are our partners.

―They are being held downstairs, the room on the left.

―Good, and your boss, chief or whatever you call him or her?

―On the subway, the vaults are almost empty and they are taking the funds to the industrial district.

Rosso put their eyes on the laptop over the desk.

―Ortega, check that computer!

The young hacker was still lying on the ground, his nose bleed a bit and his head ached, “This is the last time I work on the field” he reflected while looking to the woman’s gun aiming to his face, a wrong word or move was synonym of death, so decided to act with diplomacy.
Ortega took sit and checked the laptop; surprisingly it had information about the man they were looking for.

―Rosso, this is Betancour’s laptop! All of his files are here!

Alira could hardly believe it. That computer could have all the evidence they been looking for; she kept the gun aiming to the guy’s face.

―Start explaining.

―Andraes’ men intercepted Betancourt while driving to his house, they took his briefcase but found just the laptop; never saw the files or anything but it seems Betancourt had problems with some sort of radical gang, I don’t know. ―The boy said with weak voice.

―And where is that Andrae? ―Asked Ortega while uploading the files to his PDA.

―Andrae is at the Industrial district station, stockpiling the money from the vaults; he has few men so they are having a hard time to move the funds.

Alira made the hacker to turn around and handcuffed him without any comment; Ortega took the laptop and walked towards her.

―We can ambush them by taking any other way, then neutralize all threat and try to capture Andrae alive, if it’s possible.

The woman lifted the hacker and put her gun over the boy’s kidney, he surely had more information that it seemed. Both agents exited the office and communicated with their team partners about the arrest.

_______________________________________________________________________________

NDI Command Center
15:36

Conceived first as a building to house the headquarters of the 23th Infantry Division, the “Bloque Dearmas” barracks was an old-colonial style building with stone walls and small watchtowers on each corner. It was built in 1900 by order of Empress Gladys I as part of the plan for military modernization, started by her predecessor. “The Brave of the 23’” as they were known after their remarked role in the First Endwar, such reputation would be reaffirmed after the Battle of Bauxal, where the on which the 14th Armored Division was to defend the city from the invading forces of Zossia and Etrulia; despite efforts from his skilled mechanized troops, Commander Edgardo Fuenteavila gave the order of retreat to the “Bloque Dearmas” when suddenly, the 23th arrived as reinforcement and managed to repel the enemy for two days, the Commander expressed his gratitude in the following words: “If there is any glory in war, even under the worst of situations, let it rest on men like the ones from 23’”.

Under the administration of Emperor Gerardo IX and his Defense Minister, General in Chief Alfredo Michelena, “Bloque Dearmas” was used as headquarters for the Imperial Office of Intelligence (Predecessor of the NDI) and since then is the Command Center of the national espionage and counterespionage, but recently has become the operations center of its most secret branch: the Division for Imperial Enforcement.

Commander Pedro Carvalho was on his office doing the research on their objective: Sandro Estevez and his transport company E&B (Estevez & Bustillos) Transports, a filial of MANTIS Global Funds. The company was founded in 1971 as consequence of corporative fusion between two entrepreneurs of Tuy, in northern Hyspania where the Estevez family had the most important truck workshop and Bustillos was the senior partner of a railroad line. Business and a promise of success called for the partnership between these two men who, by 1986 had an enormous vehicle pool and the next step was the maritime transport; twenty years later become a transnational with offices around all Ordis, mainly in Zossia, Etrulia and Gran Altiplano.

Vicente Bustillos died in 2001 and, since he was the last in the line of the family and there were no relatives, left all the shares to his long-time partner who few months later was one of the most wealthiest man in Hyspania. Estevez wasn’t the kind of eccentric millionaire or a despotic boss, but it was known for being really discreet, discretion became almost absolute closure even towards his board of directors when MANTIS Global Funds acquired 25% of the company shares in 2010.
One can’t be blamed for asking some privacy, but Estevez was taking it to the edge: The once caring-by-efficiency and diligent boss turned to be the kind of boss who delegates all of his work and responsibilities one of his managers while spending all the time at his luxury villa. But what drew the attention of the Commander in Chief of the DIE was the investment of Estevez on the most recent research of Berenguer Pharmaceutical a year ago, research led by Dr. Venancio D’Mont. D’Mont research became a scandal when his “pesticide” proved to be especially deadly to mammals so he was fired of the labs and disappeared.

Carvalho’s doubts became absolute suspicion when E&B was about to struck a deal with an important agrarian company for the transport service of cattle herd three days ago, the same day when D’Mont was saw on a restaurant with Estevez and Roberto Betancourt from the St. Lorenzo Health Superintendence. There was too much coincidence on a really short period of time.

“The time has come to do a little visit.” He thought.

After checking on the surveillance photos and the entire dossier on his computer, the Commander looked around his private office, painted in white and had some paintings showing old victories of the Hyspanic Imperial Army, over his desk had his computer and pad at his left hand and two navy blue folders near a portrait of his mother and father at his right hand; all the times he saw that portrait made him feel his duty was something beyond his commitment with the Emperor and the nation, was something to preserve the memory and legacy of his loved ones.

After closing the door behind him, the man started to walk through the narrow hall which walls were made of rustic grey concrete. The command center of the DIE was on the four basement of the “Bloque Dearmas” or Level 4 how the agents called it, only a handful of people in all Hyspania were allowed to enter this lair of secrets. Once in front of the door, Carvalho enter the password of the day by voice reconnaissance, Carvalho walked in the main hall of the operations center where his partner and Chief of Operations, Elvia Greene, awaited. Elvia had her eyes over the pad to read the details of the mission to Puerto Yunque.

―So, any thoughts about our little vacation trip?

―You could make a more romantic choice, that’s for sure.

Pedro laughed; he enjoyed the jokes of that girl as much as someone could enjoy them.
Isabel came into the hall, with a folder in hand.

―Guys, this just came a few moments from St. Lorenzo: Rosso and Ortega managed to take the bank along with the COE’s, also found Betancourt’s laptop with several files and also a phone call, is being analyzed and classified right now, also we have a positive ID on who is leading the operation here but you need to see what one of our analysts has found.

―Right, I shall get going.―then he looked to Elvia. ―Get your gear ready, we shall be ready for briefing in one hour.

―The weapons check is done but I don’t anticipate a firefight in a middle of a business tower, my Tranq. Gun is already clean and loaded and I have to tell Castillo about the flight plan.

―Acknowledged, see you soon.

[New Spanishland]

16:45
St. Lorenzo Subway entrance

Despite all security measures, Andrae’s thugs managed to break out into the station using the ventilation system, once inside his men went to the security modules and opened the security gate with the master key, later they would start to transport the money bags to the next station; he knew that there was a chance to escape with part of the money by paying a cut of the earnings: He left a helicopter on the mall heliport and knew police won’t react quickly but it doesn’t matter anyway, he had a stolen grenade launcher to deal with anyone who stands on his way. “The plan will work.” He said to himself.

Nothing says better that you failed at something when you start repeating the opposite to yourself and that was Andrae felt in that moment cause he tried to contact to the bank and there was no answer, obviously the police made their move and raided the bank but only to find that the vault was almost empty; “Too late for them.” He thought.

All this brought him back to his years at the Imperial Navy, the years where he escaped from a broken home and the absence of caring; luckily for him, his abilities for stealing were on its rise and managed to steal 500 Solars from his father hideout: a small metallic cage with booze, cigarettes, adult magazines and a small notebook with phone numbers of other women, he took some of those other items as well.
With the money and the face of a needy orphan, the 15 years old kid convinced the Sargent and his commanding officer to let him study at the Academy of Vauxhall Fields. In one hand, the boy proved to be and disciplined and diligent soldier but in the other hand, he started to share vice and graft among his course: Smoking, drinking and other ways to waste the moral and integrity of healthy prospects of the Navy spread quickly.
Despite the scolding and the punishment of being four days cleaning all the academy lanterns with his toothbrush, Andrae never corrected himself, all the beating and psychological mistreat mean nothing for him: “My father gives better beating with the phone wire and a bottle of rum between his back and chest.” He used to say; all of his acts and behavior answered to a single purpose: Profit. If caused any earnings for him, he will invest on it, no matter the kind of business. He lived for the money and the money lived for him.

He got arrested a couple of times, mostly due any indiscrete officer who denounced his “business” with the CO and yet, that made him more cold-minded and determined, greed was the force that drove him but knew that the only way of keep his ass out of the fire was promotion, rank after rank his influence could increase and his earnings could be more secure until the time to build his own criminal group.
With the time, Andrae learnt some tricks and managed to keep the business low from the radar as he dedicated to study and work on his “good boy” cover. Soon would discover his marksman skills and sniping abilities, soon after the CO transferred him to the 9th Jungle Division where he sharpened his skill with the rifle; two months later completed the helicopter course and became one of the division’s pilots. But still wasn’t enough. His next challenge was to be on the elite of the Hyspanic Imperial Armed Forces: the “Cazadores” but in order of achieve such goal he would need to get through a hellish training and spent years of his life on the worst conditions; not everybody could be a Cazador and less, be part of them. But his ambition was far bigger than his common sense and asked for the transfer.

Two years later, Andrae was the number three of his promotion and in order of reach the first place, his team was sent to accomplish an anti-narcotics raid. In the end, his own greed made him took the initiative at the operation and threw himself at the enemy, shooting to everything that stands on foot. The mission was successful but the commander fired him for disobedience, he didn’t agree and kicked the commander right on the chest, breaking two ribs on the process. That was the end of his career. Discharged but with money on his pockets, Andrae met Nicasio Carriedo in one of his pubs with a work request: the eye from one of his rivals was his presentation card. They started to do business shortly after becoming his most prolific hitman and soldier.

The old time veteran adjusted the helmet lantern and looked to his left: the deteriorated walls and columns of the tunnel as well; one of his men had two bags full with money on each shoulder, the process was slow but surely being carried away, few bags remained. At that moment one of his henchmen approached.

—The police are drawing near, my man there informed that they entered using the air vents and stormed our positions there.
—That means that we lose control of the bank, set some of your men near the station and wait for them, don’t shoot unless they are very next to you ¿Understand?
The thug assented with his head and turned back. While Andrae walked forward, “I’ll expect them too with plenty bullets.” He thought.

17:11

The police officers secured the area few moments later; two of them took positions at the ticket box office while others checked the henchmen bodies. Rosso and Ortega were near but they didn’t pay much attention to the agents’ movements, both walked downstairs to the railway platform.

—The police have done their part, time to accomplish ours.
—They can take the money back, the people who did this is the objective.
—We will do this as it follows: I’m going to take the right railroad, you take the left. Advance at my pace and use this night-vision goggles.
—Where did you found these? —Carlos asked with surprise.
—I took it from the same armored riot vehicle where the sniper rifles was, the COEs surely got nice toys and…
—Wait! I heard footsteps, down at the platform. —He said while drawing his pistol and made a gesture with the hand, telling Rosso to cover his back.

The noise was barely audible but Ortega had a sharp ear and noted it immediately, there was an uncomfortable silence around the station and Carlos could still hear the policemen upstairs working; the footsteps at the platform raised all the inner alerts. With the pistol aiming forward, Carlos carefully walked down the stairs, when he found himself at the platform, there was no trains at the railroads; obviously they were removed to the workshops when the authorities ordered. Alira made a hand gesture to tell Carlos to take the other railroad, so he crossed and stood in front of the tunnel. Rosso put the night-vision goggles and looked to Ortega, who was doing the same; both agents started to walk at the same pace, weapon in hand and senses at max.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

17:15
NDI Command Center

Pedro Carvalho was doing his weapons check at the CC Armory, he was going to pick his 9mm silenced pistol along with a scoped tranquilizer rifle as auxiliary weapon, a sedative gas grenades and an electric stunt jack as melee weapon. The rest of the gear will be provided by Isabel around two hours so he had plenty of time; all this gear maintenance and cleaning relaxed him, also was one of the few moments on which could ever be alone, alone with his thoughts: He remembered his ex-wife and children, remembered the times outside the claustrophobic ambiance of the NDI operations bases and the blues of military bases.
“Five years.” He thought. “It has been five years and not a single call.”
There it comes moments when a men doubts of his responsibilities, of his sense of duty. But Carvalho had very clear of where his loyalty and heart was, year after year fighting against crime and terrorism made him realize something: If there was nobody to defend his country, the future of his family and other families would be as ominous and dark as “wolf’s mouth.” Why his wife couldn’t understand that?

Then, his PDA blipped.

“Pedro, we have some news from St. Lorenzo.”
—I’ll be right there.

The main wing of the Command Center was conformed of three areas: The intelligence lab, where the cryptographers, code breakers, psychologists, technicians and informatics security consultants compared, evaluated and classified any kind of information; it wasn’t enough with having the Intel in your hands, you needed to know how much reliable that intelligence was and in consideration, how to react based on such information in order to mark a “beat” for the enemy; that is, be able of hit different points of an enemy in a pace that would be impossible to follow. The technical lab houses the research division where engineers and programmers worked on create, develop and upgrade all kinds of tools, programs, malware, spyware and other fancy gadgets of different sizes and applications.

Finally there was the Agents Department, the cubicles and offices (for the Commander and Operations Commander level only) split on three levels: Field, Investigations and Intelligence. This area also counted with a gym, the lockers and a small clinic to keep the health in check.
Pedro arrived to the intelligence lab; it was a fairly big hall like an auditorium, just filled with cubicles put six in a row where analysts worked in front of their computers. The age average was around 35 years old and some of the brightest minds from the Imperial Armed Forces University were there, giving their best for the Nation. Isabel saw Pedro approaching and called him with the hands, she was near the cubicle of an analyst.

—Take a look to this.
Pedro looked to the screen and checked carefully the information.
—It is a… Set of bank records put upon another and… There are also a couple of mails?
—Stop making jokes Pedro. —Isabel laughed.
—Ya, this is Betancourt transference record of the last four months and the mails sent to D’Mont to confirm such transactions.
—Twenty and a half million Solars, he surely was generous.
—And a half?
—This confirms our suspects of D’Mont investigation funding: The money was split on several small amounts and on different accounts, typical embezzlement. As always, it raised the Crown Financial Task Force alarms and the investigation started, it was that folder over your desk a year ago.
—I remember, yes. It does coincide with the report given by the information leak from the Berenguer Labs, well—corrected himself. — It was a whistleblowing from an intern who worked for us.

Isabel swiped to the next image, it was another mail, but this one was made few days ago and was sent to a company mail. Pedro raised his eyebrows, he knew the company.

—TransApec, the cover of the Carriedo Organization.
—Read the mail. —She said.
He read the entire mail two and three times, this was too bizarre for being truth.
—So these are the ones who we have to thank for making of St. Lorenzo a fucking siege: The Carriedo bastards. And everything because Betancourt backed down on whatever he was up to with the money.
—And look who sent the Carriedo’s to execute the transaction of funds. —And she swiped again, this time showing a dossier of the NDI.
—Leandro Andrae, one of Carriedo’s favorite hitmen.
—They wanted the money so they took it by themselves. —She pointed out.
—What is not clear to me is why Betancourt backed down; the operation was being handled smoothly and with extreme security measures to avoid any leak. Heck! So secret that we are just learn about this because got the laptop of the owner! —Carvalho was really surprised, they had Dr. Betancourt over strict surveillance from all points and it failed.
—That’s why you have to read one of the four mails he encrypted. —And Isabel swiped the screen to show the text. The Commander started to read; his expression was calm and neutral but on the inside the intrigue was growing, intrigue and uncertainly.
—Project Equis-Nox? This was D’Mont work? This was his famous and revolutionary ecologic pesticide?
—Betancourt apparently didn’t know the real implications of his colleague business; it seems that the “good ‘ol doc” was working biochemistry for more… Thoughtfully ends more than just pesticides.
—Toxic gas… A nerve agent.
—And you better get a hold on something, cause you won’t believe the hands on which the product was supposed to fall. —Said Isabel before swipe to the final screen.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

St. Lorenzo Subway Tunnel
17:32

Rosso and Ortega walked silently through the dark tunnels, according with the PDA, they were at half way from the Industrial District station; they could saw some banknotes on the floor: The trail of Andrae’s men, it was clear that they were just about to get the money outside the station, and they needed to avoid that at all coast, in order to confiscate the funds and take it to the vaults again. With all and her experience, Rosso could not help but feel rather unsafe in close scenarios, Ortega was more calm; the boy could be a rookie in the world of espionage and undercover missions, but he knew how to get a hold of himself and that, for the circumstances was more than enough.

When Alira gave the next step forward, she automatically stopped. Rosso did the proper and aimed in front of him, he could bet he heard something metallic snap, but it wasn’t a pistol magazine. It was something being unclipped.
Carlos looked sharply, the NV goggles were showing an odd figure behind one of the tunnel walls, it was barely moving and then, the figure drew what seemed a human arm. On a rush, the young agent pulled the trigger twice and projectiles flew away impacting on the figure’s head and chest, but when the body fell to the ground, another objet did so. It had a cylindrical shape.

—Grenade! —He shouted and took cover with Rosso at both sides of the tunnel. The grenade exploded, wasn’t fragmentation, it was a smoke one. Alira could hear short detonations coming from the other side of the tunnel, the thugs set an ambush. Immediately she cursed her luck. Ortega kept his head down and held his gun with both hands; the thugs were shooting just randomly, meaning that they could not saw who killed their partner so lure them to their position and counter-attack could be an option to move forward, if anyone going further in the tunnel heard the shooting they would try to hurry. There was no time to waste so he grabbed the SMG and turned to Alira who, apparently had the idea of counter attack few seconds before him cause she had already the submachine gun in hand while look him back, as signal of approval for the plan.

The firing stopped and the footsteps came closer and closer, the sound was even heavier because they surely had the bags with the money in their shoulders, Rosso signaled a count to three with her hands to Ortega and when the count reached zero, both agents turned from their torso from the wall and fired a short burst of bullets. Three thugs fell to the ground; they were effectively carrying the money bags, Alira also noted that there were another three men at her range caught by surprise, “bad luck” she thought, her young partner also noted it and stand up firing a short burst to them, the counter-attack was successful and now they had made the necessary shock to break in; the other men were at the floor bleeding as they nimbly advanced through the tunnel.

Alira and Carlos ran quickly, they needed to stop the criminals as soon as possible, by running they could see other thugs in front of them as they threw flashbang grenades, they identified it quickly by the small cylindrical shape different from the bigger, smoke grenade. A henchman turned back to return the shoots but one of the bullets hit him in the neck, falling to the floor with two heavy bags.

—The tunnel is clear; I’ll radio the rest of COEs back at St. Lorenzo, they will recover the money. —Said Carlos while reloading the SMG. —We should be already under the Industrial District, Andrae and his goons must be near, the station is right there.
—Let’s remain our same positions, but this time I’ll move forward so you will provide the covering fire. — Ordered Alira while walking to the station platform; in that moment, her PDA blipped.
—Here Rosso.
“Alira, what is your status?”
—Ortega and I cleared the tunnel and the bags are in the floor, he is contacting the COEs to recover it; we are about to enter the Industrial District subway platform.
“OK, listen. The commander just issued a DPE order on Leandro Andrae and I’ll tell you later what we do know about him besides of being a hired gun.”
—Acknowledge.
“Farrel out.”

Both agents walked into the station platform to note that the place was desolate with slight signs of vandalism yet, lights were still on and the floor was decently clean. Alira toured the whole place twice with her eyes, the area was clear.
“Where I would hide myself to ambush someone?” She reflected, and then saw the stairs. The stairs would lead to the same place, the exit and entrance to the subway and with any luck Andrae would set them up there, he probably got an assault rifle or any long weapon with him, probably he had grenades. It was when she thought on how the subway station was designed and built: The maintenance room was connected with the security module at the first floor; if she managed to get there Andrae would be rounded and finished. She decided that Ortega should be the one executing the DPE order.

―Carlos, at the corner of the station there’s a maintenance room, there you will find a door and you might need a keycard to open it, it must be somewhere there, then you will up the stairs and reach the security module and once there ambush Andrae when you see the chance. You got it?
—Yes ma’am. —He said and headed for the slate door at the other corner of the station while she rushed to the stairs, at that time two COEs emerged from the tunnel, both headed to Alira.
—Major Sanchez ordered us to assist you. —Said one of them.
—Al right, you follow my partner there, you stick right behind me. There’s a snake waiting for us to be beheaded.
“I wouldn’t call myself a snake” Said a harsh voice through the loudspeakers of the station.
Everyone was stunned to hear that.
"Really, are all the military predictable?”―The voice scoffed. ― "I'd like to think not, but you disappoint me." An ambush, did not you think of something better or at least original? "
―We are all very funny and macho when we speak from a loudspeaker”. ―Ortega snapped.
"Now I'm a macho? I thought it was a snake!"
―Thanks for revealing your location, it was a suspicion but now is a fact. ―Said Rosso.
"No. Thanks to you for revealing your plan. For your information, I'm not alone, if you tried to come as you planned, one of you would have died with a shotgun shell in the chest, while my men advanced through that same place and surrounded you. "
―That was an option; I can still go straight and blow your brains out.
"Now that's what I wanted to hear, I invite you to do so. Ah! And you can shoot the security cameras, they're useless to me and I'll turn them off, you have my word."

Now things had become complicated, the enemy knew his plan and his position.

―Rosso, I have a plan: You three go upstairs, besiege that bastard with everything you have. He does not know this station, at least not like me.
―But…
―Do what I say!
―Hey, I do not know what you thought, but the boss here...
―You have a better plan? Take your thin asses up the stairs!

Before she could say more, Ortega ran as a “soul that the devil took” to the aforementioned maintenance room; she snorted indignantly and gestured to the other gendarmes to follow her.
Alira and the agents reached the upper level of the station and positioned themselves behind the walls that crossed the main corridor, loaded their machine guns and felt their grenades.

―Ahh! you have decided to come and fight. Go ahead, start.

"I hope you know what you're doing, you insolent brat." She thought for herself.
One of the COEs already had a fragmentation grenade ready to launch and the other had a smoke grenade and threw it into the corridor. Alira opened fire on the ticket booth followed by the fragmentation grenade and then a furious symphony of flashes and bullets was unleashed, the thugs responded with great fury. When checking the fire, the veteran spy noticed that the grenade had exploded at the foot of the ticket box office; the enemy was recharging and preparing to open fire again.

Rosso and the uniformed ones resumed the suppression fire; another fragmentation grenade was thrown along with one of smoke. For a moment the shooting stopped, from her position Alira could notice some confusion on the other side, but a new burst of shots made her return behind the wall.

"Damn it, where the fuck did Ortega get in? If he does not die now, I swear ..."

At that time the PDA blip.

―Here Rosso.
“Alira, when I tell you, you will throw another grenade at the left flank of the house, then open fire.”
―Where the hell are you?
“Trust me!”

And hung up. The woman could not believe it, she was being bossed by her subordinate, to top it off, novice. Unfortunately it was the only card to play at that moment. He signaled the officers to prepare a last grenade, counted to three and threw it; the grenade rolled a little away from the booth and exploded. The thugs responded by opening fire but the firing burst was very short. Next, there was a very long silence. Rosso checked the fire, there were no more answers; He got up with the company of the agents and advanced slowly and when he arrived at the booth he could see three bodies: one of them with splinters of grenades on his face, he seemed to still live, the others had bullet holes in their shoulders and heads, they were attacked from the right flank.

―Chief! What do you think? Good for my first mission? ―Ortega said as he emerged from an air vent.
―How the hell? I...
―Thanks for trusting, it was risky but this is the line of work, is not it? Let's report this to Farrel and move forward.

Alira was tempted to slap that brat, but stopped and turned to see the bodies.

[New Spanishland]

St. Lorenzo Subway Tunnel
18:36

“We got an ID on the man who ambushed both of you at the station.”

Isabel managed to contact Rosso and Ortega three minutes ago; they were walking through the tunnels, heading to the new coordinates.

“Leandro Andrae served in the Imperial Navy, was discharged with dishonor for disobedience after he offended his commanding officer, later he joined the Carriedo Organization becoming one of the most effective soldiers on their ranks.”

—That explains the henchmen on the streets and the bank robbery attempt.

“Exactly Carlos, but there is more: Thanks to the information you recovered from Betancourt’s laptop, we found out some interesting information: the men outside at the Industrial District aren’t mafia thugs, they are from a subversive group from Guasina, the “League of Salvation.”

—The same gang of anarchists who kidnaped the Governor’s nephew a year ago? —Alira asked with surprise.

“The very same, their leader is Santiago Gerona; was on the Imperial Army, but wasn’t a common soldier, the guy was on the Cazadores, the elite of the Army and one of the bests snipers we had. Second in command is Eusebio Fonte, pilot and sniper as well.”

The two agents looked each other, having two professional shooters on the opposite would make things more challenging, but also dangerously.

“What do we know is that Fonte is at warehouses holding civilians as hostages and among them is an undercover COE agent. All of them must be alive at the end of this day, including Martos and Betancourt.”

—What about Gerona and Fonte? I’m pretty sure you guys want him on jail right?

“You’re guessing wrong Ortega, both Gerona and Fonte are on the top ten of the National Investigation Police most wanted list and Carvalho issued a Discrete Personnel Elimination order on them. Keep heading the north to reach the sewers and then the surface, once there contact with Castillo to evacuate. Good luck, Farrel out.”

Alira kept some silence after the briefing, now things escalated to terrorist threat; it was her fourth time executing a DPE order, but for Ortega was time to prove him as a field agent. Quickly, she worked out the attack plan.

—Gerona’s goons are on the street, that’s for sure, you’ll have to deal with them silently while I go for Martos, if those thugs are the kind of low-born pricks they have proven to be, all the hostages are on the same place, once you finished contact with Castillo for Med-Evac and call it a day.
—Understood.

—And just one more thing before we split, you’d been doing a good job so keep it up, this is something I trust you, don’t let me down.

—No, ma’am, let’s give those bastards what they asked for.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Warerhouse N°8
18:51

A bullet got through Betancourt’s back, making fall on his knees. Another bullet was fired but this time went to his head; the blood stained the floor of the room where he and other hostages were held, only illuminated by the light of the moon.

Gerona was angry, wanted answers and Betancourt’s were too stupid for him. Too bad for the poor fellow, he was saying the truth.

—Andrae gave any signal? He hasn’t showed up for the last two hours.

—It seems Betancourt’s friends are giving more problems that we expected, and apparently someone is looking for this other man. —Fonte pointed to where Martos was, unconscious but still alive.

—This is bullshit! Those bastards are faster, we will have to carry out our emergency plan here!

—Are you insane Gerona? We have the briefcase with the papers! The only thing to do is to ransom the hostages.

—Chemical warfare and money worth nothing if we have the pigs on our backs the next morning, I’ll take my men to the mall, you deal with Betancourt’s people and join me when it’s over. Execute them all once you got whoever is chasing us. It’s time to give the government a lesson. —He said after grabbing his rifle and some ammo.

—So is this what is all about? Put bombs on the mall won’t make the dogs in New Horizon to negotiate or respect you; it will only put a bullet between your eyebrows, and for what? Think about it, it is a pointless sacrifice and the cause needs you.

Gerona turned back to his old comrade, a man that supported him for so many years and co-founder of his movement, his pride now threatened by the forces he thought week. Still with the rifle in hand gave a step forward and looked Fonte directly in the eyes with a shady face gesture.

—The cause needs all of us my friend, and is too late for change that.
____________________________________________________________________________

Volgt Villa
Cape Socorro Isle, Southern Hyspania
19:21

The gulf waves hit the rocky island, doing their beautiful symphony along with the seagulls as sun fade away on the sea. An ancient tale from the aboriginals told that the sun, prince of all the creation saw a siren riding a titanic sea turtle, the sun fell in love for the beautiful siren so after days and day of thinking about her, the prince decided to confess his love to the maiden of the waves, she denied due to his compromise with the turtle, the king of all the seas. The sun couldn’t deal with the sadness that became stronger every day and finally died over the waves, becoming one with the sea. His father decided to give some light from his celestial robe to illuminate the skies every day, as a way to remember his son.

The grounds outside the house and main complex were flanked by lush trees, palms and bushes, a road in the middle lead to the western garden and from there, to the private hangar. The road to the east leads to a small fountain square with benches and a small tent where some technicians were working for an antenna uplink, the blueprints indicated that the antenna will be placed over the southwest tower of the manor next to the warehouses; where workers downloaded wooden crates from two trucks, a recent shipment from a close collaborator: The Carriedo Organization, one of the biggest crime syndicates of the country.

From his window, a man on his sixties appreciated how his soldiers worked. The efficiency, the compromise where values that he uphold to all the members of his crew, values learnt after thirty decades of service at the Hyspanic Imperial Army. “Or what is left of it” He thought. At his back, on a wooden desk rested some papers with his signature, the first phase of the plan was on march but the current situation demanded swift moves from his part, and the removal of thorns was a necessary errand, and the right person was to arrive at any moment.

Started to explore his office with detail, it was divided on two: the main room, where his desk was and his private library behind a door because for him, reading was a sacred moment between the solitude and knowledge.

The sound of knuckles hitting against wooden made him turn back.

―Please, come in.

The door opened and a robust man, dressed on black uniform stand in front of him.

—Comrade Volgt —He saluted.

—Sagres.

—We are ready.

Volgt allowed Sagres to sit on the chair next to his desk; his subordinate took off his black beret before doing so.

—Excellent, I’m going back to Transoxthraxia to closure my manor and I want all the operations there finished at time for my arrival.

—Off course.

—For your part, begin in at Las Perlas; this is the last of Zaragoza business —Volgt took a breath and continued —Henrique, be advised; once this starts there is nothing stopping it, I need my best men on duty for this assignment, I made myself clear?

—Yes, comrade —Sagres answered with a military salute.

—You’re dismissed.

The man retired himself and closed the door behind him. Volgt remained unexpressive, thoughtful; his plan would soon give results. After many years of sacrifice and decades of planning, the most important moment of his life was at sight.

—Are you sure of this? Far from achieving our goals, we are giving a lot of money that hardly would come back —Said Pocaterra, another of his top brass after closing the door of the library; he was hearing all the conversation in silence.

—As I see from my point of view, everything is going as planned.

—That’s your work, but you should know, I have a bad hunch about that oil refinery, is too risky.

—The contingent for that mission is enough, and I need that disk because D’Mont was too stupid for leaving it on my reach, is crucial for our objectives.

The hairy eyebrows of Pocaterra furrowed. Venancio wasn’t stupid; it was going to be really easy to take the disk and leave.

—I wouldn’t be sure of it, comrade —He said an gave a step forward —The man could be insane for defying Zaragoza on his own business, but it’s a snake on the grass, I know.

—I appreciate the advice ¬—Volgt said and then, turned back to the papers over the table. —Where is Ballesteros now?

—He is in Meriad, after he receives the other payment, will go to Ahrenrok. By now the funds for his operation there have been transferred without any problem.

—Very good, any word of… her?

—I don’t see where that woman fits in all this, but she is downstairs, waiting for you —Pocaterra turned his eyes to the bookshelf at his right. —Although to be honest, she is in the interrogation room and apparently, has nothing to hide.

—Maybe is for the best —Volgt looked to his watch, it was about time to introduce himself. —Let’s get going, soon we must make our play and there is not much time before they realize who is playing with them.

After that, Volgt and Pocaterra headed out from the office, there was work to be done.
______________________________________________________________________________

La Quebrada Penthouse
Encrucijada Heights, Comet City
20:16

An average stature man wrote down something on a notebook, the nourished eyes behind metallic montage glasses and the messy hair were signs of a bad night while behind him few men were hurrying themselves, a moving was on process. Such man was on what some people call the “ages of instability” looking out for temptations, risks, adrenaline but above all, his purpose and goals were the reason of why he barely slept. But there was a bigger reason, a bigger and unpleasant reason.

—So, you keep taking those notes?

The man let out an indignation sigh and kept writing, the last thing he needed in that moment was there to bring him back to the bitter reality of having to share the same air with that woman.

—I thought you were in Zossia by now, you were supposed to take that flight last night.

—Lara found out really interesting facts about this whole thing you’re up to.

—Don’t tell me… Go ahead, shoot. —He tried to remain undisturbed, but the bright on his eyes delated his actual stance.

—Since when you’re having occasional meetings with General Marco Volgt?

The man had to contain himself from coughing, almost chocked with his own saliva.

—H-How… How could you possibly know about that?

—You tell me. —The woman said.

—Heh, the biggest threat of these days aren’t governments or nuclear warfare, a kid that knows how to handle a computer is the true God’s punishment.

—You’re too predictable Venancio. Lara only had to sort your birthday.

Now his humiliation was complete, no doubt.

—To save myself obvious information, there’s only one thing I don’t understand: The refinery. Why?

—It was the safest move, that way Volgt will still think I’m still working for Zaragoza, which is true but he isn’t aware of all the details.

The woman turned his head on both sides, downstairs there was all the crew of henchmen taking out Venancio’s crates and boxes out of the place, on her right there was a balcony and both she and the scientist were on the hallway of the first floor.

—How many times you will juggle with your loyalties like this Venancio? Both Zaragoza and Volgt will know you’re playing to roles here.

—The lab and the rest of the installations are shut down, Zaragoza himself order it and the files are safe, they won’t even think about all the possible places it could be. —Said with a light voice, on his mind the situation was still on his hands. —So please calm down Norah and think about the future, because you perfectly know the kind of people is looking you and your child.

—I will only tell you one thing Venancio: You started madness here and I’m helping you to put it end, but you still refuse and play the double agent with people that can make your life a hell. — I’m taking Lara to Zossia. I’ve had enough of your silly double agent plot here. Call me again when you’re back to your senses.

And then Norah walked down the stairs and headed to the kitchen, leaving Venancio stood up. In that moment he cared very little for the actual developing of news the latest days, but she was right as never she had. His mind was clear on a single objective.

Objective he was going to carry out soon.
_______________________________________________________________________________

St. Lorenzo Industrial District
20:46

Carlos Ortega managed to find the way out of the sewers system using the coordinates on his PDA that led him to a closed road by maintenance, once he make sure there was no danger on the premises, ran to wall of a building for cover. He needed to check on ammo and current position, put away his gun for a moment: for the PH pistol he had two complete magazines and the SMG had three and a half. “If I the mission continue, there won’t be much ammo left” he thought for himself; then again checked the device for location: he was at five hundred meters of warehouse N°8 and the abandoned theater crossing the alley on the left, Ortega needed a firing position to cover Alira when she found Martos and Betancourt so drew the pistol and headed to the theater.

He was few steps from the backdoor of the theater when the same opened, Carlos reacted quickly and covered behind a wall on the corner, heard a couple of steps and then the sound of a lighter turning on; Carlos pondered the options: Slit his throat or knock him off, both options worked out as well. The unwary soldier was happily giving the first smoke to his cigarette when a painful sting ran through all his body, then his vision became blurry as fell on his knees to embrace blackout.
After knocking out that guy, Ortega turned to the back door of the theater, found that it was still open and entered.
Upon entering, he could notice the ruinous condition of the building as well as the graffiti, the filthy mattresses and the dust; He looked around the place: there were stairs to the top floor and the boxes, there was no one apparently, but the recognizable sound of a fist striking an object changed his mind.

He climbed the stairs quickly and stealthily and after trying different closed or locked doors, he found one that led to the central balcony; He lowered his head and approached the edge and could see how a tall man with a helmet hit a man in a workman's suit. He was being surrounded by two men; it was apparently an interrogation that had taken a long and violent course: That guy had a bloodied face and bruises on his cheekbones. Ortega understood then that this was the the infiltrated agent of the COE, they had discovered his identity and could kill him at any moment, the agent was ready to shoot both terrorist but suddenly one of them started talking.

―This filthy pig won’t talk.

―Listen, I don’t care if he talks, I have decided to carry out the plan here, so get the men ready with the explosives.

―And what about him?

―That’s up to you, I see you in the mall in ten.

The sound of steps were fading and the door being slammed were everything Ortega needed to grab his silenced SMG and lean out to take aim and put the finger on the trigger. A single shot, near the ear and the terrorist was finished. Ortega hurried himself to jump the ledge, fall over one of the seats of the abandoned theater and climbed to the stage to release his comrade.

―Your mother never told you to not play with strangers?

―Not as much as your father did.

Ortega chuckled while untying the agent.

―Listen, can you still shoot and walk?

―Bro, I could see you coming from the balcony with the rear of my right eye, those assholes punch like sissies.

―I’ll take that as a yes. And that prick of Gerona? What is he up to?

Once untied, the agent stands on his feet.

―The St. Lorenzo Mall, his Compadre Fonte is on the roof waiting to give them some sort of canisters full of some chemicals, it will kill thousands. The hostages in the other hand… They probably are going to get executed soon.

―I wouldn’t count with that, my partner is taking care of that at the…

―If you don’t go to the roof and provide the covering fire for whoever you have there it won’t succeed, Fonte is on the perfect spot for it and we only have to dispose of him quietly, because there are other snipers.

―You got it, we better hurry. Just let me give the heads up to my partner.

20:58

If everyone played their part, the siege over the metropolitan area the city would end in the next five or ten minutes. If Gerona and their death squad reached the mall, create another perimeter and contain the losses would be very difficult. It would take military intervention.
Ortega and the agent climbed the stairs with their pistols in front, carefully and silently. Up ahead was the door that led to the roof of the theater, only about five more steps.

Ortega took the lead and opened the door slowly. He could see roof structures with scaffolding covered in canvas, covered in dust and mold, broken wooden boxes, rusted steel beams and pigeon feathers. He also distinguished the figure of a medium-sized man, crouching near the broken glass canopy of the theater.

The agent made a move forward on the right while Ortega continued on the left to cross the terrorist for his blind spot. Ortega took out his combat knife and held it together with the gun handle. They were less than two meters from the terrorist when he turned to his right and pointed, the agent did the same but without firing noticing how the man in front of him shaking his hands, the police took his gun and subject it to fall without noise.


The DIE rookie retrieved his knife from the back of the neck and flipped the corpse to see his face, then checked his PDA to verify the information he had in his mission plan.

―It's Eusebio Fonte, confirmed. He said when recording the voice note for Farrel.

―I'll take the rifle, I'll cover your left. You take your headset and let me know where you're going.

Ortega nodded and took the headphones. He grabbed his rifle with a telescopic sight and pointed to the warehouse Nº 8, then contacted Rosso.

―I'm in position.

"In position. On hold."

He did not have to wait long, because the receiver could hear that there would be four snipers covering the street to advance to the mall. He passed the information to the COE agent and returned to his position.

Through the telescopic sight he could see the hostages in the warehouse; they proceeded to execute them soon. Ortega felt a chill from his back to his head. Then he could see Gerona moving forward with his group of eight men in columns of two. The snipers followed them through the roof of the buildings. One of the terrorists in the warehouse pointed to a worker in the forehead. Ortega made a decision, aimed and fired.
A clean shot in the temples and Rosso went into action, had received an approximate amount of enemies inside the warehouse, fired short rounds with his pistol and was eliminating the radicals one by one, with another shot from the theater Rosso could neglect his right flank and eliminate the enemy in front of her.

―Take coverage Now!

The hostages hid quickly in another room of the shed to be safe while she covered herself next to the window broken by the shot.

On the street, the Gerona men were surprised and confused. In that interim three of them died and the rest hid in the corners of the surrounding buildings.

―Alira, now! In the roof!

The veteran agent took her rifle and leaned out the edge of the window, firing at the snipers, killing two. The COE agent noticed one of his enemies badly covered and fired without delay. Ortega was more focused on the troops in the street and with the suppression fire Rosso gave him, he was able to eliminate two terrorists.

Gerona took a quick and risky decicion to change coverage, went to the middle street and opened fire on the theater, Ortega had to cover, but the agent managed to hit the right calf of the extremist leader to stop his departure, but not before receive the one shot in the hand.
The rest of the terrorists died in the cross fire of the agent of the COE and Rosso, leaving alive only Gerona, who desperately cried out in pain and anger while shooting into the air. Ortega pointed at him in the face but before he could even put his finger on the trigger, he saw how a bullet coming from the house finished the terrorist.

Ortega sighed disappointedly and approached the edge of the roof.

―Was that necessary? He was on my sight!

―You already had your first and second DPE order; I was not going to let you take all the glory.

[New Spanishland]

St. Lorenzo Military Hospital
23:30

The Imperial Military Aviation Hospital of St. Lorenzo was on the city heights, away from the downtown and the metropolitan area by 30 in car or public transport, it was a tenth floor modern architecture building that served the nearby airbase, one of the Empire’s most important military facilities.

Funded in the mid 1900’s the hospital is fully equipped with the latest medical technology and is also a center for research, both military and civilian. Its most remarked departments were its cardiology and endocrinology areas with specialists from all Hyspania’s universities.

The hospital cafeteria seemed like a fine familiar restaurant: the walls painted white, wooden chairs and wide tables, by that hour the guys from the night shift were only serving some coffee to keep themselves awake or serve anyone hungry who didn’t wanted to take chips from the vending machines, but for them not everything was bad since they could check their phones and laptops to see some series or movies, or eat something too but only with the supervision of their supervisor and the money of their wallets.

Still uniformed, Alira and Carlos were sitting one in front of another having a small, yet necessary dinner: a pair of tuna sandwiches, fries, red berries tea and a wheat energetic bar as dessert. Their bruises and injuries were treated by the nurses an hour ago and fill their stomach was the top priority now. Alira took a sip of tea before his PDA started buzzing and blipping so she made a gesture with the eyes to Carlos to stand and follow her to wherever she was heading, apparently to Martos room.

Agent Martos was still unconscious, with lesions and stiches on his shoulders and face, lying on his bed; the agent surely experienced a bit of hell the last twenty-four hours. When both entered they saw Farrel’s face on a laptop screen.

“It seems Martos had quite the luck this day, doctors say he will recover in a week or two but they ought to find what was the chemical he was in contact by then and probably it was a torture from Gerona’s goons” She said.

—Whatever it is, seems to be painful…—Carlos added.

“By the way Alira, we have a new assignment for you at St. Lorenzo: The police and the Health Superintendence of the city are searching for one of the gas bombs we were looking for but it seems that some viral containers were found on the main water system when a team of the COE stormed the place, they weren’t deployed so don’t worry. Pedro sent a team of researchers and wants you there to oversee their moves.”

— All right, tell Pedro that I'll get in touch with the team when they arrive.

"As for Ortega, you should go back to Bauxal for a brief report; I've heard that you showed exceptional abilities."

— I did my best.

"Sure, Farrel out." And then the screen went off.

Alira looked seriously at Carlos, saw his eyes trying to find a reaction.

— I just want you to know that you have done a good job, not anyone on the first day fulfills two DPE orders, when I see Pedro I will tell him that he is actually using professional material. Now get ready, you must go to Bauxal as soon as possible.

— Acknowledge.

Bauxal, NDI Command Center
00:15

At the DIE headquarters, activities never stop. This important secret section of the Imperial Counterintelligence monitors, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, movements carried out inside and outside the country’s sphere of influence.

Inside the main room of the complex, the section chiefs had met for the next mission, which would take them to the Popular Confederation of Greater Altiplano. The activities of a well-known transports mogul had caused too much suspicion for imperial observers, something needed to be done about it. A few minutes earlier, the young recruit Carlos Ortega had arrived at the Command Center by orders of Commander Carvalho. That boy had taken a short nap during the flight to Bauxal at the recommendation of the pilot, as he had orders to refuel the helicopter for another mission. Still dressed in his black jumpsuit field operations, Carlos was about to enter through the main door of the complex when Gerardo Carreras, Commander of Intelligence Operations approached him.

— Hello kid, are you lost?

— Comandante Carreras, Sir! — He said making a brief martial greeting.

— Ahh, quit on that kid, you're not in an academy. - He answered while lighting one of his characteristic cigars. — But I appreciate the gesture; it reminds me of good times.

Carlos smiled slightly; it was a relief to have freed from the unnecessary tensions of the commandos and the traditional troops.

—There are a lot of things to talk about, at this time Pedro and the others are gathered for the new assignment in other latitudes, but follow me. It will be educative!

Ortega followed the veteran spy through the monotonous corridors of the Central, stopped a couple of times for that middle-aged but stoic-looking man could enter their access codes on keyboards installed on the wall. Finally they arrived at a warehouse with large reinforced steel cubicles, these were the size of large columns but they did not reach the ceiling and they carried colored bars in the middle.

They stopped in front of one that had only a light blue bar and had a monitor with a code reader.

— I understand that in San Lorenzo you have shown that you have skills for this job, very special for the research that we are carrying out. - Said and took out of his pocket what appeared to be a small wallet. — This is usually done by the Commander in person but here you have it, you are ready for it.

Carlos took the object in his hands and when he opened it he saw that it was a plaque and a credential with his name, beside it he highlighted the insignia of the Division and also that of the rank he held: Investigative Officer.

Ortega was about to say something, but was interrupted by Carreras.

— Before you say any silly rookie bullshit, understand that with this position you will have a greater responsibility, less rest. The good thing is that you will have access to an arsenal much more in line with your abilities already shown. Do the honors.

The now young officer passed the plate through the reader who made two “blip” sounds and opened a hatch, in front of his eyes the screen showed a catalogue of hand guns, SMG’s and assault rifles.

— Now before we can take a look to all those nifty toys, let me tell you something about myself since you have worked well enough.

---

Comander Elvia Greene was at the top of the pad table along with Farrel and Carvalho, they were checking on the last details on the Puerto Yunque mission.

—Thanks to all the Intel from St. Lorenzo we have managed to confirm that the money that both the anarchist and the mafia tried to steal was a loan from Estevez & Bustillos Transports who struck a deal with this man we already know, Dr. D’Mont. — She said while displaying the picture of the man on the big screen.

—What we need to know is why the money was transferred and what was the real purpose of the loan, so is important that we retrieve the information from both Estevez’s computer and the documents validating such transaction. — Added Isabel Farrel. ―This mission is pretty simple, standard corporative espionage. ― She said while operating the pad and showing the blueprints of the Estevez’s tower. ―Elvia will enter the building and search for the archive office, once there Pedro will hack the computer and do the respective snooping to get some answers.

―That being said, the Altiplanero Police corps shall assists us on the op, finally I must say that this is a very sensitive work since the security personnel on the tower are just common folks, that and the stealth parameter. ― Carvalho finished.

―The gear is loaded and ready; Castillo is waiting on the runway. Good luck guys. ―Dismissed Farrel.

[Escalan Corps-Star Island]

Puerto Yunque, Catamarca
Confederación Popular de Gran Altiplano

---

7º de diciembre, 2018; 06:25

Co-operation with foreign nationals, they had labelled it during the briefing with a touch of humour. Generally this was the last thing Julia had expected to do in her department, which insisted on strict surveillance of officers’ interactions with international contacts. It had always struck her as amusing that some states assumed Gran Altiplano maintained some vast, shadowy secret police due to its revolutionary origins, when in reality the regular police force was more than capable of handling internal threats. Her department, she noted with pride, was one of the two most specialised and difficult to work for, the Comisión para la Preservación y Seguridad del Estado Revolucionario. The other oversaw around a third of the nation’s nuclear arsenal.
The sky was rosy through the window, although the sun had yet to creep over the peaks of the Cordillera Real. Julia yawned widely in spite of her excitement. Thus far her work had, to her dismay, consisted of a whole lot of dealing with unusual customs situations and of course tax evasion. This meant a lot of paperwork and little action. At times, she wondered why they even bothered to institute physical fitness requirements.
The door clattered open and another officer poked her head into the room.
— ¿Teniente Carrasco? ¿Lista? This was her partner for the assignment and closest friend in the Puerto Yunque office, Evita kas Lysari, who already had her tricolour beret planted on her hair.
— I’m not sure how you look remotely put-together this early— complained Julia. — If you put as much effort into serving the country as you do into serving your vanity you might even be promoted— she observed with a hint of malice.
Evita saw an opening and pounced. — You assume I put effort into this, dear, but I look beautiful without trying— she pronounced. Julia rolled her eyes. —Perhaps you were cut out for sitting at a desk seizing assets— she said with a shrug— but I joined because there are a great many people out there who want us and our ideas dead, and I’d like to fight them properly.
— Ideology only makes you seem cute to old, grey gentlemen your grandfather’s age whose only love is their corner office in Altamira— Evita fired back. Julia stood up, grabbing her hat and bag from the table, and gave her partner a shove as she swept out the door. — I’m driving today— she called back, not waiting for an answer as she dashed down the hallway. She was followed by at least one grumpy shout on the way out, but paid no mind.
Perhaps under regular protocol, their visitors from New Hyspania would have been driven in from the airport with a few security personnel, briefed separately, and then placed with their Altiplanero counterparts only at the last possible moment, but given the time-sensitive way things had played out and the fact that the office had seemed queerly overworked recently, they had been delegated this task themselves. As such, Julia was now attempting to get to the airport as quickly as possible without breaking too many traffic laws– they were already ten minutes late. Evita was fairly certain a few other drivers would catch an earful on the way. At least the car had government markings, which aided in their progress.
— So we’re raiding an office again, but we’re to prepare for resistance this time— stated Evita.
— What you call “resistance”, the Commandant described as “armed opposition”, which means a number of angry, over-muscled men with guns and a subpar education— Julia replied. —And we’re doing this as a group of four people, with support from the rest of the office if necessary, but the idea is to be stealthy.
—Stealth means you shut up for once. And no, before you ask— observed Evita pre-emptively— you are terrible at whispering and are barred from doing that as well. Everyone within a block will hear us.
Julia didn’t respond, but slammed the horn and shouted something less than polite at the driver in front of her.

Gutiérrez Memorial Airport, Puerto Yunque, Catamarca
Confederación Popular de Gran Altiplano

---

7º de diciembre, 2018; 07:15

The pair had pulled up outside of the airport exactly on time, and without scratching or denting the car, for which Evita was very grateful. Explaining to the office how Julia had managed to damage government property was never fun, and Evita suspected that Julia spent her time in “remedial driving courses” practising drifting with the instructor in the mountains.
Puerto Yunque’s main airport had in fact been designed initially before the March Revolution, but construction had been halted for nearly a decade by the political upheaval and a lack of funding for the project’s completion. When progress resumed, the designs had been radically altered and the old, colonial main terminal had been replaced with a sweeping, modern structure designed to imitate the curves of the mountains beyond the city. The new airport had initially been christened in honour of one of the early heroes of the democratic movement in Catamarca, but following the death of Juan Armando Gutiérrez in 2007, his name had been bestowed upon it to honour his legacy and that of the Federación Obrera de Catamarca.
Their Hyspanic counterparts had been instructed to proceed directly out of the secondary entrance to the airport, where the CPSER officers would greet them. Lieutenant Carrasco took the opportunity to tie her hair up and put the beret on her head, retrieving it from the floorboards where it had fallen in the rush to make it to the terminal on time. Evita had already opened the door and leaned against the door, looking through the files once more to try and locate pictures of the Hyspanic operatives. Julia beat her to the punch, however. Doing her homework and memorising the images beforehand had some advantages– who’d have guessed? She put her hand to the brim of her beret, blocking the morning sun as she scanned the exits to the terminal. Dropping it, she moved forwards to the curb, calling out —¿Comandante Carvalho, supongo? Bienvenidos.
—Buenos días, señoritas — responded the Commandant.
—Buenos. Me llamo Julia Carrasco, teniente de la CPSER, y la conductora allí es mi compañera Eva. Estámos encargadas de conducirles a nuestra oficina. — She saluted him properly, turning to Greene as well before dropping her hand. Julia shot a glance at Evita, hoping she’d approach as well.
Elvia tipped her head at Julia and answered: —Muy bien, gracias. Quisieramos mostrarle nuestro plan de operaciones, ademas de darles todos los detalles en privado.
—Hablamos luego, cuando habrá también la mayoría de los directores de la Oficina. ¿Espero que el vuelo no fue tan traumático para ustedes? — asked Julia as they approached the vehicle. She opened the door for the Hyspanic officers, seating herself with Greene in the back while Carvalho took the passenger seat.
—Estuvo bastante bien, pudimos dormir bastante, Solo confio que nuestro equipaje este como lo ordené, llevo todo lo necesario alli. ¿Saben a lo que me refiero no?— Elvia asked her, one eyebrow raising slightly.
—Sin dudo, sí. Me dijeron que iban a recogerlo directamente del avión, para que ninguna persona no autorizada puede tocarlo.
Eva started the car in an unusually sedate manner and pulled away from the curb, returning to the highway that led back to the city.
Carvalho turned to Carrasco and asked: —¿Entonces están lejos sus oficinas?
—No tantos, pero Puerto Yunque es la ciudad más amplia del país, así que vamos a estar unos treinta minutos en camino.— responded Julia with a shrug.
—Puede llegar allí más rápido si quiere, Comandante.— Eva added with a smile, turning to wink at Julia, who glared back crossly. Carvalho wisely ignored the offer, adding, —Es la primera vez que vengo, pero lo poco que he podido observar es encantador. Vendré de turista en otra ocación.
—No tenemos prisa, pero por mi no hay problema.— added Elvia from where she sat beside Julia.
—Pienso igual—, assented Carvalho.
Eva added a bit of detail, explaining, —Por primer paso vamos a hacer unos controles de seguridad cuando llegamos, a después ustedes van a tener media hora para descansarse o cambiar la ropa. Luego, precisamente a las 8:30, empezará la primera sesión.— The two Hyspanic officers nodded, Carvalho leaning back slightly in his seat.

Oficina Central de la CPSER, Puerto Yunque, Catamarca
Confederación Popular de Gran Altiplano

---

7º de diciembre, 2018; 08:35

Carvalho cleared his throat, double-checking the diagram on the projector as he began his address. —Esta es la torre corporativa de Estevez, las oficinas centrales de su compañia transnacional de transporte,— he explained, identifying their target for the operation.
While not necessarily strictly legal under standard circumstances, the operation they were about to undertake dealt with issues of national security for both Hyspania and Gran Altiplano. Beyond that fact, strict provisions existed regarding the affiliations and funding of multinationals operating within Gran Altiplano to prevent exploitative operations, and criminal activity certain fell outside the bounds of legal operations and exemptions from laws applicable to domestic operators.
—Nuestro objetivo único y principal es acceder a su computadora personal y retirar toda la información privada o confidencial que podamos. Su despacho está en el piso 16 y hay que tomar el elevador desde el lobby,— explained Carvalho, pointing at the relevant portions of the modest skyscraper. —Por su puesto hay seguridad armada, pero ellos son solo trabajadores y no tienen vínculo alguno con organizaciones criminales.— Many of the Altiplanero officers nodded; there were very strict rules of engagement under which the CPSER operated. While the officers were responsible for prosecuting a variety of functions that fell outside the bounds of common law, they still represented the police force and Altiplanero justice system and had to act accordingly.
Seeing a few hands half-raised among the gathered officers, Carvalho added one additional detail. —También hay que retirar una serie de archivos físicos en el sótano S2 de la torre. Una vez confirmemos la información que buscamos, sus operativos deben allanar las torres con las pruebas que conseguiremos para ustedes. ¿Hay cualquiera pregunta?
Most shook their heads. —Bueno,— añadió Carvalho. —Hay que prepararnos; nos reunimos en unos quince minutos.

[New Spanishland]

Libertador Avenue, Main Road
New Horizon Downtown, Hyspania

A strong looks adult was reading on the back of his car, reviewing some documents as his driver lowered the music from the radio and decided to tune the news channel.

“For our driving friends, this is your Traffic-Center chopper with Francisco “Frank” Perez; we are right over the very main road of the Libertador Avenue, glad to inform that the Land Traffic Police just cleared the road from the almost crash just a few moments ago…”

―It was about damm time, sir. You’re already late.

―I wouldn’t worry. Isn’t like these kinds of things aren’t common…

―Still, you know how those people are. ―Said the driver while moving forward, letting the rest of the traffic behind. ―Is better to keep away from the talking cause…

―Listen Diego. ―The other man interrupted. ― I do really appreciate your common sense and your touch when it comes to talking, that’s the main reason I choose you as my personal driver but when it comes to the lukewarm, hot-air headed officers that my “peers” are at the Command it is my pride to get a hold of the situation, always. ― He said and returned the documents back to a briefcase near him. ―I made myself clear?

―Crystal.

Diego stepped on the gas and continued advancing along the avenue, the general had his reasons to think so; he briefly reflected on how things would be from his point of view as a superior officer, but for him, who was still a sub-officer, a Lieutenant. Tt seemed somewhat difficult to see himself in the shoes of someone with the responsibilities of Emiliano Clemente.

---

Meeting Room, Strategic Operations Command Building
Crown Ministry of Defense Compounds.


The building of the Operational Strategic Command of the Imperial Armed Forces is inside the Crown Ministry of Defense complex, located 20 kilometers from the Imperial Palace you can see many of the administrative buildings that make up the Army, Navy, Military Aviation and the Imperial National Guard. It has several barracks, two large airstrips and a small resiential complex for senior officers.

However, the SOC building was one of those complexes destined to the active coordination of the movements of the Emperor's Armed Forces. This was a building of modern architecture, consisting of 16 large-scale floors and a helipad on the roof. It has access level B4 and A5, which means that only Superior Officers and General Officers could enter and exit freely, all ranks below had to have authorization from their commanding officer.

Inside the Situation Room, there is also the Meeting Room, where the members of the General Staff usually meet together with the Minister of Defense, the Emperor or both if the situation warrants it.

There the air was full of chatter; most of the high officers were on their seats around a pretty big oval table that had a computer screen on it, the officials, men and women alike were talking with each other about the meeting, recent news and even the night clubs histories that would probably anger their wives and husbands… Or make them laugh shamelessly. The other part was focused on their pads, checking their social media’s feed, the news or speaking with their children and making any casual visit to the movies.

There was an single empty seat reserved only for the Crown Minister, the Emperor or anyone in charge of the meeting, behind the chair there was another big screen, flanked by the Empire's flag and the SOC flag. There were no windows, only paintings of countryside landscapes and two portraits, one showing Gerardo IX and Manuel XVIII, his son.

Was at that moment when an officer, attired on his Imperial Army uniform entered the room.

“Buenos Dias a todos” He said.

All the officers of the High Command and the General Staff rose and saluted the General, who went to take his seat at the table, after a gesture with his hands, they all sat down.

― I must give all you my apologies for the delay. As everyone should know, General Steamfox will not be able to attend today's meeting and therefore I will expose the next item on today's agenda.

The rest of Generals, Admirals and Colonels proceeded to look at their tablets while a map of mainland Hyspania was displayed on the big screen of the table.

― Since three years ago sporadic anomalies have been presented to the east and northeast of our borders, these are the locations where some of our oldest military bases are located, several of them are in a state of abandonment considering their loss of strategic value and the cost that represents to recondition and maintain these facilities for the Empire. ― He started to say. ― Yet, this does not mean that we do not carry out periodic inspections in such places.

The General focused the map in the northeast region, on the border with Almia.

― Colonel Harold Camargo was commissioned to direct these investigations in addition to following up the cleaning efforts in those facilities. ― He paused to drink some water before continuing. ― Now, the Colonel will give his investigation report to this Command.
After a slight signal, Colonel Camargo got up from his seat and entered some data in the computer of the table.

― “Mi General” as you can see in the map I have highlighted each one of the bases that present the novelties, their old routes for transport and the possible arrival of troops to said locations in order to establish any possibilities of use. ― He made a span to the zone and showed some aerial captures in the background of the map. ― With the cooperation of the Military Aviation drones, which I have to say I’m proud to command, we could take all this images where a small group of individuals were scavenging around the area.

Rear Admiral Humberto Benavente pointed to one of the photographs of the drones showing one of the people carrying a wooden box.

― Enlarge that image a little more, there is something.

In doing so, it could be seen that this individual wore a band over his right shoulder, the band showed arrows tied by a thunderbolt inside of a sun. An unmistakable symbol for them.

― Is for this particular reason that Minister Steamfox called for the meeting ― Said General Clemente. ― You all know who this group is, we are dealing with the Restoration Council led by Marco Volgt, who is as well part some crime syndicates in the nation. We have been looking for him since he started to recruit people for his gang, considering all this we can deduce Volgt has pooled enough resources to prepare any move, our work will be prevent it and arrest him.

― Just a question “Mi General”. ― Intervened General Maria Ocampo. ― We’ve been hunting Volgt for a long time; the man is clever enough and now seems to have the resources to achieve something. There is any lead on whatever is his next move?

Clemente stayed in silence for a few moments and typed something on the computer.

― Yes General, and is this person on screen.

Everybody in the room could see the picture of a mature woman, probably on her late thirties; she was on the street, about to jump inside a vehicle. The just promoted officials were surprised while the veterans knew that character for a few years now.

― Now, I understand all the implications this have, but we have people working on this, this Joint Staff is going to evaluate every option an move from Volgt from now on, these are orders of General Streamfox so, if anyone has other questions you can ask either me or the General. This ends the meeting for today, thank you all.

The rest of the officers nodded and stood to salute before leaving, work have been assigned and needed to be fulfilled with all haste. Only General Clemente stayed on the room, checking on the map again.

“I will find wherever you’re hiding, time has always been my friend and you know it, bastard.”

[New Spanishland]

Estevez & Bustillos Transports Co. Tower Puerto Yunque
Confederación Popular de Gran Altiplano.
22:12

That one was a warm night, typical of Southern Valeya. The city of Puerto Yunque showed its beauty and its modernism in a superb way in nights like those: The tall buildings, the attractive advertising posters in the streets and of course, the people who walked walking calm and carefree made the frame of a cosmopolitan metropolis full of activity. The E & B building was modern architecture, with 30 floors and a helipad on the roof, the polarized glass windows that were part of the park environment where these business facilities were located.

A gentleman, dressed in a gray raincoat and a simple long-sleeved shirt, with black pants and black leather shoes was sitting on one of the benches in front of the imposing business building. He looked at his watch with parsimony, then he picked up his phone and wrote a message; after sending it he got up, ready to cross the street.

He looked both sides, on his right a green sedan moved at moderate speed. He got going, walking relaxed and with a gesture of unsettling seriousness; He crossed the main entrance and appreciated the elegant style of building: Some huge paintings showing colorful abstract art and others, just a coastal landscape of the country. There were spacious and attractive couches in sight while in front; a security guard looked at him with disguised attention.

The raincoat man walked directly to the counter of the security guard, when he had it in front he remained silent, looking at the guard in detail, which proved to be effective because the guard was quickly upset.

― Can I help you with something ... Sir?

He had achieved his first goal; it was time to get to work.

― I do not know if you remember me but this afternoon I came to meet some executives this morning and you asked me to leave my personal briefcase with you. ―Said the raincoat man. ― I have not been able to pick it up before, so I’m here for my briefcase.

The guard remained standing, obviously questioned and curious about the situation but could not remember the man who was at the reception and who was staring at him.

― I don’t remember really having attended to you sir, I do not remember having a specific briefcase in custody, there are a couple in that room on my left but those are from the staff that works here.

Then the gaze of the raincoat man changed to a more severe and inquisitorial one.

― Are you telling me that you lost it? You asked me to leave it here!

The guard was already intimidated, tried to maintain control and enforce his authority as a security body at that time.

― Okay, fine. Come with me, we'll see if there's another briefcase in the room.

The two men walked towards a room, which turned out to be the guard's rest room, the walls were light gray and there was a table with four chairs, a few security monitors and a rack with regulation guns. A small space, in the form of a built-in wardrobe designated for the items lost was near the arms rack; the guard went straight there and asked:

― How is your briefcase?

― Classic style, brown leather with numbered cylinder lock. Brand, very expensive.

The watchman ignored the bitterness of the raincoat man and began to look for the object described.

The raincoat man slowly made his way back to where the monitors were, the closed circuit console, which showed the exterior, the lobby and the entrance to the parking lot, also under surveillance. He took out his phone and connected it to the console.

― Does your briefcase have a bronze plate engraving? With initials?

― Yes.

― Tell me.

― A.C

― And your name is?

― Arturo Cisneros.

Then the Raincoat man unplugged his phone of the console, the guard was dragging the briefcase out of the closet after revolving all of its content.

― Here it is. – And the guard handed the briefcase.

― Ah fine. – Said the raincoat man, keeping a rough gesture on his face.
Suddenly the guard’s walkie-talkie buzzed.

― Here Lobby. – He said.

The raincoat man checked on his phone and turned his back, started typing something while the guard was talking. Then checked on his briefcase, everything was in order.

― Hey, Mr. Cisneros, you can leave now, I have to check on some situation at the parking, excuse me for all your troubles. – Said the guard while escorting him outside the room; after closing the door behind him, Cisneros could notice an emergency exit at two meters from the lobby counter, the other one surely was taking to the parking, judging by the fact that the guard walked straight to there, once he stayed alone on the lobby Cisneros walked to the emergency exit door which lead to the stairs, looked to his phone and pressed the call button.

― I’m heading to the elevator; you already found your way to the basement?

“We diverted the guards just fine, Julia and Evita are quite the resourceful pair if I say so myself. I take you got the briefcase.”

― Yes, break in the higher floors will not be a trouble; you girls will find the main security room on the basement 1, so hack into the CCTV.

“Copy that, Greene out.”

Pedro was climbing up the stairs, he didn’t wanted to take the risk of being sighted by any camera on the floor hallway; he decided to wait until for the girls to place the transceivers on the main console of the CCTV. In any way, there was no chance he would just climb up sixteen floors on foot. “I love me some challenges, but there’s no time for it”.

While keep climbing up the stairs, Pedro remembered the procedure to extract the data from Estevez computer: He would just need to plug a flash drive device on the USB port, then communicate with Farrel to check in the data transfer, short after that it was time to bail out the place and let the CPSER deal with the rest.

Now, he was on the fifth floor when his PDA blipped.

“Pedro, the transceivers on the CCTV mainframe are installed and we are on our way to the archives, you better move to Estevez’s office. Hurry, we don’t have much time.”

― Copy that, Carvalho out.

Immediately the Commander went through the fifth floor door, at the hall corridor everything was silent; he knew that the guards at that time were not going to check on the floors, less on the upper ones so decided just to walk straight into the elevator and mark the 16th floor. Once the elevator started his way up, Carvalho checked on the briefcase, inside there was the small unit to hack into the computer. Everything was in order, just like Carvalho deviced.

Now he was on the 16th floor, much like the others silence and loneliness were all to welcome him. There was no time to waste, Carvalho headed to Estevez’s office located at the end of the floor’s right wing, as the Commander walked through he could notice the sober, yet seemingly elegant decoration of the offices: The walls were dark grey and the windows were few, he noted that there was more of them inside the cubicles room. When he arrived to the office Pedro noted that the door had an electronic lock, with a numbered keypad. “Time to see how this little tool works” He thought and drew the PDA from his pocket.

After pressing a couple of buttons on the screen pad Pedro aimed the PDA to the lock and after a few moments the door opened, inside there was the secretary office and in a corner to the right, the door to Estevez’s. The spy could notice that there was another electronic lock so he didn’t hesitate to use the PDA’s Decryptor. Once he came inside the office proceeded to locate the computer, which was at the bottom of the room; Estevez’s office wasn’t very different from any other business man: luxury and some fine arts were on the display.

Pedro turned on the computer, the system asked for the username and the password. “I have only one password” He thought while plugging the flash drive on Estevez’s PC. He only had to wait a couple of seconds to see the desktop and then, a loading bar showing the progress of the data transfer, it was already on 2%. Carvalho proceeded then to contact both Farrel and Greene.

― Isabel, I’m transferring the data now, can you confirm it?

“Affirmative Pedro, I’m looking now at the files, stay there until the upload reaches 100%, we can´t leave until all of the data is in our hands.”

“Isabel, we already found the files we were looking for, it’s enough to halt E&B operations for indefinite time, but there is also something else.”

― What’s it?

“The refinery in Las Perlas, this confirms that they E&B made business with the foreman of the refinery, I could also find a document which mentions Project Equis-NOX, says that under the supervision of Dr. Venancio D’Mont a dozen of cows were exposed to a sample of the virus, for what the inform says, it has proven to be terribly lethal to animals, worse for humans.”

There was an unpleasant silence at that moment; again their suspicions were correct…Disgracefully, fears were confirmed.

“…Wait a second Elvia” Said Isabel. “It’s not all, the documents I’m checking say that even the corpses of the infected are biohazard, the simple contact with it is absolute dangerous, the only way to sterilize is incinerate anything which had any kind of contact, this are the notes of D’Mont!”

― The refinery… They are going to burn the cow corpses there, that’s the connection I was looking for!

“The shipping manifesto says that the supplies arrived to Hyspania just yesterday, it’s going to be delivered to the refinery with the excuse of being imported tools and gear for the petrochemical plant, that’s tomorrow!”

- I’m afraid that is worse Elvia, tomorrow is today in Hyspania, we might have around 20 or 22 hours before the shipment arrives, we have get our hands on that shipment and investigate the refinery ASAP.

Pedro looked to the computer screen; the loading bar was on 100%.

― Isabel, you have all the documents and files with you?

“Yes, you guys get the hell out of there!”

― Give all this briefing to Carreras, and tell him to take Ortega with him.

“Copy that, also I have information of where this might take us next, but I tell you guys once you’re on your way here.”

― Got it! Elvia, tell both Julia and Evita to call their colleagues to the tower, our work here is done.

[New Spanishland]

Las Perlas Oil Refinery
Southeast Hyspania
02:21

The Refinery and Petrochemical Complex "Las Perlas N ° 2" is an industrial facility destined mainly to the refinement of crude oil as well as its derivative products. Located in the southeast of the country in the Crown State of Costa Luque these gigantic facilities are part of a chain of three other complexes, being one of the vital points of the oil arm of the Empire.

Built in 1964 and completed in 1967 during the last months of the reign of Emperor Pablo I and the Administration of Finisterre as Prime Minister, "Las Perlas" is a regional and world reference for engineering conceived in the National Development Plan 1945-1975. It is also considered one of the crown jewels of the Imperial Hydrocarbons Industry.

Since its first five years in operations, the plant has undergone numerous transformations in order to keep it up-to-date and operational at its maximum capacity according to the demand and needs of the nation along with the market. The facilities belong to Hyspania Petroleum, a national private company, which owns 39% of the refineries throughout the country, 51% correspond to the two main state companies: Imperial Gas Company and HyspanOil; the rest corresponds to joint ventures with the participation of transnational companies from Yamatai, Khornera, Chisei, Yeongseon, Vandary, among other.

Doroteo Carvajal left his office, located 10 meters from the main discharge area, looked at the sky from the window and was captivated by the blackness of the sky, as few stars could be seen due to the intense illumination of the refinery. He look to the watch in the wall then drew out his phone of the pocket of his orange and fluorescent uniform; the new equipment had to arrive soon, so he proceeded to communicate by radio with some of his workers to help him.

He went down the stairs inside the building and went outside. He looked at the sky again and thought of the sky, how tiny he was before so much infinite immensity. He started walking, with a clear path to the discharge yard, and he could hear the sound of his brown boots striking the dark, cold floor step by step.

When he arrived, his workers were reunited. Everyone was joking or reviewing funny videos of their cell phones. They turned to see him when they saw him approaching from inside the cargo depot 3.

Carvajal noticed that someone was missing from the group.

― Where the hell is Peralta? I was clear in saying that the condenser operators should be here.

― He’s doing routine checks on the machines and valves. Is nothing.

― Anyway, the cargo will arrive here, I need you to help me download it and take it to the warehouse, I'll take care of the rest.

One of the employees checked the time on the cell phone and grimaced in disgust.

― Damn, Carvajal! This is precisely in our hour of rest, within half an hour the relief staff arrives. Why do not you tell them to help you load the equipment?

― If you want to go, you can do it, Ricardo. I'll give you an admonition for the monthly report; the deductions in your pay are not my problem.

― Get stuffed, I don’t care! – And turned back, walking to the warehouse, then slamming the door.

Cavajal then checked on his watch again. Then the sound of the trucks engines came to his ears, louder and louder.

― Anyone wants to get a red note on his pay bill? – The expression on the workers faces was the answer. ― The trucks are here, open the gates and get the shipment on the depot, now!

The workers proceeded to open the doors of the discharge yard, in the distance you could see the lights of the trucks approaching the complex and them approaching with sustained speed. One of them sounded the horn when crossing the doors, there were five trucks in total, so the ports for unloading were completely occupied. Carvajal approached with his men towards one of the trucks to open the load, as he did he noticed the darkness inside and then he heard a dry, mechanical sound. Of the only thing that could be noticed later was a cannon shot and the forehead of one of his companions with a hole in his forehead, bleeding copiously. After that, a burst of gunfire filled the air.

---

Imperial Army General Command Offices.
Nuevo Horizonte.
03:00

General Clemente was walking fast to his office followed by his assistant, Lieutenant Diego Perez. Though the entire hall the sound of his polished shoes hitting the floor going to the beat of his heart, beating strong and hard, step by step.

― “Mi General” , we have already tried to communicate with the refinery, they have not responded since the emergency alert was sent and the news of the National Guard arrived at the local command post.

― Is Camargo already in my office?

― He delivered the report of the satellite photos of the complex plus the recording of the trucks, then departed.

― It was an order that would stay there, but I do not care, I'll talk to him later. ― He paused briefly; they were already arriving at his office. – Is the Commander on the safe line yet?

― Yes “Mi General”, he’s waiting you.

― Stay here, I will not be long.

Arturo Clemente presides over the General Staff of the Imperial Army, which means that he is the second in the line of command of that force. That also means that he is present at the table of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, having voice and vote. His office is located on the same floor of the General Commander and only a few doors away.

His office was a room whose walls, although made of concrete, were covered with pine wood slats. It had a library, full of themes mainly of philosophy and military strategy, a large desk with its executive computer, a display cabinet where he exhibited his medals and sabers with great pride; up on the wall you could see an oil painting showing the Emperor in his suit as General Captain of the Army.

Clemente went to the desk and took a seat, pressed the button on his phone to take the call, and then put it on the speaker.

"My General."

― Sorry for the delay, Commander. There's not much time, so I'll be brief.

"Yes sir."

― The refinery. Why?

"We do not know the “why” yet, I'll send someone to investigate and put a stop to whoever gets in. The truth is that there is evidence that involves D'Mont into more serious crime than high treason within that complex and we are going to find them. "

― The Restoration Council have made their move, for some reason they are attacking again but this is a lot bigger than them, or so we thought.

"We will investigate who is leading the attack, depending on it, I will issue the order."

― I am issuing the order, now. There are shots, possible civilian casualties and God knows what else; find and get information the Foreman, save as many workers as you can and avoid any material damage. I stress, I issue the order, Commander. Nobody should know what happens there; I'll cover it from the National Guard Command but do this immediately.

"Yes sir."

---

NDI Command Center
03:21

― All contact with Las Perlas was lost around an hour. The attackers could be there even for a longer time. – Said Farrel while showing a map of the refinery, Farrel, Carreras and Ortega were surrounding the screen, visualizing all the data and the available information.

― Those responsible are the Restoration Council, linked to several attacks and attacks in the past.
Farrel showed the image of the man in charge of the refinery that night. Carreras was not aware of who he could be.

― So that's the Foreman? What do we have about him?

― Not really much, although we were surprised that a file of the Ministry of Defense had its name, within a report of the National Police of Investigations.

― Ortega. ― Commander Carreras said. ― You'll be in charge of finding that man, get all the information you can, I'll go for the thugs.

― Gentlemen, there are also orders from Commander Carvalho. ― Farrell said. – You will have to verify the identity of the RC leader in the refinery and then Pedro will see if he issues the Order to shoot to kill.

― We will choose our implements for this task; we will go to the armory.

― You have 15 minutes; Castillo is waiting for you at the heliport.

[New Spanishland]

―Tango One in position. Do you receive me Tango Leader?

“Here Tango Leader, I receive you Tango One”

Ortega was with his back against the wall, had his gun in his left hand and held the receiver with his right. According to the map in his PDA, the newly promoted official of the DIE was located in the east block of the refinery, specifically in the administrative wing where there were a considerably large complex of buildings with six and eight stories of cubicles, rooms, conference auditoriums and other related work areas. For his part, Commander Gabriel Carreras was in the south block, the condensers as well as the control machines and chimneys were there; However, Carreras was in a somewhat remote area of the factory, it was at the foot of the Central Security Zone where all the screens of the surveillance cameras were located and the link with the National Guard. It was necessary to recover that area if they wanted the mission to be successful in the shortest possible time.

“Tango One, there is a novelty in this sector. You copy me?

― I receive you Tango Leader What is the status?

"Could you leave that crap of Tango One,Tango Leader?! This is a safe line, you can call me by my name. ”

― Understood Tan ... Eh ... Excuse me, Commander.

"It's Carreras, I've told you before, boy."

Carreras was hidden in a small alley where huge aluminum cans and rusty metal bars were stored, but in the corner to his right was the staircase to the security room, he could climb there but he needed to move in sync with Ortega to proceed as soon as possible . A false step and the terrorists could cause a massacre.

―According to the Division's drones, Carvajal was taken to this building I'm in, where his office in this part of the refinery should be.

“That's right, but that building, like the others, has camera surveillance; what I'm going to do is take the control center and then restart the entire system, that will only give you just a few minutes so you can take Carvajal to a safe place and get some information. ”

― Understood.

“Then I will find out who the hell is behind all this crap. At my signal, you will enter the building and look for Carvajal. ”

Carreras hung the intercom of the PDA and advanced towards the corner to look out, there were no hostile in sight, certainly the facilities were gigantic so surely there would be small patrols to try to cover more land, this meant a strategic advantage to lift the kidnapping to the refinery, however, could not be trusted too much since the enemy patrols spread all over the land could notify the rest by radio, it was necessary to be careful and be agile in every movement; Fortunately that was what Carreras had left over: caution and agility.
What he needed was subtlety in generous quantities because, taking advantage of the complete solitude of the area where he was, he prepared to climb the stairs quickly, without noise; when he reached the floor of the security room, he leaned out the window, told three enemy soldiers checking the cameras, because of his body language, Carreras deduced that they were quite calm, silently opened the door while he drew a large serrated and perfectly sharp combat knife. With an impressive speed, Carreras stabbed the knife into the neck of the first terrorist, seeing him the second attempt to shoot him with his gun but the commander took him by the arm and stuck his weapon in his right side, then Carreras lashed out at the last, who had been stunned by the speed at which everything happened, dying with the knife stuck in his windpipe.

Even with the knife in his hand the Commander went to the security cameras, he could now observe the entire complex. While ignoring the guttural sounds caused by dying soldiers on the ground, the man quickly checked the surrounding areas to verify the presence of other patrols. When passing through the chambers of the building where Ortega was located, he could have a view of the office of the foreman Carvajal, the man was being targeted with assault rifles to force him to open the safe, he was also beaten.

“Ortega, I already saw Carvajal, he's in his office. You already have a green light.

― Got it, I will enter.

Feeling sure of what he was doing, Ortega hammered his semi-automatic pistol and knocked down the door with all his might. He did it with such a crash that he surprised the terrorists, who had lowered their guard. Big mistake.

Without saying a word, Ortega only shot two bullets at each terrorist, knocking them down while a terrified Carvajal was trembling on his knees in front of his office safe, he was afraid to turn to see what had happened.

The young DIE officer watching the foreman's shock reaction decided to step forward and address it.

―I'm looking for the man in charge, one ... Carvajal? I believe.

Offish as it was, the foreman looked up in response.

― I'm from the National Guard. Special Operations Corps. I have come to get you out of here.

― W-but ... How? The men of Sagres have all the plant taken, it is impossible that those of the detachment were alerted in time and ...

―Don't think about that Carvajal.―Ortega interrupted.―The important thing is that you are OK.

― Look!― Carvajal said.― The men of Sagres wanted the contents of my safe, they have to take everything out of here immediately and ... Oh, oh my God." He said and began to cry.

― Carvajal, What happens?

― These guerrilla dogs plan to destroy the facilities and kill all the workers; they have put explosives in the oil containers. You have to stop it. “The foreman said between sobs.

The pieces began to take their place. Considering the context and order of the events of the last days, everything had the ingredients of a terrible escalation. It was necessary to collect all the information and Carvajal was completely willing to give it to him; Ortega understood that unfortunate foreman needed to remain alive until he was no longer useful, but in the meantime, it was the only pile of traveling information in the chaos of the refinery. The young officer helped Carvajal get up and take the documents out of the safe; they walked outside the building where he said there would be a place away from all that hell.

[New Spanishland]

NDI Headquarters
04:29

Isabel Farrel is DIE’s Deputy Operations Commander. Her job is to be the main provider of support inside and outside the Division; it depends on her that each mission will be carried out with the lowest percentage of risk and the highest probability of not being detected. This applies to anyone, wherever, whenever.

Her career in the world of State security organizations began in the National Investigation Police: First, as an assistant to the Station Chief, then as a field agent and finally as a detective. It was in that position where she was able to demonstrate her great bloodhound attributes and talent for deduction in dozens of cases: One of her greatest achievements was to finish a regional-wide network of arms and drugs trafficking, as well as other illegal products, along with the arrest of the bosses of the Cartel del Este, an already extinct criminal syndicate.

After her successful career in the police, she was recommended for military intelligence, serving in the National Guard and later in Military Aviation. When she was able to prevent a terrorist attack where letters with toxic dust were sent to the headquarters of the Crown Ministry of the Interior by a group of anarchists, Isabel met Pedro Carvalho. Since then they have been working together on various cases and investigations, but it was only three years ago that Commander Carvalho recruited Isabel for DIE.

Her shrewd, proactive and incisive personality earned her the recognition of some bosses and the apathy of others. However, it has been at the DIE where for the first time she has not had to report to any boss, but to a colleague of many years; this, of course, does not mean that she had to relax more; it means that she will not have to endure insolence or social climbing of the idiot on duty. That always simplifies the procedures and work environment.

Isabel was at that time in her office. She was listening to the calls recorded on the computer of the late Superintendent Betancourt: that corrupt official intended to win the favor of the Carriedo Organization to finance his campaign as mayor since no one gave a penny for him. At the same time, Betancourt had acquired a sample of a dangerous biological agent from Berenguer Labs and intended to sell it to a group of extremist vandals on the black market to raise funds and support its offer to the Carriedo’s.

But there was a radical plot-twist. When Betancourt learned that the NDI had ordered the apprehension of Dr. D'Mont, he understood that it would only be a matter of time before they caught him; so he decided to end the deal with the guerrillas causing their anger. When the mobsters learned that Betancourt could not deliver what was promised, they decided to steal the money they had given him in advance for his direct services from his own cash bank account. This crossing of roads ended in the train crash in which the city of San Lorenzo had become and the subsequent bank robbery. This information was in Martos recorder and gave sense to everything that happened.

Only one question remained: Was the biological agent taken from Berenguer laboratories and Dr. D’Mont virus the same? Both yes and no were terrifying and everything depended on the outcome of the ongoing missions.

While she wrote a preliminary report on the recordings, her PDA buzzed. When checking it, she noticed that there was a voice message, from Alira Rosso:

“Isa, I'm in the labs. I just arrived with my San Lorenzo report."

She saved what had written so far, locked her computer and headed to the laboratory.
When Farrel saw Rosso standing at the side of her desk, she could see the tiredness in her eyes. It was not for less, Alira had to have little more than two whole days without sleep.

―How many times should I tell you that I hate being called "Isa"? - It was the first thing she said.

―How many times should I tell you that I hate that you send me to babysit with investigators of the scientific police and the division's minions? ―She answered.

―Your sense of humor is relentless, isn't it?

―In this line of work, our sense of humor is the best bulletproof vest.

They both laughed and greeted each other in amity, heading back to Farrel's private office. Once there, they both took a seat.

―You’ll need to sleep well, this mess is just beginning.

―I'm not very optimistic about all this, Isabel. First the wave of violence between mafia syndicates and drug cartels and now it turns out that a mad scientist creates a potential biological weapon.―Alira said reluctantly. ―Although ... To be honest, everything we could learn in San Lorenzo may give us a better idea of what the hell D’Mont was experiencing.

―What do you mean Alira? Asked Farrel. D’Mont's work and the theft of Berenguer's viral agents may be related, but there is still nothing to confirm it.

―That's exactly what I mean. According to the field analysis we carry out, the components used and the biological engineering process applied in the samples, everything points to the famous “Equis-NOX Project” together with the stolen containers from Berenguer. What could confirm the theory of the researchers of the Division is to obtain a direct sample of someone affected by one of the two biological agents.

―Martos ... ―Isabel said and sighed pessimistically.

Alira nodded regretfully. His brother in arms was torn between life and death at the Military Hospital; The doctors did their best to keep him stable but it wasn’t easy. It was then that she remembered the tragic image of her bedridden companion and vowed not to stop until she returned the favor to D’Mont.

―I've been told. ― Rosso said, leaving his thoughts. ―Carreras and the Ortega boy are outside, aren't they?

―Yes. They are in the refinery; they will bring more information about what we are fighting against.

―I have to admit, that the rookie has value, he did an excellent job back in San Lorenzo. When I see Carvalho I will tell him that he is recruiting good professionals.

―You'll see him soon, in three hours they will be landing in Villa Estela back to the Command.

---

04:42

After entering one of the sheds, Foreman Carvajal led Officer Ortega to an underground elevator, according to him it was a shelter in case of catastrophe or natural disaster. When the descent ended they had reached a basement of cement walls that were the size of a small room with a steel door at the bottom, that claustrophobic site was well lit with a lamp whose bulb was shaped like a long cylinder, also in the walls near the floor were smaller, emergency ones that would emit a semi-yellowish light judging by the color of the lamp that covered it.

The chief of workers opened the door with a bunch of keys that he carried. Apparently, the terrorists were not really interested in the facilities, but only in the contents of the safe. “It must be something extremely valuable to cause a terrible massacre against civilians” Ortega thought.

When they opened the door they began to walk down a corridor and turned in the corner to the right, on that same wall there was a small panel with a lock and a lever along with a vertical gate. Carvajal looked under his working suit for a key smaller than the others, introduced it turning counterclockwise and lowered the lever, then the gate rose to show a large room with beds, power plants, shelves with canned, first aids, water tanks, a television and a radio. It was indeed a refuge.

Before entering that enclosure, the Foreman handed Ortega a folder with papers.

―Don't lose sight of them. ―He told her, and when he entered the shelter and automatically closed the gates.

After making sure that the gates had completely closed, Ortega began walking back to the elevator while checking the contents of the folder: There were several papers, a CD and an SD memory. Still, it was not the time to stop to read everything, so he took his PDA.

―Carreras, here Ortega.

“Boy, what is your status?"

―Carvajal is safe, he has handed me a folder with documents. I think they can be useful.
"That man was under surveillance, there is something else in all this that does not fit me at all ..."

―I'm on my way to the surface, Any news?

“The terrorists have put the machines on overload, so far I have managed to shut down the system in two of them but one is needed, before that it locates one of the explosive charges in the tanks and then deactivates the condenser consoles.” He said and then hammered his rifle magazine. “I am on the roof of one of the sheds, I will give you cover fire but be stealthy. You will leave the building where you are at six and you will run into one of the tanks, the condenser is on the second floor, in the center.”

―Understood.

When the elevator finished its ascent to the floor of the shed, Ortega thought of a way to proceed: He knew that the containers were interconnected by a network of underground pipes and that the condenser was started with the console. If the console melted, not only would the container overflow but the product of the short circuit would catch fire; In turn, the explosive charges had the mission of opening a gap through which all the oil escaped.

Following the instructions of his commander, Ortega made a brief check of his inventory: He still had enough ammunition in his gun; he had not used his sub-machine gun or the combat knife. Despite feeling anxious, he was able to channel his impulses to concentrate on leaving the shed and heading outside; once outside he tried to move through the shadows so as not to be detected by a patrol car near the huge oil depot: it was large as a house, painted gray with two blue stripes in the center. Above was the console and below, the valves.

Ortega positioned himself near the container and spotted the explosive charge placed on the valves, made sure there were no hostiles nearby when he rushed to run towards that structure, it was necessary to deactivate the bomb before proceeding. When he had it in front, he could appreciate the simplicity of the device: several wires connected to the timer would make the charges explode so he had to cut each wire to disassemble it, “This bomb looks like it was made by a kindergarten child.” He thought as he neutralized the device. When he was done, he turned to his left and climbed the stairs.

[New Spanishland]

04:59

When Pedro Carvalho crossed the entrance doors to the command, accompanied by Elvia Greene, he was received by Isabel Farrel. The Commander's attitude and gestures revealed his stubbornness with every step forward he took, his brow furrowed slightly and his fists clenched. The man was the living image of stress and determination. As soon as they landed in Villa Estela, the transport went to look for them at the end of the runway at his instructions. It was necessary to process, or at least find clues to where to go now.

―All the information gathered from the Puerto Yunque offices leads us to the first preliminary report of this operation. Isabel began, who was in the situation room gathered together with Pedro, Alira and Elvia. The touch screen on the table showed various letters, account points, budgets, and telegrams taken from Estevez’s computer.

―E&B managers have reportedly received a contract to transport cattle to an agricultural conglomerate in Hyspania, the animal health inspections were very secretive, but at one of the corporate accounts, the area supervisor mentions a “Ballesteros” who is a veterinary doctor, but the credentials do not appear in any of the documents. He paused to show more scanned documents and continued. ―The strangest thing here is that the name Ballesteros appears in at least six records from Estevez’s desk.

―As if that were not enough, instead of going to a farm, they go to a refinery. Elvia commented. ― And not just any refinery, but one of the largest we have.

―The Las Perlas Refinery is one of the largest industrial hubs in the country. It is also one of the most modern and best-equipped, they have by far everything that any heavy industry needs: from its accommodation for its workers to its sanitary landfill for waste.

―And that is where I want to base my theory― Said Carvalho, enlarging the image of the waste sector at the refinery on the screen. ―They did several tests with these cattle as they were fresh specimens; they wanted to apply the vaccines and additional sanitary controls. Maybe they wanted to test a certain biological product in the cattle, and when they saw the reaction realized that the risk of contamination was high. They had no choice but to eradicate them. And what better place to erase something from the face of this world than Las Perlas Refinery incinerator.

Immediately afterward, he showed on the screen the incinerator blueprints. Only that area, which was part of the complex's waste dump, was as large a facility as a suburb home. There were four ovens and four fireplaces, each the size of a double room. If you wanted to get rid of a large cache of drugs or a lot of incriminating evidence that would be the place.

Considering the number of head of cattle and the dimensions of the incinerator, there would be no trace of anything in 3 hours.

―I don't think they will be sacrificed. They don't have that many bullets, not even shooting to the heads of it.

―Those cows must be dead, Isabel― Elvia replied. ―If our suspicions so far are correct, whatever these animals were inoculated with must have killed them in just under a week."

―Three days before arriving in Hyspania, at most.― Isabel pointed out.

―Be that as it may, you must warn Carreras and Ortega what they plan to do with these animals. Do it immediately, I don't want to take risks so send the location of the incinerator in the refinery.

Isabel nodded and left the room, probably going to her office in the laboratory. Inside, Carvalho and Elvia stayed. The commander had his gaze fixed on the image of the plans of the refinery and also on the data collected from Puerto Yunque; the expression on his face was one of tension and bitterness, he also had his left fist clenched. He was not in a good mood...

―We're going forward. After this mission, we will be able to see if indeed the threat is to be feared.

Carvalho turned around. I don't change his sober expression or the wrinkles on his brow.

―Until now we have a city that was besieged, a corporate giant for falling and not to mention a killing on our soil. In addition to the backlash of a mafia war.

―Every day there is a different crisis in all parts of the world, we are still standing trying to bring some order to the disaster.

―It's different, Elvia. It is about our country now and who knows if it gets worse.

Elvia couldn't take it anymore.

―You start to worry me, Pedro, you are letting this affect you.

―I think this is leading us to something bigger Elvia, with each step forward the road stretches for miles! It does not stop! This has to be driving from somewhere and is done by one person. A person!

― But who? And more importantly, why?

―I don't know that yet. He is someone we have not yet considered, he is very intelligent ... But I think he has made fatal mistakes with all this string of events.

Elvia paused to think for a moment, until a name flashed through her mind, clouding her thinking.

―Carmen.

―Whoever it is, you may be using it. Using it because you trust her and her abilities. If we keep digging, I think we can find it.

Pedro then stared at Elvia.

―And when that happens, I will personally take charge of finding whoever is behind all this nonsense.

---

05:00

Carreras was slowly going down the stairs from the roof where he was to enter the building where he was, which was a complex of five stories high where they processed the fuels and then stored them. On the way he ran into one of the soldiers lying on the ground: moments before, he had broken his neck with his own hands as he sneaked up behind him.

He planned to meet Ortega in a new location since the mission was going quite well. As he finished going down a long flight of stairs to the floor his PDA began to ring. It was Ortega.

―Boy, I'm on my way.

―Copied. Isabel is calling us, connect the call.
He pressed the button and positioned himself on the channel.

―Isabel?

"Guys, new instructions. We need to confirm a shipment of cattle to the refinery. According to information gathered in Puerto Yunque, we learned that E&B had ordered the transport of cattle to Hyspania for importation but they sent them to the refinery. The commander has reasons to believe that these were test specimens for D’Mont's experiments which are potentially dangerous to biological degrees. They have take them to the complex's incinerator, which is about 200 meters north of your current position. Sagres and the rest of his team are there, neutralize them and bring samples of the meat to analyze them. Wear the gloves you have. To help you enter the area without major problems I will send a drone to interfere with the signals but hurry up. It is understood?"

"Acknowledge!" they replied in unison.

[New Spanishland]

05:05

Residential Sector

Ministry of Defense Grounds

General Emiliano Clemente had arrived at his commission house. A cozy and spacious two-floor house with five rooms, a private study with a library, swimming pool, garage, and garden. All the Generals of the Armed Forces of the Empire had access to housing like this including a car only to move officially through the grounds of the Command or on one of their commission trips.

Although he used to live with his wife and only son, this was not the case. It was the time of year when the family visited his mother for his wife's school and work vacations. If another circumstance had been, he would have asked for the discharge to be with them, however, he was required where he was. "And more now with everything that happens," he thought.

After hanging his uniform in his room, he went to his private office: It was a finely furnished room, made up of two shelves full of books, atlases, and maps, many of them were unique copies that only he owned. Benefits of being Deputy Chief of Command.

Like his headquarters office, Clemente had a computer desk. After entering his password, he went to a folder on the desktop, which also required enter a username and password to connect to the Ministry's database. When the system let him continue, he started typing to filter results in the server data where sensitive information from the Armed Forces was found. He had to type in another password and enter a Blockchain-style master key.

Having found the folder, the system asked to insert the master key: A USB device. He opened one of the cabinets on the desk and found the key. When inserted, the system proceeded to ask him a series of questions to validate the identity of the bearer, since these keys were unique and non-transferable. When he answered them, he had to wait a few seconds until he finally had access to the files: They were the dossiers of the Restoration Council.

In it was its leader files: the former Division General of the Imperial Army Marco Volgt Carcano. He performed compulsory military service at the age of 13 and enrolled in the San Ildefonso Military College in Tuy. He had had an excellent career, with all the honors and distinctions in service, praised for his uncompromising character and ability to command. Psychiatric reports showed concern about his apparent cold blood and his almost absolute devotion to service to the Nation and its Army.

Everything came to a breaking point when they learned more about their family background, their activities, and their aspirations. Marco was Salvador Volgt's grandson, one of the dictator Eutanasio Rodriguez's trusted men. He served as Representative in the National Chamber, co-founder of the Legions of Salvation, Secretary-General of the National Union for the New State, and served as High Commissioner of the Arms Development Board of the Eutanist Regime. The orders for executions, looting, and disappearances that destroyed the lives of men, women, children, and the elderly of the Dominate, Redon, and Valourium came from his office.

It was still a mystery how that notorious criminal managed to escape justice. His son Tomás Volgt, who was an army officer, was arrested and prosecuted for participating mainly in criminal organizations as well as embezzling the Nation. Dinora, Tomás' wife was completely ruled out of any connection despite allegations of money laundering through her jewelry and goldsmith businesses in general. Furthermore, it was suspected that she was also a fervent Eutanist despite not belonging to the party ranks.

Marco intended to try to stay low-key and cut himself off from any family ties. He was unable to change his last name but managed to disguise his fanaticism for Euthanasius's ideas well with nationalism of word and deed along with loyalty to the Emperor. The truth is that Volgt not only did not completely get rid of the black cloud that was his family but also expanded those influences in the underworld of organized crime and regional mafias, so it is presumed that it was through some blackmail and bribes that he managed to enter the army along with letters of good behavior from the military college he attended.

Marco aspired to introduce the ideas of Eutanism into military training. Practically schemed insurgency since lieutenant and its ultimate purpose was to bring about a social and political outbreak with the magnitude necessary to overthrow the Imperial Government. This was the reason why, even though he was a General, he was disgraced, although some of his former colleagues would have preferred to put him through the wall and shot him. After his dismissal, Volgt went into the underground world of hiring, drugs and the illegal sale of arms; With the help of his contacts and the support of his most adept students, he managed to form the Restoration Council for the Salvation of the Fatherland, or the Restoration Council to make it short. From there he devoted himself to mass terrorism, giving rise to dark events in the history of Hyspania (Including the disaster of the 59' and the 87' coup) just like everything up to the present day.

Absorbed as he was at the time, the General paused, got up, and looked in the cabinet of his spacious desk for a bottle of rum. He poured a little into a glass and took a couple of sips. He was enjoying himself until his phone rang.

―Clemente.

"General, Isabel Farrel here."

He didn't hesitate to become more perceptive in communication.

―The refinery. I want to know what happens.

Farrel then proceeded to explain everything she knew about it, including the high biological risk.

―I will try to not raise suspicions, an undercover team will clean up that mess. But tell your people there to hurry up. I want to answer the fewest questions regarding the matter. Commander Carvalho must give me a final report when this disaster is over.

And hung up.

---

05:35

―All clear.

Carreras gave him the signal so Ortega could advance. The landfill area was quite large and behind them, all terrorists had been silently eliminated before proceeding to the incinerator, which was nothing more than a huge cremation chamber made up of long corridors with reinforced concrete walls, ceilings with LED light bulbs and cement floor.

―I guess they didn't want to invest a lot in the waste area, the rest of the facilities are quite modern but this is gloomy and depressing.― Ortega said quietly.

Carreras kept moving toward a corner, signaling his partner to follow him to an intersection. There was a large sign:

OVENS 1, 2, 3 ↑
LANDFILL ↓
EXIT ←
STORAGE →

As he looked out he could see a short corridor leading to the entrance to the furnaces, the lights of that little extract from hell were dim but remarkable enough to appreciate that the furnaces were operating along with the slight sounds of flames and machinery. The entrance was not guarded, so he decided to take the step forward pointing his submachine gun, Ortega covered his back advancing slowly and without noise.

When they were at the edge of the entrance they could see the whole site was huge, little bigger than a tennis court. Inside, Sagres and his henchmen moved the dead cows in forklifts and then put them in the ovens. The image of the cadaverous and rotting pile of cattle being cremated in the ovens disgusted both agents.

―It is a closed site, there are no emergency exits in the incinerators or other stairs according to the plans of the place.

―You haven't done your homework well, me boy. Carreras replied while keeping his eye on the telescopic sight of his assault rifle.
Ortega could not help but feel surprised, in his still youthful arrogance as a prodigy student of the military academy, he could allow himself to affirm things emphatically as if they were universal truths.

―We live in the fantastic era of digital technology that you both boast about knowing entirely and you couldn't check a 3D map well. He paused and pointed to his partner's PDA. ―Drag the pointer on the map.

Although they were certainly in a situation where they could not be distracted, Ortega did as he was told. Dragging the cursor on the PDA, he could see that there was a small tunnel just seven meters high and five meters wide, the minimum space necessary for the forklift to pass, connecting the incinerator room with the deposit.

―I think we can make a nice ambush. Now listen to me right: You will go to the storage and take control of that forklift then drive it to the incinerator to slam the gates, I will give you cover fire again.

Ortega would have simply preferred to assault the entire place, but he had the humility not to open his mouth this time, so he obeyed without saying a word and headed for the storage. Carreras maintained his vigilant position on the enemy.

That storage must have had other carcasses besides those of the incinerator, he had observed how the forklift already came with one of the cows to introduce them to the oven, so he assumed that could set up a silent trap for whoever operated the forklift. Returning to where he had arrived at the intersection, he walked down the storage, which turned out to be a somewhat smaller space than the room with the incinerators: there were several stacked boxes, aluminum barrels, dim lighting, and a terrible stench of rotting meat and humidity. The rotting carcass of that animal was in a corner to the right of the stairs to go down to the floor.

The young officer decided to hide a few meters from the door through which the forklift passed, found a good space behind some barrels, and took its combat knife. Then he heard the sound of an engine, it grew louder with every second that passed until finally, the doors opened with a slight screech that gave way to a small-wheeled vehicle, driven by a character in black clothes and vest, wearing a ski mask to hide his identity. As he prepared to load the rotten cattle carcass, Ortega jumped toward the terrorist without making a sound, mercilessly plunging the combat knife into the chest of that unfortunate insurgent.

Carreras continued to watch Sagres and his men, who seemed to procrastinate more than anything else, in addition to holding their weapons. However, there was something that caught his attention too much: Those terrorists were not carrying any type of combat weapons such as the mafia submachine guns and machine guns, they were armed with latest generation assault rifles, not even the COE troops had equipped with similar weapons, how was that possible?

―Damn! Where's that idiot with the cows? Sagres obstinately shouted.

The PDA started buzzing. The Commander attended him.

"Carreras, I already have the forklift. Is Sagres in front of the door?"

―Affirmative.

"Don't tell me more."

Carreras put the sights of his rifle on Sagres's head, dangerously approaching the edge of the corridor for better vision. He also noticed the other thugs following him to the warehouse pointing their weapons.

Then the events rushed very quickly. Ortega stepped on the gas, which had two heavy boxes on its forks, which suddenly opened the doors of the incineration chamber. Carreras automatically opened fire with short bursts, killing three terrorists with shots to the chest, the other two managed to take cover after Ortega directly rammed Sagres with the forklift and jumped from it. There was a short exchange of fire, but given the Commander's privileged position on the top floor, he made to eliminate one of the thugs with an accurate shot to the forehead. Ortega stood up again and, taking advantage of his opponent's carelessness, fired three shots: one in the chest and two in the back, leaving the terrorist dying on the ground.

A different story had occurred with Sagres. The forklift's onslaught had taken him completely by surprise, the blow abruptly shoved him toward the incinerator, his screams were quickly stifled by the flames, his assault rifle a few inches from the incinerator.

―It seems that Sagres will go to hell today.

―The wicked are punished from heaven… Or they are violently rammed by a half-ton car. Carreras said pleased.

They turned to the other pile of dead cows on one side, giving off a terrible stench.

―You take a sample of these, I'll go for the others in the warehouse, when you're done contact Farrel and tell him we're done here.

Ortega then focused on the hi-tech assault rifle.

―Regarding this, someone will have to answer a couple of questions right?

―Both Carvalho and the General won't be happy about this, it means these people got hands on the Imperial Army arsenal. You take all those weapons but do it after taking the tissue samples for Dr. Puig, our top-notch scientist. Did you get me?

[New Spanishland]

07:00
Nuevo Horizonte Downtown

The rainy season had already arrived in the capital city. The citizens have already made it a habit to go outside with their umbrellas, raincoats, and raincoats to avoid colds and flu. These are the days when in restaurants and picnic areas the most requested dish was hot chicken broth with corn or spinach cream since these dishes are part of the wide national recipe book by tradition.
It is also said by tradition that good soup can help to better process bad news. If we were to put this into practice then dozens of soup pots would have to be brought for the hundreds of people who were outside the Imperial Assembly: Media, journalists, bloggers… They all had their attention on a lady of Medium height wearing a dark gray formal dress and black dress shoes. Behind her was the main entrance to the Parliament Chamber, in front of which was a finely varnished wooden lectern crowned by microphones from various radio, television, and electronic media channels.

―What happened today, in the early hours of the morning, was a clear attack on the integrity of the Nation and its citizens. I must thank our brave National Guard who acted quickly and efficiently to bring to justice those responsible for such a cowardly misdeed.
As the woman spoke, standing at the bottom of the steps that led to the hemicycle, reporters and journalists recorded videos, took photos, and listened intently five feet from the foot of those stairs.

―In the course of the day, we will give details of those responsible for the siege of the refinery, all the information will be transmitted by the spokespersons of the Assembly Press Commission through all the mass media. He paused briefly for breath and continued. ―This escalation of violence that we are going through certainly worries us all; however, the measures to be taken to end these terrible events have already been launched. Thank you very much for your attention and with your permission I have to leave, I will not answer questions at the moment. Good morning to all.

The lady turned around and walked calmly towards the Assembly building, while the security forces dispatched the media. The woman disappeared behind a door that led into the Palace.

---

07:56

Two men were in a black sedan car. Although it seems like the start of a joke, they would rather be eating at home than having to be there. They already knew each other, in fact, they had a long relationship and time working together although for different fields; however, it was rare that the two of them could be in the same place, even more, rare that they traveled together.

―Now they demand explanations. How the hell did he find out we were on the ground in the first place?

―I'm surprised that you are surprised. When the National Guard finished securing the perimeter of the administrative area, they found the corpse of one of the workers; understand the word WORKER, not security personnel. The poor wretch managed to raise the alarm to the detachment but was shot shortly after. Now when I managed to communicate with Carvalho he told me that I already had an active team at the refinery, I contacted General Salgado, and then Colonel Fuentes and I told them to limit themselves to surrounding the administrative area and then enter after 0630. I have yet to meet with them; they deserve an explanation and their men too.

―Have you gone crazy Clemente? We don't explain anything to anyone! We are the Intelligence of the Empire.

―Being the mind behind His Imperial Majesty's espionage apparatus is not worth the same as the life of a corporal or a lieutenant in our armed forces. And save that magnanimous and arrogant tone of yours.

His interlocutor removed his glasses in a gesture of disgust.

―That is the problem; you serve the Emperor in person. It has gone to your head!

―That was what has agreed five years ago, Victor. The General said, then paused and took a breath. ―If I remember correctly, you didn't want the position and you delegated to me.

―Well, if I had known...

―Nothing Victor, nothing. Clemente interrupted him. ―And just let me tell you that nothing has gone to my head, I was also a troop and I know what that is. I serve this Nation, WE SERVE this Nation as well as the Generals who incidentally saved your ass because if I had not given that order you would be the only one who would come to give explanations, do you understand?

Victor was silent. He knew when to shut up the moment reality hit him head-on. Despite being the Director of the NDI, he still had problems regarding his linear way of carrying out operational matters, which were the main cause of friction with his DIE counterpart. In theory, General Clemente was supposed to be a junior, but the kind of missions the DIE specialized in changed things.

―Gentlemen, we are coming. The driver said through the speaker, which was on the other side of the vehicle insulated with a glass, he had not heard anything, of course.

---

08:12

The Empire Prime Minister's office is an office no bigger than a billiard room. Furnished in a modern style but in harmony with the shelves, tapestries, and paintings in the neoclassical and romantic style. There was also a large window overlooking the lush central garden; If you stood in front you could see that in parallel there was another window of equal proportions, there was the Emperor's private office and private workplace just two minutes’ walk from the Prime Minister's office.

Helenna Monserrat was sitting at her desk writing some lines on a letterhead. Although her face was serene and calm inside, this woman was about to release a whole host of energy as a result of recent events: first, there was the street violence of the mafias and smuggling, then the siege of a city and by Last terrorist attack turned into a massacre inside a refinery. Were the world and the entire Nation against it? Where did all these attacks come from and who caused them? Despite all of these questions, Helenna was not the kind of person to surrender at the slightest sign of opposition, throughout her career she had to overcome the negligence and ineptitude of those around her even before entering politics. She was ready to stand up and do whatever it took to bring order to Hyspania. But before it was necessary to get answers.

―Go ahead. She announced.

The doors opened and two men passed: one dressed in a black suit and tie, the other was a military man. Good morning, Your Excellency they greeted.

The PM gestured for them to take a seat. She made her way to one of her wide bookshelves, looking for a title in her collection. Both Victor and Clemente were silent.

Helenna finally got the book she was looking for, flipped through it, and then recited one of the lines.

“In order to protect assets in the national territory, it is necessary to develop a safety net with the necessary capacities to respond to existing contingencies and risks. These safety nets must be operated both by civilians and by members of the law and order bodies at all sites of interest such as coastline, production facilities, border limits, etc. In this sense, the National Guard and Her Majesty's Imperial Army play a determining role as entities in charge of defending the sovereignty of the Nation and more… ”

―This is from Territorial Security Principles and Strategies Do you know who wrote it? The Prime Minister asked.

―I wrote it, Your Excellency. Clemente replied.

―Right. Your book, General, is one of the theoretical pillars of our National Defense Policy. He paused to put the book on his desk. ―In fact, if I remember correctly, this was your thesis for your promotion to Major General of the Army, is that correct?

―Yes, Your Excellency.

―Then tell me, General, what went wrong with Las Perlas security?

―With all due respect, Your Excellency. Victor interrupted. ―Even the National Investigative Police and the National Guard are carrying out investigations into the matter and there is still no verd…

―Then, Mr. Madsen, perhaps you should cite one of your more than ten essays on intelligence, counterintelligence, and foreign and internal risk mitigation, right?

Victor was forced to bite his tongue.

―Your Excellency, I have reason to believe that this attack is a plan of the Restoration Council; my elements are to confirm that inside the refinery there were cells infiltrated through the oil union association, one of the few that exist. An investigation is already underway to all surviving workers, including foreman Doroteo Carvajal.

―Then it was an infiltration. Do you know the reason behind the infiltration?

―Still, nothing is certain. As soon as we started investigating today, Carvalho has yet to deliver his report.

Monserrat turned and sat down, his face showing his bewilderment at what had happened.

―It is estimated that around 32 workers, among workers and security personnel, died in a single night. During the clashes and raids a year ago against the mafia, there were between 20 and 29 casualties each month. I assume that you understand the seriousness of this matter as much as I do.

It was not necessary to say anything else; the looks among those present were a reflection of understanding and commitment.

―Mr. Madsen, I trust your professionalism and your tools, I understand that all this mess puts you in a bad mood but I would appreciate more self-preservation on your part. I tell you this because you will have to work together with General Clemente to identify these threats more clearly. I also say this because the Emperor will want answers as soon as possible.
Both Madsen and Clemente nodded.

―You can make your leave, gentlemen.

They both got up from the chairs and headed for the exit after gesturing goodbye to the Prime Minister. Victor was the one who closed the office door.

―At this time Carvalho must be meeting with his team, I understand that they were able to gather good information.

―They have the order to report the next move to you immediately, let me know what they have.―Clemente told him.

―I will collaborate with you, General. Victor replied. ―Your intercession was necessary for the success of the mission and the cost to pay has not been comfortable for me, but really the situation could not have been more demanding.

General Clemente put again his military cap.

―It can always be more demanding, and to be honest, the situation only gets worse.― He paused to glance at his watch.― I will go to the Command, the Commander will let us know what is necessary soon and we must be ready.

[New Spanishland]

08:15
NDI Command Center

An image on the screen loaded up.

It was a video, with a resolution of 480p. It featured a lean, middle-aged man dressed in a white coat, goggles, and gloves. He was in some kind of laboratory and had behind him his desk full of disorganized papers.

"Are you recording? Yes?"

The camera man signaled to him, to which he nodded.

"Well, my name is Venancio D’Mont. This won't take long, so I hope you all listen carefully. Please switch to the slides. ”

The image was then transferred to a battery culture under a microscope.

“Damn you, idiot! This is for Volgt's fucking thugs! Those bastards won't even know what the hell to eat that with. ”

Then the image changed, now you could see a cattle corral, in it, there was a cow.

"Well. What you are seeing here is a Bos Primigenius Taurus, commonly known as a cow. This specimen has been exposed to the virus for one hour. Now please pay attention to the next one. ”

Now the same cow was seen, lying on the ground. A viscous, pearly-colored liquid poured from her muzzle.

"It is the same specimen four hours later. Appreciate the mottled lesions and bruises in various areas of your anatomy. Fascinating isn't it? ”

Then the screen a photo where the injured and decayed tissue was better detailed.

"The most important thing to keep in mind is the following: Immunosuppression of viral pathogenesis leads to a complete collapse of homeostasis. I have used a transgenic model to combine a suppressor of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus with a histochemical cellular promoter of Smallpox and Banana Virus to transcriptionally move the pathogen beyond the immunoregulatory pathway of the sample. In short: Everything that has contact with him dies, very quickly, its organs devour from the inside out. The virus can be transmitted in multiple ways. The oral route through water is the most probable since the genomic sequence contains Hepatitis and several related adenoviruses, therefore I beg you: Avoid contact with all viscous fluids and aquifers that have been and are close to you. "

Now the screen showed a person in paralysis, completely petrified.

“Here you can see that the virus does not discriminate between species, since my assistant learned the hard way. Don't end up like him. Wear a mask at all times. Wear protective clothing and gloves at all times. I am sending the first phase of the antidote to my other laboratory in Escar to give the final and final touches; they must use it immediately if they are in direct contact with the virus or if they are infected. Don't make mistakes; Protect yourselves, or this virus will kill you. Thanks for your time and have a nice day.”

“Maybe we should do another test? You seem to lose ...”

"Who cares? They are an army of bloody peasant thugs. I'm done! ”

And the image disappeared.


Elvia Greene moved to the front of the table where all the active DIE team was gathered for the investigation.

―Thanks to the documents recovered from Carvajal's safe, we have obtained first-hand information about what we are facing, and the situation is as follows. He picked up a folder on hand on the oval table in the situational room and continued. ―The viral agent found in San Lorenzo, the same one that keeps our partner Martos disabled and the pathogen that we found in the bovine tissue sample from the Las Perlas refinery is the same.

There were shadowed glances and palms that carried faces as well. It was confirmation of the worst kind of news you could have at the time.

―All that we have gathered so far makes it clear that Dr. Venancio D’Mont was working on a biological weapon under the noses of the Berenguer Laboratories staff, which is currently being investigated. Elvia took the remote control and showed a microscopic image of the virus taken by the Division Head Scientist Dr. Damaris Puig and continued with her report. ― The pathogen is named by Dr. D'Mont as Equis-NOX and as you can see, it is very simple to transmit due to fluids and liquids that may be in the environment, so that changes our protocols for equipment and our priorities in the following operations. Commander Farrel will continue the report.

Isabel got up and took the remote control of the projector, now the displayed image was of the documents extracted from the safe of the foreman Carvajal. They were all scanned.

―Talking precisely about upcoming operations, it's time to give the following details. All these documents and letters that we found are from the University of Varmach in Zusea, D’Mont is a Biochemistry professor and researcher there.

―The laboratory where he recorded this video is located right there, this laboratory was the product of a generous donation to the University, a donation made by the International Education Fund of MANTIS Global Funds Ltd.

Those present at the meeting became much more receptive. At that moment Carvalho rose to speak.

―Of course, there is more to tell, we have the information verified by ourselves of the steps of Carmen Isturiz. ―The Commander showed a photo on the screen where you could see a young woman with blond hair talking to another man, with a taciturn and serene face.

―Who you see there is Román Ballesteros, another of the heads of the Restoration Council and a notorious smuggler. In a surveillance operation, we could see that both intend to take a flight to Wanshi with a connection to Niihama, so Alira and Elvia will continue to follow them if for any reason they need to carry out any action they must notify me immediately and preferably before they take the flight to Niihama.

―I also have good news to tell you. ―Said Dr. Puig. ―Our colleague Martos will get better, thanks to the samples that Commander Carreras and Officer Ortega brought here, I have begun to synthesize a serum against the virus, it is far from being a vaccine, but if it works we will have advanced enough to end the excesses of D'Mont and whoever is behind all this.

―Carreras will come with me to surveillance on an Achtotlaner-flag freighter owned by Zaragoza Funds since many of the documents found to speak of the transport of unknown materials from Zusea and that has also been mentioned in D'Mont's letters to the academic authorities in Varmach. Ortega will go exactly to cover that investigation, but we will need the support of our contacts there.

―I know someone who can support us. Elvia said.

―Excellent. Everyone already has their orders, people. Move now!