Chapter 12: Oddly Familiar

As soon as I got back from that store, I turned on the tablet and started finishing what Rogue F and I were doing before. Now that I see it, Rogue F was a distraction because I can do what needed to be done faster and better alone. And maybe he actually was trying to distract me, maybe that's why he called me insane when it could actually be true.

I figured out the password they used, using only my knowledge of Ultimate Z. His fault for letting me get to know him a little too good.

Viviane Miller used RAYA to build her army of trained soldiers, with no imperfections. But she knew that there would always be imperfections to mankind. She knew that once they were done doing her bidding, they would kill each other and ourselves after.

Being a part of RAYA was the only special thing about me, about everyone there. That's how they chose their candidates to be modified.

A moment flashed by my eyes.

Mission 9932 UZUA, recruitment mission, Ultimate Z, Ultimate A.

They were on a mission to get recruits. There must be a logical explanation for all of this.

Maybe they knew most of their 'perfect' agents would soon be dead.

I continued to scroll across the information written along the tablet. And there was a lot of information, maybe even too much for me to process under the time of 24 hours.

Viviane had a plan to use the weapons in the year 2035. RAYA must've decided to speed up the process.

We don't have much time.

No, we don't.

I packed up my bags and left the place, knowing I can't stay more than I already have. This war isn't theirs to fight when we can prevent it from happening.

Truth be told, I didn't want to help at first. But now that I see it, why get more blood to cover my hands? They're heavy enough as they are.

I took a car all the way back to RAYA's main United States HQ. It took 5 hours with me speeding and avoiding red lights for me to get there.

And what did I find?

Absolutely nothing.

I'm going to need that logical explanation now.

"Phoenix X!" I heard someone exclaim behind me. "Get back!"

Before I could process what they had said, the building exploded and my ears started ringing. I tried to block it out by putting my hands to my ears and shutting my eyes, then again, I wasn't thinking as much.

All I could hear was muffled voices shouting my name.

Why does this keep happening to me?

Once the ringing stopped, I opened my eyes to see Rogue F's hand reached out to get me. This feels oddly familiar.

I slapped his hands away and got up myself, checking my limbs to make sure nothing is damaged.

"Where is he?" I asked him, reaching for the dagger on my thigh.

"Who?"

Strangely, he looked genuinely confused. Thing is, if you really get to know Rogue F, there is nothing he doesn't know.

Should I tell him?

"No one."

Rogue F's gaze lingered longer than it should've, "Alright."

"What happened here?"

"Bombing inside the building. We were evacuated 24 hours ago. Ultimate Z left me here to make sure no one was left behind."

Thank you for reminding me of what I came here to do.

I turned and left. I need to find those factors.

"Phoenix X, wait! Your leg's hurt," Rogue F pointed out.

Huh, I guess I didn't notice.

"No, it's not."

"It's literally bleeding and that cut looks deep," he grabbed my arm to stop me.

"I'm fine. I need to go."

He sighed, chasing after me, "Let me come with you."

I scoffed hearing him say that, "Leave."

"No, I said you're hurt."

"And I said I'm fine so let me go and go away!" I shoved him back.

"Phoenix X," Rogue F said, "Please let me come with you. You'll get hurt. You need help."

"Leave, Rogue F," I said calmly. "Leave."

"I'm not leaving you."

"Why not? It'll be just like the first 5 times, right?"

Okay, I'll admit I was still bitter about our past.

When he said nothing, I knew he had given up. But I haven't.

I shoved Rogue F up to a pillar and put my dagger on his neck.

"If you follow me, this dagger goes in your eye," I threatened.

Let's hope he knows better.

I left, putting the dagger back and taking my rifle from the car, only to switch rides. You know I prefer motorbikes.

It was exhilarating every time I was on this bike. There was something about it, the way it speeds and the way it has everything an agent needs.

There might be some times that I wish Rogue F and I still talked like we used to. But I know things changed a long time before we fell apart.

But I heard him before the bomb went off. I thought I killed him, but cockroaches have a way of staying alive that is still a hard question of 'how'. I need to find him, or everyone else.

RAYA has an evacuation protocol, where if there is any fatal danger inside the HQ, they would always have someplace to go to. If the damage at the HQ is permanent, then they would change sites, so that the HQ is now located at this point.

I know exactly where it is because I was there when they were arranging the protocols. And I listened at orientation.

➰➰➰

"Where the hell is he?" I slammed Ultimate Z on the desk. I had gotten to the evacuation site using my skills and incredible knowledge, plus a key I have.

He laughed bitterly, mockingly. "Dead, remember? Blown to ashes after you stabbed him with a fucking pipe."

Stabbed with a pipe, huh? Not my best work.

I gritted my teeth, "This isn't some game, Ultimate Z. Where the fucking hell is he?"

"Probably in hell. That's where most of us are going anyway. But you'll be there with us, wouldn't you, Phoenix X? Exactly how many people after becoming an agent here at RAYA?" he taunted.

I didn't answer. It was uncountable.

"Surely less than the number of people you killed before you even joined."

That did it. I saw red and I couldn't fight it.

It was like I couldn't stop. I wanted him dead. I wanted everyone dead.

I kept slamming his head on the table, and soon enough, I saw blood sputtering around.

Emotion is a weakness.

But he wasn't dead.

I know he isn't because when I stopped, he was laughing maniacally.

"What did your mother use to say again? Emotion is a weakness," Ultimate Z grinned. "If only she listened to her own advice."

I put my dagger on his neck and smiled, "Tell her I said 'hi'." And I killed him.

And I left with no time to regret anything I did in the last 2 weeks.