The Day Before

The room was shrouded in darkness, with only the faint, ghostly glow of a massive holographic display cutting through the shadows. General Hackett stood on a circular platform, his hands clasped tightly behind his back, his posture a mix of discipline and resolve. Before him, three towering holograms loomed, their distorted silhouettes stretching three times taller than an average human. Their faces remained obscured, their features swallowed by static, yet their presence emanated an unmistakable sense of authority—one that surpassed even Hackett's rank.

Hackett tilted his head slightly upward, meeting the approximate eye level of the figures, who remained silent as he delivered his report. His words were crisp, his tone measured and deliberate. He finished, and a moment of charged silence filled the room.

"Interesting," one of the figures finally said, their voice smooth but tinged with contemplation.

Another followed, deeper and more skeptical, its baritone rumbling like a distant storm. "Are you certain this is going to work, General Hackett?"

The third voice, sharper and distinctly feminine, cut through the air like a blade. "And what makes you confident he will accept?"

Hackett's stance remained firm, his confidence unwavering. "I would not propose this course of action if I weren't certain, Sir. Madam." He glanced briefly between the figures as he addressed them. "The experts have reviewed every variable, and the success rate is 100%. He is the variable we need—alongside the vessel. If this mission ends in failure once more, I will take full responsibility." His voice carried a subtle edge, a mix of conviction and defiance.

"The subject will accept," Hackett added, his tone decisive. "I will make sure of it."

The figures exchanged glances, subtle gestures that spoke volumes in their silent deliberation. Finally, the first figure gave a curt nod, followed by the others.

"Then, we grant you permission, General Hackett," the feminine voice concluded.

Hackett gave a firm nod, his expression unreadable. The holograms flickered, then disappeared entirely, plunging the room into momentary darkness before the overhead lights activated, flooding the chamber with sterile illumination. Hackett stood alone on the platform, his shadow stretching behind him as he turned and strode toward the exit, his footsteps echoing against the cold walls.

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Kai sat on the edge of the bed, his gaze wandering across the spacious apartment. It was his new home, provided by General Hackett's team—a sleek, modern space just a short distance from the training facility. The apartment felt too large for one person, its emptiness amplifying the weight of what lay ahead.

Starting tomorrow, his training for the operation would begin, and the schedule was nothing short of grueling. His day would start at 7 a.m. with intense exercise and combat training. By noon, he'd transition into lectures covering a range of subjects—History, Economy, Geography, Geopolitics, Math, and more—designed to familiarize him with this world's intricacies. The lectures would stretch until 5 p.m., leaving him with a brief two-hour window to rest. At 7 p.m., he'd dive into swimming lessons, lasting until 10 p.m., with a 30-minute break midway through.

Though he already knew how to swim, this training wasn't about learning the basics. It was designed to push his limits—to increase his stamina, improve his speed, train him to hold his breath longer, and even prepare him for combat underwater. It was rigorous and unrelenting, far beyond what any regular soldier would endure—or so he'd been told.

Kai leaned back, staring at the ceiling. The sheer intensity of it all weighed on him, but he knew there was no turning back now. This was his reality, and he had to face it head-on.

A face suddenly swooped in front of Kai, startling him so much that he jumped to his feet. "What the fuck?!" he blurted out, heart racing. "Natasha?! How the hell did you get in? I thought the door was supposed to be locked!"

Standing before him was Natasha, dressed casually yet effortlessly stunning. She wore a snug sweater with open shoulders, the outfit perfectly accentuating her figure. A mischievous grin spread across her face.

"Hi, Handsome~ Daydreaming?" she teased, her tone light and playful. "Oh, and I have access to get in. Well… not legally."

Kai blinked, his mind struggling to process what she just said. "What do you mean by 'not legally'? Did you tap into my messages?"

She gave him a knowing nod, her grin widening.

Kai frowned, crossing his arms. "What are you now? A hacker?" His voice dripped with sarcasm.

"I'm not," she replied, unfazed. "But I do happen to know some people who are really good with computers." She pressed a finger to her lips with a teasing smile. "I can't tell you who it is, though~"

Kai groaned, rubbing his temples. He couldn't decide whether to be impressed, annoyed, or both. Natasha had a way of throwing his world off balance in the most unpredictable ways.

"Whatever... Why are you here, Natasha? How about your job? And how did you even know I live here? I'm pretty sure I haven't told you yet." He let out a sigh, lying back on the bed and staring up at the ceiling, his voice laced with curiosity—and a hint of frustration. Then, as if on instinct, he added, "You look beautiful, by the way."

Natasha chuckled softly and perched herself on the edge of the bed next to him, her gaze warm and playful. Without warning, she pressed a finger gently against his lips, silencing him mid-thought. "Shh, stop asking so many questions, Handsome. Are you not happy to see your gorgeous doctor? She's been very worried about you, you know," she teased, her tone a mix of charm and affection.

Her words made Kai pause, though he couldn't help but smirk slightly. Natasha always had a way of disarming him.

"I've heard you're in training to become a captain," she continued, her voice softening. "You don't seem too thrilled about it. I take it the news didn't sit well with you?"

Kai let out a heavy sigh, his eyes fixed on the ceiling. "Yeah... I don't even know if I made the right choice. Not that I really had a choice to begin with," he muttered, his voice trailing off near the end. He hoped she wouldn't catch that last part, but knowing Natasha, she probably did.

"Aww, poor boy," she said with a teasing lilt, though her concern was evident in her eyes. "Do you need a hug?"

Before he could respond, Natasha leaned in and wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into an embrace. It was sudden, but her warmth enveloped him, soothing in a way he hadn't realized he needed. For a moment, the weight on his shoulders felt just a little lighter.

"Thanks, I needed that," Kai said, his voice sincere. Gratitude flickered in his expression as he looked at her.

"You're welcome, Handsome," Natasha replied with a sly grin. "Though, now you owe me a favor~ Don't worry, I'll save it for when I really need it."

Kai sighed internally. Great, he thought. She's making this a favor. What's the worst she could possibly ask for, anyway? Famous last words, he mused silently, already imagining the chaos she might stir.

Natasha stood and began strolling around the apartment, casually inspecting the space. "I like this place. It's minimalist and has so much potential for more furniture," she remarked, running her fingers lightly along a countertop. "Though, I prefer my own place. No offense."

"None taken," Kai replied, shrugging as he propped himself up on his elbows.

"Anyway, thanks for coming by. I don't really feel at home here yet," he admitted, his voice softening. "Maybe I just need time to adjust. Everything's just... a lot. Especially tomorrow. I'm not sure I'm ready for it."

Natasha turned back to him, her expression a mix of playfulness and reassurance. "Don't you go worrying your ass off, Handsome. You'll be fine. Trust your very pretty doctor," she said with a wink, her teasing tone a small comfort amidst his doubts.

Kai chuckled lightly, thanking her again.

"Well, I'd better head out before my cute little assistant blows up the lab while I'm gone. Bye-bye, Handsome~" Natasha chirped, leaning down to plant a quick peck on his cheek before heading to the door.

Kai blinked, momentarily stunned by her warmth and confidence, as she waved at him from the doorway. He raised a hand to wave back, watching the door close behind her.

With a sigh, he collapsed back onto the bed, the room falling silent again. His fingers lightly brushed the spot on his cheek where she had kissed him.

"That woman..." he muttered with a small, bemused smile.

Then it hit him.

Wait, did she just say she has an assistant?