Welcome to Echo Nexus Island

News spread throughout the country like wildfire. Reports of a mission gone terribly wrong somewhere on an abandoned island some distance from Echo Nexus Islands. Not many people know exactly what happened, but one thing was clear, trouble was brewing in the shadows.

"Yesterday, E.A's elite Squad Dalet had been dispatched to destroy a suspected criminal base when they were somehow ambushed by a gang of unidentified criminals. Of the six agents, four are in critical health conditions, one only sustained major wounds while the last agent, who is said to be the Squad Lead, has gone missing. It is suspected that the criminals had a peak 4th order among them…"

Sometimes, I wonder to what extent people will go to hide the truth. They say the incident on the Islands happened yesterday, yet it happened a few days before I joined E.A.

They say the squad was ambushed by a gang of criminals, when in reality all that was done by a single person. It's just that E.A doesn't want to accept the shame of admitting that a whole Elite squad was wiped out by one person. And by the way, that person isn't even a four order.

The squad wasn't even on a mission at the time.

Only the highest authoritative figures know what is really going on. Why wouldn't they know when it directly involves them?

How do I know all this, you might ask. Well, it's kinda obvious. Only a fool doesn't see it by now. Yes, for the smart one, I was there, and actively involved.

Most minor squads had commenced in training. Yet here we were, Alicia, Lucas, Flora and I, on a luxury yacht, headed for the magnificent Islands of the Echo Nexus, specifically the Main Island.

Oh, Garnet was there too.

I've never understood what's up with rich guys being blonde, but yes, he is one of those filthy rich guys. He has a British accent but likes debating about the smallest things. I don't know how but he never wins an argument against Alicia. She has her way of silencing him.

As usual, Lucas was lying on a couch busy playing video games on his gamepad. He prefers to remain silent during arguments, as I now established. Flora and Alicia were seated on another coach on their phones.

I was reading a book, and Garnet… I don't even know what he was doing in the refrigerator.

As we were all busy doing what we were doing,

"Hey guys, why do you think we're going to HQ? I still don't get why she's taking us there."

Alicia asked as her eyes remained stuck on her phone. Of course, Garnet was the first to respond.

"If you ask me, that's a bit obvious."

He had a proud look on his face for supposedly being the only one in the room who probably knew why.

"Then tell us, oh knowledgeable one." Flora said, never missing the chance to mock him.

"I will. But first…"

"You have no idea, do you?" Lucas interrupted.

"You know what, I'm not even gonna tell you all."

"Oh, what a surprise, as if we didn't see that coming."

I couldn't help but mutter as we all burst into laughter.

By now, I had a glimpse of what missions would look like. Alicia would sit behind a screen, Lucas and Flora would focus on stealth, reconnaissance and information, and Garnet… well every squad needs someone who will handle those other random jobs. I don't yet know where I would fit, so Garnet might actually be better off than I am.

These roles obviously weren't fixed but they would play somewhere along those lines. Alicia would definitely become Squad Lead. At least, that's what we all thought.

HQ was about a two hour sail off the Mainland Harbor, but for some reason, it took us three. As all five of us were standing outside the yacht in awe of the Island's magnificence, all the speakers embedded in every room of the yacht came to life, and an automated female voice made the announcement millions dream to one day hear;

"We have now arrived at our destination. Welcome to the Main Island of the Echo Nexus..."

'Even now, in this beautiful moment, I can't help but dread this place. For only I know the things I did the last time I was here, representing the Union of Echo.'