Rattling Vermilion part 6

After handing off the criminal. Felix wrote his report, while Maria poured ointment on her skin.

When they made it to the entrance, Maria flashed her badge on the glass door, and the two were greeted by the chief’s assistant, Murphy, who waited for their arrival. The two agents were told to head the chief’s office as soon as possible.

“We just got back… can you give us a minute to rest?” Maria’s tone was restless as she opened the door, while piggybacking Felix.

“Marie, I said I’m fine. Just put me down.” Felix tried to worm out.

“Your jacket isn’t designed to withstand explosives.” She replied, the scratch on her cheek was already closed.

“It’s a coat, and carrying me isn’t gonna… ” He turned his head over to the chief’s assistant. “Ugh… Murphy, could you make me a coffee?”

Maria voiced out her own request, “Soda for me.”

Murphy pushed both of them through the chief’s door, “I shall return shortly with the drinks.”

On her desk, chief raised an eyebrow, “What’s going on here?”

“He hurt his back.” Maria answered, still piggybacking him.

“She won’t put me down.” Felix added, continuing to jot down notes on the back of her head.

The chief placed her palm over her face, “Just… just put him down already.”

Maria instantly let go, letting him drop flat on the floor.

“Ow.” Felix answered, spreading his hands on the floor, one holding the pad, the other the pen.

“I wanted to inform you that after your recon mission in Beijing, the higher ups thought about promoting both of you. I have no confirmation of this, however, due to your current failure, that may be postponed.” The chief explained.

Felix got up from the floor, “We failed to retrieve the package; I’m surprised it wasn’t canceled altogether.”

“I don’t have enough information yet. However, I was informed that we retrieved the package.”

“What?” Maria raised an eyebrow.

“Did it come from Aetherion Energies? Because there was this note signed by Vermilion. Ring any bells?” Felix showed the older lady the letter.

The chief checked on her computer, “I can’t find anything on the records, however, though there is a recently admitted Crimson—” The chief stopped, preventing a chuckle from slipping out.

Felix’s eyes narrowed, “Crimson?”

“Don’t mind it. According to the database, there is no one registered as Vermilion. It might be someone who recently joined but has yet to choose a codename.” The chief answered.

“I see.” Felix remarked, his eyebrows curling, “What about Julius, do you have anything on him?”

“A single name isn’t much to go by. We could’ve had a better lead if only a certain someone hadn’t killed Harbinger.” The chief turned her gaze toward the other agent in the room.

Maria sank into the chair, looking at her with a clueless smirk, “Hm?”

“Agent Harbinger wasn’t known for his computer skills. Be that as it may, the fact remains that his corpse was left behind in the Dragon of the Little Sun, along with his gear and other possessions that belonged to the agency… More specifically, he apparently had something known as the Matrix Key.”

“Matrix Key?” Felix asked.

“A valuable piece of stolen technology. One that can automatically unlock any digital data, developed by one of the agencies. And it was likely left on his person.”

“Oh… shit.” Maria blurted out.

“We have reason to believe that said key is something the Jackal is after. We cannot let him retrieve it.” The chief gave the two agents folders and documents as she told them, “Your mission is to retrieve the key before anyone is able to make use of it. Mission is active at sixteen hundred hours, tomorrow.”

“Matrix Key. Got it.” Felix answered.

“Weird, last time we only had a couple hours to prepare.” Maria remarked.

“Last time was a special case. Thankfully this time, the robins got us some intel, which will give you ample time to prepare. Any questions?”

Maria raised her hand, “What was in the package, anyway?”

“Illegally manufactured plutonium-239.”

“What, were they making a nuclear bomb?” Maria scoffed.

“That or they were harnessing nuclear energy.”

“If that’s everything, then—”

“Yeah, another question… Between Crimson and Vermilion, you wouldn’t happen to know of a blond guy and a white-haired girl, would you? Both had red eyes. We ran into them earlier—”

“And they broke my door. Need that repaired soon.” Maria cut to the point.

“I can’t tell you any details, but the both of them will surprise you with how similar they are to you two.” The chief smirked.

“Skip the foreplay, they’re enhanced humans, aren’t they?” She cheekily asked.

“What?”

“Glowing red eyes, sparkly energy like Felix.”

“Vermilion, Crimson, red eyes.” Felix added, clicking incessantly on his pen, “Also the old man already confirmed it.”

“If you’re gonna spoil the surprise, then get out!!” The chief angrily shoved the two agents out of her office.

With documents in hand, the two agents were left standing at the door outside the chief’s office.

Maria glanced over Felix, “Wait, so the Doctor confirmed it to you and you didn’t tell me?”

He stared at his pen and fiddled, “You were busy and I kinda forgot.”

“What else are you hiding?” She raised an eyebrow, unamused.

He paused, looked at the ceiling, then to her, then back to the pen, “You’re gonna have to be specific.”

“Ugh.” She punched his shoulder.

“Ow.”

He rubbed his arm as she watched her get up and walk away.

Murphy then returned, “Your coffee, sir.” Placing the cup on the floor.

~