Perk Mage.

We grabbed the map and started studying it, trying to figure out the layout of the building. After a few moments of focused inspection, we decided to head for the higher floors, aiming for the slight incline at the end of the corridor that seemed to be our best option.

The researcher was supposedly on the LG floor. Not exactly the most brilliant choice, but it seemed like it could work if anyone knew where they were going.

We checked the map again, this time focusing on the western part of the building, where we would start our search. We descended a few more floors and came across an entrance that was slightly ajar. “What’s up with this door?” I mumbled to myself as I pushed it open. We slipped inside, finding ourselves in a dimly lit room. There were seats arranged haphazardly, and a couple of workspaces scattered around.

“Turn on the lights,” Mr. Drails muttered.

I reached for the light switch, but the darkness was thick, and I couldn’t find it at first. Then, after a moment, the lights flickered on, and the room came into view.

I quickly scanned the space and noticed a worktable against the far wall. There was a book on the table, filled with notes and scribbles. I decided to take a closer look when something caught my eye. Another door, tucked away in the corner of the room.

Mr. Drails, seeing me glance at it, grunted. “We should keep moving.” He pointed toward the door.

We slipped through, and it wasn’t long before we encountered a guard. We shut the door quietly and ducked into a corner, waiting for him to pass.

I peeked around, watching as he veered to the left.

“Come on,” Mr. Drails whispered, nudging me to follow. We moved swiftly down the hall, but my heart skipped when I heard footsteps coming from ahead.

“There’s a path to the left,” I whispered.

“Nice thinking,” he replied, as we ducked into the side room just in time. Two guards passed by, and I could hear their boots clacking on the floor. My pulse raced as they walked by, but we stayed quiet. Once they were out of sight, I cracked the door and peeked out. They were gone.

“What’s over there?” I asked quietly, pointing to a hallway beyond the door.

Mr. Drails made a subtle gesture. “Maybe they’re keeping something important there.”

We moved on, our steps soft, making sure not to brush against the walls or make unnecessary noise. When we reached the next door, I pressed my ear against it. I didn’t hear anything, so I took a quick glance inside.

“It’s clear,” I said.

Mr. Drails raised an eyebrow. “This is starting to feel like a waste of time.”

We carefully checked the room, and as I stepped forward, my foot hit something metallic. The sound echoed through the space, and I froze. Mr. Drails stopped beside me. I glanced over at him, and we both turned back toward the door.

“What’s going on?” he asked, confused.

“I think I found something,” I said, my voice low. “There’s a hidden entrance here.”

I stepped forward again, pressing my foot to the floor. The same metallic sound echoed back at us. After a moment, I pushed on a section of the floor, revealing a set of stairs leading downward.

“I’m not so sure about this,” I said, hesitation in my voice.

“Too late now,” Mr. Drails muttered, already heading down.

We both descended cautiously, the air growing colder as we moved. My heart beat faster with each step, and I tried to ignore the unsettling feeling creeping up my spine. But then, I heard it—an eerie, low moan that sent a chill through my body.

I let out a startled cry, and Mr. Drails immediately grabbed my arm, his voice steady but irritated. “What’s wrong with you?”

“I heard something... someone,” I said, still on edge.

Mr. Drails let out a sigh. “Relax. It’s probably nothing. Let’s just keep moving.”

We pushed forward, but the moans didn’t stop. They grew louder, echoing off the walls. I felt a growing unease as we continued. The fear was overwhelming, and I couldn’t help myself—when I reached the bottom of the stairs, I screamed.

Just then, the lights flickered on, flooding the room with harsh light.

The sudden brightness hurt my eyes. I looked around, and there, sitting in the middle of the room, was a man. He had rugged stubble, dark, messy hair, and he was strapped to a chair with restraints around his wrists. His lab coat was faded and dirty, and he looked pale, almost sickly.

He met my gaze, and for a moment, I couldn’t move. His eyes were cold, calculating. “Who are you?” he asked in a voice that seemed almost too calm for the situation.

I stood frozen, unable to speak. Mr. Drails, sensing my hesitation, stepped forward.

“We’re here to help,” he said smoothly. “We’re... spies.”

The man raised an eyebrow. “Spies, huh? And what exactly do you want?”

“We’re here to get you out,” Mr. Drails said, his tone reassuring, but there was a sense of urgency behind it.

The man looked between us, then down at his restraints. “So, you’re part of EMO?” he asked.

“Yeah, we are,” Mr. Drails replied.

“Alright,” the man said slowly. “I’m Dr. Michael Jones. If you’re here to help, I need a way out.”

I glanced around the room, scanning for anything useful. Then I spotted a computer on a desk. I quickly moved toward it and powered it on. The screen flickered to life, showing a list of files. One was labeled “MP4,” and I clicked on it.

The video that appeared on the screen showed Dr. Jones, just like the man in front of me, sitting in a chair, strapped down. He was facing someone—Demeitrus Rocke, a man I recognized from the intel we had gathered.

“Hello, Dr. Michael Jones,” Rocke said, his voice low and mocking. “I hear you’re quite the expert. I could use someone like you on my team.”

Dr. Jones’s face twisted in disgust. “I’m not interested in your offer.”

Rocke smirked. “You’ll be after I’m done with you. Where is the Armonk?”

“I’ll never tell you,” Dr. Jones replied, his voice steady, despite the obvious fear in his eyes.

Rocke stepped closer, his smile fading. “You sure about that?”

“I’ll die before I betray my country,” Dr. Jones said firmly.

Rocke leaned in, almost amused. “We’ll see about that.”

The video cut off abruptly, leaving a heavy silence in the room. I glanced at the man, his face a mirror of the one I had just seen on the screen.

“So, they’re going to kill you?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Dr. Jones nodded, but there was no fear in his eyes—just determination. “I won’t give them the Armonk. I’d rather die.”

Mr. Drails moved closer, his voice calm but serious. “We need to know where the Armonk is. We can’t stop Rocke without it.”

Dr. Jones shook his head. “I can’t. I won’t.”

Mr. Drails sighed, but there was no time for further persuasion. Just as we were about to leave, Dr. Jones called out.

“Wait.”

We turned, surprised.

“There’s an island,” he said, voice tight. “It’s under U.S. jurisdiction. Only our system can find it. I’ll give you the coordinates.”

I breathed a sigh of relief. “Give us the directions.”

Dr. Jones wrote them down, and Mr. Drails tucked the note into his pocket. But before we could make our move, the sound of guards’ footsteps echoed down the hall. We ducked into a nearby room, only to find ourselves face-to-face with Demeitrus Rocke, his smile wide and smug.

“Did you really think you’d get away with this?” he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “We’ve been watching.”

Dr. Jones’s face fell, his last shred of hope slipping away. Rocke nodded to the guards. “Take them. We’re done here.”

And just like that, everything we had worked for seemed to crumble.