"About two hundred meters ahead, there are around five to seven guards. It's unclear what weapons they have, maybe pistols or..." Fai's words were interrupted by a loud noise coming from the opposite direction. Fai furrowed his brow and looked at the left side of his headset, then glanced at his microphone.
"Zen? Can you hear me?" Fai repeated to make sure that Zen was still connected to him. He looked at the screen; Zen's badge was still lit, indicating that Zen was alive and well. The badge attached to each member was a substitute for signals. If the indicator light remained bright, it meant the Fighter was alive and in good condition. If the badge indicator lit up but appeared dim, it meant the Fighter was in danger or injured. However, if the indicator went off, it meant the Fighter was killed on the spot or had betrayed the mission by removing the badge.
"Yes, I can hear you. There were nine people; I've taken care of them. So, where should I go next?" Zen's voice came along with the fading noise. Fai let out a heavy breath, silently praying for those who had become victims of their Fighter number one.
"Just go straight, then you'll come across the glass maze. Remember, you have to stay focused and don't listen to any sounds except mine. That way, you can easily navigate through the maze. Just listen to my voice."
Fai stared at the screen intently, knowing that Zen's success now rested in his hands, with a one hundred percent certainty.
***
White House, 3:00 PM
Zen walked with steady steps, neither hesitant nor fearful. He had already dispatched more than twenty people today. The young man with black eyes had set out early in the morning to initiate the surveillance, as he had only three hours to complete his mission.
At this moment, Zen had spent half an hour reaching the glass maze. He recalled Fai's words, instructing him to focus solely on Fai's guidance and to ignore all other sounds.
A door stood before him, unlocked and slightly ajar. Zen pushed it open swiftly and was greeted by a room filled with glass panels artfully arranged. He stood in place, observing his surroundings and ensuring his mind and heart were at peace. Navigating through the maze would prove difficult if panic set in. However, he knew that maintaining a calm demeanor and emotional control were crucial.
Zen took slow steps, and multiple reflections of himself began to appear. The cold air from the room's air conditioning pierced every inch of his skin. He adjusted the earphones in his ears to make them fit more snugly before continuing to move forward.
"I'm searching for the route; I need three minutes. Try not to move too much, but don't stay still either. Can you hear me clearly, Zen?"
Fai's voice echoed from the other side, and Zen let out a relieved breath. The only thing he feared about this mission was losing communication with Fai. The only thing that stirred his emotions was the glass. Zen despised glass and its reflective surfaces.
"Just hold on a moment, or you can even close your eyes until I find the way out," Fai spoke again, and Zen felt his focus waver upon hearing Fai's words. Unfortunately, their conversation was one-sided. The Fighters were only equipped with earphones to receive guidance from their backup. They were prohibited from speaking, as any sounds they emitted could potentially give away their position and jeopardize the success of the mission.
"Who's there!? Don't move! Take one more step, and we'll shoot!"
A voice resounded, the heavy tone of a man whose origin remained unclear. Zen disregarded the voice per Fai's instructions, and he resumed his slow progression.
"Get your weapons ready! The target isn't complying! Prepare to shoot!"
The second voice echoed, this time accompanied by other sounds. Footsteps and movements that seemed to draw closer to Zen, sounds so real and as if they were right beside him.
"Zen? Can you hear me? Ready your weapon. On the count of three, follow my directional cues and run. One, two, three... turn left now, a hundred meters ahead; turn right, fifty meters; keep going straight, two hundred meters..." Fai's orders came through with unwavering firmness and without pause. Fai was determined not to let his timing hinder Zen. That's why he always strived to ensure his partner had an easy time when working with him.
Zen sprinted without hesitation, continuing to move as directed by Fai. He paid no heed to the shouts threatening to rain bullets upon him or the shots that nearly deafened his ears.
Brak!
The glass labyrinth came to an end, and now the tall, slender young man found himself facing a door, along with several guards who immediately lunged at him. Zen holstered his pistol, favoring close combat given his prowess in that area compared to long-range engagement. His training in Systema and Kali Arnis was more than sufficient to give him the upper hand in close-quarter fights.
Deflecting enemy strikes, flipping kicks to send opponents crashing into walls were second nature to Zen, even when facing opponents of the highest caliber. His current focus was singular—complete everything in less than three hours.
Thud-
"Augh..."
"Eugh!"
Moans and muffled cries followed, a couple of enemies still standing and refusing to yield, but the rest had met their end. Zen glanced at his watch; it read 3:55. He had spent over an hour. Feeling time pressing against him, Zen aimed his pistol and dispatched each enemy with shots to their chests, ensuring none survived.
Zen moved forward, running toward the door ahead.
Clack-
Now, Zen stood at the culmination of his mission. Unintentionally, a wide grin stretched across his blood-stained face. The middle-aged man, balding with a bushy mustache, who sat trembling behind a desk, gawked as Zen approached. His eyes bulged, nearly popping out of their sockets. Even the cigar in the older man's mouth dropped, leaving his lips.
His overweight frame seemed sluggish, whether from fear or fat. The middle-aged man raised his hands high in the air.
"Don't... don't kill me. Who... who sent you? I... I'll pay you more! Ten times, no! A hundred times more than your current fee! Just for that...!"
Dor!
The man who marked the end of Zen's mission fell silent. He didn't even manage to finish his last sentence; Zen was too uninterested to listen. Holstering his pistol, Zen looked at his watch and then broke into a wide grin. His pale face glowed with excitement as he stepped out of the room, feeling lighter. Zen couldn't wait to return to the inn, meet Fai, and collect what had been promised.
°°°
Fai stared fixedly at the screen. The silver-haired youth whose hair fell to his shoulders took a relieved breath while also displaying a sense of disbelief.
"How did that kid manage to finish it in less than three hours? This trash-talker had spoken recklessly. I dared to bet against Zen. Well, Fai Detroit Florite, now it's time for you to stew in a book-filled prison with the book enthusiast because of your own foolish words. Hm... but it's not too bad. The kid managed to complete it successfully, and we'll get the bonus."