Bzzzzt! Bzzzzt! Bzzzzt!

  Three long distinct pings announced me that I had received a high priority message. True enough as I pulled my phone out there was a small tell-tale red little light that signified I had received such a notification.

  Priority Message:

  Operator Tacet. Please report to the briefing room at 11:25 AM.

  -Doctor Kal'tsit.

  Hmm. Haven't had one of these in a while. Something must have gone seriously off the rails, again. At this point it had been little over a month since the advanced operations course had ended. To which I could proudly say that everyone graduated with flying flags, including Adnachiel.

  I arrived earlier and found Kal'tsit standing beside the Doctor of Rhodes. A few other operators soon joined, and I quickly noticed they were all of the higher tier. Projekt Red, Rangers, Provence, Instructor Dobermann, Frostleaf, Firewatch, Saria, Executor, Scavenger, and the rarely seen Ascalon herself.

  -I'm glad you all could come on such a short notice. We have a situation that needs immediate attention. Instructor Dobermann, operator Tacet. I am sorry to inform you that one of your students had gone rogue.

  -''Please expand doctor.'' I replied.

  -This morning we have discovered the dead bodies of two staff members and one reserve operator.

  -Studying the video-security footage we have come to the conclusion that operator Baskamov is the perpetrator of the murders.

  -''Apprehended?'' Inquired operator Dobermann.

  -''Escaped.'' Kal'tsit replied coldly.

  -''Dire news for the landship then.'' Said Saria.

  -''Not only that but the manpower needed to solve this situation is very limited.'' Added the Doctor.

  I already wasn't liking where this was going. And I already felt the bothersome tiredness of the chore that was about to be possibly given to me.

  -So we have an escaped murderer. I presume we need to apprehend him depending on how far our jurisdiction goes?

  -''This is no ordinary murderer operator Tacet. And it is not a simple matter for Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals either.'' Kal'tsit began.

  -We have a high tier operator on the loose. Not only was he registered as a Rhodes Island employee but a resident here.

  -Wherever he will go, and wherever he will take life again it will reflect from poorly to disastrously to R.I. depending on the amount of death he will bring.

  -''How did this all happen? Why did it even happen in the first place?'' Asked Frostleaf, one who also finished the advanced course.

  -We have reason to believe he suspected that a certain information might have surfaced to our attention. Which prompted him to take his leave in the dead of night.

  -Killing three people before taking one of the long distance jeeps to secure his exit.

  -''Sounds like he was in a rush to escape. What did you dug up in the first place?'' I asked.

  -Former operator Baskamov comes from a troubled area of Ursus. That was before the Chernobog incident.

  -That landship was the only connection and major supplier of food and material for an already impoverished and isolated region.

  -Through a mutual security cooperation, criminalistics data is shared between Rhodes Island and Ursus.

  -And recently some reports have come to our attention regarding several dozen suspected murders in that troubled region. Which might all be connected to one perpetrator.

  -One from which preliminary data we have leads us to believe the possibility that Baskamov is the said perpetrator.

  -''How long is the casualty list?''

  -Supposed murders that are attributed to him are many and of various ages. The methods are also varied, from disappearances to the discoveries of brutal murder scenes.

  -The victims were from a wide region as well, locals, couriers, messengers, supply carriers and more.

  -Doctor Kal'tsit. You said this region was remote and poor. The Ursus government wouldn't have given a damn about it if someone higher up wasn't affected in some way by these strings of murders.

  At that comment Frostleaf turned her gaze towards me, and it was an indisposed one.

  -Indeed. An officer of a regional garrison was found brutally butchered outside of what was supposed to be a routine patrol.

  -The military bureau at first suspected disgruntled soldiers, and then the locals of the nearest village.

  -''I presume the murders continued even after they razed the village?'' I continued with Kal'tsit.

  -They did. Two more officers and four corporals went missing. Most of them never being found again.

  -Persecutions against the locals of the region continued, but after the Chernobog devastation all military assets within and near that region were withdrawn.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  -''Much to the survivors ease I bet. They would probably rather deal with just one murderer.'' I added.

  -''Does the sanctity of life matter so little there?'' Asked Frostleaf only half rhetorically.

  -''You should know how the outside world is Frostleaf. You've come from such a merciless place yourself.'' I said as placatingly as my usual uncaring self could fake.

  -''It is because I've seen what the world is that I care!'' She replied hotly.

  -You care for change. I understand that.

  -And your voice is cold despite the words of comfort you utter. How merciless was the place you've come from?

  I was taken aback by the turn of what was supposed to be a briefing.

  -''It was a place beyond any mercy.'' I answered after a small pause, ending the subject there. ''I think we can grasp the true severity of the situation now doctor Kal'tsit.''

  -''If it is found out, and it will be found out, that Rhodes Island has trained a criminal to the level of an elite special force. Rhodes Island could even expect to face retribution from the entire Ursus nation.'' Added Saria.

  -Operator Saria is correct. That is why I have called everyone present here. This former operator needs to be tracked down and apprehended, dead or alive.

  -Unfortunately you will not form a team as some may have expected. Several volatile situations are brewing that are to affect Rhodes Island directly.

  -''I would normally need all of you, at the very least I would need most of you.'' Doctor Kal'tsit had revealed.

  -''I counsel you to set aside only one to be chosen for this matter doctor Kal'tsit. I would also plead for you to reserve aside for me Project Red for the other sensitive matter which we had discussed previously, if it is possible.'' The Doctor himself spoke.

  -As you see. The need for experienced operators is great. I would prefer volunteers if there are any before I select myself.

  -What can you tell us of the mission parameters doctor Kal'tsit?

  -Former operator is suspected to have fled to a nearby regional landship which currently connects several trade routes with Lungmen and Ursus.

  -He could have gone either way. Lungmen would present an opportunity to get lost into a large crowd with ample access to both the services of the underworld. As well as the possibility of procuring transportation to even farther landships.

  -Ursus on the other hand, while a wanted man there, presents a large and sparsely populated country in which he could easily avoid detection. It is his nation of birth after all.

  -And he would know best how to handle his steps there out of all places. However, time is running short as his trace will soon go cold.

  -''Anyone?'' Inquired Kal'tsit.

  To my stupor Provence had stepped up along with Frostleaf, Rangers and Dobermann. The next second after that I came forward, one step ahead of them all. Even though I had no particular inclination to straighten out Rhodes Island's fuck-ups I wouldn't let Provence take up this burden.

  It's not that I didn't trust her. But I preferred her to be out of harm's way. Preferably out of the way of someone who might be skinning people alive for pleasure. The thought of losing her... no. Some things I would never again leave to chance or fate.

  -''There's no need for anyone to volunteer. I will go.'' I said with a voice which left no doubt to its absoluteness. And I kept my vision focused solely on Kal'tsit. Poised to avoid leaving any suspicion to my true motives to the others.

  -I know this will mean having to put off your week-long leave for a third time operator Tacet, we-...

  -''Postpone it, it can wait.'' I said sharply, cutting off the Doctor of Rhodes.

  -I value your support for this delicate matter. However, as the current figure of authority in Amiya's place I shall name the operator to take up this task.

  A few tense moments passed, sighing before Kal'tsit finally spoke again.

  -Very well. You can take the mantle of this mission operator Tacet. Though I'd rest easier if I knew you had a partner by your side in this perilous hunt.

  -I know that Rhodes Island is facing several difficult situations now, doctor Kal'tsit. I can handle this matter alone.

  I could almost literally feel the disapproving eyes boring into my back. For embracing all this risk greedily to myself from all the other operators gathered.

  -Are you certain of this, operator Tacet?

  -I can carry it to the end Doctor, rest assured in my abilities.

  -''What about the lone wolf dying and the pack surviving?!'' Frostleaf lashed out.

  -''We do not live in a world where we can always afford the commodity that the safety of a pack would bring.'' I replied with a neutral but understanding tone.

  -''What a load of crap!'' Was her response.

  -''With all due respect, I have to agree with her sentiment on this doctor Kal'tsit.'' Spoke instructor Dobermann.

  -''Yet my decision remains unchanged.'' Kal'tsit spoke calmly but with a finality. Yet, after a few moments she continued.

  -''Instructor Dobermann. Believe me when I say that I know the impact that this news might have had on you.

  -To have one of your own pupils, your own student derail so opposite of what Rhodes Island fights for.

  -I know how affecting it can be...'' She trailed off. With a voice that seemingly had a reminiscence of an almost identical betrayal but which went so much deeper.

  -The Doctor shall issue you all with missions in dire need to be fulfilled before long. I suggest you all leave to prepare. Operator Tacet. We shall discuss the details shortly.

  -''Don't you go die a hero now.'' Said Frostleaf in a mellowed tone. And I gave an ironic laugh.

  -''Hah, hero?... What a bad joke.'' I said, too dangerously delving close to memories of old.

  -Rest assured. I don't have any intention of dying just yet Frostleaf.

  Well, fuck me... he actually did skin people alive for a pastime as I found out.

  Seems like this fella was quite busy before he came to Rhodes Island. Suspected acts of cannibalism. Horrific mutilation and skinning of his victims. Apparent ''live hunts'' of his victims in the wilderness. The file on him from the Ursian security services was not a thin one. All in all it was worse than I thought.

  By the info I studied from his criminal file I could deduce that this was a sharp mind at work. He wasn't rushed, he wasn't cocky. He did all he did with logic, and covered his tracks well. He had patience for getting things done. And this calculated psychopath was the best student from the advanced course. We trained a literal bloody maniac into a deadly high tier operator.

  The blunder of the department who was in charge of checking backgrounds screwed up royally. I guess I should have heeded the signs as well. Baskamov was always a bit off. In a way that he was different, but did well to fit in. Yet there was always something wrong that my subconscious recognised to which the consciousness couldn't quite grasp.

  Now he was a problem. My problem unfortunately. He would pose a danger for any experienced field operator coming after him. And if I learned anything in my fucked up life is that no one was infallible. If I wasn't careful I could very well lose my own skin as well.

  Provence was outside the meeting room, waiting for me. I expected that, and as I approached I could well see her frown of disapproval.

  -Why did you volunteer alone? You could have asked for at least one operator to accompany you!

  -It's a job like any other. And I will get it done.

  -Let me come with you.

  -You have your own assignments. Trust that I will handle this one as well as the others before.

  -Like you handled it that one time when Texas and I had to carry your unconscious body to the evac truck?

  -Why did you even volunteer? You are a catastrophe messenger. Not a bounty hunter.

  -Being a messenger all these long years means acquiring a lot of skills in order to stay alive. Tracking down bandits and dangerous people are one of them.

  -Even so the job is now assigned to me.

  -You can still go back to Kal'tsit and propose me as a partner.

  -I will not. I am going to handle it alone.

  -Cassiel.

  -Are we going to fight over this Provence?

  She remained silent, and then turned her back to me.

  -''Provence.'' I spoke with a softer tone. ''I don't want us to depart on bad terms.''

  I grasped her unsurely, but she wouldn't protest. I turned her around, and I saw a less upset but a more worried visage. She would say nothing but avoid my stare for long moments before I convinced her to relent. The departure from her would be a lukewarm one but nevertheless on good will for each other.

  I requisitioned a nondescript long voyage jeep. Filling it with enough supplies for what seemed to be a very long mission. The large hangar bay doors opened slowly, and I headed out into the wasteland.

  The wind was beating against my way, and the clouds were ominously red in the background of the sun at that end of the day.