INT- Conference Room - 7 PM
The room was bathed in a soft blue glow, with its sleek, two-way aqua-colored mirrors reflecting the high-tech atmosphere. It was a space that had seen its fair share of intense moments—sometimes used for interrogations, sometimes for brainstorming, always for work that demanded precision and sharp minds.
Erion, deep in thought, stood in front of the glass board, where a map and plans were projected, meticulously making notes and continuously adjusting the diagram. His focus was unwavering as he worked through the details of his mission, the weight of the task pressing on him as the minutes ticked by.
A knock at the door broke his concentration.
"Come in," he called, without looking up, his voice calm but tinged with exhaustion.
The figure who stepped into the room didn't need an invitation to catch his attention.
"Still busy? It's past working hours, Major." Riko leaned casually in the doorway, his posture relaxed, yet his presence commanding. The playful glint in his eyes contrasted sharply with the usual tension of the environment.
It was Riko, the head of the Innovation Department. His calm demeanor didn't quite match the genius behind his piercing intellect. One hand absentmindedly twirled a small fidget toy, the rhythmic click and spin of it a soothing background to the otherwise tense atmosphere. His fingers moved with the precision of someone who had perfected the action, a physical manifestation of his need to keep his mind occupied while he analyzed everything around him.
Riko's lab coat, plain and unassuming, contrasted with his sharp, analytical nature. It was a simple garment, but he wore it as if it were armor, a symbol of his constant immersion in the world of data, experimentation, and groundbreaking innovation. His blonde hair was always perfectly groomed, his sharp, polished appearance a stark contrast to the whirlwind of genius that constantly churned in his mind.
With an IQ of 200, Riko wasn't just brilliant—he was the kind of mind that could leave most people in awe. His intellect was the kind that challenged others to keep up, but it was always Erion who stood beside him, matching his intellect step for step. Though their paths had diverged after their shared education at the same prestigious school, their bond was irrefutable, an unspoken connection that transcended professional respect.
To Erion, Riko wasn't just a colleague. He was his best friend, someone who had been a constant presence in his life, a figure who had offered guidance and camaraderie in equal measure. More than that, Riko was like an older brother—one who, despite his laid-back manner, always had Erion's best interests in mind, often offering perspectives that shaped Erion's decisions and actions.
"Why are you still here as well, Doctor?" Erion asked with a grin, his tone light, though the weight of his work never quite left his shoulders.
Riko, as always, was fiddling with his fidget toy, his fingers clicking it with absent precision, but he didn't immediately respond. Occasionally, he'd slip on his reading glasses—small, round lenses that gave him an even sharper look, as if he could see right through any puzzle, any mystery. Riko was three years older than Erion, and his experience had shaped him into a figure that Erion both admired and leaned on.
Riko raised an eyebrow, leaning against the doorframe with that same casual demeanor that Erion had come to expect from him. "I could ask you the same thing," he said, his tone light but with a knowing edge. "You've been here for hours. You need a break, Major."
Erion didn't answer right away, his mind still turning over the complex problem in front of him. But Riko's presence, steady and grounding, was a reminder that he wasn't alone in this. It was these moments, when the weight of responsibility seems unbearable, that Erion realized how much he relied on the friendship they shared.
Erion leaned back, allowing the silence to envelop him, but the heaviness in his chest lingered, refusing to ease.
"I've got some bad news," Riko said, his voice devoid of the usual lightness. He sat across from Erion, his expression serious.
"Is this about the operation on Perigo Cube?" Erion asked, pausing mid-motion, his hand hovering over the glass board where his plans were laid out. His mind was already racing through possibilities.
Riko nodded, the gravity of the situation weighing on him. "By checking the autopsy reports and analyzing the substances found in the victims' bodies, it's clear. The same compound you found in the lab is present. Based on my analysis, I believe this project is still in its early stages. The team collected seven different samples, and when I cross-examined their compositions, I discovered they all contained the same core ingredients—just in varying proportions."
Riko placed a black-sealed envelope on the table, his motion deliberate. It was more than just a document—it was a symbol of the heavy reality they were facing. The quiet confidence in his voice contrasted sharply with the tension in the room, as if the weight of his findings alone could alter the course of everything they knew.
Riko always had a way of simplifying things, but Erion knew better. The calm, detached way he spoke masked the intense research and countless hours of work it took to reach these conclusions. Riko wasn't just pulling answers out of thin air—he was systematically untangling a web of secrets that nobody had any right to uncover.
"They're still figuring out the right formula," Erion muttered, his mind haunted by the glowing tubes he'd seen that day—the memory like a persistent, gnawing ache in the back of his mind. He leaned forward, gripping the edge of the chair as the pieces began to fall into place. This wasn't just science—it was something much darker.
"How about the microchips inside it?" Erion's voice cut through the silence, urgency in his tone. His eyes narrowed as he focused on Riko, searching for the missing link. The question seemed simple, but the implications were far more complex. Those chips weren't just technology; they were pivotal to everything they were uncovering.
"I'm still running tests," Riko replied, his tone unhurried despite the stakes. He absentmindedly flicked his fidget toy, a subtle gesture that hinted at his need for mental engagement in the midst of crisis. "The manufacturer isn't listed—likely in-house production from whoever is behind this. It'll take time to confirm. But here's what we've got so far." He slid the black envelope across the table, its sleek exterior hiding the chaos of the truth inside.
"They injected people with something still in development?" Erion's voice dropped to a quiet growl, disbelief turning to something darker. His hand ran through his hair, frustration building with every passing second. "What kind of monsters would risk that kind of experimentation?" His words were heavy with anger, the weight of the situation pressing him deeper into his chair. The thought of human lives being manipulated for a project that wasn't even finished was almost too much to bear.
Riko's eyes flickered with something like restrained bitterness, though his expression remained cool. "You know how these organizations treat people like lab rats," he said, his voice carrying an edge that spoke volumes. He removed his reading glasses and tucked them into the pocket of his lab coat, his fingers lingering briefly on the frames, the action almost absentminded—yet it betrayed a crack in his composed demeanor.
"Because of this, the antidote could take longer to develop. We need to pinpoint which substance was injected into the victim. Honestly, she's fortunate to be alive."
Erion leaned back, absorbing the weight of the case. His mind quickly switched gears, analyzing the complex layers of the situation, but the lingering uncertainty remained.
"I know. She has a very resourceful friend," Erion replied, a wry smile tugging at his lips. He flicked his gaze to his laptop, refocusing on the mission.
"Is she the assistant you promised?" Riko asked, his tone tinged with curiosity.
"She just ran off this afternoon, but don't worry, she'll be back. I also need her for the deciphering.
"Are you sure she's good?" Riko asked with a sly grin, tapping his pen in rhythm.
Erion paused, his fingers lingering on the keys as he glanced up at Riko.
"She bugged a dead phone. You haven't done that, have you?" Erion said, his voice almost teasing.
Riko paused mid-spin, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Well, yes," he admitted reluctantly, his usual confidence flickering.
"And she penetrated the Order's security system effortlessly," Erion added, his voice laced with a quiet admiration.
Riko's gaze sharpened. "Are you saying she's better than me?"
"No," Erion replied, standing up to face him. "I just need to check if she's truly innocent. I have my suspicions."
"Inferior motives. Got it," Riko said with a laugh.
"Now, go on. I'm still working," Erion said, giving Riko a gentle shove toward the door, eager to return to his task.
"Come on, just one drink outside!" Riko insisted, slinging an arm around Lion's neck.
"No time," Erion replied with a casual yet firm tone. "If you're going to be awake this late, you might as well be working. Work on the antidote." He said it with a teasing edge, though the seriousness behind his words was unmistakable.
"Yeah, yeah, I'll get to it! Can't you take a break for just a second?" Riko grinned, not missing a beat.
Erion smiled back, fully aware of the answer to that question.
"How do you know she'll come back?" Riko asked, curiosity sparking in his eyes.
"She'll need the money," Erion answered nonchalantly, but there was a quiet confidence beneath his words.
Without warning, Erion swiftly pulled Riko's arm from around him, locking it behind his back in a smooth aikido move, a technique he'd perfected years ago. "Can you go now?" he asked, his face a mixture of amusement and mild impatience.
"Ah! Alright, I'll stop! Let go!" Riko winced in pain as Erion released him, his face scrunching in discomfort.
Erion took a step back, grinning mischievously. "Don't come barging in here again," he teased, his tone light but carrying the weight of a playful threat.
Riko rolled his shoulder, still feeling the lingering ache. "Get me that assistant, and I'll keep quiet after that," he grumbled, rubbing the sore spot where Erion had locked his arm.
"I swear, one of these days, he's going to break me with one of his jokes," Riko muttered under his breath, chuckling despite the discomfort.
INT. CGO International Hospital
The cold, metallic hue of the room unnerved Yuka, its sterile walls closing in on her. She hadn't realized just how much the atmosphere would weigh on her until now. But she couldn't afford to let it show. Not now. Not with everything on the line. For Evah. For the people. She had to remain strong, and she had to uncover the true culprit behind everything—no matter the cost.
"Miss Iekami, how are you feeling today?"