Viper: The Official Remaster

Chapter 1: Twin Fangs

Viper's heart beat in rhythm with the clock, ticking the seconds by as one of the interviewers across from him flipped through his files, all under the single light dimly illuminating the room. One, two, three. Viper could sense the weapons trained on him, as well as feel the glare from the woman in the far corner, cupping and coddling her broken nose with a cold sneer.

His nose itched and his stomach rumbled, such minor discomforts voicing their shallow opinions as the interviewer to the left started to talk, Viper pinning a subtle Indonesian accent to his tanned hands.

???: I'd like to begin. Could you please state your name, height, and your age? In doing so, you'll be consenting to our interview process, as well as a psych-

Viper: Ryker West. Twenty-seven years of age. One point eight meters in height. Americans would say 6ft.

???: Ryker. A governmental name? Or self-given?

Viper: I don't think that matters.

???: Very well. It would appear this plan of careful extraction went off rather well. A concussion to one of my operatives and a bullet wound to another is concerning, however.

Viper: I'll admit to the concussion but I didn't-

???: Fire the bullet. I know. We'll call this a debriefing as well as a psychological exam. I want to know what happened from your point of view.

Viper: Sounds fair. But I'd like to make a request.

The silhouettes turned to each other, then back to Ryker as the Indonesian man spoke again.

???: Which is?

Viper: Let's drop the formality, starting with names. You know mine and I know yours. Actually, I know quite a bit more than that, Dr. Harishva.

The shadow didn't move, as if he was letting Ryker press him further.

Viper: Us White Masks... We're not just a bunch of thugs. Not the edgy punks you think we are. I hope you don't think we added the "Syndicate" part at the end because we thought it was cute.

Dr. Harishva's fingertips tapped against the lone illuminated spot in the middle of the table, drinking in what Ryker had to say.

Viper: It's an organization. Four Captains. Leaders. There's order in the White Mask Syndicate. Laws, and a hierarchy in place to enforce those laws. That's what makes it dangerous.

The doctor leaned forward, letting the light illuminate his glasses.

Dr. Harishva: And you betrayed them all, Mr. West. My operator Mongoose, would you have let him go, had he not been able to procure this arrangement?

Ryker's storm-grey eyes found the table as his heartbeat began to accelerate.

Viper: I would've. A pretty worthless question, Doctor. Silva did end up getting me a deal.

Dr. Harishva: It was a question of curiosity more than substance, Mr. West. Let me ask you, why did you take it? The deal, I mean.

Ryker leaned back as far as his chains would let him, closing his eyes and letting a wave of anxiety start to clot his veins. Ten seconds passed before he spoke, still attempting to find the select words.

Viper: Because I couldn't leave the Syndicate without my head leaving my shoulders. Then, it turns out my friend is a double agent who says he can get me out... Sounded too good to be true.

Ryker motioned for a small styrofoam cup of water, holding onto his sentence until the rather needed drink finished traveling down his throat.

Dr. Harishva: Tell me why you joined them.