Viper: The Official Remaster

Chapter 11: Flux

Ryker crossed the street, shielding his eyes from the ongoing rain and finding Sam waiting underneath a roofed bus stop. He nodded to Ryker, letting it be a grim confirmation something had happened. Ryker had gotten a phone call from him after he'd returned home from the Arena, urgently requesting they meet. "Nøkk" was the only word of topic Sam had elected to share.

Offering a quick handshake, Ryker and Sam both departed, speaking quietly as they took to the warm, damp sidewalk.

Viper: Sam, what's-

Sam: She's fine, kid. Spooked, but fine.

The subtle boom of distant thunder complimented the stormy ambiance as Sam motioned Ryker they started to jog.

Sam: Someone's been to her place.

Questions barraged Ryker's head from every angle as the two rounded the corner and onto Nøkk's road. Several trucks and squad cars barricaded the street, complete with armored patrols wading through the sea of vehicles.

Viper: What the hell did they take?

Sam: Not take. It's what they left. Come on, it's best I just show you.

"Kirin, what the fuck are you planning..." echoed through his head as they approached the scene. Deep blue and cherry red painted half the block. Nearly there, several NATO soldiers dressed in gray camo stopped them, only letting them through when the sergeant gave the go-ahead. Unsurprisingly, the security only thickened the closer Sam and Ryker got to Nøkk's house.

The front door was wide open, Ryker spotting more than a few people walking around inside, while others handled dogs sniffing around the outside perimeter. Walking into the house and towards the kitchen, Ryker could see Nøkk in full gear, leaning forward with her hands pressed onto the countertop.

Sam: Like I said, kid, she's fine, but-

Viper: Sam, I'm as worried as anyone else, but I still don't think I have the jurisdiction to even be here.

They stopped at the kitchen entrance, Sam keeping his voice low as he saw Nøkk spot and start to walk towards them out of the corner of his eye.

Sam: I'm here on behalf of Rainbow as the senior advisor. I have to be involved with all of this. You're here because...

Nøkk: Ryker...

Sam: Well, she asked for you to be.

Nøkk moved quickly, locking Ryker into an embrace as he turned, leaving Sam to finish his sentence and greet several of the armored investigators in the room adjacent.

Viper: Hey you. Unwanted company?

She slipped her arms from around his neck before producing a broken camera.

Nøkk: An unwanted gift. Found on my kitchen table. No recordings, no prints. It could be a prank or a warning.

Viper: Hell of a joke. What are your next steps?

Nøkk: That's for Sam and Harry to decide. Scans show no electronics other than my own. They could've done some damage but instead decided to alert all of Little Ottawa of their stunt.

Ryker turned, observing Sam talking to Harry, the director of Rainbow more than thoroughly soaked through his now-matted business attire.

Nøkk: Thank you for coming. Honestly.

Viper: Like I'd leave you hanging.

Ryker turned to her, giving her an eye roll and taking a punch to the shoulder in response. In his peripheral, both Sam and Harry started to dismiss the investigators, momentarily gifting Nøkk and Ryker several seconds of peace.