The audio tape clicked and whirred as the recording played.
The admiral cleared her throat before she spoke into the microphone. "Alright Agents. You will be dropped in the crossroads zone in Eden 227, collect samples of the infection, and attempt to secure the area for the Agency. This operation will be no longer than 10 days.""The inhabitants of Eden, as you may know, share a viral infection called "Auditory Dysfunction Syndrome (ADS)" colloquially known as Aurora's Craze. Its symptoms are mainly coughing, and tinnitus, However, at later stages it can manifest as white pupils, psychosis, and hysteria." The admiral audibly paused and changed her tone, she cleared her throat once more and spoke. "I know that agents who are natives have a resistance to the disease... but please, wear your respiratory gear." She paused again before she continued the debrief.
"Your base of operations is the blue warehouse located in the south of the A.O. It is automatically sterilized, and is considered a safe zone-"The admiral was interrupted in her speech, her assistant, quietly interjected, "Admiral Olga... There was news that the base was raided some time ago." Tension filled the air, as the admiral breathed heavily, she composed herself and replied, "What do you mean... raided?"
"T... They raided the base... all the guns and food are gone."
"And what of team Delta?"
"All dead, ma'am."
The admiral sighed.
"Ma'am?" the assistant said with anxiety in his voice.
"We cannot have this happen. Team Epsilon must be sent immediately."
The admiral paced around the room, clicking a pen repeatedly.
"Are there any intel on the raiders?" The officer said. "This cannot be just a regular raider event, someone is seizing control and undermining our efforts on Eden."
"Uh-huh..." The sound of an AGENT menu was heard, and the assistant closed and opened tabs rapidly to examine any information. A video recording of the incident is holographically displayed, and the rapid fire of exchanging gunshots can be heard.
"The leader seems to be... is that... AGENT Yosef...?" The assistant was shocked, and the admiral stopped clicking her pen.
"I- I thought you said Team Delta-"
"Yosef was Team Gamma, He was deemed MIA."
The admiral sighed and whispered, "God damn it..."
She spoke again, "Epsilon's got some work to do. You have some too, Saffron."
"Me?" Her assistant blurted out in confusion.
"Yes. This assignment is classified. Nobody must know about this. You're going to-" The admiral stopped talking. She paces to the table and shuts off the audio tape.The cassette tape clicked again and the recording stopped playing.
YOU ARE READING
Aurora's Craze
Science FictionEden 227 is a barren, frostbitten wasteland. A plague has gone rampant causing mass psychosis and hysteria among the remaining population. Team Epsilon must collect samples and discover the truth behind the loss of Team Delta. [Author's note] this i...