The Forest and Night: On The Edge of Truth

01

"You reckless idiot!" Blaze yelled. The explosion was that strong that made whole building to almost collapse, big cloud of dust ate surroundings. FBI team ducked down, trying to save their faces and lungs from chaos.
Few moments later smoke went down, Blaze raised his head up, scanning around "Where the hell is she?", he asked himself before getting up and dragging Aster with him.

"Slow down man, my arm isn't made of stone!" Aster cried as Blaze continued dragging him, looking for her. Both man scanned area looking for her, "Sometimes I wonder if she is a cat or ghost. That woman is invincible!" Aster scoffed, shaking his head, but Blaze didn't say anything, "But I gotta admit, she has a style.", Aster chuckled softly, walking behind Blaze. Others from team already entered now ruins of the building, taking down all suspects that were there. One by one was rescued by each FBI agent, their head tucked down and wrists handcuffed. "Keep it moving!", one of agents yelled to suspect who was trying to get his wrists free.

Blaze glanced at other agents, before looking towards ruined building again, "I swear, if she doesn't get out in one piece-" he started saying, but Aster cut him out "Calm down, mate." he said and gestured with his hand to one direction "Our SAIC is here" Aster chuckled softly. Blaze turned his head and let sigh of relief, his steps quickened, "Are you out of your goddamn mind, Marla?!" he said as he shook her shoulders, "You scared the living shit out of us!- You can't just go around placing bombs like that!".

Marla gently took away his hands from her shoulder, "Relax. Nobody got hurt and mission is done." she said, her voice professional but also cold.

Aster chuckled slightly, wrapping his arm around her shoulder "You know, if I didn't know better, I would say that you have like nine lives!", he shot her knowing look of admiration "But after all... You aren't Special Agent in Charge without a reason.". Without another word, she started walking towards the special FBI car, Aster and Blaze following behind her quietly. FBI team was big, with a-lot of agents, but the three of them were always the 'Black Sheep'. Director Lux and higher ups were aware of their dynamics as team, with Marla's leading skills, and Aster's and Blaze's fighting skills. Director Lux never publicly mentioned about his praises towards dynamic team, but even he knew that they were unstoppable. For such young people with so many  different abilities, it was hard not to notice how their work was good, if not even best out of all agents. Other agents hated them though. Especially one of the female agents, Gloria. Her tantrums and anger were very familiar to the team, especially to Marla. The team was standing by car, while Marla was writing down report of the mission. Aster and Blaze were next to her, their arms crossed as they kept watchful eye on Gloria, "I still can't believe I dated THAT on academy." Aster confessed, looking at Blaze for a second and then back at Gloria who was giving them disgusted eyes.

"Well, my friend, you never had taste for women." Blaze stated, his brow slightly raised as he glanced at Aster.

"Oh don't even get started, Blaze." Aster shook his head, "Somebody should've punched me in the face that day I said she is pretty.". Gloria gave them one last look before walking away to others, Blaze and Aster exchanged glances, shaking their heads. Marla continued writing down report, she knew Gloria very well but didn't bother to argue with that stubborn narcissist.
Sirens could be heard all around as suspects were dragged into cars, giving reports, answering questions... Area was already surrounded with reports from all news, people were standing and looking at the ruined building, taking pictures and wondering what happened. -"Right now, we are standing outside building that was center of high technology business, called 'Feng's device'... As we find out, FBI team members took down whole business. Apparently, founder of this company was a mafia leader..." reporter was saying to camera for national television. Few citizens came in-front of camera and started freaking out in panic, "This city isn't safe anymore!" yelled one woman, "We can't even let our kids outside without worrying anymore!" another woman added, "This government is going to ruin us all!" man yelled.

"This is chaos! Pure chaos!" Director Lux was walking in circles around his office while news were heard in background. Main FBI team was in office with him, they all exchanged glances before looking back at him. "Citizens are blaming us because number of mafias jumped for thirty precent!" Lux slammed his hand on desk "I'm absolutely disappointed in all of you! This is not how FBI agents work! I didn't hire all of you to sit on your asses and watch city from above!" he yelled again.

Blaze took a deep breath, "Sir, we are doing everything we can." he said with calm voice, "We've been working nonstop for two months straight.". Other agents nodded in agreement with him, "Citizens are always going to complain, no matter what we do or don't do." Aster added, with slight nod, "And news are always going against us and government. They are like water to boiling oil.".

Lux didn't even listened to their words, when he shoved the radio to the floor, "I do not care! If I don't see any progress in a week, you all are fired! Dismissed!" he yelled once again, signaling that this is the end of meeting. Everyone stood up and started to walk out of director's office, giving him one last worried glances. As soon as everyone left to hall, whispering could be heard from agents, quiet hushes were covering long hall. Blaze and Aster were walking on each side of Marla. They were quiet, but the determination and focused professionalism was visible in their eyes.