QUARTZ [Coming Soon]

Prologue: Faster than Lightning

Prologue: Faster than Lightning

The thing in life is… Just when you thought everything was perfect, that’s when it goes so wrong. It’s normal, they say. Life is unpredictable after all.

Today was just another day. I stopped at the coffee shop before I head to work, I ate a large burger with my co-workers during lunch, everyone was doing a good job and everything was so normal, you wouldn’t even suspect that something bad is about to happen. But it did anyway.

With a map of the paths inscribed in my thoughts, I ran along the dark hallways of my workplace, along with my co-workers. On their arms were rifles, with flashlights as their attachments. I can see the path they illuminate, but I was going too far ahead. I can’t rely on them for lights. I just have to rely on my instincts.

At 7pm sharp, approximately 15 minutes ago, a computer virus attacked our system. It was such a strong program that none of my team of genius programmers were able to stop it from spreading. It spread like wildfire and in less than a minute, it crashed our systems, both the communications and the security system alike. They jammed our signals and have probably taken over the whole facility now. Despite the perfect infiltration, I heard nothing. Not a gunshot, not a glass breaking. What are they after, I wonder?

I continued to run to the control room to reboot the whole system, but who knows what could be awaiting me there. Normally, I would command the outside forces to secure the perimeter or find a culprit somehow, but with the radio jammed and the signals going crazy, I don’t even know if the guards have any idea whatever is happening in here. Damn it. They’re so organized. Too organized. I commanded some agents to relay the command to the guards outside, hoping they could make much difference.

I kept running, but as I did, I tripped on something on the ground. I sat up and saw a body on the floor. I examined him, he’s still alive. However, I did find a small dart in his neck. “A tranquilizer?” I whispered.  I thought deeply. If they’re using tranquilizer, then that means they’re not here to capture the facility somehow. An agent came to my side and I took his flashlight. I pointed to the right hallway and I saw several bodies on the floor. The culprit went this way… but if there were more of them, chasing this one won’t ensure success. The control room is on the other way. Which way should I go?

“Agents, go straight to the control room and keep your eyes open. They could be anywhere!” They all went straight to the control room, except from the three whom I commanded to come with me. I slowly and cautiously walked along the hallway. I hear complete silence. But then, I heard a sound from behind, as if someone jumped down. We all looked back and saw someone running away. “Quick! Chase him!” The three men ran after him. I did too, but all of a sudden, my visuals went black. I didn’t see who it was but another one hit me at the back of the head. I didn’t pass out but I was dizzy. He started running after his comrade who was chased by my three men as I slowly stood up. As soon as I recovered, I ran after him, as fast as I could, and then tackled him.

I thought I had him, but he easily shoved me off. He ran again as I stood up, “Freeze!” I shouted as I point my handgun towards him, but he turned to the left hallway upon reaching the intersection, “Dammit, he’s fast!” I started running, and soon enough, the lights went back on and the security breach alarm started ringing. I turned to the hallway where the culprit turned but he wasn’t there anymore. Suddenly, I hear gunshots from different areas.

I took out my two-way radio, “Attention, agents in pursuit, state your position. I repeat, state your position, over.” One responded, “Sir, Faust reporting in. I’m on the rooftop with fellow agents, open-firing against a culprit armed with a special gun!” Then another one replied weakly, “Sir, Raines reporting in. My team and I were beaten by two culprits armed with... weapons I’ve never encountered before. We’re right outside the Ark. I believe they took something from inside, I just don’t know which one.”

“I’m on my way there, Raines.” Damn! They got that far inside in 20 minutes!? This is bad. The Ark is located in the heart of the facility. It is some sort of a bunker and it is our library of important and classified intelligence gathered through the years. We, the CIA, store them in high-powered flash disks and seal them inside the Ark... Only the higher ups can access that chamber. There’s just no way an outsider could break into the Ark, not without the passcode!

Good news is, there’s only one hallway that connects the Ark to the rest of the facility. If I am fast enough, I might be able to intercept them. I called on to my radio for back-up as I close in. As I reach the mouth of the hallway, the intersection, I saw the two culprits and pointed my gun on them, “Weapons down!” They stopped for a moment and raised their hands, then all of a sudden, the door before me closed, separating me from them. “Security, open this damn door!” I called on to them through my radio.

“Negative, sir! We’re being over-ridden. Someone else is in control!” He answered. I then shouted, “Then hack it back! We can’t let them get away with the data!” I looked up the ceiling and saw a concealed air condition vent. The back-up forces arrived, so I shot the cover and commanded them to push me up into the vent so I could get to the other side of the door. I called on again, “Security, state their location!”

“They are on the stairs near the Technology Laboratory, sir. Agents are in pursuit, but they’re taking them out fairly quickly.” I jumped down from the ceiling and started heading to the nearest elevator I can find. As soon as I did, the security confirmed that they have full control of the facility again.

One culprit was already on the rooftop, and these two are probably on their way there too. I have to get there as soon as I can. The rooftop is their rendezvous point. As I stepped out to the rooftop, I saw several guards on the floor and several more, trying to fight off what seemed to be a jet plane. The plane was modified in a way I’ve never seen before. It almost seemed like a spaceship. It’s so advanced. Instead of bullets, it shoots electric shots. I was fascinated and threatened by it at the same time.

I stealthily rushed near the plane and when I was close enough, the door on my side opened, and from it, the two culprits I was chasing before came out. The one went straight into the plane, while I engage on a melee fight with the other after he disarmed me off my gun as soon as I pointed it to him. He was flawless with his attacks and fast too, but I overpowered him at one moment and he fell down. And at that moment, I realize that she’s a woman. A very skilled woman. She immediately stood up and engaged on me again. After she kicked me off, her comrades open-fired. She escaped while I hid and in a blink of an eye, the plane zoomed away.

My co-workers helped me up, “Are you alright, Jayden?” I nodded, “What about those men? How many did we lose?” My friend, Michael Davis, shook his head, “None. Each one is alive.” I sighed in relief. I’m glad these people didn’t turn out as violent as expected. But whatever it is they took, I don’t think it could be anything good. I asked him, “Who do you think they were?” He answered, “Well, since they’re perfectly organized, and since they’re fast, I would guess that they’re probably the infamous mercenary group called “Quartz”. Browsing the records, they always have the fastest time of tactical break in.”

“We have to find them and retrieve what they stole.” I spoke with conviction. Michael answered, “It’s impossible. That team had been operating for 4 years and none could even find a trace of who or where they are… Not a single clue.”

“They’re mercenaries. There must be a way that they connect to people somehow, right? How would their client reach them if there’s none?” I asked. He just sighed, “I don’t know. But whoever is helping them keep their secrets must really be a tough cookie to break.” I looked over at the men whom they beat down, “I will find those criminals. No matter what!”

They infiltrated this facility so flawlessly. At exactly 30 minutes, they are done with whatever mission they’re doing. These people are skilled. They’re fast like lightning. At one moment, they’re here… the next thing you notice, they’re gone. But it doesn’t matter… I will make them pay. My name is Jayden Ericson, a 34 year-old special agent from the CIA. And I will find this rogue organization and put them to where they belong… In jail!