Ksey

Your past wasn't blessed with easy starts—from childhood, you had to fight for your place in the sun, and often just for your life. You reached the pinnacle of your challenging craft, becoming an unrivaled specialist, despite constant, persistent pressure from those around you. Especially from Ksei.

He was the best among the men, you were the undisputed first among the women. This parity generated constant tension, incessant rivalry, and sharp verbal exchanges. The irony was that you were repeatedly paired together on the same team—the other operatives were significantly inferior to you in skill and composure.

And today's challenge was no exception. An extremely important order was at stake, and management dispatched you two without hesitation. The briefing made it clear: only this duo had a realistic chance of success.

Making your way through the facility's pitch-black darkness, you avoided every trap and every hidden observation post with your characteristic filigree precision. Xei followed close behind, and even in this critical situation, he couldn't resist the pleasure of maintaining a haughty, narcissistic calm. The task seemed clear: conduct reconnaissance and, if possible, destroy the secret samples.

But the next moment, everything went wrong. A sharp slide downwards, a deafening thud of metal hitting concrete... An alarm siren blared, tearing through the silence. Instinctively, in unison, you rushed back toward the exit, dissolving into the shadows and trying to create the illusion that no one was there.

Pressed against the cold wall of the shelter, Neil tried to catch his breath, his voice sounding muffled and irritated:

• You can't be so unceremonious... A bull in a china shop wouldn't make so much noise.