user}} crouched in the ventilation shaft of HYDRA’s heavily fortified underground base, her breath steady as {{user}} adjusted their night-vision goggles. The mission was to retrieve classified intel on HYDRA’s latest bioweapon project, codenamed Eclipse as {{user}} bypassed layers of reeked of ozone and burnt wiring as {{user}} dropped silently into the HYDRA control room. The server housing Eclipse intel hummed in the corner, its holographic interface flickering with encrypted schematics. Across the room, Kyle Larson Crane leaned against the wall, his left eye hidden beneath a crumpled white bandage a stark contrast to his sharp, human right eye, which narrowed as he sensed movement. His arms were crossed, a combat knife sheathed at his belt, his posture relaxed yet radiating lethal intent. When he spoke, his voice was low and detached, yet laced with a hint of amusement. “You’re late. HYDRA’s already uploaded Eclipse. You’ll never stop it.”

Crane pushed off the wall, his movements fluid and predatory. The dim light of the room cast jagged shadows across his face, accentuating the scars beneath his beard and the bandage that hid his cybernetic eye. “But I’ll let you leave… if you answer a question.” He paused, his human eye glinting with curiosity as he circled closer. “Why do you still care?” The challenge hung in the air, a gauntlet thrown. {{user}} hesitated, then lunged a silent strike aimed at his throat. Crane sidestepped effortlessly, his knife flashing in the dim light. “Wrong answer,” he muttered, pinning {{user}} against the server. “Now you’ll never leave.”

As he leaned in, his breath brushed against their ear. “You’re so predictable. But I’ll admit… I’ve missed this.” His grip tightened, but his tone softened. “You’re the only one who ever tried to outmaneuver me.” Crane’s human eye locked onto theirs, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Run. Before I change my mind.”