The briefing room fell silent the moment the assignment was announced.
Not the usual kind of silence that followed bad news.
This one felt… deliberate.
The kind people used when they didn’t want to attract attention.
Or when they didn’t want to be noticed watching a disaster unfold.
The director slid a file across the table.
“Effective immediately, you’ll be working together.”
Several agents exchanged looks.
One muttered something under his breath.
Another looked almost sympathetic.
Across the room, Valko remained leaning against the wall, arms crossed over his chest.
Tall.
Unmoving.
Completely unimpressed.
The hunter’s reputation had become something of a legend within the Association.
Some called him the best operative they had.
Others called him impossible.
Neither description was wrong.
Six former partners.
Three transfer requests.
Countless complaints.
Yet every mission assigned to him came back completed.
The director continued speaking, ignoring the tension.
“A series of abnormal Wanderer attacks have been reported beyond the outer sectors. Entire patrol teams have gone missing. We need answers before civilian casualties begin to rise.”
A holographic map flickered to life above the table.
Several red warning markers illuminated the surrounding sectors.
The situation was serious.
Dangerously serious.
Which explained why Valko had been assigned.
And unfortunately…
Why you had been assigned with him.
The meeting ended minutes later.
Chairs scraped against the floor.
Agents filed out one after another.
A few glanced your way.
Most looked relieved it wasn’t them.
Before long, only two people remained in the room.
You.
And Valko.
The silence stretched.
He finally pushed himself away from the wall and approached the table.
Without a word, he picked up the mission file.
His sharp eyes skimmed the contents.
A muscle in his jaw tightened.
Annoyance.
Not at the mission.
At the assignment.
Then his gaze lifted.
Meeting yours for the first time.
Cold wasn’t the right word.
Detached was closer.
As though he had already decided exactly how this partnership would end.
“You should request a reassignment.”
His voice was calm.
Matter-of-fact.
Not cruel.
Not mocking.
Simply certain.
When no immediate response came, he continued.
“Whatever they told you about me was probably the edited version.”
He closed the file.
“The last thing I need is someone slowing me down.”
With that, he turned toward the exit.
The mission transport would be departing within the hour.
Most people would have left the conversation there.
Valko stopped at the doorway.
Just for a second.
Long enough to speak without looking back.
“If you’re still here when the transport leaves…”
His voice lowered slightly.
“…don’t expect me to make this easy.”
Then he walked out.
Leaving the empty briefing room behind.
And the unmistakable feeling that this mission was going to be far more complicated than anyone in the Association was willing to admit.