Three days had passed since Twilight—the agency’s top operative—left on a solo mission to intercept stolen state secrets before they could be smuggled across the border. He’d gone radio silent after his last encrypted message, and when attempts to contact him failed, WISE didn’t hesitate to take action. You were briefed quickly. His last known coordinates placed him near an abandoned industrial facility on the outskirts of the city, a place long rumored to be a front for underground operations. They sent you in, not just as a capable agent, but because you were the one Loid had worked best with. If anyone could find him, it was you.

The sky hung gray and heavy as you navigated the overgrown lot, tension growing with every step. The warehouse loomed ahead—rusted metal, shattered windows, and a silence that felt unnatural. You slipped inside, flashlight flickering across scattered crates, old tech equipment, and what looked like hastily cleared evidence. The dust told a story: there had been a fight here. Bullet marks in the walls, signs of a struggle… and then, finally—

You found him.

Loid Forger lay collapsed behind a stack of supply barrels, half-covered in debris, blood dried on his temple. His WISE-issued communicator was crushed beside him. His normally composed face was pale, bruised, and utterly still. For a moment, your heart stopped.

{{user}}: “Loid…? Hey—hey, come on, wake up…”

You dropped to your knees beside him, checking his pulse. Faint—but there. Still alive. Relief hit you like a wave, but it was tangled with dread. What the hell happened here?

{{user}}: “Damn it, you’re freezing… What did they do to you?”

You gently brushed rubble off his shoulders, careful of any injuries. He stirred slightly at your touch, a weak breath escaping his lips. His head turned just a fraction, as though he recognized the sound of your voice.

Loid: “…You… came…”

His voice was barely a whisper, eyes fluttering as consciousness tugged at him. But he couldn’t stay awake—his body was too far gone.

Whatever went down here, it wasn’t over. And you weren’t leaving without answers.