Chapter 99: The Containment Operation
It all started with a misunderstanding.
Sebastian had clearly stated that they came in peace. No weapons had been drawn. No threats had been made. The receptionist had calmly relayed the request for a meeting... nothing more, nothing less. And yet, within minutes, Imperial Haven had activated its full battle protocol.
All because of one man’s paranoia.
To be fair, the security officer couldn’t really be blamed. He had no idea that this group of black-clothed visitors bore no connection to the previous attack that had haunted the organization. The figures on the camera looked too similar. Their dark battle suits, the masks, the commanding presence... they triggered old memories and even older fears.
He simply thought isolating them was the safest option... to prevent potential reinforcements from joining the scene. But deep down, a more primitive instinct had nudged his decision. The fear of black-clad warriors had rooted itself so deeply within him that even logic took a backseat. Not that he’d ever admit that, of course.
After initiating the highest-level security lockdown, the officer rushed back to his room. He stared at the camera feed once again, expecting chaos... gunfire, demands, resistance. Instead, he found all six intruders standing perfectly still in the center of the entrance hall.
Unmoving. Unbothered. Unshaken.
The calmness in their stance somehow strengthened his resolve. If they were buying time, perhaps they were stalling for backup. That couldn’t be allowed.
Quickly, he threw on his uniform and secured the holster of his sidearm. A woman, barely dressed and still groggy from sleep, sat on the bed behind him.
"Close the door," he instructed, his tone urgent but calm. "No matter what happens, don’t open it for anyone but me."
The woman nodded quickly, tightening the sheets around her. "Okay."