An armored hummer cruises down a highway before dawn, passing by a few transport trucks in an otherwise desolate road.
Dragon turns to his passenger in the back seat. “We should be arriving soon sir.”
“Very good. Here, today, the fate of society will be truly decided. While those bureaucrats spend ridiculous amounts on their summits and artificial lakes, we will make real advancements.”
The hummer comes to a halt in a secluded alleyway behind a warehouse building. Ghost and Dragon exit the vehicle and check their equipment bags before heading toward the back doors. “Let’s see how Norman treats unexpected visitors. Dragon, ready your weapon. ”
The two men burst into the warehouse, brandishing their rifles at none other than Lt.Steadman, Sir Alex Roid, and Michael Norman.
“Hold your fire!” Norman shouts.
“Sir, we can end all this right now…”
“Patience Dragon, we do not want to make any reckless decisions. Not when we’re this close.”
“Gentlemen. I can appreciate your concerns regarding our partnership arrangements. Let me assure you, I have acted in good faith at all times. You must understand that things are always more complicated than they seem.”
Sir Alex Roid interrupts. “Enough of this Norman, you have stalled long enough. What is this new technology that you have to show us?”
“New technology?” Dragon questions, finger still on the trigger.
“Follow me gentlemen, and please lower your weapons. We do not want the automated security systems to deploy.”
Norman leads the four men towards a vault door. A faint glow escapes through the cracks. He inputs a code into a panel on the wall, and issues a command. “Project Light”.
“Voice recognition... Michael Norman. Access granted.” The sound of gears and heavy machinery soon follow, as the vault door opens. A blinding light emanates from inside and a few seconds go by before their eyes adjust to see where it comes from.
“What the hell is that?” Steadman finally breaks his silence.
“Allow me to demonstrate.” Norman steps onto a round platform, lights glowing all around him. “It has been a pleasure doing business with both of you.” He disappears.
“Steadman! Don’t let him get away!” Commands Sir Roid.
Lt.Steadman dashes into the vault room, right as sirens begin to go off. “Self-destruct sequence initiated.” The vault doors slam shut behind him.
“Sir, we should get out of here right away.” Ghost and Dragon sprint for the back doors and speed away on the military hummer.
Back in the warehouse, the warning sirens sound faster and faster. “Steadman! Can you get out from there?!” No reply. The vault is too thick for sound to penetrate.
-------
“He just disappeared!” The battle hardened Dragon exclaims in astonishment. Feeling overwhelmed is something he had not experienced in a long time. He looks into the rear view mirror and sees the warehouse blown sky high. The shockwave almost making him lose control of the vehicle.
“Dragon, we must get our hands on that technology.”
“Sir, what about Roid? He was still in the warehouse.”
“Steadman is a goner. But don’t count Sir Alex out just yet. I’m sure he’ll be going after the same thing we are.”