7 months later~

You were standing in an elevator with Jackie by your side. You were spinning a pistol around in your hand while waiting for yourselves to reach the designated floor.

As the elevator descended, the familiar hum of the machinery filled the air, creating a tense silence between you and Jackie. The weight of the mission ahead pressed upon you, causing your fingers to tighten around the pistol's grip.

Jackie glanced at you, a mixture of excitement and apprehension in his eyes.

Jackie: You ready for this, V?

He asked, his voice laced with determination.

You nodded, a quiet resolve settling over you.

(Y/n): Yeah, Jackie. Bug, Can you tell us more about the target?"

A screen of a dark skinned woman with a shaved head pops up in the corner of your screen.

T-Bug: Only the deets of what our fixer sent us. Target's Velvet Scarlatina, Rabbit Faunas. Target went mute a couple hours back. Suspected abduction. Target could've possibly flatlined already. Not sure you're in time.

Jackie rolls his eyes and shook his head disapprovingly.

Jackie: We're in time, Bug. Sure, you're on phones, but... that don't make you any less a part of this squad.

T-Bug: "Squad." Charming.

The elevator doors opened, revealing a dimly lit hallway. You and Jackie stepped out, your senses heightened as you moved forward. The urgency of the situation pushed you to scan the surroundings, searching for any signs of danger.

(Y/n): Room number Bug?

T-Bug: Lookin' for twelve thirty-seven. Target should be inside. Fingers crossed it's not too late.

You spot the numbers matching T-bugs' description. Both Jackie and yourself set up at the door. Noticing it locked, you scan it then trip the security lock and enter quietly.

Jackie: Low profile!

Jackie says with enthusiasm to himself as he points his dual pistols forward.

You spot a rag-covered corpse on the medical chair. You reluctantly reach for the tag and pull it off finding a brunette with her stomach cut open. It wasn't her which you were relieved however felt sorry for the u lucky gal. You scan her to see that she was chromed. Suddenly Johnny appears and leans himself on the table and looks at the body.

Johnny: Someone's been enjoying a lucky guys Mr Studd.

You look at him with a hint of disgust plastered on your face. He takes notice and puts his hands up defensively.

(Y/n): Really bad joke.

Jackie taps his pistols together getting your attention.

Jackie: V, Mano, eyes up, pendejos ahead.

You crouch walk over to him and peak inside the next room.

Jackie: Drop him quiet, V.

You narrow your eyes and start to slowly approach the scav all by his lonesome. Taking out your monowire, you quickly wrap it around his neck causing him to choke for a second before you tighten your grip which causes his head to detach from his body.

Jackie: Nice. I couldn't done that better myself.

You crouch next to him as you are both silently walking through the room in search for miss Scarlatina.

(Y/n): Tellin you man. Get some arm implants. You strike me as a gorilla arms type of guy.

You admit as you both set up behind another door.

Jackie: Maybe Mano. I've got other things to spend on Lien though.

You look at him then smirk.

(Y/n): Misty?

Jackie looks at you and nods.

Jackie: Misty.

Suddenly, Bug appears in the corner of your eyes again.

T-Bug: On your toes. More bodies behind that door.

You exchange a knowing glance with Jackie as T-Bug's warning rings in your ears. There's no time to waste. You both prepare yourselves, ready to face whatever lies beyond that door.

Taking a deep breath, you trip the door and slowly push in. The room is dimly lit. As your eyes adjust to the darkness, you spot several individuals huddled together, their backs turned to you.

Jackie: Stay quiet, V. We've got the element of surprise.

You nod silently, your grip on your pistol tightening. You and Jackie move stealthily, closing in on the unsuspecting targets. The tension in the room is palpable as you prepare to strike.

With a swift and synchronized motion, you and Jackie aim at the scavs. The sound of silenced gunshots fills the air as you take down the targets one by one, ensuring that none of them have the chance to raise an alarm.

As the last body hits the ground, you take a moment to catch your breath. The room falls into a tense silence once more, broken only by the sound of your racing heartbeats.

Jackie: Nice work, V. We cleared the room.

You nod, a mix of relief and adrenaline coursing through your veins. But there's no time to celebrate just yet.

T-Bug's voice snapped you out of your concentration, her tone filled with urgency.

T-Bug: V. Any sign of the target? Times running short.

Jackie and yourself start to look around the room.

(Y/n): Nothing. This is the last room too.

T-bug: Then keep searching. She's got to be here somewhere.

You exchange a determined look with Jackie, both of you knowing that you can't afford to give up now. You continue investigating before feeling a draft. You look at a wall and scan it seeing a concealed panel.

(Y/n): Jackie! I got a panel over here!

Jackie quickly rushes over to you and breaks off the panel. You begin to mess with some wiring and remove the security board. As you do this, a secret door opens up. Your instincts tell you that this is where Velvet may be held captive. You enter the hidden room finding it dimly lit, like the last room.

Jackie: Hey Velvet? You in here Mira?

Your heart sinks. You find mutilated bodies in a room.

(Y/n): Monty fuckin' Oum...

You cover your mouth and nose to try and block out the smell.

Jackie: Shit, V. I mean, I got a stomach o' steel, but... this. I wasn't made for this shit, you know - chop shops? What they do to people...? Fuckin' scav psychos. No more jobs like this. Te lo juro por mi madre...

You push past the bodies and look around. Most of the bodies had no trace of chrome on them. We're all these victims killed for fun...?

You see a naked figure huddled in a corner and nearly trip after seeing the bunny ears.

(Y/n): Velvet?

You rush over and touch her shoulder which earns a jolt and a kick in the face from her as she then proceeds to scream and flail her arms around. You hold your jaw and your try to grab her wrists.

(Y/n): Hey hey. Shhh.

She looks at you and starts to breath heavily. You look into her eyes.

(Y/n): Velvet, it's okay. We're here to help you. You're safe now.

You speak softly, trying to calm her down. Her eyes dart around the room, filled with fear and confusion. Slowly, she begins to relax, realizing that you and Jackie are not a threat.

Velvet: Wh-who are you? Where am I?

Jackie steps forward, his voice gentle and reassuring.

Jackie: Mercs, but we're also friends, Velvet. We're here to rescue you. You've been taken by some sick bastards, but we're getting you out of here.

Velvet's eyes widen, a glimmer of hope shining through her fear.

Velvet: You... you came for me?

You nod and take off your jacket, wrapping it around her.

(Y/n): Can you walk?

Velvet looks at her legs before trying to stand but finds herself shaking too much. Seeing this you pick her up and look at Jackie who nods and holds up both his pistols.

Velvet without hesitation, nuzzles into your chest as Jackie leads on the way out.

Velvet: Thank you. I thought... I thought I was going to die here.

You nod and approach the elevator both Jackie and yourself took to reach this level.

(Y/n): You have family or friends I can take you to?

Velvet looks up at you while enjoying the warmth.

Velvet: M-my team might be wondering where I am. I think I-it may be best to take me back to the academy.

You look down at her.

(Y/n) (Huntsman): Wait, team? You're a Huntress in training?

Velvet nods.

Velvet: I know, a bit embarrassing being rescued by Mercenaries.

Velvet looked away embarrassingly.

(Y/n): That's not what I meant. I mean if your a huntress, how did you get in this mess in the first place?

Velvet looks at you and thinks.

Velvet: I....don't remember....I was studying in my room when I suddenly felt tired and eventually passed out. Next thing I knew, I woke up in that room with....

She trailed off as you felt her start to shake.

You give her a sympathetic look.

T-bug: Guys! You gotta delta, like right now!

Jackie hits the button on the elevator to go to the garage of the building.

Jackie: What's up bug?

Jackie asks.

T-bug: More bodies incoming, fast!

Jackie: Back up? How?!

T-bug: Silent alarm maybe. I dunno.

(Y/n): Fuck!

You quickly exit the elevator and head to the car but then stop.

(Y/n): Jackie take my ride.

Jackie looks at him.

Jackie: You sure?!

You nod.

(Y/n): Take it and lead them away. Kill them even if you can. Once I'm sure they're gone I'll delta with Velvet.

Jackie nods and gets in your car. Meanwhile, you get Velvet up on your shoulders then elbow the drivers window of another car parked in the car park. You unlock the rest of the doors and lay Velvet down in the back.

(Y/n): Stay low.

She looks at you and nods.

You get in the drivers seat and lean down trying to hide while watching Jackie take off. Eventually you see two vans take off after Jackie causing you to worry. You immediately start to call Rebecca.

Rebecca: What you wa- Oh hey (Y/n)~ What's up choom?

You chuckled at the fact that she still calls you by your real name and not your alias.

To be far your Alias is just the first letter in your middle name.

(Y/n): Hey Becca. Jackie's going to be coming back to the hideout with some heat. The Scav kind of heat.

Rebecca let's put an audible giggle of glee.

Rebecca: I just got my new shotgun! Finally, a chance at target practice!

(Y/n): Tell Maine and the others too.

Rebecca: Preem! See ya later! Try not to die

You hang up and Hotwire the car. The engine springs to life causing you to immediately take the wheel and step on it before any other scavs showed their unwanted faces.

You start driving to beacon academy. As your driving you called Wakako and told her to notify the headmaster.

You checked occasionally on Velvet in the back in the rear view mirror and smile seeing her asleep. Who could blame her? Probably the safest she's felt in the last...well. How long was she in that place? A question for later.

You pulled up to the gate of beacon academy and rolled down the window for the guard who was approaching you.

Guard: What is it?

You point to the back and the guard peaks inside.

Guard: Miss Scarlatina? Oh wait, you're V?

You nod and he quickly enters his guard post and buzzes you in.

Guard: Her team's been worried. The headmaster will be waiting for you.

You nod and proceed into the academy grounds. Hopefully this won't take long.
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Until next time :)