Prompt: Interrogation

Focus Agent: Cypher
Featured Agents: Fade, Sova, Neon, Breach, and Chamber

Timeline: The capture of Fade

Summary: Captured by their blackmailer, Cypher is interrogated for information and his greatest fear is exposed.

Notes: Realized after writing this it doesn't actually fit the prompt, but I like it anyways.

Tables Turned

"I can't see!"

"It's too dark!"

"Team, sound off! Where are you?"

"Ah! I'm stuck! I can't move!"

"Neon, hang on!"

"Gah, the witch! I'm trapped. I can't get to you."

"Breach? Where are you?"

"Guys, help!"

The shouts of his team and the sounds of battle grew quiet as Cypher opened his eyes. There was a pounding behind his eyes and his world swayed like a boat in a storm. He blinked and shook his head, and the room became solid. Bolted to the wall across from him was a heavy metal door; locked by the looks of it. Placed in the center of the tiny, bare room was a stainless steel table with an empty matching chair opposite of him. Cypher could feel the cold bite of his own seat, the edges digging into his calves and his arms. Gray cinderblocks encased him with a single bulb dangling from the ceiling to light up the room. 

Cypher tested his bonds. Ankles and shins pinned to the chair legs and wrists cinched together behind his back by what he assumed were ropes. As he tugged on them, however, he felt the binds slither over his skin like snakes and tighten with every movement. 

The door opened suddenly, ceasing his struggle. Their Turkish blackmailer smirked at her prisoner, stepping into the room and closing the door behind her with a fatal boom. Fade kicked her chair away, instead leaning over the table with her palms splayed out on the cool surface. 

"How the tables have turned. The VALORANT Protocol's intelligence now strapped down in an interrogation chair himself."

"Where's my team?" Normally, Cypher would play this game and offer quips, but he wasn't in the mood with his team missing.

"They're safe," Fade purred, circling around the table. Cypher instinctively leaned away as she came closer. "They are of no use to me. It's you I want to talk to." Her fingernails dragged over his shoulders as she walked around him.

"While I'm flattered, my dear, we're on a tight schedule and we really must get back to our mission." 

"To capture me, no? I'm afraid you and your little team have already failed. What is the might of the VALORANT Protocol if you are no match for me?" 

"What do you want, Fade?"

"Isn't it obvious? I'm an information broker, just as you are. My clients are willing to pay handsomely for your secrets."

"That's not who I am anymore. You won't get anything out of me."

"No? We'll see about that. See, I have an advantage–" Fade leaned in close, her breath tickling his  right ear through the mask–"I know your worst nightmare."

Cameras suddenly appeared, zooming in on his face. Cypher jolted back, the chair keeping him in place as the devices infiltrated his personal space. 

"These cameras are broadcasting to all corners of the globe. The world wants to know: Who is behind that mask?"

"No..." Cypher struggled, the restraints growing tighter and tighter. "Wait. Please."

"There's no point struggling. My bonds are Chinese finger traps. The more you struggle, the tighter they get." 

Hands gripped his face. Cypher pulled away, knocking his wide brim hat off his head. 

"Don't do this. Please, Fade."

Fingers clawed his face. Cypher's heart pounded and his breath caught as she hooked the edge of his mask. Cameras recording, mask slipping over his chin, Cypher closed his eyes.

It's not real. 

It's not real.

This can't be real.

Please.

"Cypher! Cypher, wake up!"

Cypher opened his eyes. He was sitting on the hard floor of the warehouse. Neon was on her knees behind a large crate, watching him with worried eyes. Her face was pale and her brown eyes wild like she had seen a ghost. Her chest rose and fell in rapid succession like she had run a marathon. 

"You with us, Cypher?"

The Moroccan pulled his arms forward and rubbed his wrists, sore from the phantom bonds. He glanced around the large room. Scattered around, his teammates were recovering from the attack. Sova was rubbing his eyes and blinking excessively. Breach was checking his arms and calming his breath. Chamber looked uncharacteristically frazzled as he summoned a weapon. 

"Yes. I'm with you. Are you all right, Neon?"

The Filipina nodded as determination crossed her face. "I'm pissed. Let's kick some nightmare ass."

 * * * 

The next day, Cypher stepped into their newly installed holding cell. Hands cuffed to the table, Fade watched coolly as Cypher organized her file and sat down in the chair opposite of her. He folded his hands over his papers and smiled behind the mask.

"Well. How the tables have turned."