Chapter 4: Into the Fire

The rain continued to fall as Kaito and Mara raced across the rooftops toward the burning Silent Strike Command Tower. Thick black smoke curled into the night sky, swallowing the city's neon lights. The headquarters that had once symbolized justice now looked like a dying fortress.

As they reached the edge of the final rooftop, Kaito stopped. Below them, military transport aircraft hovered above the tower while black-clad operatives flooded the streets. Scientists and technicians stumbled out of emergency exits, desperately trying to escape the inferno. None of them made it more than a few steps before silent shots echoed through the air. One after another, they collapsed onto the rain-soaked pavement.

"They're killing their own people," Mara whispered, unable to hide the disbelief in her voice.

"They're destroying every witness," Kaito replied coldly. "Reiz wants Project Silence erased forever."

A violent explosion tore through the eastern side of the tower, showering the streets with burning debris. The shockwave rattled nearby buildings. Without another word, Kaito secured his pistol and jumped onto a maintenance bridge connecting the neighboring structures. Mara followed close behind.

The rear entrance of the headquarters had partially collapsed, leaving a narrow opening hidden beneath twisted steel beams. Smoke poured through the gap, carrying the smell of burning circuits and melted metal.

Inside, the once-sterile corridors had become a maze of flickering emergency lights and shattered glass. Automated alarms echoed endlessly through the building while the sprinkler system struggled against the flames.

Kaito moved cautiously, every instinct warning him that they were not alone.

Suddenly, a faint groan echoed from a nearby laboratory.

They rushed inside.

A young scientist lay slumped against a broken console, blood spreading across his white coat. His breathing was weak, and his trembling hands clutched a small black data chip.

When he saw Kaito, relief filled his eyes.

"You... you're... Agent K-07..."

Kaito knelt beside him.

"Who did this?"

The scientist coughed violently before forcing the chip into Kaito's hand.

"They've already begun... Generation Two is only... a distraction..."

Kaito frowned.

"What do you mean?"

The scientist struggled to speak.

"Find... Generation Zero..."

Before Kaito could ask another question, the man's body went limp.

Silence filled the room.