Hand the boy over.

Meanwhile, inside the headquarters, Gina paced her office, her expression dark with anger.

The stunt Malik had pulled had set her on edge.

Just as she was about to take a breath, the door to her office was flung open with a loud bang, slamming against the wall with a force that rattled the room.

Gina's head snapped up, her gaze turning icy as she locked eyes with the intruder. It was Malik, of course—a man who never bothered with rules, and always seemed to bring chaos in his wake.

"What's wrong with you?" Gina snapped, her voice sharp and cold.

She stared him down, her frustration bubbling over. Malik, as always, stood unfazed, his presence a looming shadow in the doorway, indifferent to the havoc he'd just caused.

Malik, unfazed by Gina's icy demeanor, stepped into the room with deliberate slowness, his eyes cold and unyielding.

The steel of his AI-enhanced wingsuit gleamed under the harsh fluorescent lights, a stark contrast to Gina's tense posture.

"Gina," Malik said, his voice like gravel, "I don't have time for your complaints. We've got bigger problems to handle."

Gina's fingers tightened around the edge of her desk, her knuckles whitening. "You've been reckless, Malik. You could have jeopardized the whole operation with your stunt."

Malik's eyes narrowed, and he leaned closer, the intensity of his gaze not softened by his lack of expression. "I did what needed to be done. We're in the middle of an emergency, not a board meeting."

A flicker of frustration crossed Gina's face as she adjusted her glasses, her patience wearing thin. "You think you can disregard orders and regulations because of a crisis? This isn't a free-for-all. The protocol is there for a reason."

Malik's gaze flicked towards the door as if he were considering walking out. "Save your lectures. I'm heading out to check on that boy."

"Which boy?" Gina asked her facade of curiosity momentarily piqued despite her anger.

"The one you're so keen on keeping a secret," Malik replied coldly, turning on his heel. "If you want to stop me, you'd better make it quick."

Before Gina could retort, Malik was already striding out of the office, his heavy footsteps echoing down the corridor. Gina exhaled sharply, her frustration palpable as she stared at the closed door.

She quickly turned her attention back to her holographic display, eyes scanning for any new developments. Gina's lips curled into a faint, knowing smile as she glanced at Tomi's unconscious form displayed on her holographic screen. Her fingers danced over the controls, adjusting the readouts to monitor Tomi's vitals. She was confident that Malik, with his reputation for ruthlessness, would be coming for Tomi.

"Good luck with that," Gina said softly, almost to herself, as she sent Tomi's information to be secured under the care of their leader.

Malik's footsteps echoed through the dimly lit corridors of the headquarters, each step accompanied by the flickering of harsh, fluorescent lights.

He entered a darkened control room, where the only illumination came from the soft glow of the numerous panels and screens that lined the walls.

"Where is he?" Malik's voice cut through the gloom, sharp and demanding.

His helmet's clear visor scanned the room, its augmented reality features highlighting the various data streams and security feeds.

The leader, seated at the central panel surrounded by an array of screens, looked down at Malik with an expression of calm authority.

"Just as I thought. We can't outwit Malik," he said, his voice echoing with a hint of amusement.

Malik's gaze remained cold and unwavering. "Sir Breaker, if you don't want to bring him out, I'll do it myself. And end him right now!"

With a flick of his wrist, Malik mind summoned a holographic figure—a small, blue-colored boy named Rem.

Rem's holographic form flickered to life, his innocent face a stark contrast to the tension in the room.

"Activate Insight," Malik commanded, his tone brooking no argument.

[Activate Insight Activated, Captain.]

Rem's cheerful voice announced, his image pulsing with a soft blue light as he interfaced with Malik's neural network.

The system engaged, enhancing Malik's sensory input and extending his vision.

Through the advanced optics of his helmet, Malik's perspective shifted with nightmarish night vision. He could now see Tomi, resting in a stark, sterile room designated for new members of the F2 team. The room was dimly lit, with sterile white walls and minimal furnishings.

Malik's gaze remained intense as he faced Sir Breaker, his irritation barely contained. The leader's calm, steady voice seemed to mask an underlying tension.

"Calm down, Malik," Breaker said, his tone measured and unwavering, though a flicker of unease was evident in his eyes.

Malik's helmet hissed as it retracted, revealing his cold expression.

"Sure, we don't know which path he'll take," Breaker continued, "but it's worth keeping an eye on him to see which direction he chooses."

"And if he decides to follow the destructive path?" Malik's voice was sharp, his frustration palpable.

Breaker met Malik's gaze with a steady resolve.

"If that happens, we'll have you handle him." His words were meant to reassure Malik, but they also held a hint of expectation.

Malik's eyes narrowed as he deactivated his helmet's Insight feature, causing Rem's holographic image to flicker and vanish. "How can you be sure it won't be too late to stop him?"

Breaker's response was calm but firm. "That's why we're monitoring him closely. We've decided to place him with the baby crew of the next upcoming ten GF2 who are under your supervision."

He paused, letting the words sink in. "Besides, we don't want Shadow-Gate Headquarters getting their hands on him. They're already after the S-1 survivor."

Breaker's confidence in Malik was evident, despite his nonchalant demeanor. He trusted Malik's abilities and hoped the responsibility would channel his formidable skills into controlling the potential threat.

Malik's cold eyes flickered with a mixture of determination and skepticism as he absorbed Breaker's words. The weight of the responsibility was clear, but Malik's irritation was not entirely assuaged.

"So, I'm babysitting the new S-1 survivor?" Malik's voice was edged with sarcasm, though he masked it with a semblance of compliance.

Breaker's expression remained unchanged. "Think of it as a strategic assignment. Your oversight will be crucial in determining whether Tomi becomes an asset or a threat."

Malik nodded a hint of grudging acceptance in his eyes. "Fine. I'll take the assignment. But I expect full access and support if this goes south."

"Of course," Breaker assured him. "You'll have all necessary resources and authority."

Malik's eyes narrowed as he glanced at the darkened room's control panels, which illuminated sporadically, casting sharp shadows across his face. "I'll keep my eyes open. If he's a threat, I'll handle it."

Breaker's gaze softened slightly, appreciating Malik's readiness. "Good. We're counting on you. Remember, the stakes are high."

As Malik turned to leave, his steps were measured and deliberate, each echoing in the dimly lit corridor. The door slid shut behind him, sealing off the tension of the meeting room.