A new mission at last!

"Ah… this is the life," Richter sipped his wine, savoring its taste.

This bottle of red wine had cost him half a million credits and it was worth every drop.

He took another swig as he absentmindedly watched the news on his holographic television. The anchor was talking of how some five kids in the Imperial Institute had decided to commit suicide after expulsion and how their dead bodies were mauled by awakened beasts.

"These boys are really stupid," Richter murmured and took another sip of the wine.

Kids these days lacked backbone and grit to face tough times and setbacks.

A mere expulsion was enough to convince these five dolts to commit suicide. 

Didn't this mean that in the case of an alien invasion or attack, these fools would be the very first people who betrayed their comrades?

It was such a shame that in the various schools, even one like the Imperial Institute which had a tough as nails person like Agatha Monnet as Vice Chancellor, the students lacked unwavering discipline and tenacity in the face of adversity.

The Dusk Organization was leagues above them all when it came to things like this.

Thinking of the Dusk organization, Richter took a sip of his wine again.

His most recent mission about two months ago had been a resounding success as he had been able to send a lot more kids to the Dawn star than usual.

With that mission done, he was now snuggled cozily in his secret mansion, binging on fine red wine while he awaited his next posting.

[A/N: To those of you who have forgotten Richter so soon, he's the Domain realm expert with the pink laser power in chap 9]

As if on cue, his comm rang.

"Hm?" Richter furrowed his brows.

With a deep frown, he checked the contents of the message.

[New Mission]

[Priority: Very High]

[Very talented individual by the name Damien Walker, age 16, first year student of the Imperial Institute, has been noticed and efforts will be made to convince him to join our fold.

Your mission this time is to protect his parents from the shadows until after the end of the poaching process.

Call in three of your best agents under you and let them take over the monitoring of the target Damien Walker.

Here are the details of your mission.]

Richter whistled as he read through the mission details.

The organization was going to poach a talent from right under the government's nose once again.

"Imperial Institute? Isn't that the school those five kids who committed suicide were dismissed from?

Richter smirked.

His gut told him this mission was going to be very interesting.

 "Three of my best trainees huh?" Richter muttered as he mentally went through the agents under him who could join him in this mission.

Quickly coming to a decision, Richter decided to make a few calls.

**

Eastern sector.

Beijing City...

…

"Nine hundred and ninety-seven…

Nine hundred and ninety-eight…

Nine hundred and ninety-nine…

A fucking one thousand… 

And done!

Whew," Tian Xu breathed a sigh of relief and he let go off the bar he had been hanging on doing pull ups.

He was finally done with his morning workout, finishing the last set of exercises.

Sweat made his white T-shirt cling to his body like how a baby held on to the breasts of the mother during suckling, thus exposing his solid eight pack abs.

Taking a swig from his water bottle, Tian Xu walked inside his mansion.

It was already six in the morning, the sun rising beautifully from the East. Her radiance promised another wonderful day.

And most likely another day of boredom for Tian Xu.

He was itching to go on a mission again.

[A/N: Tian Xu is the Dusk Agent with the cyan flames who fought with Mr. Gavin in chap 9]

Tian Xu removed his shirt and discarded it into the laundry basket.

Picking up a fresh towel, he wiped the sweat off his body.

That was when his comm rang.

Tian Xu picked it up.

"Hey tricky bastard. Enjoying your little vacation?" came the teasing voice of his boss, Richter.

"To be honest it's really boring. I just wake up, workout, eat, sleep and repeat," Tian Xu complained.

"I guess I'm your savior then. A new mission just came up and I've been allowed to bring three people along.

You interested?" Richter said.

"Hell yeah! When does it start? Where's the rendezvous point? I'm going to take a flight over right now!" Tian Xu said excitedly.

Finally, his wishes had been granted and he was going to go on a mission again!

"Calm your tits fella. The mission is based in the Western sector but you'll meet up with your other two mission colleagues in the middle sector before coming over here. Oh and prepare yourself… it's going to be a long ass mission," Richter said.

"The longer the better. Who's joining me?" Tian Xu asked.

"You'll meet up with Lois and Malone in the middle sector then all three of you will come to the Western sector for mission briefing and deployment," Richter answered.

"Boss you're evil. Why'd you add Lois? She's going to terrorize me again," Tian Xu lamented.

Richter just laughed at him.

"Pack up and leave soon. They are already expecting you. If you keep them waiting Lois will have your ass," Richter chuckled and ended the call.

Tian Xu grinned.

It was time to go on another mission!

Two hours later, Xu Tian was comfortably seated in the domestic hovercraft with his luggage.

He had worn a navy blue suit, pristine white shirt, similar navy blue tie and trousers, complete with some dark, cool looking shades.

He believed in looking his best for missions.

The flight would last for four hours, which meant that by the time he arrived in the middle sector to meet up with Lois and Malone, it would be twelve in the afternoon in the Eastern sector he was leaving while in the middle sector, it would now be six in the morning.

Time was a complex thing, Tian Xu thought, shaking his head.

He gave a polite smile to the lady beside him who was openly admiring his looks.

She was a good looking lady with an innocent face. Her brown hair had been tied into a ponytail and she wore a beige dress.

"Where are you headed to dressed so nicely?" she asked.

"On a business trip, dear. I have to meet with my business associates in Paris city," Tian Xu responded with a bright smile.

"What of you?" Tian Xu asked, his smile widened.

"Well, you can say fate brought us together. I'm also heading there on business," she returned his smile.

"That's lovely. Wouldn't it be such a coincidence if it turned out that you were one of the business associates I am going to meet?" Tian Xu teased.

"That would be… surprising to say the least. It's a small world, so they say," the lady laughed. It was like the tinkling of bells.

If only Lois was as easy to get along with as this beautiful stranger, he wouldn't always be having a hard time.

Of course, just because she was easy to get along with didn't mean he could let down his guard. 

He had long realized that he couldn't sense the power of this innocent looking lady.

It was almost as if she was either unawakened or powerful enough to prevent him from seeing her strength!

"What business are you into?' she asked Tian Xu.

"Nanotechnology," Tian Xu replied.

Technically it wasn't a lie.

He wasn't into any nanotechnology business but he knew enough about it to fool scientists that he was an authority on nanotechnology.

That was because it was actually the business his father was into.

And he had darned well hammered everything concerning the theories and production of nanotechnology into his son's head.

The lady nodded appreciatively and then began a long conversation which mainly involved Tian Xu rattling on about nanotechnology.

Bragging was one of his abilities and it was obvious that the beautiful female stranger was very impressed.

"We're landing in five minutes. Please prepare to get down," came the voice of the pilot.

"Huh? So soon?' Tian Xu blurted.

He had gotten caught up in his boasting so much that he didn't even notice four hours had passed in the blink of an eye.

The stranger laughed at his bewilderment.

"You're a very interesting person, Mr. Tian," she said with a smile.

Tian Xu grinned. "You've still not told me your name. Do give me your contact too. Who knows? Maybe our companies can cooperate together in future or even our paths."

"It's certainly a possibility," the lady chuckled as she gave her contact details to Tian Xu.

The aircraft had long landed and it was time to get off. 

Tian Xu walked with the lady down the exit ramp of the aircraft.

He had long retrieved his suitcase but the lady apparently came empty handed.

"I enjoyed our conversation, Mr. Tian. It was nice meeting you," she smiled beautifully at him and walked away.

"Wait! You've still not told me your name!" Tian Xu called out at her.

"Xin Yi," the lady answered without turning around.

Tian Xu nodded appreciatively. 

A fitting name for a beautiful lady.

"Well well well, look what we have here," a sneer came from behind Tian Xu.

His complexion paled and he turned around slowly.

An insanely hot fair-skinned lady with magnificent assets, fiery red hair tied in a ponytail and an obviously displeased look was glaring at him.

Behind her, a dark haired guy with black hair wearing a grey sweatshirt, faded jeans and fashionable white sneakers was looking at him with pity in his eyes.

Tian Xu gulped uncomfortably. "Hey Lois. What's up?"