[Grishile's Third Headquarters, Detroit]
The TV screen flickered to life, casting a pale glow over the room. The news anchor's face appeared, her expression somber.
"Breaking news," she began, her voice steady. "A devastating explosion has rocked New York Velvet, leaving a trail of destruction and death in its wake."
The camera cut to a live shot of the scene, where flames still licked at the smoldering ruins. Emergency responders rushed to and fro, their faces grimy with soot.
"The blast occurred at approximately 9:45 PM, an hour ago, in the city's old industrial district," the anchor continued. "Eyewitnesses describe a massive fireball erupting from the warehouse, sending debris flying in all directions."
The camera zoomed in on the group of charred bodies, their faces blackened beyond recognition, their clothes charred and tattered. They stumbled away from the wreckage, some clutching their arms or faces in agony.
"Reports indicate that multiple people have been killed, with many more injured," the anchor said, her voice heavy with emotion. "Only one survivor has been found, and is currently in emergency care at the city's central hospital."
The camera cut back to the anchor, her eyes locked on the screen.
"Our thoughts are with the families of the victims, and with those who are still fighting for their lives," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
The screen faded to black, the words "Explosion Rocks New York Velvet City" emblazoned across the screen in bold, somber letters.
Doctor Maru, who had been watching the news, felt a growing sense of unease. Her heart beat faster with every passing moment.
Just then, the bodies of the female black ops agents were brought in. Issa was bleeding from her nostrils and eyes, her hand covered in blood. Scarlet's arm was fractured, with one of her veins strained, placing her in a serious situation. Anna's ribs were broken from close combat with an abnormal enemy, and Kristen was unconscious with a concussion from the blast.
"What happened to them?" Doctor Maru asked, seeing the four agents being carried past her on an emergency bed.
"It seems they escaped the explosion, but not its impact," one of the nurses explained. "At least, that's what Scarlet said."
Doctor Maru's eyes narrowed. "What about the fifth person?"
The nurse hesitated. "There were only four of them, ma'am. I'm sorry."
Doctor Maru's expression turned cold. She quickly made her way to her office to make a phone call.
"I need to speak with Commander D.O. Gordon," she demanded. "I require his team's assistance to extract one of my team members from the central hospital."
Gordon's voice came on the line, hesitant. "What does this have to do with us?"
Doctor Maru's voice turned icy. "This isn't a request, Commander. It's a command. I expect to see the patient within the hour, or face the consequences."
Gordon sighed, weighing his options. "It is what it is," he muttered, before issuing an emergency command to his squadrons to assemble and move out towards the central hospital in New York Velvet City.
The army squad hastily boarded their transport vehicle, a rugged Humvee with sirens blaring. They sped towards the hospital, their faces set with determination.
As they arrived, Gordon demanded to know the location of the survivor from the explosion. The receptionist hesitated, but eventually relented, calling the director's office to confirm.
Gordon snatched the phone from the receptionist, his voice firm. "You seem not to understand the gravity of the situation. It's either you permit us to see the patient, or face the consequences from the army."
The director, reconnected with the receptionist, urged her to make an exception for Gordon and his squad. The receptionist nodded, and called the nurse on standby to accommodate them.
Gordon and his squad followed the nurse to the patient's room, their faces set with determination. What they found there would change everything.
Theu passed by rooms some were dimly lit, with the only sound the soft beeping of the life support machines.
Gordon's and his squad continued following the nurse who was leading them to the ward of the person they ask for.