Inside the Hyperloop.
The atmosphere felt similar to being on an MRT—except colder, cleaner, and more futuristic.
The cabin wasn't as spacious as a train—about half the width—but there was still room to stand and chat. Seats were optional.
As usual, wherever Roxxy went, Sera followed. The two of them sat in the front row with Toshi.
Meanwhile, Jody sat between the two boys—Mickey and Syd.
"What's the Beijing branch of the organization like?" Jody turned to ask Mickey.
"... It's big. And full of weird people."
"Huh? Weird people? And you're not one of them?"
"Depends on how you define weird. I don't know."
Mickey shrugged.
"Why so curious? You'll find out soon enough," Syd grumbled.
"What's wrong, Tao?" Jody teased him sweetly.
"Tao your ass. Watch it, cripple."
Jody smiled calmly at Syd, then turned back to Mickey.
"So… what kind of weird people?"
"... We've got a friend there."
"A friend?"
"Yeah. Not sure if he's stationed there right now. But if we're lucky, we might run into him."
"Hey, Gay!" Syd suddenly leaned forward, voice serious. "Why're you telling her that? That's classified info."
"...But Jody has clearance now, right?"
"As a Volunteer. That doesn't count!"
Jody blinked, glancing between the two boys arguing about agency protocols. That's when she realized something.
"Wait... you guys have more friends?"
Syd covered his face, groaning. "You stupid gay bastard. What'd you tell her for?"
"Well, you might as well tell her everything now," Jody offered with folded arms.
"Shut up, America."
To help her understand why Syd was so upset, Mickey clarified.
"It's about organizational secrecy. You should only know what's necessary. People we know—if they're not relevant, you're better off not knowing."
"Ah. Got it."
"But since it's already out there... and it's just a couple people, it's fine. It's not like we have a bunch of friends anyway."
Syd: "Ugh."
"So how many are there exactly?" Jody asked. "In your little group?"
"One more..." Syd replied.
Mickey: "Maybe two?"
Syd: "I'm not counting that lunatic."
"So one or two?"
"It's hard to explain, but yeah. There's one guy named Denji. He's a year younger than Syd, two years younger than me. He's a demolition-type Agent."
"...Different role from you guys."
Syd: "So we don't see him much."
"Is he Japanese?" Jody asked.
"Nope. He's Black—"
Mickey: "—African descent."
"Yeah, whatever. Jamaican mixed kid. His real name's Deji, but he's a damn weeb, so he renamed himself Denji."
"You're talking trash behind his back."
"He's a little bro. Knew Syd before I even did."
"Little bro my ass. That kid's a walking dumpster fire."
"...Whoa."
So, someone who knew Syd before even Mickey? Interesting.
"That's enough, Gay. You've told her too much."
"You didn't tell her about the other one. The 'crazy chick.' She's a woman, right?"
"Her name's Liu. Also a demolition-type Nova Agent," Mickey said.
"...Liu? That's a Chinese name."
"Exactly. That's where it gets complicated."
"How?"
"Let's save that for later." Mickey zipped his lips.
"Don't be such a tease, Mickey."
"You deserve it, Limp-Leg."
"Hmm~?"
Jody gave Syd a light punch to the chest.
.
.
Meanwhile, up front...
"Uhh... hey?" Sera clung to Roxxy's arm. "Is this thing gonna... like... explode mid-way?"
"...What?"
Roxxy squinted.
"You ran in here all excited. Now you're scared? Make up your mind."
Toshi: "Classic bipolar."
"TOSH!"
Sera snapped.
"It won't explode. Look—everyone's sitting calmly."
Toshi: "And if it does, we'd be dead before we knew it. No pain."
Roxxy: "Toshi, zip it."
"...Yes, ma'am."
Toshi slumped back and plugged in his headphones.
After shooting Toshi a glare, Roxxy turned to Sera and spoke in a lowered voice.
"...So... you made up with Mickey already?"
"...Ah... yeah..."
"That was fast."
"Hey! I'm not some psycho who flips moods all day, alright!? At least I don't go full meltdown when I'm mad, unlike someone!"
"Oof..."
Roxxy held her chest, wounded by the truth.
"Mannix got off the hook because he had a decent excuse. It's not his fault he doesn't get why people are terrified of roaches. I don't blame a guy with no legs for not running."
"Ohh..."
"But at least he apologized for making me feel like crap. That's something."
"So? Was the cake good?"
"...!?"
"...How'd you know he gave me cake?"
"Mickey left at 3 a.m., remember?"
"...Huh?"
Sera frowned. "Last night?"
"Yup. While you were sleeping. He left base to get you that cake."
"...The hell was he doing out that late?"
"He went to Ukraine."
"WHAT!?"
Sera's voice echoed through the cabin, earning stares.
"That's a whole other country!!!"
"Yup. He got soaked coming back because it rained in Moscow. He had to sprint like hell."
Roxxy continued. "That chocolate honey cake? It's called Spartak. A local delicacy."
"You're telling me... Mannix crossed the border... just to get cake?"
"Well... it's his salary, right? Left at 3 a.m., waited outside for the store to open to be first in line."
"..."
"He chose chocolate... but I don't know why."
Roxxy didn't—but Sera did.
Chocolate was her favorite. Mickey must've known, probably from snooping in her fridge before.
"...Why didn't he tell me...?"
She peeked at Mickey sitting behind her, laughing with Jody and Syd.
"You didn't ask."
"..."
Sera fell silent.
Mannix...
.
.
The Hyperloop arrived quickly—true futuristic tech.
The doors opened. The team stepped out into a bustling crowd of agents and personnel.
Mission start.
"What time is it?" Syd asked Toshi.
"Five hours before showtime."
"Then let's move."
Beijing's branch was also underground—futuristic and sleek like Moscow's, but with far more Asian faces.
There wasn't much time to admire the view though. The clock was ticking.
"...Aww, too bad he's not here."
Mickey looked disappointed.
"Who?" Jody asked.
"Denji. Our friend."
He must've just been chatting with him via phone.
"That's a shame..."
Syd: "Save the sentiment. Focus."
.
.
Back on the surface, Jody and Sera stepped into the beating heart of Beijing.
As the elevator doors slid open, they were greeted by towering skyscrapers, a crisscross of roads, and animated signs in both Chinese and English—hundreds of them, everywhere.
To Jody, it felt like Times Square, but bigger. This city radiated raw power and economic might.
Their transportation this time needed to blend in—fast, inconspicuous, and fit for the scene. Toshi had already arranged it.
"Sports car?" Sera asked.
"No. Too flashy. We're not the stars of the red carpet. We're background characters."
"So what are we using?"
"A pair of Benzes."
"...Two?"
"Obviously."