"...What the hell is that green light...?"
Sera looked around warily. The cabin lights had started flashing green, and Jody noticed it too.
Neither of them could see outside—every window was blacked out with a dark panel, a security measure to prevent them and the child from knowing the location of the secret base.
The only possible view might be from the cockpit, but they didn't know the pilot. For all they knew, trying to get in could get their necks snapped.
"We've arrived."
Mickey, sitting nearby as he loosely tied up his long hair, replied in a slightly irritated tone.
"…"
Jody gave a subtle smirk. She and Mickey could speak volumes with a single glance.
See? I told you. Don't underestimate Sera.
Something like that.
Mickey shook his head and used the hair tie Jody had given him to pull his hair into a simple bun.
He stood up—just as the plane's wheels touched the ground.
Jody felt it too. The jolt confirmed that the aircraft had landed.
Both girls were brimming with excitement about what awaited them. Though Jody kept her composure much better.
Meanwhile, Sally had already been taken by the hand and led out by Mickey.
The roar of the engines gradually faded into a soft fsssshh, then silence.
A hiss as the aircraft door opened.
Light spilled into the cabin from the outside, accompanied by a reverberating hum of voices beyond.
A hum, not ordinary noise—both girls noticed it instantly. It meant the plane wasn't parked at a regular airport gate. More likely, they were inside a hangar... or deep within a base.
And when they stepped outside, their suspicions were confirmed.
"Welcome to our home."
Toshi grinned and stepped aside to give the girls an unobstructed view.
It was indeed an aircraft hangar—massive, vast, and filled with planes of every size, color, and model, lined up in rows that stretched as far as the eye could see.
It looked like something straight out of Men in Black.
Hundreds of personnel swarmed the floor, each attending to different tasks. Light wand operators, mechanics inspecting engines, engineers, black-armored guards carrying weapons—you name it, they were here.
Hundreds of ceiling-mounted spotlights bathed the hangar in stark white brilliance. Everything moved with clockwork precision. It was a whole different class from anything they'd ever seen.
Everything was in order. Clean. Efficient. And everyone here moved with a level of professionalism the outside world could never match.
The deeper they looked, the more stunned they became.
When they finally pulled their eyes back to the present, the team of operatives had already moved ahead—except for Toshi, who stayed beside them to guide the way.
"Come on, this way," he gestured.
Jody and Sera followed his lead, descending the stairs.
As they stepped down, they spotted someone waiting for them—a woman dressed in a sharp black-and-green suit.
She looked Latina, with shoulder-length dark brown hair and skin the color of warm honey. Her eyes were a striking shade of blue, just like Sera's.
She held a tablet and had a small earpiece tucked against one ear.
Something about her presence radiated supervisor energy.
Sera swallowed hard as her boots touched the ground.
The woman casually greeted the agents nearby, clearly familiar with them. Then, Syd Barrett stepped forward to escort her over to Jody and Sera.
She didn't waste time.
Her voice was crisp and refined, trained to perfection.
"Miss Jody Johansson. Miss Sera Pina Gilmore. We've been expecting you."
It was the kind of cliché line you'd hear in a movie—but when delivered with her polished accent and aura, it didn't sound tired. It sounded... special. Like the whole organization genuinely wanted them here. Like they were important.
The two girls shook her hand.
"Call me Jade."
Jade
Jade is the supervisor of the covert operations unit where Syd, Roxxy, Mickey, and Toshi are stationed. She shares a fairly close relationship with all four—enough that they can get away with teasing or trolling her occasionally.
Her responsibilities include assigning missions, compiling reports to submit to higher-ups, managing schedules, and ensuring the agents and novas in her unit are well-supported and comfortable.
Nationality: Colombian
Power: None
Rank in the organization: Master
"Y-Yes, ma'am…"
Sera instantly straightened up, instinctively polite under the weight of the woman's presence.
"She's our supervisor. If we were celebrities, she'd be our manager. Mostly walks around looking important," Syd said with a sarcastic tone, hands on his hips.
"Sharp tongue for this early in the day, Mr. Barrett," Jade replied, flashing him a knowing smile.
Jody got the sense they were very familiar. Probably close. Jade didn't seem to be the same age group—definitely looked at least ten years older—but they clearly had that teasing rapport.
"But he's right. I'm the supervisor for their unit," she added.
Jody glanced at Jade's chest, noticing a gold brooch shaped like an old-style letter S.
"There are lots of agents, and just as many supervisors. We operate in multiple units across the globe. I'm like their mission coordinator. The mission you're currently involved in falls under my jurisdiction."
"How many people are in one unit?" Jody asked.
Jade smiled. "Why don't we walk and talk?"
She turned and led them forward.
To the side, Roxxy and Toshi had already peeled away, escorting Sally to another part of the facility.
Mickey nodded silently at Jody, as if to say, You're good—go ahead. He and Syd flanked her and Sera, sticking close for their comfort.
"To answer your question, I'll need to explain the ranking structure first—"
Mickey raised a hand. "I already told them."
"…You did?"
Syd and Jade both turned to him.
"When was that?" Syd asked.
"On the plane."
"…Well, that saves us time. Thank you, Mr. Mannix."
Jade moved along smoothly.
"One unit consists of six Agents, three Novas, and one Supervisor."
"It's all about structure. Agents and Novas can work across units if needed, depending on how the Supervisors coordinate. But ideally, working with your own unit helps streamline the paperwork when reporting to the Masters."
They passed through an automatic door, and what lay beyond looked straight out of a sci-fi film.
pshhhh
Sera's eyes sparkled. She knocked on the wall experimentally.
"It's... metal alloy with padding? How much did this cost?"
"No, it's not for sale," Mickey said flatly.
"…Hmph."
Sera shot him a glare, but couldn't help cracking a small grin before turning her attention back to Jade.
"There are also different divisions," Jade continued.
"Divisions?" Jody echoed.
"Yes." Jade nodded. "Every Agent and Nova has their own specialty. Some are better at infiltration, some at direct combat, others at research. So, each unit member is sorted into a division based on their expertise."
She explained it like she was giving a rookie orientation.
"There are three main branches: Infiltration, Annihilation, and Research. Each has distinct responsibilities—but sometimes operations require cross-division cooperation."
Infiltration
That was the branch all four of their companions belonged to. They handled stealth, disguise, espionage, and secret missions like theft, assassination, and data recovery.
Annihilation
The opposite of stealth—these were the people you sent to eliminate targets, clean up loose ends, or engage in open warfare in global conflict zones.
Research
These folks weren't field operatives. They developed new innovations, theories, and experimental tech. You could spot them by their signature white lab coats—just like doctors.
"So you're in charge of Infiltration?" Jody asked.
"That's right, Jody Johansson."
By the time the briefing was done, Jade had led them to a sleek high-tech elevator.
The doors opened. She gestured them in, followed, and pressed the button.
The elevator started descending. They could feel it.
Even the sound was futuristic.
"…Miss Jade, where did you buy this elevator?" Sera asked, unable to contain herself.
Jade chuckled.
"This technology won't hit the public market for another twenty years, Miss Sera."
"…Whoa…"
Syd: "She'd buy the whole thing if she could. Bloody hell."
Jade: "Please watch your language while inside the organization, Agent Barrett."
"…You got a problem?"
Mickey: "He acts tough when his mom's not around."
"You say something, Jewboy?"
Ding
The elevator doors opened, revealing a lower level that looked much like the one above.
People in suits and unfamiliar outfits bustled about.
Jody: "Does your organization ever stop working?"
Jade: "Not for a second."
She led them to another automatic door, which slid open to reveal a space that resembled a hybrid between a medical room and a lab.
Personnel in lab coats—likely doctors and researchers—were waiting for them.
"…What?" Jody instinctively stepped back, wary.
But someone held her gently from behind. Syd Barrett.
She turned. He gave her a soft pat on the back.
"Just a basic check-up. Stand here and watch."
His words alone were enough to put her at ease.
Jade observed quietly, thinking to herself:
(So she really only trusts him…)
Then she spoke.
"We'd like to do a quick physical. Basic records, nothing too invasive. Hope that's okay."
"…Alright. No problem," Sera stepped forward confidently toward the doctors.
As for Jody, a male staff member approached her with a wheelchair.
"Please, have a seat."
Syd: "…He said it's for you."
Jody didn't resist. She calmly sat down and let the attendant wheel her in.