Falling Upwards - Arknights

Chapter 16: Chaotic Exit

- Downtown Siracusa, 0400 hours \ Cloudy | A few days later... -

After Torrent was recovered thanks to a certain Sankta a few days ago, their undercover operations continued as usual. This is except for the fact that Torrent cannot return to his designated team because of the risk of the mafia finding their hideouts. He has to stay with Swire's team for the duration of the entire operation unless some miracle happens but other than that, everything is going well.

It is a cool morning in Downtown Siracusa. Torrent and Strife as well as a few members of the team are having a brunch at the moment. The food was bought by some in the team from the city and it was good. The warehouse in which they are hiding right now has been turned into an almost proper living area with different rooms for each member, and it was surprising that they managed to fit in all of it in such a small space.

Meanwhile, Swire and Zara continued to decrypt whatever is in the Negotiator's briefcase. They are nearing success and they told the team that it may be done today should no interruptions occur.

"And... checkmate." Torrent said as he moved the last piece that secured his victory.

"Oh, what?" One of the scouts, whose name is Calico and is a Feline of Swire's team can only comment as he stared at his defeat while Strife and the other team members watching laughed.

Another game of chess has concluded. This time, it was Torrent's turn to be victorious.

"Your rook was two turns away from saving your king. Focusing on moving your king away made sure that my queen trapped it easily." Torrent told the scout before drinking from his can of cola.

"Aha, alright, alright. That was my mistake, I admit." Calico admitted before turning to his fellow Feline. "Strife, you wanna to play?" He asked him.

"Nah, I'm good." Strife waved the offer off.

"Come on, Strife. Just one game. Maybe you'll win this time." Torrent said to his former Praetor squad mate.

"No, thanks. I'd rather not get wrecked again like how Zara did to me the last time I played." Strife argued. His other teammates chuckled at the memory. "What? She was obviously better in chess than I am. I can't move shite without losing my rear guards." He argued to them.

"I'm not Zara, though..." Torrent cleared his throat. "I tell you what: if you win, my next can of cola is yours. If you lose, you go on a date with Zara after we go back to Lungmen. How's that?" Torrent offered. Strife seemed to think about it for a moment before deciding.

"That sounds like a win-win for me. Deal." Strife agreed as Calico stood up from his seat and allowed the other Feline to sit across Torrent.

"Wait 'till Zara hears of what you said." Calico told Strife as he smirked, knowing how attracted he is to the Vulpo.

"She doesn't need to know." Strife whispered to Calico, although it was heard by the last person he wanted it to.

"What I don't need to know?" Out from nowhere, the same Vulpo that they were talking about, Zara questioned as she crossed her arms across her chest. It was barely noticeable, but there was a faint pink hue on her face.

"Uhh... Nothing...?" Strife mumbled, having a similar pink hue on his face as his teammates giggled at the sight. After a moment of silence from her part, Zara sighed.

"If you want to date me, you could just ask instead of agreeing to a dare for it." She suddenly said to Strife, causing the room to go silent. "Anyways, you guys need to head out. Me and Swire found something that you all need to know." She told everyone before leaving.