"Target is 500 meters ahead," Viper whispered into his comms.
Viper was a veteran mercenary. He had led ops in the Middle East and Africa. Duke Sterling had paid his team $5 Million for this job: Secure the water source. Eliminate witnesses.
"It's just a rich kid and a girl in a dress," Viper chuckled to his squad of six elite soldiers. "Don't kill the girl. We can have some fun with her first."
"Copy that, boss," his sniper replied.
They moved through the jungle like ghosts, their boots making no sound on the mossy ground.
Suddenly, the radio went static.
KZZZT.
"Alpha 2? Report," Viper whispered.
Silence.
"Alpha 3? Status?"
Silence.
Viper stopped. The hair on the back of his neck stood up. "Defensive formation! Now!"
The remaining four men spun around, rifles raised. They scanned the dense green foliage. Nothing. Just the sound of tropical birds.
THWIP.
A silver flash cut through the air.
One of the mercenaries gurgled and collapsed, a throwing knife buried to the hilt in his throat.
"Contact!" Viper screamed, firing blindly into the trees. RAT-TAT-TAT-TAT!
Leaves shredded, but there was no target.
"Where is she?!" another mercenary shouted, panic in his voice. "I can't see her!"
CRACK.
A shadow dropped from the canopy above. Luna landed on the mercenary's shoulders, wrapped her legs around his neck, and twisted. He went limp instantly. Before his body hit the ground, she backflipped into the bushes and vanished again.
"She's a monster!" the last soldier yelled, turning to run.
He didn't make it three steps. Luna emerged from the shadows like a phantom. She swept his legs and drove her heel into his chest. CRUNCH.
In sixty seconds, the elite squad was gone. Only Viper remained.
Viper was shaking. He held his assault rifle with sweaty hands. "Come out! Show yourself!"
"Drop the weapon," a calm voice spoke from behind him.
Viper spun around.
Alex was leaning against a tree, holding a bottle of the glowing water. He looked like he was on a casual hike, not in the middle of a war zone.
Beside him, Luna stood perfectly still. Her blue evening gown was spotless. Not a drop of blood on her.
"You..." Viper gritted his teeth. He raised his gun to shoot Alex.
BANG.
But the shot didn't come from his gun. It came from Luna. She had moved faster than his finger could pull the trigger, kicking the gun out of his hand and pinning him to a tree by his throat.
Viper gagged, clawing at her arm. Her grip was like steel.
"You should have done your research," Alex said, walking over. "Did the Duke tell you I was defenseless?"
Viper's eyes widened. "You... you know it was the Duke?"
"Of course," Alex smiled coldly. "I own this island. I see everything."
Alex leaned in close.
"I'm going to let you live, Viper. Do you know why?"
Viper shook his head, gasping for air.
"Because I need a messenger," Alex said. "Go back to Europe. Tell Duke Sterling that he just declared war on the wrong person. Tell him I'm coming for his diamonds."
Alex nodded to Luna.
She released her grip. Viper collapsed to the ground, coughing.
"Get off my island," Alex ordered. "Before I change my mind."
Viper didn't hesitate. He scrambled to his feet and ran towards the beach, leaving his millions of dollars worth of equipment behind.
Alex looked at Luna.
"Good work," Alex said. "But you missed a spot." He pointed to a leaf in her hair.
Luna brushed it off, looking slightly embarrassed. "Apologies, Master. I will improve my efficiency."
"No need," Alex grinned. "You were perfect."
[DING!]
[Hidden Mission Complete: Defend Your Territory.] [Enemies Neutralized: 6.] [Reward: +500 Tycoon Points. +10 Agility.] [Current Stats:] [Strength: 20 | Speed: 30 | Charm: 85]
"Let's go back," Alex said. "I have a castle to design. And a Duke to bankrupt."