KZztk.

"Command, this is Onyx7. Respond."

....clk

"Onyx7, receiving. Contact is only to be made in emergency. Do you require backup?"

O7: No backup needed. Need details on this assignment. Is this a test?

HQ: ...

O7: Command?

HQ: We are confused. Are you joking? You're not normally a joker. This is not a training simulation. This is a simple capture and extract.

O7: I assure you, there is nothing simple about this mission. This place is a flippin' circus! 

HQ: Elaborate, Number 7. Are you facing tougher security than anticipated?

O7: Negative, command. Quite the opposite. Only met a few, and it seems security has a habit of... messing with the regular staff. 

HQ: And the target?

O7: That's the weird part...

HQ: We understand. Phantom is a Code Black threat. That's why you were sent. You're the best field agent we have. We know you can do i-"

O7: Oh, not that. It's already done.

...

HQ: Say again, Number 7?

O7: The target is currently secured. She's fast asleep and nicely restrained. Jacketed and gagged, ready for a bag. 

...

HQ: What's the problem, then, Number 7?"

O7: Well, I didn't do it. When I came into her office, she was already like this. Someone else got to her first.

HQ: Someone else? Competition? Another agency? 

O7: I tranquilized her and strapped her up nicely. She's also neutralized. She's not competition. She's the target's assistant. And it gets weirder.

...

O7: While I was restraining the assistant, two different people walked in, but before I could react, they apologized for the inconvenience and simply left. Despite the fact that they saw the CEO and her assistant unconscious and trussed up by yours truly. As far as I can tell, Security hasn't even been alerted."

HQ: Onyx 7... at the risk of sounding unprofessional, we admit it. We're as confused as you are. These people don't seem to see an event like an intruder kidnapping their staff as alarming or distressing. The silver lining is that extraction will be easier.\

O7: Agreed. I'll get to it then. Onyx 7 out.

Headquarters navigators took off headsets, rubbed foreheads, and rolled eyes.

"Maggie, contact the Intel department. Tell them to add a note to the MirageCorp dossier. Mark it as "STRANGE".

----

Featuring Aria Warden

story AND art by Creation-Spawn 

https://www.deviantart.com/creation-spawn