Chapter 5

~Sorry about the long wait guys, but I've been busy with school. This will continue to happen until the 21st when I actually go on break. Anyways, I hope you enjoy the chapter! Please review! ~

Immediately after leaving the pub, I took the aged Warrior's advice and went straight to Seeker Head Quarters. They would surely have the answers to all of my questions. The walk was a brief twenty minutes south of where I was. I shivered again, although this time it was from the cold as the early spring sun had already set beyond the horizon.

I pulled my signature leather jacket closer to me as I tried to soak up some warmth from the chilly breeze. Distracting myself, I hummed the tune of "Superstition" as it was my favorite song of all time. As usual, it helped me block out the cold and time seemed to go by faster as before I knew it, I was at my destination.

Seeker HQ now occupies the building that was once known as the World Trade Center. Why did they choose this building? I don't know. It was something about proving to the Phantoms that we were not afraid of a few bomb threats. However the Seekers were cautious and they set up anti-missile guns on the roofs of the main building as well as several neighbouring ones. Security ground forces were constantly patrolling the area. They even set up motion detectors and heat sensors in the sewers leading to the main building. All in all, it was impressive.

I stepped inside the heavily guarded building and made my way to the security checkpoint. I took out my ID and swiped it into the computer. Once the scan confirmed that I was really me, the security guard acknowledged my rank and unlocked the electric door for me. I nodded in thanks and proceeded inside.

Coming from the excited city outside, the interior of the main hall of Seeker Head Quarters was rather dull looking. The walls were the exact same shade of grey, fogged up glass covered the offices and everything looked clean. Too clean, I thought with certain distaste.

I sat down by the artificial waterfall, the sound of rushing water calming my nerves. I definitely needed more than this, but it would have to do. I was still trying to process everything the Warrior told me. I tried to see it as a trick to drive me insane, but I knew far too well that it was far more the truth. And that still didn't explain the sudden feelings I got like someone was watching me.

Thankfully I didn't get that feeling here, sitting in one of the most secured places in North America. There were other stationary Seeker HQ's throughout the country, Canada, and they even extend as far as East Europe and South Africa. The Australians and Japanese preferred to handle the Phantoms their own way, the reported justification being that they were isolated islands who have no effect from the war.

I snorted. That was a foolish move of them. They may not have much Phantom activity, but they fail to realize that the Phantoms are everywhere, not caring about who they target and why. The war may be centralized here in America and parts of Europe, but sooner or later the rest of the world will feel the full impact of this invisible battle.

The sound of my pager snapped me from my mental reflections. I took it out and read the message addressing me to go into the conference hall. I stood up and made my way to the designated area.

I had to take a heavily plated elevator down ten levels. The conference room was underground after a bomb destroyed the original one. Since then, it was decided that the conference room must be held in an area where it would be hard for Phantom agents to penetrate. There was even a camera right at my face, obviously showing that it was watching my every move.

The armoured elevator finally arrived at the level and I was more than relieved to get out of that annoying camera's view. There were several pairs of armed guards with rather big guns stationed along the hall leading to the conference room. They hardly glanced at me as I walked towards my destination.

At the conference door, I was met by a small secretary who gave me the folder outlining the mission and the council's view of it. I nodded in thanks and stepped around to small woman into the dim room.

The sound of the door shutting left an eerie echo in the hushed room. I could see the silhouettes of the five prime Seeker directors that led our division. It was forbidden to ever see their faces, unless they allowed you to. This was necessary to prevent Phantom agents from attempting to assassinate the directors when they were out of protective territory.

All five heads turned towards me, I could practically feel their intense stares focused solely on me. Even the dim light seemed to have put me in the spotlight. The figure in the middle gestured for me to sit.

"Please, take a seat agent Moore." A masculine voice instructed.

I promptly sat down and laid the folder on the glass table. The head figure continued.

"As you undoubtedly already know, your last mission was a well fabricated attempt of killing you. You are a most valuable agent of the Seekers, and it is obvious that the Phantoms are aware of your capabilities, given your record." I was rather bored as I listened to what the Warrior already told me, but I maintained my respect and continued to pay attention.

"Your partner was a Phantom spy; he disappeared over three months ago, presumed to be M.I.A. Although now we know what was his fate." The speaker paused, taking a sip of clear fluid; must have been water.

"We called you here because we have a proposition for you."

"Your scouting skills are of most importance to the Seekers, therefore we cannot afford to lose you." A second figure said, this one female.

"There is one course of action we must execute in order to keep you safe." The first figure stated.

I glanced between the two figures, trying to decipher their body languages. I mentally cursed when their bodies were as stiff as statues. I instead took a deep breath and focused on the first figure.

"What are you suggesting, director?" I asked politely.

"We are suggesting that we put you under the protection of a Guardian until the threat has subsided. I am afraid that there is no other alternative."

I stared at their dark figures blankly as my brain processed the information. They were basically telling me that I had to remain under constant surveillance by some random Guardian who would be watching every single thing I did. They might even have to relocate me. I couldn't believe this!

My legs twitched, causing a squeaking sound on the tiled floor.

"Are you alright agent Moore?" The head director asked.

I nodded, but deep down I felt like I was trapped in a cage that was slowly pressing against me.

The head director sighed.

"I know that this news troubles you, agent Moore, but you must understand that this is for your own good. We'll be damned if Phantom agents got you right under our noses."

I stood up abruptly, the chatter among the other directors halting as they all anticipated my next move. I merely glanced at what I assumed to be their eye level, one by one, until I stopped at the main director.

"With your permission, I would like to get my things together." I asked as monotonous as possible.

The head director shook his no.

"You won't need to agent Moore. You won't be relocated."

I mentally let out a breath of relief. At least I would be in a comfortable environment.

The head director pushed a button and the head secretary came in, awaiting instructions.

"Thank you for coming in, agent Moore. You may leave now."

A little too enthusiastically, I nodded and quickly left the room.

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About an hour later, I was back home at my cozy bachelor apartment. I threw myself onto my inviting bed, not bothering to change. With the day's events pressing on my mind, I found it hard to fall asleep but eventually exhaustion won and I drifted into a dreamless state.