Chapter 2: Prologue: The Night

56 years later.

A colleague's computer caught Markuz's eye as he looked over his shoulder and saw him researching something while writing a report. He was typing the report while his colleague ran another program along with the internet browser. The text on the computer said:

Capital of the Verochian Republic, Hoffzung is a city of 10 million people located on the western coast of Aijia. The city was founded in 1258 after the 2nd Amralian-Tajian War as a strategic outpost for the Kingdom of Amralia, which became the focal point of many battles...

How the hell am I going to explain this? I am here with columns of paper after paper everywhere I will be the next person to file a lengthy report on the encounter. What a waste of time to waste time searching for something useless for an account or just a boring read. Who cares? Everyone in this room wants a more lucrative paycheck at the end of the month. Markuz wondered.

While analyzing the text on the computer, his friend and partner Janskzyzi tapped him on the back, surprising him.
In a soft and calm voice, Jaskzyzi spoke, "Hey Markuz, the chief wants to see both of us; he is waiting in the briefing room alongside my department."
"Ok, but don't sneak up on me. What's the chief calling us to do?" Markuz asked in shock.
Janskzyzi groaned and said, "You know that spy you got while searching some house before?"
"Yeah, him but I don't know anything about him anyway," Markuz sighed and looked at the computer then continued, "Besides that's the reason why I'm here doing some research."
"I see, but we need to go since the chief would be waiting all day on this report you got."
Markuz stood up after saving the report file and walked to the briefing room.
"Alright, we got a report filed by Sargent Markuz about the suspected spies from the Emp-" the chief looked at the report and seemed surprised about it. Then continued, "Huh, this should be passed to the Army Intelligence Corps, highly classified information, Sargent Markuz you are a reservist in the Military right?"
"Yes in the Army, chief."
"OK, we got a report from Sargent Markuz regarding the suspected spies from the Emp-" the chief looked at the report, surprised. "Huh, this should be handed to the Army Intelligence Corps, highly confidential material, Sargent Markuz, you're a reserve in the Military, right?" The Chief said.
"Yes, chief, and you know that I was in the intelligence office before I was here."
"I know and you should call your colleagues in there as quickly as possible. Aside from that, we have reports of murders and killings in the Southern region that are linked to a serial killer we don't know." He sighed and added, "The autopsy department has reviewed every corpse and observed that the method the victim died is identical."
"So, any DNA traces?" inquired one of the investigators in the room. "
He slide in the presentation and added, "As I mentioned, he or she may be a professional doing this for a cause that the killer left behind." He brought out the document that stated, All of these individuals are traitors to the country.
"What if this is connected to the probable espionage ring that I discovered?" Markuz raised his hand. "
"Might be, but I can't corroborate this nor the news you have, aside from that traffic cases in the city seem to have increased, but it's generally accidents and such."
"So it's the Mayor's fault?" One of the investigators asked.
"Yeah, that new order he gave had seemingly backfired on him," he sighed, continuing, "though the people may adapt this sooner or later to avoid similar mishaps later on. Anyway, you're all dismissed, so go work on your cases. And Sargent Markuz and Sargent Jaskzyzi stay for a moment I need to discuss this case you said."
"What's the matter chief?"
"The Terrans, they're up to something," the chief grumbled, pulling some old papers from his desk, then handing them to him and continuing, "You know. When I was a youngster, my parents told me about odd people from a planet named Earth, and I had no idea what they meant."

"The conflict between the United States and this country?"
"Yes, that, although it's the Old Fool's fault for attacking them first without any negotiation, although this," he continues, pointing to the CRT monitor, "is a piece of tech from their world, we didn't have anything before the Americans besides paper and pen to write information but this is useful for us now that we have it." He then checked the time, "You should go now, I need to deal with other things, and Sargent Markuz and your partner, Dismissed."

While the chief walked to his office, the Sargent and his colleague departed the room. The night was dark, but the automobile noises outside were loud; these were vintage American cars from the 1980s and 1990s, brand new and fresh off the assembly line. In the brilliant city nights, the Sargent and his colleague drove straight to the local Army Intelligence Office. Traffic was present and remained the same in major cities throughout the world. They arrived at the office after 30 minutes of waiting in the traffic.
"Name, Service number, and Branch?" The receptionist said as they entered, he pulled a note from his side and then continued, " What is the purpose of your visit? "
Sargent Markuz Dukrand, 883721, Army Reservist, and this friend of mine Corporal Janskszyzi 883722, Army Reservist." He pulled out the folder with the report, "We are here from the local Police force which I am currently serving with, that I have to pass this report to Major Jan Zeliga is he available right now?"
"Yes, Sargent, he's on the fourth floor; take the corridor to the right and ask someone where the Major's office is; he'll direct you there."
"Thank you and what's your name?"

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"Private Han Kiazi, Sir."
"Thanks, Private."
Both headed to the elevator and waited for it to stop. Although the office building they were in was an ancient remnant of the past that had been converted to something new, both guys were reservists in their mid-20s who were assigned to this location before. When the elevator came, there were three persons inside, all of them were dressed in green Army uniforms with camouflage designs, maybe ancient American ones. Three males exited the elevator and went their ways; two police officers entered the elevator and punched the number four button. The elevator rose for 30 seconds before arriving. There, in the enormous corridor of office computers in rooms and such, someone recognized Markuz and approached him, even though he was an old colleague of his in a green camouflage outfit.
"What are you doing in here, my old buddies Markuz and Janskzyzi? "
"Hello Triskan, where has the Major shifted?"
"Over on the right, I'll guide you if you've forgotten this place for three years."
"Fine," They started to walk to the correct hall, and Markuz remarked, "So how's it doing with this place?"
"As normal, except the technology, this thing called computers or something."
"I know, we should be thankful for it because it arrived weeks ago through the portal."
advanced than us they give us their old shit in exchange for something."
"I agree, particularly concerning new weaponry, vehicles, music, and other things."
"I'm not concerned about the weapo-"
"It's preferable to swords and arrows."
"I know what I'm attempting to imply is that they are selling something in exchange for this ancient junk from their world, most likely some natural resources for their benefit as well as new toys for the military to play with."
"It's politics, my friend; leave it to the president; aside from that, at least we're no longer forced to put our heads on that empire for centuries," he added as they approached the Major's office. "Go to the Major's office and speak with him since that's why you're here."

Markuz entered, but Janskzyzi remained outside, examining something in his pockets. Although the Major was sitting at his desk completing paperwork in the middle of the night at this office building, he was reaching the conclusion of his shift. His office has a lovely collection of literature and military decorations, and he has images of his family on his table next to his computer. On the left, there was a pile of documents that he had finished, but the boxes were still there; someone would have to arrange them for him later. The Major was neither startled nor astonished to see someone enter his office other than the intelligence personnel in the building.
"Hello, my old friend, how are things at the police department right now? "
"As usual, stuff goes to fan examining cases, and I have one that appears to pique your attention on it," he said, pulling out the file and placing it on his table before sitting in the chair.
The Major examined the file and was startled by the combined data, saying, "Well well well, I didn't expect this to happen in decades." He picked out an old file and handed it to Markuz, saying, "Read it, this is the same problem I'm dealing with right now, even though it happened a year ago."
"Seems this individual...," Markuz said after reading the file for a few minutes then continued, "Which we are now examining on the PD."
"Surprising that there is a spy ring in this nation, most likely from the Empire in the West, intending to start another war on us with NATO's help from Terra," he stood up and went checking the papers in his right drawer, then he pulled out something and continued, "Although this person you are investigating knows these spies or traitors as he labeled it would be some locally recruited from this country and trained in Tajia special units."
"Seems odd, but why would this be the case for the espionage ring and the killer connected? "
Major groaned and sat back in his chair, handing the paper to Markuz, and said, "Read it again."
The Sargent reviewed the dossier, which contained plans for probable Tajia attack scenarios of the capital city. He said, opening his lips. "Wait for a second... An invasion?"
"Yes, there will be an invasion soon, and the killer you mentioned was probably doing his utmost to neutralize the spies or traitors."
"We'll gue-"

When there was an unexpected explosion in the building, both were stunned and unsure of what to do. But the building's ceiling started collapsing, knocking Markuz unconscious.

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