After the intense duel, Agent Thompson approached Danial with a sense of pride and respect in his eyes. He extended his hand in a congratulatory gesture. "Well done, Danial. You've proven yourself to be an exceptional fighter, and I'm pleased to welcome you to the Special Ops Unit officially," he said warmly.
Danial nodded, feeling exhilarated and excited. He never thought he would join as an officer in the Law Enforcemet Headquarters, but also be included in the highly enigmatic, powerful and secretive Special Ops team. Agent Thompson put his hand on Danial's shoulder and said, " Come with me, I will show you the other rooms and different departments you can access as a Law Enforcement Officer."
Danial nodded vigorously and followed Agent Thompson after bidding farewell to his teammates and the grey-eyed man. His name was Lark.
Agent Thompson led Danial on an extensive tour of the Law Enforcement Headquarters, showcasing the different sections and departments that Danial could access as a Law Enforcement Officer. They visited the intelligence department, where agents analysed data and information from various sources to aid in their missions. They walked through the training facilities, where officers honed their combat and tactical skills. They passed by the communications hub, where secure channels facilitated seamless coordination during operations.
"This is the tactical operations centre," Agent Thompson explained as they entered a high-tech room filled with large screens and maps displaying real-time data. "This is where we plan and strategise for our missions. It's the nerve centre of the entire operation."
Danial was thoroughly impressed with the level of sophistication and the scale of the operations they were a part of. He listened intently as Agent Thompson gave detailed explanations about each department, gaining a better understanding of the inner workings of the Special Ops Unit.
Finally, they arrived at the armoury, a heavily guarded and secure room containing an impressive array of advanced weaponry and equipment. Danial's eyes widened as he took in the sight.
"Here's where you'll have access to the gear and weapons you'll need for your missions," Agent Thompson said, his tone more serious than before. "Remember, this equipment is classified and should only be used during authorized operations."
Danial nodded respectfully, understanding the gravity of the responsibility that came with accessing such advanced weaponry. But he couldn't help himself and decided to lighten the mood with a small jest. "I guess I can't take any of these fancy toys home to show off to my friends, huh?" he said with a mischievous grin.
Agent Thompson's expression remained stoic, and for a moment, Danial thought he might have overstepped his bounds with the joke. But then a faint smile tugged at the corner of Agent Thompson's lips. "No, Danial, I'm afraid not," he replied, playing along with the banter. "Our toys are for official use only, not for show-and-tell."
Danial chuckled, relieved that he hadn't offended his superior. He appreciated the captain's ability to find some lightness in their serious line of work.
After the tour, they headed to the administrative section to create Danial's identity card. Agent Thompson handed over the necessary documents to the officer in charge. Danial gave the relevant information and the officer started creating the identity card required.
As the officer reviewed the documents, he paused and looked up at Danial with a puzzled expression. "Captain Thompson, there seems to be a discrepancy here," he said, pointing at the age listed on the papers.
Agent Thompson furrowed his brow and glanced at the documents, then back at Danial. "What's the issue?" he asked, concerned.
"The birthdate listed here indicates that Danial is only 17 years old," the officer replied.
Agent Thompson's eyes widened in surprise, and he turned to Danial. "Is this true?" he asked, seeking confirmation.
Danial answered, " Yes, Agent Thompson, I am 17 years old."
Hissssss
Agent Thompson took a deep breath and thought to himsel,f " Such power at such a young age, who exactly is he and how did he acquire such strength. Even if he started training from his mother's womb, he wouldn't have attained such strength. This seems impossible... unless.....Unless he has a Master!!!!"
Agent Thompson quickly asked Danial, " Danial, who taught you martial arts?"
Danial thought it was a casual question and said, " No one I learned it myself."
Agent Thompson took a much deeper breath as he stared in shock.
"He doesn't have a master. If what he says is true, then he might actually be a freak of nature. If this information about him leaks out into the world, it might cause chaos... No, he must be lying. Nevertheless, for whatever reason, there I must discuss it with Marshal Barns after I make his identity card."
Agent Thompson gradually calmed down and said to the officer, " No matter, create his identity card".
The officer wanted to retort when he saw Agent Thompson's expression and involuntarily shivered. He immediately did what Agent Thompson requested and made the identity card for Danial as the Officer of the Law Enforcement Branch Headquarters.
Agent Thompson wasted no time in informing Marshal Barns, the head of the Law Enforcement Branch, about the revelation regarding Danial's age. He knew that such sensitive information had to be handled with the utmost care and confidentiality.
Marshal Barns listened intently as Agent Thompson explained the situation, his eyes widening in surprise as he processed the information. "Are you certain about this, Thompson?" Marshal Barns asked, seeking confirmation.
"Yes, sir. The documents clearly indicate that Danial is only 17 years old," Agent Thompson replied. "I thought it was a mistake at first, but Danial himself confirmed it."
Marshal Barns sat in his chair, seemingly in deep thought. He knew Danial was extraordinary but didn't expect that he would be this young. They knew this matter must be protected. In Somerland, a Peak Stage Mortal Level Cultivator would at minimum take 40 years to reach for an ordinary person, and that too with extreme and vigorous training. Even a genius would take at least 25 to 30 years to reach the Peak of Mortal-level Cultivation.
If Danial's cultivation and his age are revealed in the world, then it would surely cause chaos.
Agent Thompson continued, "Marshal Barns, I believe we should keep Danial's true age a closely guarded secret. For now, we can present him as a normal officer within the Law Enforcement Organization, and only a select few, including ourselves, should be aware of his actual abilities and age."
Marshal Barns nodded in agreement. "You're right, Thompson. We can't risk exposing him to unnecessary attention or endangering his safety. We'll treat him like any other officer publicly while ensuring that he continues to train and work with the Special Ops Unit covertly."
"Exactly," Agent Thompson replied. "As for the rest of the team, I suggest we inform them that Danial is a skilled recruit with extraordinary potential, but leave out the specifics of his age and training."
Marshal Barns sat back in his chair and said " He withstood my pressure even though he is still in the Mortal cultivation stage. I even used about 40 percent of my energy and it still didn't affect him... No wonder he caught the president's attention. I bet the president doesn't know his age. I would have to talk about this to the president personally, And for his Identity as an Elite in the Special Ops team, I have rather have him called on emergency or when the Special Ops team cannot solve a case."
Agent Thompson asked, " But why?? He is considered a genius; his involvement in the Special Ops team would only help them."
Marshal Barns explained, "From his looks, he looks old enough to join the Special Ops team as a prodigy, but if someone knew his actual age in the Special Ops team, they would be shocked, and I don't want anyone to know about it. Furthermore, his strength surpasses each of the members of the Special Ops team so I recommend using him as sparsely as possible to avoid redundancy"
Agent Thompson sat back and said in a deep voice, " This time we might have caught a monster."
Marshal Barns didn't repl,y and they both sat in their chairs in deep thought.
Meanwhile, Danial was waiting for his card to be printed when suddenly Alex from earlier bumped into him. Seeing his Alex mocked, " Ohhh it's you, brat, what are you doing here? Remember just because Agent Thompson acknowledges you doesn't mean that you belong to the Law Enforcement Organisation. You have to follow my rules down here otherwise the consequences will be dire"
Danial crossed his arms, staring at Alex with a determined expression. "I know exactly where I stand, and I don't need your permission to belong here," he retorted firmly. "I earned my place in the Law Enforcement Organization, just like everyone else."
Alex smirked, clearly enjoying getting under Danial's skin. "You might have impressed Thompson, but you're still a rookie. Don't think you can challenge the authority of experienced officers like me."
Danial stepped forward and said, " Try me"
Before the matter could escalate ,Monica stepped in between Danial and Alex, her presence commanding attention. "Alright, enough of this," she said firmly, her gaze moving between the two. "We're all on the same team here, and we have important work to do. Bickering won't get us anywhere."
Alex scoffed at Monica's intervention. "You're just a softy, Monica. You always try to meddle and play peacemaker. It's pathetic," he retorted, clearly unimpressed.
Monica's expression didn't waver, and she maintained her composure. "I'm not trying to be a softy," she replied evenly. "I'm trying to maintain discipline and respect among the team members. We can't afford to have internal conflicts."
Danial took Monica's advice to heart and backed down, knowing that she was right. He didn't want to start his career with unnecessary conflicts. However, he couldn't let Alex's disrespect slide either. "I'm not here to cause trouble," Danial said firmly, but with a more restrained tone. "I just want to do my part and move on I I don't want unnecessary trouble"
Alex rolled his eyes, clearly uninterested in Danial's response. "Yeah, yeah, we'll see about that," he muttered before walking away, leaving Danial and Monica behind.
Monica turned to Danial with an encouraging smile. "Don't let Alex get to you," she said reassuringly. "He's always been like that, but he's also a capable officer. Just give it some time, and you two will find common ground."
Monica then stretched out her hand and said, " I forgot to introduce myself, my name is Monica."
Danial shook Monica's hand with a smile. "Nice to meet you, Monica. Thanks for stepping in back there. I guess I'll have to learn how to deal with Alex in my way."
Monica nodded, her smile warm and understanding. "You'll find your way. It takes time to adjust to the dynamics within the team, but I believe you'll fit in just fine."
Monica then gave Danial a flirtatious smile and said, " I will see you around "
Danial was dumbstruck, but he immediately removed his thoughts. After some time Danial went to meet Agent Thompson and asked if the procedures were done to which Agent Thompson agreed and handed him his identity card.
Danial accepted the card and saw that his age was not mentioned in the card and so he asked Agent Thompson, " Sir, why is my age not mentioned?"
Agent Thompson gave Danial a reassuring smile before answering his question. "The reason your age is not mentioned on the identity card is for security purposes," he explained. "As a member of the Special Ops Unit, we try to keep as much information about our operatives confidential as possible. It helps protect both you and the integrity of the unit."
Danial nodded in understanding. He had already realized that the Special Ops Unit operated in secrecy, and he respected the need for discretion. "I see. That makes sense," he replied.
Agent Thompson then continued, "Regarding your role within the Special Ops Unit, you will not be participating in day-to-day missions like the other officers. Instead, you will be called upon for critical missions that require your unique skills and abilities."
"Critical missions?" Danial asked, intrigued.
"Yes," Agent Thompson confirmed. "Your exceptional martial prowess and the fact that you've attained such strength at a young age make you a valuable asset for special assignments. You'll be handling cases that are too sensitive or dangerous for regular operatives."
Danial felt a surge of pride and responsibility. Being entrusted with critical missions was a testament to his abilities, but he also understood the gravity of the tasks that lay ahead. He was determined to prove himself and carry out his duties with the utmost dedication.
Agent Thompson then handed Danial another card. This one was different from his Law Enforcement Officer identity card. It bore the emblem of the Special Ops Unit, and both Marshal Barns and Agent Thompson's signatures adorned it.
"This is your Special Ops identity card," Agent Thompson said. "It serves as proof of your affiliation with the unit and will grant you access to our facilities, equipment, and resources. Keep it safe and with you at all times."
Danial accepted the card with gratitude, feeling a sense of pride as he held it in his hand. It was a symbol of the trust and faith placed in him by his superiors.
Agent Thompson's expression turned serious as he looked at Danial. "Remember, with great power comes great responsibility," he said. "Your actions will have far-reaching consequences, and the safety of the nation and its people will rely on your decisions."
Danial nodded heavily and said, " I will not disappoint you, Agent Thompson."
Agent Thompson nodded and said, " Before all of that, you need to know the basic,s so come with me."
Agent Thompson led Danial to a department focused on intelligence analysis and information gathering. As they walked through the corridors, Danial couldn't help but notice the intense focus and activity of the agents around them.
"Here we are," Agent Thompson said, gesturing to the bustling room. "This is where the magic happens. Our intelligence analysts gather and process information from various sources to provide us with valuable insights for our missions."
Danial looked around, seeing agents poring over screens filled with data and images. "It looks like a lot of work," he remarked.
Agent Thompson chuckled. "It is indeed. Our analysts are skilled at deciphering patterns, identifying potential threats, and finding leads for our missions. As an officer, you'll need to familiarize yourself with the basics of intelligence analysis."
Danial nodded eagerly. "I'm ready to learn," he said.
Agent Thompson introduced Danial to one of the experienced intelligence analysts, a woman named Rebecca. "Rebecca, this is Danial. He's a new member of the Special Ops Unit," he said.
Rebecca smiled warmly at Danial. "Welcome aboard," she said. "I'll show you the ropes and get you up to speed with the basics."
Throughout the morning, Danial absorbed a wealth of information about intelligence analysis. Rebecca explained various techniques used to gather data from both open and covert sources, how to assess the credibility of information, and how to spot potential leads for further investigation.
Danial found the subject fascinating, and Rebecca was impressed with his quick grasp of the concepts. "You seem to have a natural talent for this," she commented.
Danial smiled modestly. "I guess I'm just eager to learn everything I can to be effective in the Special Ops Unit," he replied.
Rebecca nodded approvingly. "That attitude will take you far," she said. "Being adaptable and continuously learning is crucial in our line of work."
As the morning passed, Danial felt more and more at home in the intelligence department. He found himself asking questions, delving deeper into the intricacies of intelligence analysis. The exchange between Danial and Rebecca became more conversational, with both sharing insights and experiences.
Agent Thompson observed Danial from a distance, pleased with how quickly he was picking up essential knowledge. He knew that while physical prowess was crucial in their line of work, having a strong foundation in intelligence analysis could be equally valuable.
After a productive morning, Agent Thompson and Danial reunited to discuss the experience. "I can see that you have a genuine interest in intelligence analysis," Agent Thompson remarked.
Danial nodded enthusiastically. "It's a critical aspect of our missions, and I want to be proficient in it," he replied.
Agent Thompson smiled. "That's the spirit, Danial. Having a versatile skill set will make you a formidable asset in the field."
As the day progressed, Danial continued his training and orientation in various departments, including surveillance techniques, decryption and coding, and strategic planning. He soaked up knowledge like a sponge, eager to contribute in any way he could.
In the end, they talked about team formation and how to understand the enemy and use different strategies to defeat them. Danial sighed in relief as he completed what looked like a monumental task for someone.
Agent Thompson patted Danial and said proudly, " Well done, Danial. You completed everything in one day, not bad for a rookie kid."
Danial humbled himself and said, " I am just learning and adapting."
Agent Thompson then assured Danial of an area of the branch where a bunch of elevators were placed horizontally in an arc and a lot of officers were entering and exiting them. Agent Thompson said, " This is your way out."
Danial had a puzzled expression so Agent Thompson explained " The route you came in the morning is meant to be used for tourists and other people who to the branch once but if you are an officer then this is how you can enter and exit the facility at will. These are Omnidirectional elevators that are connected to the city via underground tunnels. Each tunnel is connected to either a city's remote coffee shop or high-end Malls. The officers who use the elevators have to scan their identity cards and enter the location where they want to go and the elevator uses the tunnels as their direction and sends them off."
Danial asked in curiosity " But won't people know something is off if someone suddenly comes out of the elevator and what if someone saw something?"
Agent Thompson smiled and said " That is true but usually the elevator is designed to completely blend with the elevator in those areas and usually the areas we selected are either remote or not well known or its n area crowded enough so no one notices anything."
Danial nodded, understanding the reasoning behind the discreet elevator system. "That's clever. It keeps our movements hidden in plain sight," he remarked.
"Exactly," Agent Thompson said with a nod. "Secrecy and efficiency are essential for our operations, and this elevator network helps us achieve that. Just remember to use it responsibly and only for official business."
"I will," Danial assured him.
Danial went into one of the elevators and took out his Law Enforcement Officer identity and scanned it. The device immediately recognised it and showed a menu of different locations within the Southern District. Danial chose the one near his hometown ,which was a cafe called " Cafe Noir " He bid farewell to Agent Thompson and pressed the button, and the elevator moved swiftly, changing direction multiple times, and it finally stopped. A typical ding sound came and the elevator opened, and he found himself inside Cafe Noir. He was Dazed and also excited knowing he would get to use it at will.
The Cafe owner, who was sitting behind the desk, saw Danial in a daze and immediately called him. Danial went to him and asked him what happened.
The Cafe owner replied, "Don't look so excited, after a while you will get used to it."
Danial understood that the Cafe Owner also works for the Law Enforcement Branch Headquarters and was stunned. He quickly thanked the owner and went home.
When he arrived home he saw his mom carefully caressing his father's photo frame and was disgruntled. He greeted his Mother and went upstairs to his room. Sophie didn't know that Danial arrived home and was at a loss at how to tell him about his father.