The team returned to the base, battered but victorious. Their mission had secured a Rikapud vessel, but more importantly, it uncovered something far more dangerous than they had imagined.
Code Z: The Warping Threat
During the ship's debriefing, intelligence officers analyzed the recovered navigation logs and encrypted data. The findings were shocking.
The Rikapud were experimenting with an advanced warping technology—a temporary portal that could transport matter instantly from one location to another, even across vast distances in space. This wasn't mere faster-than-light travel—it was instantaneous movement, bypassing the limitations of conventional physics.
But there was a flaw.
They couldn't control where the portal opened. Each jump was unpredictable, sending their ships to unknown destinations. The Rikapud were desperate to crack the code. Intelligence reports suggested they were actively searching for someone capable of solving it or any ancient clues that might hold the key.
This research, now codenamed "Code Z", was the most critical technological development in the war. If the Rikapud completed their research before humanity did, the consequences would be catastrophic.
The Black Council, the intelligence division of the Black Officials, assessed the threat. The conclusion was grim:
• If the Rikapud succeed first, they won't need to continue regressing Earth's technology. Instead, they could warp an entire army directly into key locations, wiping out resistance in an instant.
• The only way to prevent this was to advance human technology to a level equal to or beyond theirs—and fast.
A new directive was issued: surpass the Rikapud in Code Z and use it against them before they could deploy it themselves.
The New Black Officials
In response to the growing threat, the Black Officials initiated a new recruitment phase, selecting the most elite warriors and strategists from across Africa.
Among them were five promising leaders:
• Ruger – The genius, driven by vengeance, holding untapped potential.
• Sypher – A master tactician and hacker, specializing in cyber warfare.
• Alex – A weapons expert, highly skilled in close-quarters combat and firearms.
• NKhensani – A diplomat and strategist, trained in infiltration and espionage.
• Lethabo – A scientific prodigy, specializing in energy systems and theoretical physics.
These five would form the core command unit, directly under Zakes, the legendary leader of the Black Officials.
Their mission was not only to fight but to innovate—to develop the strongest force the Earth had ever seen, one that could counter and ultimately defeat the Rikapud.
The Training Arc Begins
With the world on the brink of a new war, the Black Officials extended an invitation to other continents. Nations across the globe sent their strongest warriors, scientists, and tacticians to train alongside them, forming multiple specialized squads.
The goal was clear: prepare for infiltration, negotiation, and, if necessary, war.
The world sought to minimize casualties, but Ruger?
Ruger didn't care about diplomacy. His entire reality had been shattered—his childhood was a lie, his father stolen from him, and his emotions manipulated by the monster that replaced him. Revenge was the only thing on his mind.
As training intensified and the race for Code Z accelerated, one question remained:
Would Ruger remain a soldier of Earth, or would his personal vendetta consume him?