The morning air still felt heavy. At 3:14 a.m., all four of them received the red code: R-17 / Black Alert, an order that only appeared when a situation crossed into full emergency. The location was simple and unsettling.
Safehouse K-Null.
A classified facility opened only for major cases.
Noah arrived first. The thick steel door slid open as the system detected his Alpha pheromones. Blue lights came alive slowly. Eric appeared moments later, his face calm, eyes sharp, as if he had already expected bad news. Liam and Jay arrived last. Jay paused to take a deep breath. The atmosphere was heavy, especially for an Omega with heightened sensitivity.
Once they stood before the holo-screen, the system activated. No human face appeared. Only the voice of the central AI filled the room.
"Operatives Noah, Eric, Liam, and Jay," the AI said evenly.
"Before this mission begins, critical information must be confirmed."
The tone shifted, heavier than before.
"Subject Jay. Your medical records show abnormal pheromone changes recorded one year ago."
Jay froze. "That change… it was from medication I took before. The doctor said it was just a supplement."
The AI projected a red holographic file.
"That substance was not a supplement. It was Ferom-9: Variant Gamma, one of four prototypes created by D.C."
Jay lowered his head, the color draining from his face.
Noah and Liam turned toward him, stunned.
The AI continued.
"Ferom-9 consists of four variants:
1. Variant Alpha – Codename: Ignis
2. Variant Beta – Codename: Flux
3. Variant Gamma – Codename: Vail
4. Variant Omega – Codename: Sereon
Each variant affects baseline pheromones differently. Variant Gamma, Vail, causes drastic alterations to human pheromone structures, converting the subject into a full Omega."
Jay gripped his own arm, breathing uneven.
"So… I became an Omega because of that?" His voice was barely above a whisper.
"Yes," the AI replied without emotion.
"And Ferom-9 is a classified project developed by D.C., an organization whose identity remains unknown. They are the primary architects of artificial pheromone manipulation."
Liam stepped closer to Jay. "If they lied to you back then, I swear—"
Jay shook his head. "No. I just want to know what really happened to me."
Noah tightened his grip on his weapon. "We'll get answers. For now, focus on the mission."
A new hologram appeared.
"Information regarding Ferom-9 was stolen seventy-two hours ago. Someone within this organization is involved. The individual is attempting to sell data on other variants, including the blueprint for Variant Omega, 'Sereon.'"
Eric raised an eyebrow. "If that data leaks, the world won't survive it intact."
"Correct," the AI said. "Data tracking indicates a final location."
A large map appeared.
WAREHOUSE Q-29 – CLASSIFIED BLACK SECTOR
A place that officially did not exist.
"Device X-49 is believed to be inside this warehouse," the AI continued.
"It can detect anyone who has used or stored Ferom-9. It is also the only method to identify the traitor."
Silence followed.
Jay swallowed. "Q-29 has anti-pheromone systems. If I go in… I'll be the first affected."
Liam stepped in front of him. "You won't face it alone."
Weapon lockers opened along the wall.
• Eric received a long-range pistol with thermal scope.
• Noah received a heavy Alpha-grade sidearm.
• Liam received an auto pistol and a compact shield controller.
• Jay received a lightweight Ion Pulse pistol with stun rounds, optimized for Omegas.
Jay held the weapon carefully. "It's light… I can handle this."
Liam smiled faintly. "Good. We cover each other."
The AI issued final orders.
"Team A: Noah and Eric.
Team B: Liam and Jay.
Operation duration: thirty-three minutes.
Exposure detected: mission failure."
Eric holstered his weapon. "The traitor is waiting for us to slip."
Noah pulled up his hoodie. "Then let's disappoint them."
They moved into an unmarked black vehicle. The old industrial district was silent and damp.
Standing before Warehouse Q-29, Jay scanned the steel entrance.
"System active… low frequency. Someone's inside."
Noah grinned slightly. "One is more than enough to cause trouble."
Eric raised his pistol, voice low. "Follow the plan."
The massive door creaked open on its own.
And the mission began.
---
Inside Warehouse Q-29, darkness ruled. The air smelled of metal and old oil. Noah and Eric advanced together through narrow corridors, silent, their footsteps absorbed by rubberized flooring. Noah scanned every side door and control panel.
"Check-in," Eric whispered, pulling up his tactical tablet. "Sensor signals detected. Three checkpoints in the main corridor. Hostiles may be repositioning."
Noah responded with a brief hand signal, weapon ready.
Elsewhere, Liam and Jay moved in sync. Jay's grip tightened on his pistol, heart racing. His thoughts drifted back to the serum he once took. Ferom-9. The drug that changed everything. Other Ferom-9 variants were known under different designations: Ignis, Aqua, Terra, each with distinct properties. His enhanced sensitivity could either help them or destroy them.
"Liam… if anything happens, I'll cover," Jay whispered, activating the ion stun module on his wrist.
Liam nodded, shield humming softly. "Stay coordinated."
Noah and Eric reached the warehouse's core area. Eric's voice dropped. "Movement detected. One target relocating to storage level B. We split."
Noah inhaled slowly. "I take the right corridor. You cover from above."
Minutes later, they reached a small chamber lined with metal plating. Eric checked his sensors. "Electromagnetic interference. Possible pheromone traps. Stealth only."
Meanwhile, Liam and Jay followed a parallel route. Jay staggered slightly, dizziness hitting hard as his Omega sensitivity spiked.
"Liam… pheromone surge. Sensors are reacting."
"Stay low," Liam said. "We avoid engagement. Data first."
Elsewhere, Noah spotted a figure hiding in shadow.
"Target spotted… but something's off."
Eric adjusted his aim. Then realization hit.
"Mis-direction," Eric whispered. "This isn't the real traitor. Everything here is staged."
Noah's eyes narrowed. "Maintain stealth. Secure the device. Record everything. Exfil."
Liam and Jay reached the control terminal. Data streams flooded the holo-screen. Shipment logs. Ferom-9 transfers. Jay realized the drug he took had come from this very operation, stolen and repurposed without his knowledge.
"Data secured," Liam said quietly. "Extraction point is behind the warehouse."
They moved in perfect coordination. Sensors flared. Lights flickered. False sirens blared to confuse intruders. But their teamwork held.
Outside, the night air hit hard. They breathed deeply.
"Device secured," Noah said. "Analysis later. Whoever the traitor is, not tonight."
Eric looked at Jay. "Ferom-9 isn't over. We'll be watching."
Jay nodded, the truth settling in.
The mission was over.
But D.C.'s puzzle had only just begun.