Chapter Text
Agent Moon was dressed in all-black. He was humming a tune on his way to a dark and quiet alleyway. Under the light of a dim light post, his eyes were illuminated. It was the only part of his face that was not covered with the black mask he was supposed to wear at all times. He stopped walking then waved a hand. “Hi, partner.”
Agent Star was already waiting at the dark alleyway. “Agent Moon, you’re almost late,” he greeted back. He was also dressed in all-black, and the mask was also covering his face except for his eyes. His fringes were like curtains, his clear eyes were the windows.
“Let’s just say I was barely two minutes early.”
“Well, as long as you’re here now. Why do you have a backpack?”
“It’s all part of the plan. I won’t bring something we wouldn’t need on a mission, right?”
“Okay, if you say so. What matters is that we get this job done. Did you receive the mission message?”
“Hack the tight security system of a secret money-lending syndicate,” Agent Moon started. “Retrieve all the personal information of the members of the syndicate and hand it over to our director. Sounds easy to me.”
“Not too fast. I was reviewing the security system code. I realized that the second we hack into their system, it will immediately send an emergency signal call to their security operations head. Judging from the design of the system, they will be able to restore their files in just minutes then completely lock their code. We won’t be able to hack it for a second time. We only have one chance, Agent Moon.”
“You’re giving them too much credit. This isn’t the first time we had to hack into a tight security system. In fact, this isn’t even close to the most difficult one we had encountered so far.”
“Do you have a solution?”
“Here’s the thing, partner. Turns out this secret syndicate posted a list of their official members on their public website. Now, why do they have a public website when they’re supposed to be a secret group?”
“The website is fake.”
“Exactly. It was designed to look like they were selling home appliances online. But it wasn’t also entirely useless. The website was simple, so it didn’t take long until I uncovered who created it.”
“That person must be the head of their security operations unit!”
“Close enough, but not too fast. After all, we’re still dealing with a secret syndicate. In this website, there were hidden messages all over the program code which were meant for someone else.”
“Are you saying that the person who leaves the hidden messages on the website is different from the person who actually controls their database?”
“Yes. They use the website to communicate in secret with that person.”
“But didn’t you say the website had a list of their members? Did it include information about the person behind their database? We just need to know how to deal with that person, so we can hack into their system without worrying that they will find us.”
“That person’s name isn’t on the website, but consider it done.”
“What do you mean?”
“I deciphered a secret message from the website that was sent for that person. It was about a new set of files that needed to be encoded on their database. Another thing about this syndicate is that they don’t send files through e-mails or messages because they fear that information might get leaked.”
“Sounds like...”
“Sounds like our agency’s own system, right? So, I thought that they could have a meeting place of their own, too. Maybe an office or somewhere outside. Then, when I retrieved the history of changes in their website’s program code, I found the coordinates of a café only three blocks away from here.”
“Great work, Agent Moon. What’s the plan now?”
“I will be in disguise and wait at the café to look out for this person. Once I can confirm their identity, I will find a way to distract them. This will buy you time to hack into the system.”
“Alright, I understand your plan. While you’re at it, make sure this person takes their eyes and hands off from their phone. The emergency signal call is sent to a phone to make it convenient and quick to block off any hack at any time and place. I can only guess that it must be that person’s phone so if they can’t access their phone, I can have more time to complete the transfer of files. I just need five minutes.”
“Got it, partner. I’ll be off to the café now because they will be meeting in ten minutes. I’m keeping my communication device attached. We can communicate through that.”
“Wait. I can hack the café’s CCTV system. It will be easier if I can see what’s happening while you are there.”
“No, you can’t do that. I will be in disguise as a worker and that means taking my mask off. We can’t reveal our identities, remember? Not even to each other.”
“Alright. I trust you, partner. Stay safe, Agent Moon.”
“You too, Agent Star. Let’s meet up at our place once this mission is over.”
Agent Moon quickly left to look for a place to change his clothes. He had the uniform in his backpack. A few days ago, he asked the staff at the ‘Costume Rental’ Department of their agency to make him this uniform especially for their mission.
On his way to the café, he was attaching the communication device inside the pocket where his fake I.D. was also clipped. He hid behind a wall just a few steps from the café. “Agent Star, can you hear me?”
“Yes, Agent Moon. What’s the update?”
“So far, I don’t see anyone close to the kind of person we’re looking for. I’ll keep you updated. Listen for my cue later, okay? I’m about to enter the café now.”
The harmonious sound of metal chimes by the door welcomed Agent Moon.
“Excuse me. Who are you?” A worker from the café asked as soon as he entered. “I haven’t seen you here before. Do you work here?”
“I’m from another branch of this café. I was told your café is extra busy every Thursday night, so our manager sent me over to help. Did your manager not inform you?”
“I didn’t hear anything from our manager here.”
“It must be because you’re so busy again. Let’s just get back to work. More customers are coming in,” the worker was easily convinced by Agent Moon’s act.
Meanwhile, back at the dark alleyway, Agent Star was already preparing the programs that he will need. He was just waiting for the cue before he can start hacking into the system. It didn’t take too long when he heard a series of commotion from the other end of his communication device.
“How are you going to fix this mess?!” A man was furiously shouting.
“I’m sorry, sir,” it was Agent Moon speaking. It seems that the plan has begun. “I’m really sorry. I’m not usually clumsy at work.”
“Are you kidding me right now?! Look at what you’ve done! My phone is completely wet and you even dropped it! It won’t turn on! How are you going to pay for this?!”
“I truly apologize, sir. I was distracted by the night sky…”
Night sky. That’s their code.
Agent Star began his work. His partner was right. This security system is not even close to the most difficult one they encountered so far.
It was around seven months ago when they received a similar mission to hack into another security system. It usually takes them less than an hour to finish the job but that mission took almost two hours. Luckily, they identified a loophole in the program and quickly took advantage of it. They know that the longer time they spend on a mission, the riskier it can be.
The secret agency where they work for is one that works with official authorities. Their missions are usually tracking down members of secret organizations involved in malicious businesses. For example, this syndicate has been deceiving the innocent people who come to them to borrow money. The police authorities have been trying to capture them, but the leaders of the group have kept their identities hidden so well. Their agency received the request for assistance a week ago, and the mission was immediately assigned to them.
“Where’s your manager?!” The man on the other side of the communication device was still furious. “I want to talk to your manager! You need to get fired! Unless you can find a way to buy me a new phone right now!”
“Sir, my manager is in another branch of this café. I don’t work here. I was just—”
“I don’t care! You ruined my phone here, so you’re getting fired here! WHERE IS YOUR MANAGER?!”
“Our manager’s not here. Let’s talk about this again in the morning…”
Morning. That means the situation is getting out of hand. Agent Star needs to finish his part of the mission quick. Right now, he just needs to finally transfer the files to their agency’s general database. Their director is waiting for the files then he will handle the rest.
“I’m here, sir. I’m the manager here,” Agent Star heard from the other end. Now, it won’t be long until they realize that Agent Moon just made his story earlier.
“Please hang in there. Just two more minutes,” but with all the commotion at the café, Agent Moon didn’t hear what he said.
“Who are you? You don’t work from here.”
“I’m from another branch.”
“One minute.”
“I don’t recall the other branches saying they were sending their worker here. Who are you?”
“Done!” Agent Star sighed in relief.
At the café, Agent Moon was told to leave the place. He was quickly running back to where he left his backpack. “Agent Star, did you finish it?” He asked through the communication device while also quickly changing back to his all-black set of clothes.
“Of course. Thanks to you, partner. I’m heading to our place now. See you there.”
***
Agent Star was already waiting at the rooftop of an abandoned apartment. He was sitting at the edge of the roof, making sure to keep a safe distance. From this place, he could get a good view of the city below him. The night scene is his personal favorite. This is the place where the two of them would meet up when they needed to talk and if they ever needed to split during a mission.
“Do you remember the first time we discovered this place?” asked Agent Moon as soon as he arrived. He sat beside Agent Star and joined him in watching the passing cars from the distance. Once again, he was now dressed in all-black and his mask was up.
“One year ago. The first time we had to split up to distract the people following us,” Agent Star replied.
“We had to disconnect our communication devices for a while because they could be tracking us through that.”
“But we needed to meet up again to finish the job because I only had half of the system key with me while you had the other half.”
“So, we left our codes in the places where we hid then we decided to meet here in the end,” Agent Moon was smiling behind his mask. The memories of that thrilling night still felt vivid. “It felt like we were in an action film. But honestly, that night, I was so scared.”
“Scared that you wouldn’t finish the mission? That’s unlikely of you. The Agent Moon that I know is always confident.”
“Nope, not that. That night, I was so scared that I would lose my partner if they ever did something to you. I can’t imagine working with someone else other than you, Agent Star.”
“Why do you sound like that? Is there something wrong?”
“This has been on my mind since that night.”
“What is it?”
“If the time comes when we’re not each other’s partners anymore, maybe when one of us gets assigned somewhere else or one of us chooses to leave the agency, I’ll never be able to find you again because we don’t know each other’s identities. We know nothing about each other except if it’s about the agency.”
“We can’t do anything about that. It’s part of the rules.”
“Of course, I know that. I know the rules more than anyone else. My father raised me as part of the agency since I was a child.”
“Stop right there, Agent Moon. We can’t share anything about our personal lives.”
“Alright, alright. You should be called Agent Rulebook, you know?” They both laughed at his remark. “I guess I just wanted you to know that you’re the best partner I could ever ask for,” they turned to each other and looked into the other’s eyes. “I always got your side, Agent Star.”
“And I always got yours, too, Agent Moon.”
In the silence of the deepening night, their voices were clear.