Chapter Text
Cypher twiddled with his tripwire as he could feel the monotonous lecture coming from Brimstone in the briefing room. He was announcing and assigning future missions left and right to what felt like every other agent besides him. It was all gibberish at this point until he heard his name, which triggered a spark of attention at him.
“Cypher, you will be partnered with Astra in Egypt. There has been news there of a solar light controlling radiant on the loose and rumored attacks towards people. I know you two don’t know each other very well but with your intel and tracking down someone in a large country and Astra’s deep knowledge of the sun and stars it would make a useful dynamic. And I don’t want to assume too much, but it seems convenient knowing the country’s language.”
“Egyptian Arabic is very different, but I’ll manage.” Cypher responded.
Cypher thought of his relationship with Astra. It wasn’t very close at all. Their past interactions with each other have been fairly brief, but her comments weren’t the most friendly. “Expand your personality” and to be read into being the guardian of the cosmos and all.
It was rare for Astra to be assigned an on-action mission as she has been observing the galaxy to make sure Alpha and Omega Earth were balanced. It must have been a huge responsibility to have. Cypher was left alone to his thoughts for such a brief moment until Astra spoke up.
“Are you sure I have to work with Cypher?”
Brimstone sighed. Knowing how most of the young agents sometimes disagree working with their colleagues on assigned missions.
“Astra, I’ve said this many times to other agents in the past. You don’t get to choose who you work with. This is a mission you must do and your post is final.”
Ouch. Cypher knew Astra wasn’t the most fond of him, but she didn’t have to ask Brimstone in front of the entire briefing.
“The mission is in three days. Best to pack up and get ready. I know they aren't heavy rifles, but you’ll be provided with Ghosts since we want the perpetrator alive. I also want you two to be discreet and use it only when you need to. End of meeting. You all are dismissed.”
Astra strided towards the exit, trying to find Cypher and see what comment she could have made about this specific arrangement.
“Look Cypher, sorry about that question. Have you ever been to Egypt?”
“Cairo is such a bustling city. Makes a good hiding spot.” Cypher answered.
Though he didn’t directly answer, the way he implied with his answer made it seem like he was familiar with the streets of Cairo and where one of his safehouses could possibly be.
“I’m going to do what I do best and try to track down the radiant. You do your stargazing thing.” Cypher proposed.
“You did not just call what I do ‘stargazing’. I will look over Egypt in the astral realm.”
Cypher shrugged his shoulders and headed towards his room. He didn’t know what he intended with that comment. Ever since that question Astra asked in the briefing room made him try to make a snarky remark, but it fell flat.
***
The news reports of this radiant stayed consistent. Victims of their power were left with burn marks and temporary blindness. They always left the scene and any photos of them were with a mask or were very blurry. The only part of the face he could discern was their eyes. Even through the shoddy photos, he could tell their eyes were filled with scorn and vengeance like a deep pool of quicksand pulling you in.
Cypher has dealt with worse. At least there were eyes and supposed photos of them. He’s had rivals who didn’t have any physical presence leaked to the public. Hell, he dealt with the blackmailer who was later revealed to be Fade. Cypher decided to start with information on the victims. News reports luckily did give information on the victims, all with a consistent pattern. They all had ties to a crime syndicate. They all had the back of their right hands left with a large burn scar.
Cypher dug down to what this crime syndicate group was. It was clear the perpetrator had a strong vendetta against them. It seemed justifiable and maybe the radiant wasn’t out in the city harming innocent people. With just enough research, the notorious group was called the Alqamar. Members were most known with a crescent type symbol tattooed on the back of their right hand.
It was most likely the reason why all the ‘victims’ had a burn scar towards their right hand. Though it might be a waste of time, interrogating them might be an option of getting more information on the sun radiant. Though the victims stayed alive with the state of pain they were in, this assisted the police into arresting them, seeking justice after all.
The moon shone modestly over Cypher’s windowsill as he was on the hunt for information. He looked at news report over news report and tried to increase the quality of the photos. He looked at civilian databases and security camera footage of last known locations. After searching for who this person was, he finally got a name.
Munira Hamza. The name stuck with him in his head as he was hooked into digging deeper for more information. She was twenty six years old and obviously a radiant. It seems that her power is to control light and she gains it from the sun. Meaning those incidents were in broad daylight. Munira wore a cloth mask draped over her mouth and nose and a loose cloak, barely revealing her hair and figure.
It was apparent her family died to the Alqamar. Cypher didn’t even have to piece the puzzle for the attacks to make full sense. He knew what it was like to lose his family. He was surprised that she didn’t even burn their entire bodies to the ground. He might have not been radiant, but he could clearly remember the means he went through to make sure those who harmed his family suffered.
Cypher hadn’t had a good sleep in weeks. The blue light from his monitor dimmed down as he yawned and his eyes weary. He figured he might as well send a message to Astra about what he found.
“We have a name. Munira Hamza. She was last seen in El Matareya. Do what you will with this information.”
“Now that I have a name, did you get to clear the photos?”
“I tried, but they still aren’t the most clear. Sending them to you now. Astra, I am now going to get my well deserved rest. Good night.”
“Good night Cypher, pleasure working with you.” Astra concluded.
What Astra said astonished him. All this time he thought that Astra was cold towards him. Maybe it was sarcasm, but maybe it was genuine. With what he heard, he rested a little easier and the darkness eased his eyes into a state of unconscious sleep.