I, the slave boy, awaken with the most potent seed!!

The emperor cleared his throat, visibly composing himself. "Well, Steele, it seems our time is up. I hope this conversation has been... enlightening for you."

Steele stood, adjusting his hat. "Oh, it's been... most educational, Your Majesty. Though I can't help but wonder... why you really came here... this morning."

The emperor rose as well, his expression unreadable. "Sometimes, Steele, the simplest explanations are the truest. I merely wanted to ensure you were fully prepared for what lies ahead."

"How thoughtful... of you," Steele replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

As they made their way to the door, the emperor paused, turning to face Steele. His face was grave, his eyes searching as he spoke.

"Steele, the council has come to an agreement."

The emperor's face remained impassive as he dropped the bombshell. "The council has agreed, Steele. You'll journey to the wasteland with the aid of the gatekeepers. But... with a companion. One of our finest officers, Mazikeen Martial."

He gestured to the silent female officer by his side. Steele's eyes widened imperceptibly, his phantom gaze failing him for perhaps the first time.

Without another word, the emperor turned on his heel and strode away, leaving Steele and Mazikeen alone in the opulent chamber.

Steele's composure cracked for a moment as he began to berate the retreating emperor. "You conniving... snake! I don't need... a babysitter... especially not some...

woman tagging along!"

He spoke as if Mazikeen wasn't standing right beside him, his words laced with disdain. With a dramatic huff, he turned and threw himself onto the lavish bed, his hat somehow remaining perfectly in place.

Mazikeen approached, her steps measured and purposeful. When she spoke, her voice was devoid of emotion, as dry and unyielding as wet cement. "I'm thrilled to work with you Officer Steele."

Steele rose, finally registering her presence. His eyes narrowed as he took in her impeccable uniform and unflinching gaze.

Without warning, Mazikeen thrust out her hand. "It's an honor to meet the legendary Steele. Holder of the most case closures in empire history. Your reputation precedes you."

A smile crept across Steele's face as he shook her hand, unable to resist the ego stroking. "Mazikeen... was it?" he drawled.

She nodded curtly before launching into her own impressive list of accomplishments. "Highest commendation in five kingdoms. Expert in fifteen forms of combat. Fluent in twenty-three languages. But I'm sure you don't care about such trivial details, now do you Officer Steele?"

Steele's eyebrows shot up, offense clear in his voice. "What the hell... do you mean... by that?"

Ignoring his indignation, Mazikeen reached into her pocket and produced a folded piece of paper. "Our target is Zafron. Murderer on the run. Escaped your men and ended up in Area 52."

She continued, her words clipped and precise. "Accompanied by Matilda Blackthorn. Wife or should I say ex wife of Lord Blackthorn who escaped with her servant boy from Astoria. Chased in Drakoria by bounty hunters where Malachi Vest, criminal lord was killed."

Mazikeen's eyes glinted as she shared her findings. "Escape cart belonged to Beaumont family. Multiple bodies found in Vest's mansion. All bodies of members of the Brotherhood. Wanted gang in Drakoria, Failed coup."

She paused, a smirk playing at the corners of her mouth. "Fifty men, dead that day. You narrowed it to one suspect. How did you manage that, Officer Steele?"

The challenge in her voice was unmistakable. Steele found himself both irritated and intrigued by this woman who seemed unfazed by his reputation. It was clear that Mazikeen Martial was no ordinary officer, and this partnership promised to be anything but routine.

Mazikeen's eyes glinted with a mix of amusement and skepticism as she continued, her tone a perfect blend of respect and mockery.

"I mean sure, Officer Steele. Your deductive skills are legendary. Perhaps you smelled the culprit's perfume from fifty paces?" She raised an eyebrow, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Or maybe your famous phantom gaze saw through walls and time itself?"

Steele's face remained impassive, but his jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.

"Oh, I know!" Mazikeen exclaimed, snapping her fingers. "You used your unparalleled charm to coax a confession from the curtains. They do say you can make anyone talk."

She paced the room, ticking off points on her fingers. "Let's see... fifty dead bodies. One suspect. No witnesses. Minimal evidence.

Yet somehow the great Officer Steele cracks the case. It's almost miraculous."

Pausing, she turned to face him, her expression now serious. "Your clearance rate is impressive. Truly. But at what cost I wonder?"

Mazikeen's voice took on a more pointed tone. "You've closed more cases than any officer in empire history. Brought down crime lords and corrupt officials. Your name strikes fear into the hearts of criminals everywhere."

She leaned in slightly, her eyes boring into his. "But how many of those cases were truly solved? How many innocents have suffered for the sake of your perfect record?"

Steele's expression remained unreadable, but his fingers twitched slightly at his side.

"I've studied your methods, Steele," Mazikeen continued, her voice low and intense. "Impressive but often questionable. You get results but at what price?"

She straightened up, her posture rigid. "You're known for bending rules. Pushing boundaries. Getting confessions by any means necessary. It's effective but is it just?"

Mazikeen's eyes narrowed slightly. "Your phantom gaze is a powerful tool. But it's not infallible. How many times have you relied on it instead of solid evidence?"

She began to pace again, her words measured and sharp. "You're a legend, Officer Steele. But legends can be dangerous. They can make us forget the importance of due process. Of real justice."

Finally, she stopped directly in front of him, meeting his gaze unflinchingly. "I know what you're after, Steele. Two things. The target and another notch on your belt. Another case to add to your impressive tally."

Her voice took on a steel edge. "But I'm not here for your glory. Or your numbers. I'm here for justice. Real justice. Not just a closed case file."

Mazikeen's final words hung in the air between them, a challenge and a declaration all at once. "You may be...THE most famous officer in the empire, Steele. But fame isn't everything. And it certainly isn't justice."

The room fell silent, the tension palpable as Steele and Mazikeen stood face to face, two formidable forces about to embark on a journey that would test them both in ways they couldn't yet imagine.

Mazikeen turned around and began to walk away then she paused, her hand on the doorknob. Without turning, she spoke, her voice carrying a mix of curiosity and challenge.

"Case number 1579... the one that... got away. Right, Steele?" She glanced over her shoulder, eyebrow raised. "This is... personal for you...

isn't it? Has to be. Why else would you be crazy enough to chase a criminal straight into the wasteland?"

She shook her head, a wry smile playing on her lips. "It makes no sense. Unless there's more to this story."

Turning fully to face him, Mazikeen's eyes gleamed with a hint of admiration, despite her previous criticisms. "I'll give credit where it's due, though. Your numbers are undeniably impressive. Can't lie about that."

She opened the door, then paused in the threshold. A mischievous smile spread across her face as she looked back at Steele, her eyes sweeping suggestively over the disheveled room.

"The gatekeepers will be ready by dawn," Mazikeen said, her tone light but with an underlying seriousness. "Don't get too busyin the night and oversleep. We wouldn't want the great Officer Steele to be late for his own mission."

Her smile widened, a mix of challenge and anticipation in her voice as she delivered her parting words.

"We're going to Area 52, Steele. I hope you're ready because I simply cannot wait!!" She said gleefully.

With that, she stepped out, closing the door behind her and leaving Steele alone with his thoughts and the looming specter of their impending journey into the heart of Area 52.