Claws of Operation Eclipse (C.O.E)

Luca leaned back in his chair, his sharp gaze locked onto the imposing Furion before him. A sly smirk tugged at his lips. "Zarro," he murmured, testing the name. The large, battle-scarred cat met his stare, unflinching.

Rising to his feet, Luca began to pace. "I've got a job for you. Retrieve the Chronochip from W.O.D."

Zarro's eyes glinted with amusement. "And what's in it for me?"

Luca paused mid-step, caught off guard. "You can talk," he muttered, more to himself than the Furion.

"Obviously," Zarro replied, licking his paw with practiced nonchalance. "I'm not just any Furion—I'm the best."

Luca's grin widened. "Name your price."

"Done," Zarro said simply, his eyes glowing dark red. "Meow."

Yuna ascended the marble staircase, her steps purposeful. Linda sat cradled in her arms, her golden eyes alert. Behind her, Yuka followed with Sailin trailing a few steps behind.

"Don't embarrass us in front of Father," Yuna said sharply without looking back.

When they reached the office, she pushed the door open and stepped inside. Yuna placed Linda on the polished desk. "Father, we have the Furions."

Sakura, leaning back in his chair with a cigarette between his fingers, glanced at the cats. His expression was unreadable. "Can they retrieve the Chronochip from W.O.D.?"

Linda stepped forward, her voice steady. "Sir, we excel at what we do."

Yuna and Yuka exchanged a glance, startled by the cat's boldness. Sakura's laughter was low and menacing. "A talking Furion. Impressive." He exhaled a cloud of smoke. "Retrieve the Chronochip, and you'll have anything you desire."

Linda's eyes narrowed. "Consider it done." Without further words, the twins turned and left.

Ariana waved as Janet disappeared down the street. She hadn't walked far when unease settled over her. Darwin walked ahead, his ears twitching, while Wince followed close behind. Ariana glanced over her shoulder repeatedly but saw nothing.

Quickening her pace, she turned down an unfamiliar alley. The shadows felt alive as she hugged Darwin and Wince close.

Out of nowhere, two burly men blocked her path. Before she could scream, a fight erupted just ahead of her. Another man, lean and quick, dispatched two attackers with a flurry of brutal moves. Within moments, they lay motionless on the ground.

The man turned to her, his intense gaze freezing her in place. Trembling, she stammered, "D-don't come any closer!"

The man barely had time to respond before another noise rang out behind her. Swearing under his breath, he grabbed her wrist. "Run!"

They sprinted through the maze of alleys, ducking behind a dumpster. Ariana's heart raced as she tried to catch her breath.

The man's gaze flicked to her cats, a smirk crossing his face. "Darwin and Wince," he said. "I should've guessed."

Ariana's mouth dropped open. "How do you—"

Before she could finish, Darwin spoke. "Let's take her with us."

Ariana shrieked, dropping Darwin. "Y-you can talk?!" Her vision blurred, and she crumpled to the ground.

When Ariana woke, her head throbbed, and her surroundings felt alien. "You're awake," Darwin said, sitting by her side.

"AHHH!" she screamed, scrambling backward. "I'm talking to a cat—a talking cat!"

Darwin rolled his eyes. "Yes. We've established that."

She looked around, taking in the sterile room filled with strange, advanced technology. "Where am I?"

"W.O.D.," a familiar voice answered. She turned to see the man who had saved her.

"You're the murderer!" she accused.

"No," he replied, unimpressed. "I'm an agent. And thanks to these two," he gestured to Darwin and Wince, "you're here now."

Xander led her into a large chamber where a holographic map of the world flickered. Red dots marked various locations, glowing ominously. At the center stood a man with his back to them.

"Hugo," Xander announced. "Brimsley Street's been cleared, but we've got more trouble. And I brought back Darwin and Wince."

Hugo turned, his piercing eyes landing on Ariana. "Who's the girl?"

"She's a witness," Xander explained. "Mariano's men and Furion saw her. She's a target."

Hugo approached Ariana, towering over her. "Name?"

"Ariana Blackheart," she whispered.

Hugo's eyes narrowed slightly, then he smiled. "Ariana, you've seen things you weren't supposed to. You're no longer safe. If they know who you are, they won't stop until you're eliminated."

"What about my family?" she asked, her voice breaking.

"They'll use them to get to you," Hugo said grimly. "You can't go home."

Before Ariana could respond, a sharp noise interrupted them. The screen flickered, and a familiar figure appeared.

"Zarro," Darwin hissed.

Hugo's expression darkened. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

Zarro's tone was cold. "Surrender the Chronochip, or everyone there will burn. Oh, and tell the girl her mother is on the line." The screen went dark.

Ariana's blood ran cold as she stared at the blank screen, her heart hammering in her chest.