When everything started
Caitlyn woke up to the sun shining on her face. The soft light of the morning streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. Her girlfriend, Maddie, was sleeping peacefully next to her, her face serene and calm. Caitlyn gently kissed Maddie’s forehead, stirring her from sleep.
“Good morning, Maddie,” Caitlyn whispered softly.
Maddie smiled, her eyes slowly opening. “Good morning,” she replied, her voice still thick with sleep.
Caitlyn hugged her side feeling her warmth.
Looking at the time, Caitlyn sighed. “I have to go to work now,” she said, reluctantly pulling away.
Maddie sat up on the bed, now fully awake and aware. “Do you have to go?” she asked, her eyes searching Caitlyn’s face for a hint of hesitation.
“Yes, I do,” Caitlyn affirmed, though she wished she could stay.“But I promise, I’ll be back as soon as the mission is over. I promise.”
Maddie’s expression softened,“I’ll be waiting for you,” she said.
Caitlyn headed to take a shower, letting the warm water wash away the remnants of sleep and prepare her for the day. As she stepped out and towel-dried her hair, she couldn't help but glance at the uniform that her girlfriend had laid out neatly on the bed. It was a military uniform, a symbol of her duty and the responsibility she carried.
The uniform was sleek and elegant, a deep, dark blue with silver, and gold accents. The double-breasted jacket featured polished silver buttons that gleamed under the light, each one meticulously aligned. The shoulder epaulets bore her family's crest, a mark of honor and lineage, passed down through generations. Various insignia adorned the jacket, including winged emblems and chevrons, each representing achievements in her career.
Caitlyn took a moment to appreciate the craftsmanship of the uniform. The jacket's structured fit exuded authority and confidence, while the gold trim added a touch of sophistication. She slipped on the matching trousers, the fabric smooth and comfortable against her skin. Next, she donned the black gloves.
She fastened the black tie, adjusting it until it lay perfectly in place, and then stepped into the polished black dress shoes. With each piece of the uniform, Caitlyn felt a sense of pride and purpose, a reminder of the mission she was about to undertake.
Fully dressed and ready, Caitlyn took a deep breath, mentally preparing herself. She glanced in the mirror one last time, ensuring every detail was impeccable.
Caitlyn headed to the kitchen, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. Maddie was already there, preparing breakfast. She looked up as Caitlyn entered the room, a hopeful smile on her face.
"Are you going to eat breakfast?" Maddie asked, holding out a plate of pancakes drizzled with syrup and topped with fresh berries.
Caitlyn shook her head gently. "I can't, Maddie. I’m can’t be late," she said, "I need to get going."
Maddie sighed but nodded understandingly. She reached for Caitlyn's case, a black case containing everything she needed for her mission. "Here" Maddie said, handing the case over.
Caitlyn took the case and placed it on the counter for a moment. She stepped closer to Maddie, wrapping her arms around her in a tender embrace. They stood like that for a few moments, savoring the closeness and the warmth of each other's presence.
Caitlyn then kissed Maddie softly, her lips lingering for a moment longer than usual. "I love you," she whispered, her voice filled with emotion.
"I love you too, Caitlyn. Stay safe out there," Maddie replied, her eyes reflecting a mix of pride and concern.
With a final squeeze, Caitlyn let go and picked up her case. She headed toward the elevator, her footsteps echoing softly against the polished marble floors of their penthouse. The elevator doors slid open, revealing the luxurious interior of their high-rise apartment building in the most
luxurious part of Piltover.
As the elevator descended, Caitlyn took a deep breath, steeling herself for the days ahead. The city of Piltover sprawled out below her, a bustling metropolis known for its opulence and technological advancements.
A black car was waiting for Caitlyn outside the building. She stepped inside, the door closing with a reassuring click. The driver nodded at her in the rearview mirror, and they set off towards the Piltover Military Base. The city of Piltover passed by in a blur of towering skyscrapers and bustling streets, a sharp contrast to the quiet determination that filled Caitlyn's mind.
As they arrived at the military base, Caitlyn stepped out of the car, her polished shoes clicking against the concrete. The base was a hive of activity, with soldiers and personnel moving purposefully about. Caitlyn made her way to the command center, where Grayson was waiting for her.
They greeted each other with a firm handshake, "Good to see you, Caitlyn," Grayson said, her voice steady and authoritative.
"Good to see you too, Grayson," Caitlyn replied, her tone equally resolute.
Grayson motioned for Caitlyn to follow her to a large table in the center of the room, where a detailed map was spread out. "Let's go over the mission," Grayson began, pointing to various locations on the map. "Caitlyn, you'll be positioned here," she indicated a strategic point. "Your job is to eliminate anyone who poses a threat to our teams. Once that's done, you will move to this position," Grayson pointed to another location on the map.
"Keep an eye on the target at all times," Grayson continued. "Once he's alone, take the shot. I have full confidence in your abilities—I know you won't miss."
Caitlyn nodded, absorbing the instructions with a focused intensity. "Understood," she said.
Grayson gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Good luck, Caitlyn."
Caitlyn headed towards her team, who were preparing for the mission. She entered the changing area and began the process of suiting up. She changed into her military uniform, the deep green fabric contrasting with the black of her bulletproof vest. She secured the vest, feeling the reassuring weight of the protective gear, followed by a helmet.
Fully dressed and ready for the mission, Caitlyn took a moment to steady herself. She looked at her reflection, seeing the determination in her own eyes. She grabbed her case and headed outside.
With a deep breath, she joined her team, who provided her with and earpiece. They moved out, the weight of the mission heavy on their shoulders. Caitlyn knew that she had to succeed—not just for herself, but for everyone who was counting on her.
Caitlyn climbed the fire escape of building, her movements swift and silent. She reached the rooftop, her vantage point providing a clear, unobstructed view of the target area. She set down her case, opening it to reveal the meticulously maintained parts of her sniper rifle. With practiced precision, she assembled the rifle, each piece clicking into place with a reassuring finality.
Caitlyn lay down on her stomach, positioning herself for optimal stability and accuracy. She adjusted her scope, the crosshairs aligning perfectly with her intended field of vision.
The earpiece in her ear crackled to life. "Team 1 in position," came the voice of her teammate.
"Team 2 in position too," another voice followed.
Caitlyn pressed a finger to her earpiece. "Sniper in position," she confirmed, her voice steady and composed.
From her high vantage point, she watched as her team members moved with calculated precision, inching closer to the target. Caitlyn's heart rate remained steady, her breath even and controlled. She scanned the area through her scope, identifying potential threats and assessing their movements.
Her finger hovered over the trigger, her mind focused on the task at hand. She spotted the first enemy, a guard patrolling the perimeter. Without hesitation, Caitlyn squeezed the trigger, the shot silent but deadly. The guard dropped instantly, and Caitlyn's team advanced a few more steps.
One by one, Caitlyn took down six enemies, each shot executed with flawless accuracy. Her sharp eyes and steady hands ensured that her team faced minimal resistance as they moved forward. The rhythmic pattern of eliminating threats and clearing the path allowed the team to make significant progress towards their target.
"Target area is clear," Caitlyn reported through her earpiece, keeping her rifle trained on the remaining enemies. "Proceeding to next position."
Her team acknowledged her report and continued their advance. She shifted her position, moving to the new vantage point Grayson had indicated on the map earlier. Caitlyn's eyes never left her scope, her focus unbroken.
As she settled into her new position, Caitlyn remained vigilant, ready to provide cover and eliminate any further threats.
Caitlyn received a confirmation from Team 1 that they had successfully secured their assigned building. “Team 2, do you copy?” she asked through her earpiece. There was only static in response. Caitlyn’s worry deepened. She shifted her position again to get a clearer view of the area through her scope. Her heart sank as she saw Team 2 down, lifeless bodies scattered on the ground.
Just then, her earpiece crackled to life. “Team 2 in position,” came a voice that Caitlyn didn’t recognize. “That’s not possible,” she thought, her mind racing. She quickly pressed her earpiece again. “Team 1, do not advance!” she said urgently.
“Repeat that?” came the confused response from Team 1.
“I said, Team 1, do not advance! It’s a trap!” Caitlyn repeated, her voice filled with urgency.
“We can’t understand–” the voice on the other end was cut off by static, and then there was silence. Caitlyn’s heart pounded in her chest. “Oh no,” she whispered. She knew she had to act fast.
She got up from her position and headed down the building, her feet moving with a sense of desperation. Her gear weighed her down, each step feeling heavier than the last. Realizing she needed to move faster, she removed her helmet and bulletproof vest, the weight lifting off her shoulders.
Caitlyn ran as fast as she could, her lungs burning with exertion. She reached the building where Team 1 was supposed to be. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw the scene before her. Team 1 was down, all of them dead. The sense of loss and failure washed over her, but there was no time to mourn.
Her earpiece crackled again. “Help,” came the faint voice. Caitlyn’s resolve hardened. She sprinted towards Team 2’s location, her legs propelled by sheer determination. She arrived at the scene and saw one of her teammates alive, struggling to move.
But then she noticed something to her right—a bomb. Her eyes widened in realization. Without a second thought, Caitlyn ran towards her teammate, her body moving on instinct. She threw herself over her teammate, shielding them just as the bomb detonated.
The explosion rocked the area, the force of the blast sending debris flying. Caitlyn felt the impact, her body absorbing the shock. Pain radiated through her, but her only thought was of protecting her teammate. As the dust settled, Caitlyn’s vision blurred, the edges of her consciousness fading.
1 year later.
“Hello, Luca! What can I do for you today?” said the technician with a friendly smile. “Hey Vi, my computer has been acting up, and I have no idea what to do. Can you please help me?” the man asked, clearly frustrated.
“I've got you, no worries,” Vi reassured him, her tone calm and professional. “Let me take a look at it. I’ll run some diagnostics and figure out what’s going on. It should be ready in about two days.”
“Thank you so much,” the man said with relief, handing over his computer before heading out of the store.
As Vi was organizing her workspace, the store’s owner approached her and handed her an envelope. “Here, Vi,” he said quietly.
“What’s this?” she asked, her brows furrowing as she opened the envelope to find money inside. “I’m sorry,” the owner said, his voice tinged with regret.
“Wait, are you serious?” Vi responded, her heart sinking.
“Yes, I’m truly sorry. I’m closing the store,” he explained, his eyes downcast.
“But what about the computer?” Vi asked, her mind racing with the implications of the news.
“I’ve got it, don’t worry. I’ll make sure it’s fixed,” the owner assured her, taking the computer and heading to the back of the store.
Vi stood there, processing the unexpected news. The store had been more than just a job to her—it was a place where she felt a sense of purpose and pride in helping people with their tech problems. She had built relationships with the customers, like the man who had just left, trusting her to fix their devices.
Vi walked to the back of the store where the owner was working on the computer. “Let me help,” she said, her resolve evident in her voice. “Vi I don’t have enough to pay you” “don’t worry about that” she said sitting down. Together they tackled the computer's issues, ensuring it would be ready for pickup in two days as promised.
As they worked, Vi couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. This place had been her home for so long, and now it was coming to an end.
Once the computer was back in working order, Vi took a moment to look around the store, taking in the familiar sights and sounds for the last time. She knew it was time to move on, but she would always cherish the memories and the people who had made this place special. With a deep breath, Vi gathered her belongings and prepared to leave.
Vi pushed open the door to the bar and headed straight towards the basement, her frustration visible. She ignored the murmurs and curious glances from the people. “Mylo, take over,” a man called out as Vi passed the bar.
“Yes, Dad,” Mylo responded, moving to take his father’s place behind the counter.
Vi descended the stairs and entered the basement, the familiar surroundings offering little comfort. She sank onto the couch, her thoughts racing. Moments later, the man entered the room, concern etched on his face.
“Hey, kiddo, what’s wrong?” he asked, sitting down beside her.
“I got fired,” Vi admitted, her voice heavy with frustration and disappointment.
“But why? You’ve been working there for years,” the man said, clearly taken aback.
“I know, but Mike is closing the store,” Vi explained, the reality of the situation sinking in.
“Oh, well, it’s alright,” he tried to reassure her, but Vi shook her head, her frustration boiling over.
“No dad, it’s not alright,” she said, standing up and pacing the room. “I need to pay for Powder’s college.”
“Don’t worry about that. I’ve got it, I have savings,” he said, trying to calm her down.
“No, Dad, those are your life savings. I can’t let you do that,” Vi protested, her eyes filled with determination.
“Violet, don’t worry,” he insisted, his voice gentle but firm.
“Look, I promise I’ll find a job. Just don’t use your savings, please,” Vi pleaded, her desperation evident.
“Alright, alright, but Powder is also my responsibility, so you don’t worry, alright?” he said, pulling her into a tight hug.
Vi felt the warmth and support in her father’s embrace, but the worry in her heart remained. She knew she couldn’t rely on him forever. As they stood there, holding on to each other, Vi’s mind raced with thoughts of finding a new job, a way to support her family and ensure Powder’s future.
The basement was quiet, the only sound was their breathing. Vi pulled away slightly, looking up at her father’s reassuring face. “I’ll make it work,” she said, her voice filled with determination.
“I know you will, kiddo. You’re strong, just like your mother,” he said, brushing a tear from her cheek.
“Come on, babe, practice some shooting with me,” Sarah said, her enthusiasm evident as she gently tugged on Vi’s arm.
“Sarah, no, please. You know I don’t like those things,” Vi replied, hesitating as she tried to resist. Sarah, however, was persistent and pulled Vi along.
“Come on,” Sarah insisted, handing Vi a handgun with a reassuring smile.
“Sarah, you know I suck at this,” Vi protested, but Sarah ignored her objections and led her to the shooting range.
“You've got this. Just take a deep breath,” Sarah encouraged.
Vi took a deep breath, attempting to steady her nerves. She raised the handgun and aimed at the target, her finger trembling slightly as she pulled the trigger. The shot missed the target entirely, the bullet hitting the wall with a dull thud.
“No, here, take it,” Vi said, frustration evident in her voice as she handed the handgun back to Sarah. She turned and walked back to the bench, slumping down with a sigh.
Sarah followed her and sat beside her, placing a comforting hand on Vi’s shoulder. “Look, I know you’re frustrated over your job, but try to relax a bit. I know you’ll find a job soon, don’t worry,” she said, leaning in to give Vi a gentle kiss on the cheek.Vi forced a small smile, appreciating Sarah’s attempt to lift her spirits.
“I’m going to the next practice range. You coming?”
“No, no, you go ahead,” Vi said, shaking her head.
“Alright then, see you later,” Sarah said, giving Vi an encouraging smile. She blew a kiss to Vi and headed to the next shooting range.
Vi watched her go, feeling a mix of emotions. She appreciated Sarah’s support, but the weight of her job situation still pressed heavily on her mind. She sat there for a while, listening to the distant sound of gunfire from the practice range.
“Hey, Viktor,” Vi greeted her friend as she entered his small office.
“Oh, hey Vi, please take a seat,” Viktor responded warmly, gesturing to a chair across from him.
Vi sat down, letting out a tired sigh. “You want something to drink?” Viktor offered, already reaching for a glass.
“Water is fine,” Vi replied, her voice tinged with exhaustion.
Viktor handed Vi a water bottle, and she took a grateful sip. “You got anything?” she asked.
Viktor leaned his hands on the table, his expression serious. “Vi, I’m going to be honest with you. Zaun is going through a money crisis right now. Finding a job is actually pretty difficult, you know.”
“Yes, I know,” Vi said, her voice heavy with the weight of her recent struggles.
“But...” Viktor hesitated.
“But?” Vi prompted, her curiosity piqued.
“Vi, I know you don’t like Piltover, but there’s a new job that just came in,” Viktor said carefully.
“Piltover?” Vi repeated, a frown forming on her face. “And why would someone from Piltover send a request to Zaun?”
“Because apparently they’re desperate,” Viktor explained.
“Oh, what’s the job?” Vi asked, her interest growing despite her reservations.
“You have to take care of a disabled woman,” Viktor said, reading from the job description. “It says here: care, companionship, and carrying her. I think you can do that. And it’s good pay.”
Vi considered the offer for a moment, the conflict clear in her eyes. “Set me up an appointment,” she finally said, determination overtaking her hesitation.
“Alright, I got you. Good luck, Violet,” Viktor said, handing Vi a piece of paper with the address and details of the appointment.
“Thank you, Viktor. I owe you one,” Vi said.
“Don’t worry about it,” Viktor replied with a reassuring smile. “You’ll do great.”