The museum glittered under the city lights, a beacon of culture and knowledge...or so it seemed. In reality, it was a monument to the rich history of Phenomena City, filled with looted treasures and priceless stolen artifacts from across the universe.

  From her spot in the shadows, Dodeka scanned the area carefully, her gaze sweeping the surrounding streets for any sign of trouble.

  Dodeka adjusted the straps on her gear once more, making sure her supplies were secure before casting a glance toward Trixie waiting patiently nearby too.

  "You ready for this?" she asked, voice low and guarded.

  Trixie nodded in response, though her face held a mixture of nerves and determination. "...Yes ma'am...as ready as I'll ever be, I guess.”

  Dodeka raised an eyebrow in response to that, almost amused by the girl's hesitant tone.

  "You've gotta loosen up a bit," she advised. "You look like a deer in headlights. We need you to be composed in there."

  Trixie exhaled slowly, running a hand through her hair. "...Easier said than done." She murmured.

  Dodeka's lips quirked into a small smile at that, almost impressed by that honest response.

  "Hey," she said, voice gentling slightly. "I know this is scary. But you've got me watching your back. Just stay calm, focus on the mission, and don't let the nerves get to you.”

  Trixie managed a weak smile in response to that, grateful for the reassurance.

  "Thanks, Dodeka. That...actually helps." She admitted, the hint of nerves in her eyes lessening slightly.

  Dodeka just nodded, understanding the burden the young woman faced. "Just remember; I'm right behind you every step of the way. You're not alone in there.”

  Trixie took a deep breath in, exhaling it slowly before nodding again, looking a bit more settled now.

  "Okay. I can do this." she repeated, more to herself it seemed.

  Dodeka's lips curled up in a small smile once more, almost admiring her determination. "That's more like it." she said approvingly. "Now, let's go over the plan one more time.”

  Trixie straightened up, eyes snapping to attention like a soldier being briefed before battle.

  "Right," she muttered, forcing herself into mission mode now too as Dodeka laid out the plan again:

  1) Enter the museum under the guise of "researching artifacts for academic purposes." (Which was true enough, just not entirely what they were here for.)

  2) Locate and secure any stolen relics belonging to the Fennec race. (No questions asked, no hesitation.)

  3) If caught? Fight or flee. (Preferably fight, but only if necessary.)

  4) And most importantly? Do NOT get yourself killed in there.

  Dodeka watched Trixie carefully while explaining each step, waiting to see if she had any doubts or objections left about this whole thing now…

  When Dodeka finished, there was a moment of silence as Trixie processed everything, her expression a mix of thoughtfulness and determination.

  "I understand." she said quietly, voice sure and steady.

  Dodeka studied her for a moment longer, almost satisfied, before nodding approvingly. "Good. Then let's do this.”

  And with that, the two set off toward the museum, Trixie straightening her shoulders again and doing her best to assume a confident air as they approached the entrance.

  The museum was even more grandiose up-close, intricate stone carvings and elegant architecture standing as testaments to its grandeur. The two walked up the front steps and approached the entrance doors, which a pair of guards stood outside of.

  "Purpose of your visit?" one of them asked, sizing the two up.

  Dodeka met the guard's gaze with cool, unwavering eyes.

  "We're here for academic research purposes," she replied coolly. "My friend here is a student, and she's interested in the museum's collection for a research project she's working on."

  The guard glanced at Trixie now, raising an eyebrow.

  "And you are...?”

  Trixie straightened, plastering an innocently nervous expression on her face as she responded.

  Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

  "T-Trixie. Trixie Miller. I go to the University here and I'm writing a...er...a research paper about the cultural significance of some artifacts here."

  The guard raised an eyebrow again, eyeing her up and down skeptically.

  "What's your major?" he asked bluntly.

  "History," Trixie replied promptly, not missing a beat. "With a focus on anthropology."

  The guard's gaze sharpened slightly at that, his eyes flickering toward Dodeka now.

  "And this Fennec woman?" he asked, gesturing toward Dodeka. "Who's she?”

  Dodeka stiffened at the guard's question, her fennec ears flattening slightly against her head in irritation before she forced them back up again.

  "She's my bodyguard," Dodeka answered sharply, voice laced with just enough hostility to make it clear that this wasn't a topic for debate. "And if you have any further questions about why I'm here? You can direct them to your supervisor."

  The guard hesitated for a moment, clearly not used to being talked back like that by someone who looked like Dodeka but sounded exactly like the president of the KTB right now too…

  Then finally:

  "...Fine. Get inside already."

  He stepped aside begrudgingly; motioning toward doors behind him while still eyeing both women warily though as well…

  Trixie shot Dodeka a grateful look as they slipped past the guard, both exhaling as soon as they were past him.

  Once inside, the two paused to glance around the lobby, taking in their surroundings. High ceilings stretched above, and the space was filled with elegant marble floors and large columns.

  The front desk sat in the center of it all, manned by a bored-looking security guard who looked like he couldn't care less about who came through here or why.

  Trixie's eyes flicked between the security guard and the doors leading to the exhibit halls…

  But before she could even take a step toward them, Dodeka placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her.

  "Hold up a second," she muttered quietly, eyeing the security guard again.

  Trixie stopped instantly, eyebrows furrowing as she turned toward Dodeka. "...Why?" she asked, glancing toward the exhibit halls again.

  Dodeka tilted her head slightly, her fennec ears flicking toward the security guard's direction as she whispered back:

  "Because he knows us." Her voice was low, barely audible. "Look at his face. He’s not just some random employee, he recognizes you from something."

  Trixie stiffened immediately, following Dodeka’s gaze to see that the guard was staring directly at them now…with a strange mix of recognition and hostility in his eyes.

  Oh.

  Her pulse spiked for a second before forcing herself calm again though; whispering urgently:

  "...What do we do?"

  Dodeka didn't take her eyes off the guard, her fox ears flattening against her head again as she considered their options. "Stay calm," she murmured back, voice barely audible. "And follow my lead, don't say anything unless you absolutely have to.”

  The guard’s eyes narrowed slightly, his lips pressing into a thin line as he watched them move toward the exhibit halls.

  Then, without warning? He stood up from his desk, chair scraping loudly against marble floor while calling out sharply:

  "Hey! You two!"

  Trixie froze mid-step instantly at that, heart hammering in chest now while slowly turning around to face him again…only for Dodeka's hand to grip her wrist like steel, silently telling her not to react yet either.

  Dodeka turned back, expression carefully blank but stance tense and ready if needed be:

  "...What is it?"

  The guard took a step forward, his expression unreadable but his voice laced with quiet suspicion.

  "You're not here for academic research, are you?" he asked bluntly, eyes flickering between the two women again. "Because I know that girl from somewhere." He pointed directly at Trixie now too, as if daring her to deny it outright here and now…

  Dodeka’s grip on Trixie's wrist tightened slightly in warning though; silently telling her not react yet either while answering coolly instead:

  "...And what if we aren’t? What exactly do you think we're doing then?"

  The guard's jaw clenched before replying sharply:

  "Stealing artifacts back from where they belong."

  Trixie's pulse spiked at that, her face going pale at the implications of that comment.

  On the surface, Dodeka only lifted an eyebrow while replying coolly.

  "...Stealing? That's a serious accusation you're making there, sir…"

  The guard's eyes hardened further, his tone sharp now too.

  "It's not an 'accusation' if it's true."

  Dodeka's jaw tightened, expression hardening as well.

  "...And what evidence do you have of that?"

  The guard's smile was almost cruel as he responded.

  "I don't need evidence. I know your kind. I know exactly the kind of lowlife scum you are, what kind of animals you really are. No better than the people you claim the 'barbaric race' are."

  Dodeka snarled at that, lips curling into something fierce and dangerous.

  "...I'm warning you: don't finish that sentence…"

  The guard scoffed at that, taking a step closer now himself too.

  "Oh, and why's that? Are you going to run back to your country and cry to your president about it, little Fennec? You think the laws of this country matter to me?"

  Dodeka bristled in response, teeth bared dangerously now as her hackles rose:

  "...Don't push me. You do not want to go there. Trust me, you do not."

  The guard laughed at that, a cruel, taunting sound.

  "...And what are you going to do, eh? Claw me with your cute little 'feline hands'?"

  Dodeka's eyes narrowed, her voice a low growl now too.

  "...That. Or worse. I'm warning you: back off. Now."

  The guard's smirk only widened, clearly enjoying this.

  "Or what? You'll bite me?" He taunted, taking another step forward as if daring her to try something right then and there too…

  Dodeka didn’t move though; just stood perfectly still while staring him down with cold, unblinking fury now instead:

  "...Last chance."

  Trixie could practically feel the tension radiating off Dodeka at that point, her own pulse hammering in her throat as she watched the confrontation unfold.

  Then? The guard scoffed again before muttering:

  "Pathetic."

  That was it.

  In one swift motion, before Trixie could even process what was happening, Dodeka lunged forward and slapped him hard across his face.

  A sharp gasp echoed through the lobby from nearby visitors who'd seen it happen…while the security man staggered back slightly in shock; hand flying up to touch his stinging, handprint-bearing cheek while glaring daggers at the Fennec woman for having done such a thing without warning!

  Silence followed for several seconds afterwards…until finally breaking when someone shouted:

  “GUARDS! SECURITY!”

  ...Oh no.