Codename Black: Rise of the Fallen Commander

The Badge

The clatter echoed through the room, louder than it should have been.

Isabella froze. She glanced down and felt her heart skip a beat. Alex’s badge lay gleaming against the ground.

Heinrich’s head snapped toward the sound, his sharp eyes immediately catching the glint of the badge. His expression darkened, and his brow furrowed.

“What is that?” he asked, his voice calmer now.

Isabella hesitated as she knelt down to retrieve the badge. Before she could reach it, her father’s cane came down, pinning the badge to the floor. She looked up at him, her breath hitching as Heinrich’s gaze locked onto hers.

“Where did you get this?”

“It’s—” Isabella swallowed, trying to think quickly. “It’s nothing, Father.”

Heinrich narrowed his eyes, lifting the badge with the tip of his cane before reaching down to take it into his hands. He inspected it closely, his face becoming more rigid with each passing second. There was no mistaking the mark of military rank engraved into the metal.

“This isn’t ‘nothing,’ Isabella,” he said coldly. “This is a military badge—an elite one. Who does this belong to?”

Isabella silently stood there. She knew how dangerous this could become, but lying to her father was far worse.

“It’s… someone I met recently,” she admitted. “And he’s waiting for you, Father.”

Isabella’s pulse quickened as her father’s gaze bore deeper into her. The badge in his hand seemed to radiate a gravity far greater than its size.

She added, “A young man just gave it to me. He said it was urgent, but he didn’t explain much. I… I didn’t realize it was this important.”

Heinrich’s eyes narrowed, his fingers gripping the badge tighter. Without another word, he turned on his heel, striding toward the door.

“Father?” Isabella called after him, taking a step forward.

He didn’t slow down, his cane striking the marble floor with quick, purposeful thuds. “We’re going back,” Heinrich said. “Get the car ready immediately.”

Isabella blinked, startled by the sudden shift in his mood. “But Father…” She tried to keep up as he marched toward the hallway.

“To hell with the meeting,” Heinrich snapped. “If this is who I think it is, everything else can wait.”

Isabella hurried to catch up, her heels clicking against the floor as they moved through the grand hallway. “Father, what does this badge really mean?”

Heinrich paused for a brief moment, glancing back at her with eyes that now seemed colder than ever. “That’s not something you need to know, Isabella. Just make sure the car is ready.”

Without another word, he continued down the hall, leaving her standing there, stunned.

Isabella stood frozen for a second, her heart hammering in her chest. She glanced down at her hands, still slightly shaking from the tension in the room.

What had she just stumbled into? The badge, the name “Codename Black”—everything felt like pieces of a much larger puzzle, one her father had always kept hidden from her.

With a deep breath, she straightened her shoulders and hurried to follow her father’s orders.

***

As Alex sat on the edge of the couch, he leaned back, lost in thought. His mind was already piecing together the steps he needed to take next. His instincts told him to move quickly.

Just as he stood to leave, a sound from the entrance caught his attention.

He narrowed his eyes as two figures stepped inside. Heinrich Lancastriel, flanked by none other than his daughter, Isabella.

Alex smiled. He knew they were coming for him.

Alex straightened his jacket and headed toward the entrance just as they approached. Isabella’s gaze locked on him, curiosity swirling in her eyes. Heinrich’s face, however, remained stern.

“Mr. Mercer,” Heinrich called out as he approached. His eyes widened, and it was only then that his usually firm voice began to c***k. “How… is this possible?”

Alex simply gave him a curt nod. "I expected to see you, Heinrich, though I didn’t think you’d bring company." His eyes flicked briefly to Isabella, acknowledging her presence before returning his focus to Heinrich.

Isabella shifted uncomfortably, unsure whether to be insulted or intrigued by his casual dismissal of her.

“Well…” Heinrich laughed heartily as he shook his head. “It appears you’ve come to my city with matters that may greatly concern me. Just tell me, my friend…”

Alex smirked, crossing his arms. “Perhaps. But I doubt you’d want to discuss that here, out in the open.”

Heinrich’s brows furrowed, and he exchanged a glance with his daughter before turning back to Alex. “Let’s go somewhere more private.”

Without another word, they piled into the luxury vehicle. The driver quickly pulled away and took a different route toward the Lancastriel estate.

The grand mansion loomed ahead as they pulled into the long driveway. As soon as the car stopped, Alex was the first to step out. Drivers, guards, and staff members watched curiously as Heinrich and his daughter led Alex inside. It wasn’t often they saw their employer rush back in such a state, especially with an unknown guest in tow.

As they entered the secret chamber of the Lancastriel mansion, Heinrich closed the heavy oak doors behind them, securing the room from prying eyes and ears, including his daughter.

Alex immediately noticed the arrangement. A portrait of a younger Alexander stood proudly on one side of the room. Beside it a sealed frame bearing the insignia of a warrior’s crest, alongside an old, worn military dagger encased in glass. Fresh flowers adorned the table in front.

Heinrich's gaze followed Alex's, his normally steely expression softening as the memories of the past flooded back. "I never stopped paying my respects," Heinrich said quietly. "Even when they told me you were gone. You were more than a savior... you were a legend, someone I owe my life to."

Alex approached the display, studying it for a long moment. He turned back to Heinrich, his tone low. "Loyalty like yours is rare in a world like this. You honored me even when you thought I was dead."

Heinrich shook his head, emotions flickering in his eyes. "I couldn't let them erase your legacy. What you did for me... for my family... I could never forget."

A small smile played on Alex’s lips, though it didn’t reach his eyes. "I appreciate it, Heinrich. But you understand, don’t you? The world thinks I'm dead for a reason." His gaze turned sharp. "If word gets out that I'm still alive, the enemies that once hunted me will come for me again. And they won’t stop until I'm dead for good this time."

Heinrich’s face darkened. He clenched his fists, the muscles in his jaw tensing. “No one will ever find out. Not from me. I swear it, Alex.”

The intensity in Heinrich’s voice left no room for doubt. Alex stepped closer, placing a hand on the billionaire’s shoulder. “Good. Because for now, I need to stay in the shadows. But your loyalty will be tested again, Heinrich. And I’ll need your resources when the time comes.”

Heinrich nodded solemnly. “Whatever you need, consider it done. Whether it’s money, men, or influence, I’ll arrange everything for you. No one will know you’re alive, but you’ll have access to anything within my power.”

Alex’s eyes narrowed as he smirked. “I didn’t come today to ask for myself, Heinrich. There’s someone important to me. Someone who needs help.” There was a long sigh as he added, “Her name is Victoria Hale…”