HSI - Scrubs

Lower Ranks

### **[Scene: HSI Headquarters – Lower Ranks Briefing Room – A New Mission]**

The **Lower Ranks** assembly room hums with nervous energy—fresh recruits, washed-up operatives, and specialists deemed "not elite enough" for S+ Tier ops. Among them, **Mia**, a wiry, sharp-eyed rookie with street-smarts etched into her stance, leans against the wall, arms crossed.

The door slides open. **Leia** strides in, her presence silencing the room. A holographic map flickers to life—a rundown district called **The Grind**, where Brotherhood deserters and local gangs are clashing over scraps of power.

**Leia (firmly, eyes scanning the room):** *"Listen up. While our top tier handles the Brotherhood’s remnants, you’ve got a simpler job. But don’t screw it up."*

A smirk tugs at Mia’s lips. *Simple. Right.*

**Mission Details:**

- **Objective:** Retrieve a data chip from a hacked **Brotherhood courier** hiding in The Grind.

- **Complication:** The courier’s being hunted by **The Razor-Kings**, a local gang who want the chip’s intel for themselves.

- **Team:** Mia (infiltration), **Dax** (ex-cop muscle), **Tally** (tech whiz), and **Jace** (nervous sniper).

**Leia (tossing Mia the mission file):** *"You know the streets. Lead them in, get the chip, get out. No fireworks."*

**Mia (raising an eyebrow):** *"And if the Kings get feisty?"*

**Leia (coolly):** *"Then remind them HSI doesn’t tolerate thievery. But avoid body bags—we’re not cleaning up your mess."*

The team exchanges glances. Dax cracks his knuckles. Tally mutters about firewall protocols. Jace checks his rifle for the fifth time.

Mia pockets the file. *Time to dance.*

### **[Scene: The Grind – Rooftop Recon – Nightfall]**

The district stinks of burnt wiring and sweat. Mia crouches on a rooftop, scanning the neon-lit streets below. The courier’s last ping was in a **ratty arcade** called *Pixel Haven*.

**Tally (whispering over comms):** *"Courier’s chip has Brotherhood desertion records. If the Kings sell it to Alisha’s spies…"*

**Dax (grunting):** *"Then we’re scraping gangsters off the pavement. Lovely."*

Mia spots the courier—a twitchy kid in a patched-up Brotherhood jacket—ducking into the arcade. Four **Razor-Kings** lurk outside, knives glinting.

**Mia (sighing):** *"Alright. Tally, loop the security cams. Jace, keep eyes on the back alley. Dax… try not to punch anyone unless I say so."*

**Dax (smirking):** *"No promises."*

### **[Scene: Pixel Haven – The Retrieval]**

Mia slips inside, the arcade’s flickering screens casting ghosts across her face. The courier’s hunched over a racing game, gripping a **bloodied data chip**.

**Mia (leaning beside him, casual):** *"Hey. Heard you’re looking to ditch some Brotherhood baggage."*

The kid **flinches**, eyes wild. *"You HSI? I-I’m out, I swear—"*

**Razor-Kings (bursting in, leader snarling):** *"Hand over the chip, little rat!"*

Mia **rolls her eyes**, stepping between them. *"Beat it. This one’s ours."*

The gang leader **laughs**, flipping a switchblade. *"Or what? You gonna *negotiate*, cop?"*

**Mia (deadpan):** *"Nah. But he is."*

**Dax** **smashes** through the front window.

### **[Aftermath: The Choice]**

- **Success:** The team extracts the courier and chip, but **Mia hesitates** when a Razor-King lunges at Dax—**she disarms him without killing**.

- **Consequence:** The gang leader escapes, vowing revenge. *"This ain’t over!"*

- **Back at HQ:** Leia’s unimpressed. *"You left a loose end."*

- **Mia’s Retort:** *"You said no body bags."*

**Leia (leaning in, quiet):** *"Start carrying a blade. Next time, you might not have a choice."*

Mia’s fingers twitch. The streets don’t reward mercy.

**[Scene: HSI Headquarters – Debriefing after the following mission Room]**

**Leia:** "Mission report’s filed. You did what you had to do."

**Mia:** "Did I?"

**Leia:** "Take a week. Get your head straight."

**Mia:** "What, like a vacation? Spa day after popping my first kill?"

**Leia:** "No. Like a soldier who needs to remember why she’s holding a gun in the first place." *[Tosses keycard]* "Safehouse in the Green Zone. No comms, no ops. Just you and your thoughts."

**Mia:** "And if I don’t come back?"

**Leia:** "Then you weren’t meant to."

---

**[Scene: Green Zone Safehouse – Burner Phone Buzzes]**

**Tally (text):** *"Hey. Dax got stabbed (lol) but he’s fine. Jace won’t stop talking about your ‘smooth trigger pull.’ We’re good. Come back when you’re ready."*

---

**[Scene: Rooftop – Night]**

**Akane:** "Yeah. And the sky should be pink."

**Mia:** *[Whirls]* "I don’t need a babysitter."

**Akane:** "Didn’t say you did." *[Tosses soda]* "First kill’s always crap. Mine was some Gangster lowlife. Died crying about money and bitche . Pathetic."

**Mia:** *[Silence]*

**Akane:** "You wanna know the secret? It doesn’t get easier. You just get better at knowing which ones *deserve* it."

**Mia:** "And if I’m wrong?"

**Akane:** "Then you’ll have a lot worse to worry about than guilt."

---

**[Scene: HSI Headquarters – Briefing Room]**

**Dax:** "Took you long enough."

**Tally:** "Missed you too, sunshine."

**Mia:** *[Holds up keycard]* "Safehouse was shit. Bed squeaked."

**Leia:** "Next time, earn a better one."

**Jace:** *[Whispers]* "You good?"

**Mia:** "Yeah. Let’s work."