[An extinct flower blooms for the 1st time in 200 years.]

Pandemonium had erupted in the entire facility. The Horticultural Research Department was in a mess: security units were dispatched in every corridor of the building, while researchers were zipping here and there, doing God knows what. Jordan could only scowl in displeasure.

Five days ago, an extinct flower bloomed for the first time in 200 years- the chrysafenios medousa, also known as the Golden Jellyfish. As the name had suggested, it was shaped like a jellyfish, with layers of diaphanous petals enclosed into a bulb-like shape and long, wavy stamens that draped out from the centre. Emitting a yellow, almost phosphorescent glow, it was a lethal plant that had enough poison to take down a grown elephant if ingested. Despite that fact, it could also be utilised as a valuable medical herb, and along with its alluring visage, there's no doubt breeding such a plant would be highly lucrative.

And highly demanded.

Not too soon after the flower was taken into observation, the facility was broken in, and the flower was gone.

"It is suspected that the thief is still in the building and in hiding, but the cameras have yet to catch any sight of them." With eyes trained intensely on the screens of the monitors, Jordan barely took in what the officer said. After an absentminded nod and silence, he finally inquired: "What are the other buildings connected or are within the premises of this facility?"

"A botanical garden and a museum, sir."

"Has any team scouted that area?"

"Yes, sir. The botanical garden is currently secured by Team Delta. Only a small unit of officers have surveyed the museum, but it is presumed that the suspects have not gone there, as the only exit to the museum is the furthest from the site of occurrence and no one had gone in and out for the past 30 minutes."

"Well, get Team Beta to secure that area now. Leave no place empty!" Just as soon as he finished barking out the orders, a yell came from the other end. "I see them! Outside the West Library!"

Jordan quickly made his way over to the monitor. Indeed, in a vacant corridor, two figure with a briefcase slinked by, turning a sharp left before disappearing again.

"They're running to the top of the building," Jordan could only grimly surmise, before he pressed on a button. "Team Alpha! Suspects are last seen outside the West Library, I assume they are heading up to the rooftop. Our helicopters can't arrive by then, it's up to you to give chase."

"Roger!" A voice boomed over the speaker in response, and it wasn't before long a team of five dashed past the cameras, pursuing the thieves footsteps before disappearing again.

*

Damen gritted his teeth upon the sight of the many flights of stairs, but willed his legs to abseil no matter how sore they would get. His team trailed after him, their footsteps thunderous in the narrow stairway. They had ascended not more than four floors when a soft, but sure slam resonated above.

"Quick! Don't let them go away!"

With one last sprint, they reached the very top and practically barrelled through the grey doors. Strong wind instantly whipped at Damen's clammy skin. There, on the edge of the roof, he could see the two figures peering over the ledge. They whirled around the moment the door crashed against the wall.

"Freeze! Put your hands up!"

His team flanked his sides, and on a silent command they simultaneously held their guns up. But of course, the thieves wouldn't give up that easily. They ducked behind a wall and unstrapped their own firearms, before the shower of bullets began.

Damen had barely dodged an incoming shot, rolling to the side to take cover behind a bench. His team had scattered too, each returning fire whenever they could. His earpiece crackled.

"Damen! There's a helicopter approaching the building! They will get away!"

A small curse slipped from his lips. He craned his head to do a quick scan. By the sounds of it, both sides were loosing ammo fast, albeit the relentless spray from the enemy's gun, while their side carried limited pistol bullets. Maybe they should-

A yelp to his right caught him off guard. He turned to see someone tumbling to the ground, another figure on top.

There was a third person.

Another cry of pain from his left. One member crashed to the ground, clasping his shoulder and face twisted into a look of agony. And from above, a sleek black helicopter emerged.

"Shit!"

The door of the helicopter slid open. Someone kneeled at the entrance with a machine gun and a hellfire of bullets rained down. To his surprised, the enemies weren't spared from the mass murder attempt.

So, it's a third party...

Just as he thought if couldn't get anymore chaotic, the unthinkable happened.

In the midst of the mayhem, the briefcase was suddenly thrown. It was as if time slowed down. The silver briefcase suspended in the air, then the torrent of bullets rained down on it. It crashed to the ground in a broken heap. A broken jar tumbled out, and inside, the chrysafenios medousa had lost its glow.

♧[20/5/2020]♧

Yep, screwed this up over and over again.

I intentionally wanted it to be some kind of chase between a few criminals and one gets poisoned by the flower itself before the flower got destroyed by accident but look where this turned out *coughcoughitbecamebs*.

But yeah, they say write everyday to improve? I'm not sure if this is going anywhere but if i start it then i will end it.

Thank you for bearing with me thusfar.

Ps: In case you're wondering, yes i totally made that flower up.

:)