Dr. Lewis paced at the head of the briefing room, his usual composed demeanor slightly ruffled. Team Unknown sat in their chairs, masks removed, but cloaks draped over their shoulders. A faint tension hung in the air as he tapped at his tablet, pulling up a holoscreen that flickered to life above the table.

The screen connected to a live feed of General Luis. The grizzled general stood with his arms crossed, his sharp gaze focused on the team, though the faint sounds of sparring echoed in the background.

Behind him, Reyes and Exeo were locked in a heated session. Reyes moved with fluid precision, his strikes powerful yet measured, while Exeo countered with calculated efficiency, their movements almost hypnotic.

"Good morning," General Luis began, his voice gravelly but carrying a hint of amusement. "I trust you're all enjoying your little… bootcamp experiment?"

Riggs leaned back in his chair, arms behind his head, smirking. "If you call teaching Aurum soldiers the difference between grit and survival an experiment, then yeah. We're having a blast."

General Luis raised an eyebrow. "Grit, huh? That what you're calling it now? Because from what I've heard, the med bay's been working overtime since you started."

Bo, ever the calm one, sipped from a mug of steaming tea. "We prefer the term 'hands-on mentorship.'"

"Hands-on mentorship," Fon echoed dryly. "Yeah, mentorship with drones, collapsing bridges, and blood trails. Real nurturing."

Dr. Lewis pinched the bridge of his nose, already regretting this

conversation. "General Luis, I'm sure your insight into 'mentorship' is valuable, but why don't you cut to the point?"

The general smirked faintly, then cleared his throat. "Ehem. Well, here's the thing. Word's gotten to the top brass about this bootcamp of yours. They're impressed—probably more by the fact no one's died yet than anything else—but that's beside the point. They want you to keep an eye on those soldiers. If any of them show real promise, they're thinking… subteam material."

The room went silent for half a second.

"Subteam?" Ember's fiery eyes narrowed, his tone sharp. "For us?"

"Yep," General Luis confirmed, his smirk growing wider. "The brass wants a backup unit. A reserve force. A Team Almost-Unknown, if you will."

Fon let out a low whistle, leaning back in his chair. "Team Almost-Unknown? That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard."

Bo raised an eyebrow, his tone dry. "Not as dumb as thinking anyone can back us up."

Riggs leaned forward, grinning like a cat that had cornered a mouse. "So, what you're saying, General, is the brass wants us to pick out some lucky souls to be… the B-team?"

"Essentially," General Luis replied, his tone almost too casual. "You know, in case one of you gets 'indisposed.'"

Val, silent until now, crossed his arms. "If they're so concerned, maybe they should consider fewer solo missions for us instead of a 'B-team.'"

"Oh, don't get me wrong," the general said with mock seriousness, "I told them it was a terrible idea. But orders are orders. And I'm sure you'll handle it… tactfully."

The word hung in the air like an unspoken challenge.

Ember's smirk returned, sharp and dangerous. "Tactful isn't exactly our specialty."

As if on cue, the sound of a particularly loud clash echoed through the feed. Reyes had landed a solid strike on Exeo, who countered with a quick, brutal takedown. General Luis turned slightly, his voice carrying over his shoulder. "Hey! Don't kill each other before lunch!"

Riggs chuckled, nudging Bo. "Looks like Reyes is holding his own. Kid's getting there."

Bo nodded, his expression thoughtful. "He's got potential. But Exeo's still schooling him."

"Focus," Dr. Lewis snapped, redirecting the conversation. "General, are we expected to inform the soldiers of this potential… selection process?"

"Oh no," General Luis said, his smirk returning. "Let them figure it out themselves. Keeps things… interesting."

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Fon muttered under his breath, "Interesting is one word for it."

The general gave a two-fingered salute. "Good luck. And try not to break anyone who might actually survive this." The feed cut off, leaving the room in silence.

Dr. Lewis exhaled slowly, his eyes scanning the team. "You heard him. The brass wants a subteam. Do I think it's a good idea? No. Do you?"

"No," they chorused in near unison.

"Good. Then keep doing what you're doing," Dr. Lewis continued. "If anyone stands out, let me know. Otherwise, let's just get through this without adding to HQ's repair bills."

"Or the med bay's workload," Bo added, his voice dry.

Dr. Lewis pointed at him. "Exactly. Now, get to the training grounds. Day Four starts in fifteen minutes, and I want to see progress—not carnage."

"Can't promise both?" Riggs quipped as he stood, stretching.

Dr. Lewis shot him a glare but said nothing as the team donned their masks and filed out.

Soon, Team Unknown arrived. The Aurum soldiers stood in formation, their fatigue from the previous days etched into every line of their bodies. Still, they stood tall, their determination burning despite their exhaustion.

Ember stepped forward, his voice serious and taunting. "Day Four. The only thing harder than surviving today is surviving tomorrow. If you thought yesterday pushed you, think again."

Val's voice cut through the tension like a blade. "This isn't a warm-up anymore. Today, you fight like it's real—because if it were, most of you wouldn't have lasted the past three days."

Fon stepped forward, his voice calm but razor-sharp. "Today's trial is simple. Two teams. Mock mission. One objective—dominate. The only rule? Win."

The soldiers stiffened, the weight of his words settling in.

Dr. Lewis gestured toward the rugged terrain in the distance. "We've prepped a battlefield for you. Two zones: infiltration and defense. Team One will infiltrate; Team Two defends. If you fail to communicate, adapt, or strategize, you'll lose. And if you're too slow to figure out what's happening… well, Team Unknown will be watching. Don't expect us to save you."

Bo's tone was deceptively light as he added, "We'll evaluate everything—your decisions, your teamwork, even how fast you get back up when you're knocked down. And trust me, you'll get knocked down."

Riggs smirked, crossing his arms. "Better hope none of you are the reason your team loses. There are consequences for that."

The soldiers exchanged uneasy glances as Dr. Lewis checked his watch. "Clock starts in five minutes. Team One, head to the west entrance. Team Two, take positions in the east bunker. Move."

The mock mission began with a flurry of activity. Team One, led by Kieran, quickly fanned out into the infiltration zone. The mist hung low over the ground, shrouding visibility and adding to the tension.

Kieran motioned for silence as his team advanced, crouching low and sticking to cover. "Stay spread out. Flank the bunker. We'll hit them hard and fast," he whispered.

On the opposite end, Team Two fortified their defenses under Serra's command. She gestured for two soldiers to take up sniper positions in the elevated towers, while the others reinforced the bunker entrance with barricades scavenged from the field.

"Eyes sharp," Serra ordered. "They'll use the mist to their advantage. Don't let them get close."

Team Unknown stood on a raised platform overlooking the battlefield, their HUDs highlighting every movement below.

"Serra's team is playing it safe," Ember remarked, his tone neutral. "Too safe. That bunker won't hold if Kieran figures out where they're weak."

Bo leaned against the railing, observing Kieran's group. "He's moving fast, but his team's spread too thin. If Serra capitalizes on that, she could force them into a choke point."

"Assuming she doesn't hesitate," Val muttered, his eyes locked on the bunker.

As the teams clashed, the battlefield erupted into chaos.

Kieran's squad pushed forward, weaving through the mist and launching a surprise assault on the bunker's east side.

A soldier from Team Two, stationed at the barricade, was caught off guard. Kieran tackled him to the ground, his voice sharp. "Cover me!"

The defenders scrambled, but their lines faltered under the assault.

From her sniper perch, Serra barked orders. "Focus fire on their flanks! Don't let them circle us!"

A soldier hesitated, his weapon trembling as he aimed. A drone whirred overhead, broadcasting Riggs's voice into the battlefield. "Pull the trigger, or someone will do it for you!"

Startled, the soldier fired. The shot grazed its target but didn't stop Kieran's advance.

"Too slow," Ember muttered from above.

The mist thickened, and the mock mission descended into a brutal test of endurance and strategy.

Serra's sniper team managed to pin down two of Kieran's soldiers in a narrow trench, forcing them to retreat. "We've got them on the run!" one sniper called out, his voice tinged with relief.

"Don't celebrate yet," Serra snapped. "They'll regroup."

Her warning came too late. Kieran's team circled back, using the terrain to mask their approach. A flurry of smoke grenades erupted near the bunker entrance, and chaos ensued.

The defenders choked on the acrid air, their vision obscured. Kieran's soldiers stormed the bunker, overwhelming the remaining defenders in a flurry of close combat.

As the final whistle blew, Team Unknown descended from their vantage point. The battlefield fell silent, save for the ragged breathing of the soldiers.

Ember's gaze under the mask swept over the group. "Some of you fought like you wanted to win. Most of you fought like you just wanted it to end."

Bo crossed his arms, his tone sharp. "Serra, you hesitated when Kieran flanked you. That cost your team the bunker."

Serra bristled but nodded, her jaw tight.

Riggs grinned at Kieran. "And you? Not bad. But leaving your flanks exposed could've ended you. Fix it."

Dr. Lewis stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "Day Four isn't over. Rest for twenty minutes, then we'll run it again. New teams. New objectives."

The soldiers groaned, their exhaustion palpable.

Val's voice cut through their murmurs like a knife. "The enemy won't give you twenty minutes. Be grateful we do."

As the soldiers staggered off the field, Team Unknown exchanged glances.

"Not fast enough," Ember replied.

Val's eyes lingered on the retreating soldiers. "They'll learn. Or they'll die."

The day was far from over.