The briefing room at HQ Command was silent but tense.

Team Unknown sat around the central holotable, their black hooded cloaks and masks resting neatly before them. The lingering effects of their last mission still clung to the air—a mix of exhaustion, adrenaline, and the unspoken acknowledgment of what they had unleashed.

General Luis stood at the head of the table, his expression carved from stone as he gestured toward the holoscreen. The map of Clareo displayed red markers scattered across the city's perimeter and inner zones.

"We've confirmed Hades' Wrath's tactics," General Luis began, his voice calm but firm. "They're creating chaos across Clareo. These isolated attacks are meant to divide our attention, stretch our forces, and weaken our response time. If these incidents continue, the city's defenses will collapse."

The team listened intently, their gazes locked on the map. Ember's eyes narrowed as he studied the patterns, his sharp mind already dissecting the data.

General Luis continued, "Moving forward, Team Unknown will need to adapt. I'll be assigning specific members to remain on standby at HQ during certain missions, ensuring we always have someone ready to respond to emergencies."

A ripple of unease passed through the room. Bo exchanged a glance with Riggs, while Fon frowned, his posture stiffening. Val remained silent, his expression unreadable, but his hand unconsciously tapped the edge of the table.

It was Ember who broke the silence. He leaned forward, his tone measured but laced with challenge. "With respect, General, that's exactly what Hades' Wrath wants."

General Luis's gaze sharpened. "Elaborate."

Ember gestured at the holoscreen, his voice calm but cutting. "By holding part of the team back, we're playing into their strategy. These skirmishes are distractions, designed to split our focus and resources. They know Clareo relies on us as a central force. Stretching us thin isn't just a tactic—it's the first step toward dismantling our coordination entirely."

General Luis crossed his arms, his jaw tightening. "So you're suggesting we deploy the entire team to every incident, leaving the city exposed if another emergency arises?"

Ember didn't flinch. "I'm suggesting we don't let them dictate our movements. Their patterns are deliberate, but predictable. If we focus on the root cause—where these constructs are being created and deployed—we can stop the chaos at its source."

Exeo spoke next, his tone calm but supportive. "Ember has a point. Our strength isn't just in numbers; it's in coordination. We've trained to handle large-scale threats as a unit. Splitting us up could weaken our effectiveness."

General Luis's gaze shifted to Val, who had been silent until now. "Val?"

Val's voice was soft but firm. "Ember's strategy makes sense. If we react to every attack, we'll burn out while Hades' Wrath continues to gain ground. We need to think ahead, not just react."

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General Luis's silence was heavy, the weight of his authority filling the room. Finally, he exhaled sharply. "And what do you propose, Ember?"

Ember leaned back slightly, his tone steady. "We divide our efforts strategically, but not by splitting the team. Beta Team is operational and capable of handling smaller incidents under our guidance. Let them handle the diversions while we focus on tracing the energy signatures back to their origin."

Riggs chimed in, his voice carrying a faint edge of humor to lighten the mood. "Basically, let the kids handle the mess while the adults take care of business."

Bo smirked faintly, though his tone was serious. "We've trained Beta Team for a reason. They can handle it."

General Luis studied the team, his gaze sweeping over each member before settling back on Ember. "Your plan assumes Hades' Wrath won't escalate beyond these skirmishes. If they unleash something larger while we're focused on their staging grounds, the consequences could be catastrophic."

Ember met his gaze, unflinching. "And if we don't act now, they'll continue escalating regardless. We either fight on their terms and lose, or we take the fight to them and end this before it spirals out of control."

The room was silent for a moment, the tension thick enough to cut with a blade.

Finally, General Luis nodded slowly. "Alright. We'll test your strategy. Beta Team will handle localized incidents under your oversight. Team Unknown will shift focus to tracing Void-tainted energy signatures and identifying Hades' Wrath's command centers."

Ember inclined his head slightly, his tone respectful. "Thank you, General."

General Luis's voice carried a note of finality. "But understand this: if this strategy fails, the responsibility falls on you."

Ember didn't waver. "Understood."

General Luis turned to the rest of the team. "You have your orders. Dismissed."

As the team filed out of the briefing room, the tension lingered in the air. Ember walked beside Val and Exeo, his expression thoughtful.

"You sure about this?" Val asked quietly, his tone devoid of judgment.

Ember smirked faintly, his usual confidence returning. "Sure enough."

Bo, Riggs, and Fon fell into step behind them, their camaraderie lightening the mood.

"So," Riggs began, his grin playful, "who's breaking the news to the Beta Team?"

Bo chuckled. "Not it."

Fon rolled his eyes. "You're all cowards."

The team's laughter echoed through the corridor, a brief reprieve from the weight of the decisions they carried.

Back in the briefing room, General Luis stood alone, his gaze fixed on the holoscreen. Dr. Lewis approached quietly, his arms crossed as he studied the flickering map.

"Ember's plan is risky," Dr. Lewis said, his tone measured. "But he's the best strategist we've got. Him and Exeo—they see things from angles the rest of us might miss."

General Luis's gaze didn't waver from the screen. "I know. Ember's confidence isn't unwarranted. His instincts are sharp, his plans calculated. But this time, he's gambling on something bigger than just a battle—he's betting on outmaneuvering an enemy that thrives on chaos."

Dr. Lewis tilted his head slightly. "And Exeo? You've seen how he supports Ember's decisions. That kind of trust doesn't come easily. It takes years to build."

General Luis exhaled sharply, his expression softening slightly. "That's the only reason I'm agreeing to this. Exeo's approval carries weight. If he trusts Ember enough to back this plan, then I'll trust their bond—and their judgment."

The two men stood in silence for a moment, the weight of the team's future hanging in the air.

Finally, Dr. Lewis smirked faintly. "You know, if anyone can pull this off, it's them. Team Unknown's trust isn't just blind loyalty—it's earned."

General Luis nodded slowly, his tone quiet but resolute. "Then we'll trust them, too."

As the door closed behind them, the holoscreen's red markers pulsed ominously. The stakes were higher than ever, but for now, the next move belonged to Ember, Exeo, and the team they had worked years to forge into an unbreakable unit.