The corridors of HQ were quiet as Val strode through, his footsteps echoing softly off the polished floors. The weight of the coming operation hung heavy in the air, and he could feel the gravity of the plan settling around him.

Tonight would be a silent reckoning, a purge from within, as they sought to root out the rot that had festered at Clareo's core.

Val tapped into the Mind Link, calling his team together. We have a new directive.

Bo, Riggs, and Fon acknowledged with quick replies, and within moments, Val saw them emerging from their quarters, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and readiness. Their usual camaraderie was tempered, as if they, too, sensed the severity of what lay ahead.

Val's gaze was unyielding as he addressed them. General Luis has discovered evidence of more traitors—higher-ups from Clareo itself. We're not just observing tonight; we're participating.

Riggs raised an eyebrow, a slight smirk playing on his lips. Participating, huh? Sounds like my kind of meeting.

Fon crossed his arms, nodding with a dark grin. And here I thought things would get dull after Revner.

Stay focused, Val's voice cut through their banter, though a hint of amusement flickered in his eyes. This isn't just about taking out a few defectors. It's a demonstration that Clareo doesn't tolerate betrayal. They'll be caught off guard, but so will some of our allies, so keep sharp.

Val's gaze sharpened as he assessed the plan's requirements. With a slight nod to his team, he focused, gathering the shadows around them, the space between flickering, darkening until they vanished in silence.

In an instant, Val and his team materialized in the dimly shadowed corners of the conference hall, concealed by darkness as they observed the layout of the room. General Luis and Dr. Lewis stood near the center, scanning the assembly as officers and officials filtered in, unaware of the unseen presence of Team Unknown.

Val opened the Mind Link, connecting with Dr. Lewis directly. Position secured.

The unexpected communication made Dr. Lewis flinch slightly, but he composed himself quickly, his eyes darting discreetly to Val's position. He gave a subtle nod of acknowledgment, his face remaining neutral as he continued to survey the room.

General Luis maintained a calm yet intense expression, speaking softly to Dr. Lewis while the last of the attendees took their seats. Then, with a flick of his Mind Link, Dr. Lewis provided instructions.

Each of you will take position at key points around the room. Keep inconspicuous. We need this to look like a standard briefing—until the moment arrives.

Val's silent acknowledgment was all that was needed. His team moved without a sound, each slipping seamlessly into shadowed vantage points around the hall. Bo blended into a darker corner near the doors, while Riggs and Fon positioned themselves near structural supports that provided cover, creating an invisible perimeter. Val stayed closest to the main platform, his form obscured, but his watchful eyes missed nothing.

The tension in the hall began to build as officials and commanders took their places, some with a confident air, others with barely concealed apprehension. The list of traitors was a grim reminder that not everyone present had earned their place in the room with honor.

The room began to fill with officials and commanders from Clareo's upper echelons, some entering with heads held high, others with nervous glances that betrayed their unease. The weight of secrets and silent ambitions lingered in the air, though most of the traitors appeared unsuspecting.

Val and his team positioned themselves around the perimeter, their faces obscured by masks and shadows. Each of them watched intently, noting every subtle shift in expression, every nervous twitch that hinted at knowledge or guilt.

The room grew silent as General Luis stepped forward, his voice commanding yet calm as he addressed the assembly.

"Thank you all for coming on such short notice. Recent developments within Clareo and our allied nations have forced us to assess our internal operations. Tonight's meeting will focus on ensuring that Clareo's security is maintained without compromise."

He let his gaze linger over the group, each word carrying a weight that seemed to press into every person present. His eyes narrowed as they landed on a particular cluster of high-ranking officials, his expression tightening ever so slightly.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

Dr. Lewis moved to his side, producing the device Val had retrieved from Renalds. He inserted it into a secure terminal, and the screen displayed encrypted files and lists of communications between Clareo's commanders and Black Lotus operatives.

"As some of you know, Black Lotus has been responsible for countless attacks against our allies and operations," Dr. Lewis began, his voice cold. "What you may not know is that they've done so with help from the inside."

Murmurs rippled through the room, some expressions hardening with anger, others remaining guarded.

A sharp voice cut through the murmur, belonging to Commander Riven of Clareo's Central Command. "If this is true, then why haven't we been informed sooner?"

General Luis's gaze locked onto him, the weight of his authority pressing down. "Because, Commander Riven, these traitors have embedded themselves in positions of influence, keeping a veil over their actions. But tonight, we intend to remove that veil."

A flicker of unease crossed Riven's face, his mouth tightening as he exchanged a glance with a man beside him.

Val watched the exchange, every muscle in his body coiled, ready to strike. From his position, he could see the minute shifts in posture, the slightest glances exchanged between those implicated in the evidence. They were on edge, but they still believed themselves safe.

The screen shifted, displaying a list of names. Dr. Lewis's voice took on an edge as he listed them, each name landing like a blow in the charged silence.

"Commander Riven. Major Tallis. Colonel Harth. These are just a few of those who have conspired with Black Lotus, endangering the lives of Clareo's citizens and soldiers alike."

A stunned silence followed, the accused commanders staring at each other, some expressions unreadable, others clouded with barely concealed fear.

Riven, however, gathered his composure, a cold mask slipping over his face as he faced General Luis. "This… this is an accusation based on circumstantial evidence," he stammered, his voice sharp but trembling. "You can't possibly believe—"

General Luis raised a hand, cutting him off. "Enough. This isn't a trial, Commander. It's a reckoning."

At that moment, Val felt the signal pulse through the Mind Link—a silent cue from General Luis. The room grew charged, each person bracing for the coming storm.

Val's team emerged from their positions, their steps measured, their presence undeniable. The accused officials shifted nervously, their confident facades crumbling as realization dawned.

Riven's face twisted with defiance, his hand edging toward a concealed weapon. But before he could draw it, Val raised his hand, summoning a small sphere of darkness. It hovered briefly, then shot toward Riven's hand, erasing the weapon's very existence as if it had never been there.

Riven blinked, his hand now grasping empty air, shock mingling with frustration.

Val tilted his head, a smirk playing at his lips. His voice dripped with sarcastic warning. "Reaching for something? Or did it just slip your mind that your tricks don't work here?"

Riven's face flushed with anger, but Val's gaze was unyielding, his tone cold and laced with Ember's unmistakable cunning.

"Face it, Commander. You're outmatched. Now, are we done with the dramatics, or do I need to erase something a little more... personal?"

Riven's face contorted with barely concealed rage as he struggled in his bonds, his eyes darting between Val and General Luis, his defiance flaring in one last futile attempt at control.

"You think eliminating us changes anything?" His voice was a venomous hiss. "Black Lotus is already woven into the fabric of Clareo, and it's only a matter of time before the entire nation realizes it."

Val tilted his head slightly, a look of cold amusement flickering in his eyes. "You overestimate your worth, Commander. Black Lotus operates on fear and whispers in the dark." His voice lowered, taking on an edge of mocking detachment, "And in this room, I see nothing but empty words."

Riven's bravado faltered, the sharp glint in his gaze dulling with creeping realization. He shifted uncomfortably, his body tense with restrained fury, but the confidence he once displayed had dissipated into thin air.

Val's team loomed nearby, each figure embodying the silent threat that had subdued Riven and his conspirators, reminding him that his fate was already sealed.

Turning back to his assembled officers, General Luis spoke, his voice cutting through the silence with unyielding finality.

"Let this serve as a warning to any who might consider betraying Clareo. Loyalty to this nation is not a choice—it's a commitment. And treachery, as we've seen tonight, will be met with swift and certain justice."

Dr. Lewis stood by, his gaze unwavering as he surveyed the now-captured traitors.

Even the officials who had remained unaware of the infiltration appeared shaken, their faces pale, eyes wide with the stark understanding of Clareo's vulnerability. They had come to witness a briefing, but instead, they were met with the inescapable truth that the shadows within their own ranks had threatened the safety of the nation.

Val moved forward, signaling to his team to begin the extraction process. Each member of Team Unknown took a position beside the captured traitors, their silent presence instilling a sense of finality that left no room for protest.

One by one, Riven and his fellow conspirators were led from the hall, their eyes darting in frantic, last glances at the room they would never see again as free men.

The hall fell into a profound silence, broken only by the faint, measured footfalls of Val and his team.

Before disappearing into the shadows, Val turned to General Luis, offering a respectful nod, a shared understanding passing between them. Then, Val's voice cut through the Mind Link to his team, a voice as cold and resolute as the unforgiving task they'd just completed.

Tonight, we've delivered a message that will resonate far beyond these walls.

Fon's voice responded, carrying a tone of satisfaction that seemed to settle the gravity of their actions. Black Lotus won't know what hit them. Their power's crumbling from every angle.

A hint of a smile touched Val's lips as he replied, his voice resolute and edged with a silent promise to continue the fight. And this is only the beginning.