The barracks lay in a hush, the weight of the last two days' grueling trials hanging over it like a thick fog. Soldiers moved quietly, murmuring as they passed each other, their gazes a mixture of respect and lingering awe for Team Unknown, who'd taken them to their breaking points and forced them to keep moving past them. Team Unknown, however, had already retreated, each of them winding down in the solitude of the resting quarters.

This was their first day of true rest, and it was well-deserved. They'd pushed not only the recruits but also themselves, testing their own patience, resilience, and methods under the scrutinous eyes of Dr. Lewis and the top brass.

But with the brutal demonstration behind them, the team allowed themselves to ease up, decompressing as they each retreated to their routines. Bo lounged with his feet up, scrolling through his HUD and mentally cataloging the best and worst moments from the last two days, his grin as wide as ever.

Fon sat nearby, calm as ever, stretching his arms and rolling his shoulders, which ached from managing the shifting earth and cracking terrain. Ember had taken to the training yard, moving through a series of forms as he trained in silence, alone, channeling his remaining energy into his movements. Riggs and Val were less visible, both quietly making their rounds, but with a lingering tension that told the rest of them they weren't too far from yet another deployment.

The respite, however, was brief.

By the following morning, a message pulsed through their Mind Link.

Report to briefing. 0600 sharp.

Ember was the first to rise, his expression steeling as he glanced at the message. One glance at the time told him he'd already slept in later than usual—a sign of just how taxing the last days had been. But he didn't dwell on it, instead moving swiftly to knock on the doors of his teammates, waking each of them with the same, curt signal.

They all assembled in the dim morning light, moving silently, eyes sharp with the intensity they held for the missions that truly mattered. Within minutes, they arrived at the secured briefing room, finding Dr. Lewis waiting, his stance braced with a rare gravity.

A large screen behind him displayed a detailed map layered with encrypted information, red-highlighted zones, and what looked to be a grid of enemy positions. The room was sealed off, its walls designed to contain any sound, giving the room an eerie silence as they took their places around him.

Dr. Lewis looked them over, eyes scanning each member of Team Unknown with an appraising, almost proud glint before his expression turned severe.

"It's a covert operation in the Redcliff Territory where, it's confirmed, another Black Lotus branch has been confirmed. Over the last few weeks, intelligence has picked up unusual activity—another high-ranking operative from Black Lotus, by the name of Odren, has been leading this branch. They're known for dealing in both intelligence and advanced weaponry, and have been moving dangerously close to our borders."

Dr. Lewis tapped the screen, and an image appeared—a complex stronghold nestled deep within a mountainous region, half-hidden by the rugged landscape.

"This," he said, gesturing to the stronghold, "is where you're going. A significant portion of their network operates here, and recent intel suggests they've taken on mercenaries and possible deserters from other factions, which makes it a prime target for infiltration. However, make no mistake: they know how to cover their tracks, and their defenses are reportedly brutal. Your objective is twofold: extract any high-value information from their central server, and neutralize their tactical operators."

Bo's grin was gone, his expression sharp as he studied the map. "So, we're going up against their elite."

Dr. Lewis nodded. "Precisely. Which is why this operation is limited to our highest-ranking squads. Team Unknown will operate as the primary infiltration unit, and you'll be going in equipped to handle both reconnaissance and high-impact engagement. Your outfits and gear are already prepared."

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At this, Dr. Lewis stepped aside, revealing a line of pitch-black tactical cloaks hanging by the wall, each one lined with the integrated HUD system and advanced camouflage matrix—a suit designed for covert missions, capable of reducing visible signatures while tracking movements and environmental changes in real time. Their faces would be obscured by sleek masks fitted with HUD displays and voice modulators, allowing them to speak without risking identification.

Each member approached their designated suit, their rank pins gleaming subtly. Bo's pin shone in distinct Aurum gold, as did Fon's, Ember's, and Riggs's, marking them as the highest-ranked members of the team. Val's pin, however, was forged in black obsidian—a rare distinction that marked him as an ARM User. Together, they looked every bit the shadowed, silent specters they'd been trained to become.

"Before you deploy," Dr. Lewis continued, his tone heavier, "understand that this operation also includes select units who will provide perimeter security and handle any hostile reinforcements. Their orders are to remain hidden and to eliminate any scouts or spies who approach, while keeping a clear path for Team Unknown's extraction."

Fon inclined his head, recognizing several names on the roster as familiar faces from the previous days' training. He smirked slightly. "Looks like they'll get a taste of the real thing."

Dr. Lewis gave a curt nod.

"They won't be involved in the direct infiltration, but they'll serve as sentries on the lookout for any lingering hostiles, remnants from recent clashes, and enemy spies attempting to gather information. You'll have synchronized channels with their units, though only for emergency overrides. Your main comms will be limited to your team's Mind Link."

Val glanced over, his expression unreadable but thoughtful. "And what kind of resistance are we expecting on the inside?"

Dr. Lewis's eyes narrowed as he pulled up another image—one of several figures, faces obscured, marked with titles rather than names. "This Black Lotus branch is highly guarded compared to other branches we've cracked. Expect rotating guards, trip alarms, armed drones, and high-security barriers. Our intel suggests Odren has fortified this stronghold with defenses that require precision and adaptability. Avoid unnecessary confrontation with their elite forces."

A low chuckle came from Riggs, who looked unbothered by the warning. "Nothing new there."

"Remember," Dr. Lewis said firmly, "this mission isn't a brawl; it's precision work. Speed and discretion are paramount. Any unnecessary engagement could compromise your extraction."

Bo raised his hand in mock seriousness. "And if we can't avoid that engagement?"

Dr. Lewis gave a weary look, though there was a flicker of amusement behind it. "If necessary, you have clearance to engage—but silently and efficiently. You'll be operating without support, and any damage control will be on your shoulders."

A heavy silence fell over the room as Team Unknown absorbed the final details. Ember's face held a faint smirk, his eyes gleaming with the familiar thrill of a new mission. He was already calculating the routes, preparing for every potential challenge. This wasn't their first covert mission, but each one held its unique obstacles, and this would be no different.

Finally, Dr. Lewis looked at each of them, his tone softening but his gaze steely. "You know the stakes, and you know what we're up against. I chose Team Unknown for this because I know there's no one else who could get it done. Return with the intel—and all of you, in one piece."

They nodded in silent understanding, pulling on their hoods, their faces now hidden in shadow as the masks activated, their HUD displays lighting up with real-time data. The masks locked into place with a slight hiss, their fields of vision filling with tactical readouts, maps, and secure lines connecting them to each other. Each one's Mind Link blinked as the mission data synced in, the familiar neural connections sharpening their senses.

In the reflection of the briefing room's darkened windows, they looked like living shadows, an anonymous squadron of elite operatives.

Their codenames flashed briefly across the HUD, reaffirming their roles: Ember, Val, Fon, Riggs, Bo.

Dr. Lewis gave them one last look, the weight of a silent farewell behind his eyes. "You deploy at 2300 hours. This briefing is now complete."

They filed out of the briefing room, slipping into the shadows beyond, their movements already synced and silent. Outside, the evening light was beginning to fade, casting long, dark shadows over the base. The clock was ticking, each passing hour drawing them closer to their infiltration. And as they dispersed, each member was already preparing mentally, running through their plans, readying themselves for whatever the night would bring.

In the dim glow of the setting sun, Team Unknown moved without a sound, each step drawing them nearer to the coming mission, where they'd slip into the darkness once more, leaving no trace but the shattered remains of their enemies.