The dim light of HQ's medical wing cast a soft glow as Val's team lay sprawled across various cots, their exhaustion evident. After Val's grueling encounter with the Vault's guardian and the team's relentless defense against Black Lotus scouts, they'd finally been ordered to rest, and none of them had protested.

Val leaned back against his cot, the ruin stone securely stored beside him in a protective case. He could feel its faint pulsing energy even through the casing, a quiet reminder of the struggle that had almost claimed him in the Vault. Deleo's words from the briefing echoed in his mind, each insight reverberating with new weight now that he was alone with his thoughts.

Fon, sprawled nearby with an arm draped over his face, peeked out and gave Val a tired grin. "Next time you find a ruin stone, Val, mind giving us a little less excitement?"

Bo let out a low chuckle from his cot, still slightly pale from their recent teleportation. "If excitement was optional, you think he'd take it?"

Val smirked, shaking his head as he relaxed, his body finally releasing some of the tension that had accumulated. "Hey, I'd take a calm day over a Vault guardian, any time. I'm just lucky you all had my back out there."

Riggs shifted, resting an arm behind his head with a hint of a smile. "Guess that means we're stuck with each other. Whatever these stones are leading to, we're in it."

The brief respite passed too quickly. Not long after they'd settled into their cots, Dr. Lewis entered, his expression a mix of concern and determination as he approached them.

"Team, I know you could use more time to recover, but there's been a development," he began, glancing at Val. "General Luis wants you in the command center for a briefing as soon as you're able. It's about Black Lotus."

Val's gaze sharpened, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten. He sat up slowly, feeling the ache in his muscles but ignoring it. "What's the situation?"

Dr. Lewis nodded toward the door, a faint smile of encouragement on his face. "I'll let General Luis give you the full rundown. For now, know that you'll want to be prepared."

With that, Val and his team gathered their gear, each of them moving with a quiet resilience born of countless missions. They donned their masks, the familiar anonymity settling over them as they followed Dr. Lewis through the winding corridors toward the command center.

Once in the command center, the lights dimmed, and a large screen flickered to life, displaying aerial footage of a dense, fog-shrouded region. General Luis and Dr. Lewis stood at the front, their expressions tense as they turned to address Team Unknown.

"Thank you for coming, despite the lack of rest," General Luis began, his voice steady but edged with urgency. "Black Lotus has been detected in Rookvale, right within Clareo's borders. They've set up a temporary encampment and are actively scouring the area."

Val exchanged a quick glance with Bo, whose eyes had narrowed as he took in the information.

"What exactly are they looking for?" Val asked, the hint of tension in his voice unmistakable.

General Luis gestured toward the map. "Intelligence suggests they may be searching for traces of the ruin stones' energy. We suspect they've found something—perhaps a residual energy signature—and are trying to pinpoint its source."

Dr. Lewis added, "Given the recent retrieval, we believe they're picking up traces from the Vault encounter."

Fon shifted, his eyes widening behind his mask. "So, they're close. Too close."

"Yes," General Luis replied, his gaze sweeping over the team. "Your mission is twofold: disrupt their operations in the area, and prevent them from finding anything linked to the ruin stones. We can't allow Black Lotus to gain access to the kind of power these stones hold."

Val's jaw clenched as he absorbed the directive. "Understood, General. We'll keep them from getting anywhere near Clareo's resources—or these stones."

Dr. Lewis's gaze lingered on Val, a flicker of concern in his eyes. "Be cautious, Val. With your recent contact with the Void's energy and the ruin stone, they may sense your presence if they get too close."

Val nodded, feeling the ruin stone's faint pulse even through the protective case at his side. "We'll stay under the radar."

The briefing concluded, and Val's team moved toward the exit, bracing themselves mentally for what would be yet another mission on the heels of an exhausting battle.

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Bo, Riggs, and Fon shared a quick, determined glance, ready to tackle Black Lotus even if it meant pushing through the lingering fatigue.

But as they reached the door, Val held up a hand, his voice steady. "Alright, gather in close—teleportation's the quickest way to get us there without alerting them."

At his words, a visible ripple of discomfort passed through the team. Bo's shoulders slumped just slightly, Riggs's eyes narrowed, and Fon… Fon actually groaned, slapping a hand to his mask.

"Oh, come on," Fon muttered, barely able to mask his dismay. "Val, I swear, I've already seen my breakfast twice today. You can't seriously be doing this again!"

Riggs leaned against the wall, crossing his arms with an exaggerated sigh. "I thought we were an elite squad, not… the 'Motion Sickness Brigade.'"

Bo let out a resigned huff, muttering, "We need an official request in HQ: 'Less Teleporting, More Walking.'" His voice was filled with mock determination, but he didn't miss the way Dr. Lewis and General Luis exchanged amused glances at the team's visible frustration.

"Ready or not," Val said with a smirk, ignoring the collective sigh that ran through his team. "Remember, it's tactical—keeps us off the radar."

Fon rolled his eyes as he stepped closer, muttering, "Next time, can we be 'off the radar' on a nice, steady train?"

The command room staff watched the spectacle unfold, various soldiers, analysts, and officers blinking with surprise—and a few with stifled grins—at the elite team's very vocal dread for teleportation.

Dr. Lewis bit back a chuckle, while General Luis raised a bemused brow at the group's antics. "Quite the spirit you've got there, Team Unknown," he commented, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

Val just shook his head, motioning them to close in. "Alright, deep breaths. And remember, I warned you this time."

Before anyone could protest further, the Void's energy enveloped them, drawing them into the cold pull of teleportation, leaving the command room staff blinking in the aftermath of Team Unknown's groans, muttered complaints, and reluctant acceptance.

They reappeared moments later, their masks still intact—but that was where any dignity ended.

Riggs was doubled over, his hand clutching his stomach, while Bo leaned against a nearby tree, muttering something about "permanent teleportation scars." Fon just fell to his knees, groaning dramatically as he pressed a hand to his mask, half-wheezing in exaggerated suffering.

This… is becoming a health hazard, Fon mumbled, throwing a shaky thumbs-up to Val. Definitely not good for morale, Umbra.

Val chuckled softly, ignoring the muttered grievances, but he had to admit, the looks on their faces were worth it.

Come on, motion-sick warriors, Val said, clapping them on the back. We've got a mission. And hey, maybe this is just the 'elite team conditioning program.'

Riggs shot him a half-hearted glare as he straightened. Next time, Umbra… consider a five-minute warning."

With a grin hidden behind his mask, Val led the way forward, and his teammates stumbled behind him—reluctantly ready for whatever awaited them next.

Back at HQ, General Luis and Dr. Lewis observed a live map of Team Unknown's location on a large screen, watching as Val and his team reappeared on the field.

Just as they reappeared, a wave of chaotic, unexpected sounds echoed through the command room's Mind Link. Groans, gagging noises, and the unmistakable sound of someone retching filled the air.

Fon's voice, slightly muffled over the link, sounded first. I—I'm gonna lose it… Ohhh, nope, nope—too late.

A chorus of dramatic, over-the-top gagging from Riggs followed. Gah! Why did I sign up for this? Teleportation's going to be the death of me—ack!

Bo's voice was next, his tone absolutely resigned, muttering, Well, there goes my lunch…

The command room erupted in confusion and mild panic as the chaotic sounds poured through the Mind Link, all while the main screen showed Team Unknown doubled over, barely managing to stay upright on the other side of the teleportation jump.

"Are they… are they okay?" one analyst asked, her eyes wide with concern, darting between her colleagues.

Another officer stifled a laugh, though his attempt was undermined by a sudden loud retch from the Mind Link.

"Someone get those guys an anti-nausea protocol!" a medic muttered, though his expression was torn between concern and laughter as Fon continued to groan dramatically.

Dr. Lewis rubbed his forehead, hiding a bemused grin. "Looks like they're making quite the… memorable reentry."

General Luis tried to maintain a neutral expression but couldn't stop an eyebrow from raising. "I thought these were Clareo's finest?"

Another soldier, unable to resist a snicker, chimed in, "They're really giving 'elite' a new meaning here."

Val's voice cut through the chaos, exasperated but tinged with humor as he tried to collect himself. Alright, you three. We're on the field, so pull it together.

But his reprimand was drowned out by yet another groan from Fon, his voice as dramatic as ever. Umbra, if I make it through this, I'm demanding a teleportation-free day every week.

The command room was by now a mix of muffled laughter, nervous chuckles, and stifled grins as Team Unknown tried to recover from the aftermath of teleportation.

One younger officer, grinning, whispered to his colleague, "Imagine the legend that'll spread: the elite squad, brought to their knees by teleportation."

General Luis shook his head, exchanging a knowing look with Dr. Lewis, who was still trying to hide his smile.

"Well, if nothing else, they're memorable," he said, glancing back to the screen where Val was already rallying his team, shaking his head at their antics.

Finally, as the last few groans and sighs faded, Val straightened, casting a brief, sidelong glance at his teammates. His eyes narrowed with resolve as he scanned their surroundings, shifting the tone back to the mission.

"Alright, motion sickness aside," he said, voice firm but carrying a faint smile that only they would notice, "we've got work to do."

Fon gave a last half-hearted groan, clutching his stomach. "Next time, I'm petitioning for 'no teleporting' on my day off," he muttered, but he fell in line as they moved forward.

The team steeled themselves, brushing off the lingering discomfort as they fell into formation. Behind them, HQ's command room settled into a quiet focus, their attention refocusing on the mission as Team Unknown made their way toward the Black Lotus encampment.

The sounds of chuckles and knowing glances faded into silence as the reality of the mission ahead set in.