The anticipation hung thick in the air as Team Unknown gathered for their latest mission briefing. Reyes stood at the edge of the room, arms tense but expression resolute beneath his mask.

This would be his debut mission as a marksman with Team Unknown—a role he'd trained for relentlessly over the past two weeks. Val had assured him he was ready, but a quiet voice in Reyes's mind kept whispering reminders of the stakes.

At the head of the room, General Luis and Dr. Lewis moved with a focused energy as they finalized tactical plans on the screen. Their eyes swept across the mission layout, scanning for any vulnerabilities.

Dr. Lewis turned to Reyes, giving a faint, approving nod. "Corporal, this time, you'll have eyes over the entire field. We're deploying you with the sniper rifle for backup, high on a vantage point. Your job is clear: cover the team, identify threats, and take down any enemy operatives attempting to flank."

Reyes nodded, steadying himself. "Understood, sir."

General Luis cleared his throat, locking his gaze on Reyes and the team. "This is a high-stakes operation," he said, his tone underscoring the seriousness of the mission. "Intelligence suggests that Black Lotus has set up a hidden compound near the border of Clareo. The perimeter is heavily guarded, with high-tech camouflage systems that may obscure your HUD's readings."

The team tensed as General Luis continued. "Corporal Reyes, as marksman, you'll be positioned at a high vantage point overlooking the eastern side of the compound. From there, you'll have a clear view of the ground. Stay alert, and remember, the team's safety relies on your focus."

Dr. Lewis's voice cut through the air, clear and steady. "We'll be monitoring all of you from HQ. Reyes, we'll be keeping track of your performance as well." He shot Reyes a pointed look that said both encouragement and expectation.

Reyes swallowed, his pulse quickening. This was it—his chance to prove he was more than a recruit, that he truly belonged with Team Unknown.

The briefing concluded, and as the team prepared for deployment, Fon shot Reyes a grin. "First time out with the big guns, huh, Corporal? Try not to miss," he teased, giving a mock salute.

"Trust me, Fon, I won't," Reyes replied, a determined gleam in his eyes. He hefted the sniper rifle, feeling its weight and power—a foreign but exhilarating sensation.

Bo chuckled, adjusting his own gear. "Good luck, Reyes. And… try not to upstage us too much."

With a final nod to General Luis and Dr. Lewis, the team moved to the teleportation point, bracing themselves as Val initiated the Mind Link.

Prepare for teleportation in three… two…

"Oh, hell…" Fon muttered just before the familiar, disorienting sensation swallowed them.

They landed at the edge of a dense forest, and the world solidified around them in a haze of leaves, shadows, and cold, damp air. The scent of pine and soil mixed with the faint metallic taste of adrenaline. Reyes steadied himself, barely containing his discomfort as the team fell into formation.

Val, his cloak barely stirring as he surveyed the area, directed the team with swift, decisive commands.

Frost, Aura, Terra, with me. Reyes, I'll position you on a higher ledge east of the compound.

Val grasped Reyes's shoulder and teleported them in a brief, disorienting flash, landing atop a rocky outcrop with a perfect view of the compound below. Reyes felt the high vantage point beneath him, the wide expanse of the compound laid out like a grim tapestry.

Val's voice came through the Mind Link, calm but commanding.

This is your spot. You cover our backs. Engage only if necessary or if any enemy approaches.

Understood, Reyes replied, his voice steady but filled with tension.

As Val disappeared into the shadows below, Reyes crouched, pressing the rifle to his shoulder. The cold metal of the scope touched his mask, and he adjusted his stance, his muscles flexing as he settled in. He took a deep breath, letting the world around him fade until only his sightline, his breathing, and his trigger finger existed.

Through the scope, Reyes scanned the compound, noting clusters of Black Lotus operatives scattered near the entrances and in elevated guard towers.

His HUD mapped out a portion of the visible enemies, marking their positions. The rest blended into the shadows, some cloaked with advanced camouflage technology, rendering them nearly invisible.

A rustle broke his concentration, and Reyes instinctively zeroed in, spotting movement on the HUD's edge—a figure that faded in and out of visibility. The figure's faint shimmer suggested they wore adaptive camouflage, something the HUD couldn't fully track.

Camouflaged enemy, northwest corner, Reyes whispered into the Mind Link, adjusting his aim to track the figure.

Got it, Val's voice responded. Nice catch.

Reyes's breath hitched as he zeroed in, his finger tightening on the trigger. "Steady… now." He squeezed the trigger, the rifle kicked against his shoulder, and the round fired, cutting through the air with a sharp crack.

The camouflaged figure staggered, a burst of red blooming from where Reyes's shot had connected. Reyes grinned, his pulse pounding as he watched the figure collapse.

Back in HQ, Dr. Lewis monitored the feed, eyebrows raised in impressed surprise. He exchanged a glance with General Luis, who smirked. "Seems your recruit has a keen eye after all."

Dr. Lewis nodded, crossing his arms. "He's not missing a beat. Not bad for a debut."

On the ground, Val, Bo, Riggs, and Fon moved silently through the trees, their cloaks blending into the darkened landscape. Val's focus was sharp, his mind attuned to Reyes's cover fire above. Every time Reyes called out a position, Val and his team adjusted, anticipating threats that might otherwise have gone unseen.

The Mind Link buzzed as Reyes's voice crackled through. Another camouflaged enemy, south exit. Masked near the entrance.

Val nodded to Bo, who approached the south entrance with measured steps, his stance poised to strike. From above, Reyes tracked the enemy's movements, waiting for the perfect opening. His finger tightened over the trigger, his breath slowing as he found the rhythm of the enemy's steps.

In position, Reyes murmured, and just as the enemy turned, Reyes fired. The shot struck the enemy clean through the chest, the force of it sending him backward into the shadows.

A smirk tugged at the corner of Fon's mouth as he moved past the fallen guard. Nice shot, Reyes. Keep that up, and we'll have no enemies left to fight.

Reyes's nervous laugh echoed through the link. Just doing my job, Terra.

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The team advanced, sweeping through each checkpoint with Reyes picking off hidden threats from above. His heart pounded, but he kept his mind clear, his gaze razor-sharp as he scanned every corner of the compound. Every successful shot brought a surge of adrenaline, but also a mounting sense of responsibility—every bullet counted, and every missed shot could jeopardize his team.

In HQ, Dr. Lewis and General Luis watched the body count increase under Reyes's name on the monitor, each kill tagged with the corporal's ID. Dr. Lewis nodded in approval, impressed by Reyes's adaptability. "He's come a long way."

General Luis folded his arms, a proud smile tugging at his lips. "Val knew what he was doing with this one."

Meanwhile, on the field, the compound's defenders began to catch on, and the response from Black Lotus intensified. Enemies moved faster, changing positions and deploying more camouflage in an attempt to evade Reyes's sight.

Reyes narrowed his eyes, tracking a particularly swift figure that seemed to dart between cover, moving closer to the team. He followed the movements through his scope, every instinct screaming at him to focus.

Target approaching Aura's position. Fast-moving, near the west perimeter, he whispered through the link.

Riggs adjusted his position, pressing against a tree as he listened to Reyes's directions. Reyes followed the figure, feeling the rush of the hunt as he calculated the distance, leading the target with his scope. His breath steadied, his finger inching over the trigger.

The shot rang out, sharp and clear, and Reyes watched as the target crumpled, his cloaking device flickering and revealing his form.

Clean shot, Val acknowledged, his tone carrying a rare note of approval.

The praise made Reyes's chest swell, but he quickly refocused, scanning for additional threats. He swept the scope left, catching another flash of movement—a trio of camouflaged enemies moving toward the team's location.

"Damn it…" Reyes muttered, steadying his rifle as he marked each target with calculated precision. Three enemies, northeast. Converging on your position.

Val issued a command, his tone calm but carrying an edge of urgency. Take them out, Reyes. Cover Terra's advance.

With swift precision, Reyes tracked the lead enemy, his finger steady as he pulled the trigger. The shot cracked through the air, connecting with the target's torso in a spray of blood.

The other two whipped around, but Reyes's HUD flashed, automatically adjusting his sight to compensate for the distance. He shifted, his breath catching as he fired, the second shot finding its mark. Blood spattered across the ground as the enemy dropped.

The last enemy bolted, but Reyes tracked him, his movements quick and precise as he followed the figure's erratic path. The adrenaline surged as Reyes inhaled, letting the world narrow until only the crosshairs and his target remained. In one smooth motion, he squeezed the trigger, and the final enemy fell, collapsing in a spray of red against the dark ground.

Targets down, Reyes reported, his voice steady despite the pounding in his chest.

Excellent work, Reyes, Val's voice came through the Mind Link, edged with satisfaction. Stay alert and continue covering us as we advance.

Reyes took a deep breath, repositioning slightly as he swept his scope over the compound. Every kill, every successful shot fueled his confidence, but he remained focused, the weight of his role pressing down on him.

Through the Mind Link, he could hear his teammates moving forward, the subtle rustling of their cloaks and their breath coming in quiet, controlled patterns.

Below, Bo, Riggs, and Fon navigated the enemy's defensive positions, darting from shadow to shadow with practiced ease. Reyes's cover fire allowed them to push forward quickly, and his presence high above meant they could focus on close-range threats without constantly checking for ambushes.

In HQ, Dr. Lewis and General Luis continued to watch Reyes's stats on the screen, the number of successful eliminations climbing steadily. Dr. Lewis observed with a thoughtful expression, his eyes lingering on Reyes's accuracy percentage, each statistic telling the story of Reyes's growth from a probationary recruit to a capable marksman.

"Looks like Reyes has a natural talent for this," Dr. Lewis murmured, almost to himself.

General Luis grinned, nodding as he leaned back. "He's not just hitting targets; he's owning that vantage point. Val chose well."

Back on the ground, Val and his team advanced deeper into the compound, dispatching any guards left in Reyes's line of sight. Val kept a careful eye on the paths Reyes called out, noting his teammate's newfound skill with a growing sense of pride.

But the compound was extensive, and as they pressed further in, the enemy's response became increasingly desperate. Black Lotus operatives poured out from hidden rooms and camouflaged entrances, their figures flickering in and out of visibility.

Reyes's HUD flared with indicators as the number of targets increased. He took a breath, adjusting his aim and prioritizing enemies advancing closest to the team. His mind sharpened, every instinct telling him that his shots had to count now more than ever.

Two more, moving fast from the east, Reyes announced, his voice clipped as he followed the targets through the scope.

Copy that, Bo's voice replied, calm and confident, as he pivoted to intercept.

Reyes watched Bo engage, his ice ability creating a barricade that slowed the enemy just long enough for Reyes to pick them off. His scope tracked the second figure, now just a flicker on the HUD, but Reyes tightened his grip, leading his target before firing.

The shot connected, and Reyes exhaled, feeling the strain on his shoulders but pushing through.

A moment of stillness passed, and then Fon's voice echoed through the link, amusement lacing his tone. You've got a good eye, Reyes. Almost feels like we've got a guardian angel up there.

Riggs chuckled, adding, Let's hope our angel keeps hitting his mark.

Reyes grinned beneath his mask, adjusting his aim once more. Don't worry, guys. I've got you covered.

Suddenly, Val's voice cut in, sharp and urgent. Brace yourselves. We've got a group moving in fast from the south.

Through his scope, Reyes caught sight of the approaching squad. They moved like shadows, coordinated and silent. Reyes's pulse quickened as he adjusted his scope, mentally calculating each target's path.

He fired, the crack of the shot loud in his ears as the bullet tore through the first enemy's chest. The figure crumpled, his cloaking flickering out in a burst of static. Reyes pivoted, firing again, and a second enemy dropped, his fall masked by the swirling shadows around him.

But one of the enemies veered off, slipping through Reyes's line of sight and rushing toward Fon's position.

Fon, on your six! Reyes shouted, voice tight with urgency.

Fon twisted just in time, his earth ability raising a barrier that deflected the enemy's attack. The enemy stumbled, momentarily disoriented, and Reyes seized the opportunity. He fired, the shot connecting with a wet, visceral impact that sent the enemy sprawling.

Thanks for the save, Reyes, Fon said, his voice laced with relief. Almost lost my head there.

The team continued their advance, Reyes providing cover fire at every turn. His HUD flared with alerts, but his mind was steady, his gaze unflinching as he tracked each enemy, his shots swift and precise.

In HQ, Dr. Lewis leaned forward, his attention focused entirely on Reyes's screen as the corporal dispatched each target with a precision that belied his experience level. General Luis observed as well, his gaze unwavering as he watched the corporal's skill in action.

"He's in the zone," Dr. Lewis murmured, a hint of awe in his tone.

On the ground, Reyes felt a strange calm settle over him as he continued marking and firing on targets, his body moving in sync with the rhythm of the mission. He could sense his team's trust through the Mind Link, their movements fluid and unhesitating as they coordinated seamlessly with his cover fire.

The mission continued, intense and unrelenting, until they reached the compound's core. Reyes remained on the high vantage point, picking off enemies as Val and the team breached the final stronghold.

Final room secure, Val's voice echoed through the link, steady and triumphant. Reyes, any movement on your end?

Reyes scanned the area, his scope sweeping the perimeter for any lingering threats. All clear, Umbra. No more enemies in sight.

Val's voice carried a note of satisfaction. Mission complete. Prepare for extraction.

A collective sigh of relief rippled through the team, though Fon groaned audibly. Please tell me we're not teleporting again.

Riggs laughed, his amusement evident even through the link. Afraid you'll lose your lunch again, Terra?

Reyes couldn't help but chuckle, the tension of the mission finally easing. I'd say I've earned a break from teleportation nausea myself.

Val's tone softened, a hint of pride in his voice. You did well, Reyes. Let's get back to HQ.

They gathered together, bracing themselves as Val initiated the teleport. The world spun and shifted, and moments later, they found themselves back in HQ's main corridor.

Reyes staggered, his stomach churning as he steadied himself. But as the disorientation faded, he felt a deep sense of accomplishment settle over him. He had proven himself—not just as a recruit, but as a valuable member of Team Unknown.

Dr. Lewis and General Luis met them as they entered the debriefing room, both men looking thoroughly impressed.

"Welcome back, Team Unknown," General Luis said, his gaze lingering on Reyes. "Corporal, your performance exceeded expectations. Excellent work."

Dr. Lewis nodded in agreement, a rare smile on his face. "Seems like you've found your place, Reyes."

Reyes grinned beneath his mask, feeling a surge of pride and gratitude. "Thank you, sir. I won't let the team down."

Val placed a hand on Reyes's shoulder, his voice quiet but firm. "You've earned your place, Reyes. Welcome to Team Unknown."