Inside HQ Command's secure briefing room, Team Unknown gathered around the circular table, their masks and hooded cloaks still on, their presence as imposing as ever. The room was starkly quiet except for the faint hum of the holoscreen at the center.

Dr. Lewis sat at the head of the table, gripping his tablet like it was the only thing tethering him to sanity. His usual sharp demeanor was noticeably frayed, and the faint tension in his jaw betrayed his mood.

As Val entered last, taking his place across from Dr. Lewis, he exhaled sharply and muttered to himself, "I really need a vacation. Or a stronger cup of coffee. Maybe both."

Riggs leaned back in his chair, his tone dry. "Rough day, Doc?"

Dr. Lewis shot him a look, his eyes narrowing. "Oh, you know, just the usual existential crisis after watching someone terrify the council into submission. It's fine. Completely fine."

Bo's voice carried a rare hint of amusement. "You don't sound fine."

Dr. Lewis gestured broadly with his tablet. "Oh, I'm fantastic. Let's recap, shall we? Council confrontation. Splintered furniture. And now I'm somehow responsible for turning a pack of overconfident rookies into actual soldiers without losing what's left of my sanity."

Fon smirked. "At least you've got us."

Dr. Lewis groaned. "Yes, because that's so reassuring."

Ember cleared his throat, his tone curt. "So, what's the status on Beta Team?"

Dr. Lewis sighed, dragging a hand down his face. "Fine. Let's talk about Beta Team."

He tapped at his tablet, bringing up a holographic display of the training grounds. "After their performance on the recent mission today—or lack thereof—it's clear they're not ready. Frankly, I'm surprised they're still standing."

Val's voice was cold and sharp. "They'll remain on the training grounds until further notice. No field assignments, no exceptions."

Riggs tilted his head. "Seems like you've been assigned to train them. And whose bright idea was it to make you their drill instructor?"

Dr. Lewis waved his hand dismissively. "Oh, don't worry. I've already resigned myself to my fate. I'll be running them ragged while you all continue playing heroes."

"With all due respect," Deleo's voice echoed in Val's mind, laced with mockery, "Dr. Lewis is one malfunction away from imploding. It'll be entertaining to watch."

Val ignored Deleo's commentary, his attention on Dr. Lewis. "You've drafted a regimen?"

Dr. Lewis straightened slightly, tapping his tablet again. "Yes. It's… intensive."

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The hologram shifted to display a detailed training schedule, complete with combat drills, obstacle courses, and Void-resistance conditioning. Each section was labeled with blunt warnings like extreme difficulty and failure likely.

"They'll face simulated mission environments designed to mimic the conditions you operate under," Dr. Lewis explained. "It won't just test their physical capabilities—it'll push their mental limits. If they can't handle the stress, they're out."

Bo nodded approvingly. "Sounds effective."

Riggs grinned. "Sounds brutal. I like it."

Dr. Lewis pointedly ignored Riggs's comment. "Evaluations will be conducted regularly, but the decision on their readiness will ultimately rest with you. If they can't meet your standards, they stay grounded."

Ember leaned forward, his tone measured. "What's the timeline for their training?"

"That depends," Dr. Lewis replied. "It could take months—or longer. Beta Team isn't just behind; they're dangerously underprepared. Frankly, I'm amazed they've made it this far."

Ember's fiery gaze swept across the team. "We're all in agreement, then? Beta Team stays in training until they prove themselves."

A unified nod from the team followed, though Riggs couldn't resist a comment. "I give them two weeks before they start begging for mercy."

Dr. Lewis didn't miss a beat. "Oh, they'll beg. That's part of the process."

Even Ember's lips twitched faintly beneath his mask, though he quickly regained his usual composure. "Call them in. They need to hear this directly."

Beta Team entered the room moments later, their postures tense and their eyes darting nervously toward Team Unknown. Serra and Kieran stood at the front, their expressions a mix of determination and unease.

Dr. Lewis didn't bother with pleasantries. "Let's get one thing straight," he began, his voice sharp. "Your performance on the recent mission today was abysmal. If this were the field, you'd all be dead. And if it weren't for Team Unknown, Clareo would have lost more than just soldiers."

Kieran straightened, his jaw tightening. "We're ready to improve."

Val's gaze locked onto him, piercing through the mask. "You're not ready. That much is clear. What matters now is whether you have the resolve to fix that."

Serra's green eyes flickered with defiance. "We're willing to do whatever it takes."

Dr. Lewis crossed his arms, his tone blunt. "Then you'll listen carefully. As Team Unknown had explicitly decided, you will not be in any missions. You will be in training."

Though everyone from Beta Team had faint murmurs or slight groans upon hearing his, Dr. Lewis continued. "Your training will be unlike anything you've faced before. It will be brutal. It will be relentless. And if you can't handle it, you'll be back to being a normal Clareo soldier."

The hologram displayed a grueling simulation of the training regimen, including advanced tactical exercises, survival scenarios, and Void-resistance drills.

"This is your new reality," Dr. Lewis continued. "If you want to stand alongside Team Unknown, you'll have to earn it. Otherwise, you're just liabilities waiting to happen."

Kieran nodded firmly. "We'll rise to the challenge."

"That remains to be seen," Ember said coldly. "Until you prove otherwise, you're not leaving the training grounds."

Riggs leaned back with a smirk. "Better hope you survive. I hear Dr. Lewis is tougher than he looks."

Dr. Lewis shot him a look but said nothing, instead turning back to the hologram. "Your training starts tomorrow. And trust me, you'll wish it didn't."

Serra clenched her fists, her gaze steady. "We won't fail again."

Dr. Lewis's lips twitched into a faint, humorless smile. "For your sake, I hope not."

As the Beta Team filed out of the room, the weight of the conversation settled over them like a heavy cloak.

Fon exhaled quietly. "They might just pull through. If they don't break first."

Dr. Lewis muttered under his breath, "If I don't break first."

Deleo's voice purred in Val's mind. "He's growing on me, Val. He's entertaining."

Val just scoffed internally.