After a string of relentless, back-to-back missions, the rare days without urgent assignments had almost started to feel like a luxury for Team Unknown.

In the downtime, the team had made Val's interactions with Corporal Reyes into their personal brand of entertainment. And though Reyes was still as jumpy as ever, he had come to view his daily encounters with the ARM user and his team with a peculiar mix of dread and loyalty.

Today, though, the team had decided to shake things up.

Val, Bo, Riggs, and Fon were waiting in their private briefing room when Reyes stepped in, looking cautiously around as he entered. His posture immediately stiffened when he noticed them gathered at the far side of the room, each one of them watching him with an intensity that sent a shiver down his spine.

"Uh… reporting, sirs?" he said, hesitant, glancing between them.

Riggs leaned back, arms crossed, with a faintly mischievous smirk playing at his lips. "Corporal, you've been with us long enough. Don't you want to know what we look like behind these masks?"

Reyes blinked, clearly thrown off by the question. "I… Well, I wouldn't want to intrude," he stammered, his eyes darting nervously between them.

Bo snickered, taking a slow, deliberate step toward Reyes, his voice dropping to a low, mock-threatening tone. "Intrude? Corporal, you've survived this long without knowing? Might be a good time to fix that."

Fon added to the effect, circling Reyes with an amused gleam in his eye. "It's rare we offer anyone a peek behind the masks, you know. But hey, for a guy who's taken the Val workout, you've earned it."

Reyes gulped, taking a step back as he glanced around, unsure if they were serious or just toying with him. His hand went to his collar, tugging nervously. "I, uh… That's… that's really not necessary."

Val, standing just behind Reyes, leaned in, speaking in a soft, ominous tone. "Why not, Corporal? What's the matter? Thought you wanted to be one of us."

Reyes' eyes widened slightly, and he stammered, "I—I mean… I do. I just… I didn't think this was, you know, part of the initiation…"

The three of them exchanged glances, and slowly, almost ceremoniously, each of them reached up, fingers curling around the edges of their masks, their faces obscured as they started to lift them.

Riggs stopped just before pulling it off completely, glancing sidelong at Reyes. "Last chance, Corporal. Sure you're ready?"

Reyes hesitated, caught between morbid curiosity and pure terror, but before he could answer, he heard a loud, exasperated sigh behind him.

"Alright, enough, you lot!" Dr. Lewis's voice cut through the room, his tone a mix of amusement and impatience. "Let the man keep his sanity for a little longer. You've had your fun."

Bo dropped his hands with a mock sigh, shooting Dr. Lewis a look. "Come on, Doc, just a little peek wouldn't hurt, would it?"

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Dr. Lewis raised an eyebrow, not buying it for a second. "Considering he might faint if he's faced with any more theatrics? Yes, it would hurt. Now, enough of this nonsense."

The team groaned, but Val finally stepped back, relenting, giving Reyes a small nudge toward the door. "Guess you'll survive the mystery for another day, Corporal."

Reyes exhaled a shaky breath, visibly relieved as he glanced over his shoulder, clearly not entirely sure whether to laugh or keep running.

"Alright, alright, enough games," Dr. Lewis said, signaling them to sit down. His tone shifted, a more serious undertone settling in. "We've just received intel from HQ about a new mission. Black Lotus activity has increased in a particular sector, and we believe they're closing in on something… significant."

Val's demeanor immediately sharpened. "How significant are we talking?"

Dr. Lewis pulled up a hologram on the table, zooming in on a high-altitude view of a remote, heavily forested area bordered by mountains. "Significant enough that we're sending in Team Unknown as a precaution. They've been observed scouting the area, and we believe they're searching for one of their safe houses… one that could hold vital information on their current plans."

Bo leaned forward, studying the map. "And we go in solo?"

Dr. Lewis nodded. "Correct. Each of you will take a different perimeter around the safe house to cut off any escape routes and prevent reinforcements. You'll each be operating independently, with Mind Link only for emergencies. HQ will monitor, but this is a search-and-scout mission."

Val gave a small nod, a faint sense of purpose reigniting within him. A solo mission was demanding, but the clear objective sharpened his focus. "Understood."

"Anything we should know about the safe house itself?" Riggs asked.

Dr. Lewis paused, his eyes darkening. "Only that Black Lotus has been sending operatives with particularly… enhanced abilities to secure it. Be prepared for anything."

Fon grinned. "Sounds like a good way to shake off the rust."

Val smirked at his team, feeling the familiar anticipation building. "Stay alert out there. We'll regroup once the sector is clear."

Dr. Lewis gave them each a firm nod. "Remember, this is strictly reconnaissance—no engagement unless absolutely necessary. Report anything unusual, especially if you sense anything connected to the Void."

Dr. Lewis also continued, with a smug, "Also, I've added some new features on your new masks."

The team, who were holding the masks, gazed at the mask on their hands, then back at Dr. Lewis.

Dr. Lewis said, "I've added an HUD feature, Heads-up Display, a virtual dashboard, providing real-time data to help them make decisions more effectively in the field. Location coordinates or map overlays, heat signatures or movement detection, vital signs of your own or your teammates, targeting reticles for aiming and tracking, and communication alerts within the Mind Link network. Pretty much, that's all about it."

Riggs whistled, "Wow, doc, you amped it up, this is pretty much a game changer, right Val?"

Val nodded, and said, "Yes, we appreciate doc.

Dr. Lewis just waved, motioning this is the end of the briefing.

As they rose from their seats, Reyes watched them with a mix of awe and lingering nerves, still processing the close call of his "initiation." Dr. Lewis caught Reyes's eye and nodded to him.

"Corporal, while they're on assignment, you'll be stationed here, helping us monitor their progress. Stick close to HQ and make yourself available for tactical updates."

Reyes nodded, his gaze flickering to Val with something between admiration and bewilderment. "Understood, sir."

Val placed a hand on Reyes's shoulder as they passed, giving him a faint, reassuring smirk. "Stay alert, Corporal. And if we need backup, you'll be the first to know."

The team left the briefing room, each heading in their designated directions, but Val lingered just a moment longer, nodding to Reyes, whose expression softened with the realization that he was now, in a strange way, a part of their mission.

As Team Unknown made their way to their assignments, each prepared for whatever challenges awaited, knowing that even with separate paths, their loyalty and skill bound them as one.