#1

The crackle of the fireplace filled the quiet room, casting flickering shadows on the worn wallpaper. Seven-year-old Blake sat cross-legged on a threadbare rug, his gaze fixed on the old woman in the armchair. His grandmother, silver-haired and frail but with a voice as steady as the ticking clock on the mantle, held an ancient book in her hands. The book’s leather cover was cracked, and its pages smelled faintly of dust and lavender.

“Are you ready, Blake?” she asked, her tone gentle but her eyes sharp.

Blake nodded eagerly, though his hands tugged nervously at the hem of his oversized shirt. “Yes, Grandma.”

She smiled, her thin lips curving softly, and began to read:

"Once upon a time, in a world of endless clanging machines and shadowy halls, there lived a boy who had never seen the sky. His world was the factory—a towering maze of iron and steam. It was a place where men toiled endlessly, their faces hidden beneath soot and grime, and where the only light came from the dim glow of gas lamps."

Blake’s small fingers curled around the edge of the rug as he listened.

“The boy had never known anything else. He had grown up in the factory, raised by the same men who worked its machines. His life was a rhythm of noise, sweat, and shadows. The stories they told him were gruff and practical, like the men themselves, and not one of them ever spoke of women. To the boy, the idea of a woman was as foreign as sunlight.”

Blake tilted his head. “Grandma, how could he not know about women? Didn’t he ever see one?”

His grandmother’s smile held a touch of sadness. “No, Blake. The factory was an all-male world. The boy had never left its iron walls, and none of the workers ever spoke of the world beyond. To him, the factory was the whole world.”

Blake frowned, trying to imagine it. “So... what happened?”

His grandmother’s voice softened. “One day, as the boy was carrying parts across the workshop floor, something unusual happened. The factory owner walked in, and beside him was someone the boy had never seen before—a woman. She was unlike anything he had imagined: her hair was smooth and tied back, her voice clear and light. Even her clothes were different from the heavy, oil-stained uniforms the men wore. She was there to inspect something for the factory, and her presence made everything feel... brighter.”

Blake’s eyes widened. “What did he do? Did he talk to her?”

His grandmother chuckled. “Oh no, Blake. He couldn’t even find the words. He just stared, completely frozen. For the first time in his life, he realized there was something—someone—beyond the factory walls. And though she was only there for a short while, the boy never forgot her. Her image stayed with him, a small glimpse of a world he had never known.”

Blake's grandmother closed the book with a soft thud, her fingers brushing over its worn cover. The warmth of the fire illuminated her face, lines of wisdom etched into her gentle expression.

Blake, his young face contemplative, let out a deep sigh. “You know, now that I think about it… I’m no different from the boy in the story.”

His grandmother turned her gaze to him, her brows knitting slightly in curiosity. “And what do you mean by that, my dear?”

Blake leaned back, his small shoulders slumping as he stared into the fire. “Well… ever since i moved to this village, there hasn’t been a single person my age around. It’s just me and a bunch of grown-ups. It’s hard, Grandma… really hard living in a place where nobody gets what it’s like to be a kid.”

His words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken loneliness. For a moment, only the crackle of the fire filled the silence.

His grandmother reached out, her frail hand resting gently on his head. She patted him softly, her touch warm and reassuring. “Blake,” she began, her voice calm and steady, “I know it’s not easy. But don’t you worry. One day, we’ll leave this place. We’ll go to the city, and there we’ll start a new life together.”

Blake looked up at her, his wide eyes searching hers for a hint of certainty. “You mean it?” he asked, a small spark of hope flickering in his voice.

She smiled, the kind of smile that could quiet any storm. “Of course, I mean it. Just you wait. The world is bigger than this little village, and it’s waiting for you to see it.”

Blake nodded, his lips curling into a smile, though his eyes still carried the weight of longing. “Thanks, Grandma,” he said softly, leaning into her side.

Brief Note from Author to my dear helpful Chatgpt

- Due to the fact that I feel you would help me smoother my novel, good action dialogue and even worldbuilding, the original version only have keythings I have in mind and not well structured so based on the format pls re-apply and make the format

Blake stirred as a voice broke through his restless sleep, firm yet edged with mild impatience.

“Sleep time’s over.”

Opening his eyes sluggishly, Blake blinked at the figure standing by the doorway. Kai’s arms were crossed, his sharp gaze unwavering.

“We’ve got a mission meeting,” Kai added, stepping into the dim room.

Blake groaned, glancing at the clock on the wall. 2:03 A.M. The glowing numbers mocked him. “What? It’s two in the morning,” he muttered, his voice still thick with sleep.

Kai stepped into the room, his boots barely making a sound against the cold floor. He leaned against the wall, his sharp features illuminated faintly by the hallway light behind him. “Blake, didn’t I tell you? Being part of the main team means good sleep is a luxury. Now, up you go.” His tone carried a mix of authority and faint amusement.

Dragging himself upright, Blake rubbed his eyes and stretched, the chill of the room biting at his skin. “Fine, fine. I’ll be there.”

Kai nodded and turned toward the door. “Make it quick,” he said, vanishing into the hallway.

As the door clicked shut, Blake leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, his mind still half-shrouded in the fog of sleep. His thoughts drifted, unbidden, to the encounter from earlier.

Emily.

The memory of her raven-black hair, the soft cadence of her voice, and the striking calmness in her demeanor replayed in his mind like a vivid dream. But was it?

“Was that real…?” Blake murmured, the faintest hint of confusion coloring his voice. It felt so surreal. He’d spent his entire life surrounded by old people and Mercenaries. The very idea of meeting someone so… different was almost absurd.

Shaking off the thought, Blake forced himself to his feet. There was no time to dwell on it. Whatever had happened—dream or reality—it wasn’t going to help him survive another of Kai’s no-nonsense mission briefings.

Blake shuffled into the room, stifling a yawn. His eyes swept over the other team members already seated at the long metal table: Kai, Axel, Lucas, and Cyrus. Not one of them looked remotely tired. Even Axel, usually glued to some makeshift nap spot, appeared unnervingly awake and alert.

Blake slumped into his seat, shooting a quick glance at Lucas, whose unnervingly wide grin greeted him.

“Good morning,” Lucas said, his voice teetering between pleasant and ominous, his psychopathic undertone ever-present.

Blake blinked. “Morning? It’s two in the freaking morning,” he muttered, rubbing his temples.

Lucas tilted his head, his smile growing. “Time is an illusion, Blake. Besides, mornings are subjective.”

Axel snorted, leaning back with his arms crossed. “Some of us actually function better when we’re not sleeping, rookie.” His tone was lazy, but his sharp gaze betrayed his usual gloomy sarcasm.

Cyrus leaned forward, tapping a finger on the table. “You’d better get used to it, Blake. Early starts come with the territory.”

Blake sighed, sinking lower in his chair. “Even back with Major Kang and his squad, they never dragged us out of bed at two in the morning,” he muttered under his breath.

Kai’s voice cut through the chatter like a razor. “Let’s begin.”

With a click of the remote, a sleek screen descended from the ceiling, the soft hum filling the silence. The dim light of the room was replaced by the cold glow of the projector as a detailed map of their target area appeared on the screen.

Blake straightened slightly, trying to shake off the remnants of drowsiness.

The atmosphere in the room was thick with tension. Blake sat at the edge of his seat, noticing how the usually light-hearted banter was missing. Everyone was focused, their expressions grim. Lucas, for once, wasn’t grinning like a lunatic, and Axel wasn’t slouching.

In front of them, a screen displayed the unmistakable image of the White House, illuminated under a pale moonlight.

Blake couldn’t hold back any longer. He raised his hand, his voice breaking the silence. “Hold up… You’re telling me we’re going to re-raid the White House?”

Kai’s sharp gaze flicked to him. “Correct.”

Blake blinked. “You’re joking, right? Last time we tried, we almost died! you lost someone out there!” He gestured toward the screen. “And now you’re telling me you’re willing to do this again? What, did the place get easier to break into overnight?”

Cyrus leaned back in his chair, his calm demeanor almost unnerving. “This time, we’re doing it the normal way.”

Blake furrowed his brows. “The normal way? What does that even mean?”

Kai didn’t hesitate. “It means no messy diversions, no splitting up, and no overestimating their security systems. We infiltrate, execute the objective, and extract cleanly.”

Lucas finally broke the silence, his grin creeping back onto his face. “Sounds boring. Where’s the fun in that?”

Axel groaned. “You’ll get your ‘fun’ soon enough, lunatic.”

Blake couldn’t help but press further. “Okay, but why the White House? What’s so important that we’re risking our necks—again—for this place?”

Kai folded his arms, nodding toward the screen. “Master Griffo has reason to believe there’s an encrypted black box hidden within a covert vault beneath the White House. The data it contains could expose critical operations—something our enemies would kill to keep hidden. It’s highly classified, even within the highest levels of government.”

Axel leaned forward, adjusting his glasses. “Think of it like this, rookie: that box is a skeleton key. It could give us leverage over some very dangerous people. Or, if it falls into the wrong hands, it could start a war.”

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Blake’s eyes widened. “So, basically, it’s huge. And you’re saying we’re the ones who have to grab it?”

Kai nodded firmly. “Exactly. The box contains a drive with world-altering information—something our enemies are already trying to get their hands on. We believe there's a group of infiltrators who have already breached the White House to retrieve it.”

Axel raised an eyebrow. “These infiltrators aren’t just anyone. They’ve been working under the radar, moving through political circles, and it’s likely that they’ve already made their move to intercept the data before we do.”

Blake's mind raced. “So, we're not just raiding the White House. We’re racing against another group who wants this drive even more than we do.”

Lucas chuckled. “Now that sounds fun. Count me in.”

Cyrus shot him a look. “Try not to blow up half the building this time.”

Lucas waved him off. “No promises. Besides, if we blow it up, it’ll make it easier to find the box, right?”

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The room felt tense as the Black Mambas leaned in, eager to hear the mission’s details. Kai stood at the head of the table, his arms folded, his expression calm yet commanding. He pressed a button on the remote, and the screen displayed a detailed blueprint of the White House and its underground vaults.

“Here are the mission details,” Kai began, his tone measured. “The last raid? Let’s call it a ‘learning experience.’ This time, I’ve devised a plan to ensure our success.”

Cyrus raised a brow, curiosity evident on his face. “What, we’ve got a spy on the inside or something?”

Kai shook his head, smirking slightly. “Not quite. But instead, we’ll be infiltrating the White House as if we belong there.”

Axel, who had been leaning lazily against his chair, suddenly sat up, his expression incredulous. “Infiltrating? Did I hear that right? How exactly are we pulling that off? We’re not staff, members, or even remotely connected to anyone in the White House. And last I checked, they’re not hiring mercenaries.”

Kai’s smile widened, a glint of mischief in his eyes. “But what if,” he said, letting the words hang in the air dramatically, “we become staff?”

Blake blinked, sitting straighter in his chair. “Wait, hold on. Are you saying we’re going undercover?”

Kai pressed another button on the remote, and five faces appeared on the screen. Each image was accompanied by a name and a brief dossier.

“These five individuals,” Kai began, gesturing toward the screen, “are your new identities. Study them well because, for the next few days, this is who you’ll become.”

#2

Kai stood at the head of the table, his posture confident as he gestured toward the screen. "These roles," he began, "aren’t just random picks. I selected them specifically because I believe each of you can pull them off seamlessly. Now, let’s go over your assignments."

ETHAN GRAYSON – KAI'S ROLE

Kai pointed to the first dossier. "Ethan Grayson is an experienced bodyguard assigned to White House security. I’ll be taking this role. He’s well-connected, sharp, and knows the ins and outs of the building. Plus," Kai smirked, "he’s the perfect cover for me to keep an eye on things from the inside."

Axel raised a brow. "Figures. Mr. Perfect gets the flashy role."

Kai shrugged nonchalantly. "What can I say? Someone has to make sure you all don’t mess this up."

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NOAH CARTER – BLAKE’S ROLE

Kai shifted his gaze to Blake. "Next up, Noah Carter. That’s you, Blake."

Blake raised a skeptical brow. "Wait, me? Who even is this guy?"

Kai chuckled. "Noah Carter is a government scientist. Admittedly, he’s not the most field-oriented, but his height matches yours, which is crucial for biometric verification."

Blake’s face contorted in disbelief. "Wait a second. Are you trying to insult my height?"

Kai waved a dismissive hand. "No, no, of course not. It’s just... well, let’s just say you and Noah share the same ‘vertically economical’ stature."

The room erupted into muffled laughter. Blake crossed his arms, pouting. "I don’t know the first thing about being a scientist."

Kai gave him a reassuring smile. "Don’t worry, rookie. You won’t need to solve equations. I’ve got that part covered. Just don’t touch any buttons, and you’ll be fine."

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JASON LOWE – CYRUS’ ROLE

Kai’s gaze settled on Cyrus. "Now, yours is a tough one, Cyrus."

Cyrus leaned back in his chair with a smug grin. "Nothing’s too tough for me to handle."

Kai’s lips curled into a sly smile. "Good to hear. Because you’re going to be posing as Jason Lowe—the personal assistant to the President."

Cyrus froze mid-grin. "Wait... personal assistant? To the President? Are you out of your damn mind?"

Kai nodded, the picture of calm confidence. "Not at all. You’ve got the charisma and the discipline for it."

Cyrus shot out of his chair, flailing. "Charisma? Discipline? This isn’t some desk job, Kai! You want me to fetch coffee for the leader of the free world? What if I screw up? Do you know how many ways this could go sideways?!"

Axel snorted, leaning back in his seat. "Talk about tough jobs, huh?"

Kai didn’t flinch. Instead, he smiled even wider. "You said it yourself: nothing’s too tough to handle."

Cyrus groaned, slumping back into his chair. "Fine, but if I end up in a scandal or worse, I’m blaming you."

Kai adjusted his stance, his eyes scanning the room to ensure everyone's attention was locked. "Let me clarify," he began, pulling up profiles of Ethan Grayson, Noah Carter, Jason Lowe, and Matthew Quinn on the screen. "These individuals—the ones whose identities you’ll be assuming—will all be leaving the White House temporarily for various personal reasons. This creates the perfect window for us to step in."

He gestured toward Ethan Grayson’s profile first. "Ethan Grayson, the bodyguard, has taken leave for a medical emergency involving his family. This provides me with the opportunity to slip into his role without suspicion."

Next, Kai pointed at Noah Carter’s profile. "Blake, as Noah Carter, you’ll be stepping into the shoes of a scientist who’s been called away for a classified project off-site. It’s common for White House scientists to travel for work, so no one will think twice about it."

Blake frowned. "A classified project, huh? Sounds suspiciously convenient."

Kai smirked. "It’s not about convenience; it’s about opportunity. Focus."

He turned to Cyrus, now displaying Jason Lowe’s profile. "Jason Lowe, the President’s personal assistant, is on leave due to a family emergency. That’s your cover, Cyrus. You’ll be taking his place, and since PAs tend to blend into the background, you should be able to move relatively freely—if you keep your cool."

Cyrus let out a long sigh. "Family emergency. Great. I’ll try not to mess it up."

Finally, Kai moved to Matthew Quinn. "Axel, the engineer you’ll be impersonating has been temporarily reassigned to another facility for a security review. You’ll be stepping into his position, maintaining systems at the White House. Since he’s known for slacking off, you’ll have an easier time blending in."

Axel raised an eyebrow, his tone dry. "So, basically, I just have to look busy while doing what I do best. Got it."

Kai nodded, his expression serious. "The point is, each of these individuals has a valid reason for being absent, and we’re taking advantage of that window. Once we’re inside, we’ll initiate the actual infiltration plan."

Lucas grinned maniacally. "And I get to blow stuff up, right?"

Kai sighed. "Only if absolutely necessary, Lucas. For now, focus on the setup."

MATTHEW QUIN– AXEL ROLE

Kai turned his gaze to Axel, a knowing smirk spreading across his face. "And lastly, this one’s tailor-made for you, Axel."

Axel sat up straighter, tilting his head curiously. "Oh? Let’s hear it."

Kai tapped the remote, bringing up another dossier on the screen. "You’ll be posing as Matthew Quinn. He’s an engineer specializing in robotics and hacking—a real tech whiz. The perfect cover. He’s not particularly well-known in the engineering community, so no one will be paying close attention to you. It’s a low-profile role, but critical."

Axel’s eyes widened, an eerie gleam sparking in them. Blake immediately felt a chill run down his spine. He leaned away instinctively. "Uh, Kai... I think you broke him. Why does he look like he’s enjoying this way too much?"

Cyrus smirked, leaning back in his chair. "It’s simple, rookie. If there’s one thing Axel lives for, it’s engineering. Robotics, mechanical systems, programming—you name it. The guy breathes tech."

Axel’s lips curled into a rare grin, his excitement almost palpable. "Finally, a mission worth my time," he muttered, adjusting his posture.

Kai nodded, clearly pleased. "I figured this role would pique your interest. Matthew Quinn is right up your alley. Don’t let us down."

Axel nodded firmly, the gleam in his eyes not fading. "Don’t worry. If it’s engineering, I’ll make it work. At least this mission won’t be boring."

Blake sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Great. Just what we needed—Axel on a tech high."

#3

Kai raised a brow as Lucas leaned forward with his usual manic grin. "Right now, for the details," Kai continued, only for Lucas to cut him off.

"Hey, hey! What about me? Who am I posing as?" Lucas interjected, his voice practically vibrating with anticipation. "You missed me!"

Kai sighed, shaking his head with a hint of amusement. "No worries, Lucas. Yours is... special."

Lucas’s grin widened, his eyes gleaming with psychopathic glee. "Special, huh? Oh yeah! Am I gonna kick some asses and go wild? Tell me it’s gonna be wild!"

Kai hesitated, the smallest flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. "Well... not quite, actually."

Lucas leaned back in his chair, his grin faltering for a moment before Kai continued, "The thing is, once we’re inside the White House, getting out will be next to impossible. That’s where you come in."

Kai pointed at him, his expression serious. "You’re going to be our distraction. Cause as much chaos and ruckus as you want—but only when the order is given. That chaos will be our cover to escape."

The room went silent for a moment before Lucas’s grin returned, more unhinged than ever. "Chaos? Freedom? Oh, Kai, you shouldn’t have. This is gonna be so much fun!"

Blake shot a wary glance at Kai. "Uh, are you sure about this? Giving him permission to go wild seems like a really, really bad idea."

Cyrus folded his arms, smirking. "Yeah, it’s like handing a firestarter a barrel of gasoline and saying, ‘Go nuts.’"

Kai shrugged, his calm demeanor unwavering. "It’s a calculated risk. If anyone can create the perfect distraction, it’s Lucas."

Lucas was practically bouncing in his seat, his laughter echoing in the room. "Oh, you bet I will! The White House won’t know what hit ‘em!"

Kai ignored the manic energy radiating from Lucas and turned back to the team. "Now, onto the final details. Everyone, focus. This is where it all comes together."

Here’s the refined version of your scene with better flow, polished dialogue, and added touches for action-comedy and character dynamics:

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Cyrus raised his hand, leaning forward slightly. "Uh, one more thing," he said, his tone skeptical. "How exactly are we supposed to pose as these guys? Don’t staff members have, like, fingerprint and eye scans for access to certain places in the White House?"

Kai smirked knowingly, turning his gaze toward Blake and Axel. Without a word, he stepped back and placed a suitcase on the table with a deliberate click.

"You two," Kai began, pointing at Blake and Axel, "are going on a pre-infiltration mission. Before the big day, you’ll need to secure something from each of our targets—a sample of their blood and a strand of their hair. Gru will handle the rest once you retrieve them."

Lucas blinked. "Wait, hold on. Blood? Hair? You’re telling me we’re basically playing mad scientists now?"

Kai ignored the comment. "With those samples, we’ll temporarily alter the biometric data—fingerprints, eye scans, even DNA. It won’t hold forever, but it’ll be enough to get us through the mission."

Axel groaned, leaning back in his chair with his usual lazy demeanor. "Great. So, not only do we have to steal their identities, but now we’re running around collecting their body parts like we’re in some horror movie."

Kai raised an eyebrow. "Think of it as efficiency. Besides, it’s not like we’re taking on all four of them ourselves."

Axel perked up slightly. "Wait, we’re not?"

"Nope," Kai said, crossing his arms. "You and Blake will be handling this together."

Blake and Axel turned to each other, both narrowing their eyes suspiciously.

"Don’t drag me down," they said in unison, then immediately looked away, each pretending not to care.

Kai smirked, glancing at the rest of the group. "Looks like the real action starts now. You’ve got your assignments. Don’t waste time."

Blake sighed, standing up. "Just another day in paradise."

Axel slouched further into his seat, muttering under his breath, "This better be worth losing my nap over."

And just like that, the intensity in the room kicked up a notch, the gears of their risky mission finally set in motion.