The VALORANT Protocol building had become a warzone. Brimstone, Deadlock, and Neon strained against the relentless onslaught of Menendez's forces, Synths, and Covenant grunts. The remnants of their initial skirmish lay scattered in debris, but the defenders stood resolute amidst the wreckage, their positions fortified for the next wave.

Brimstone's voice cut through the chaos, sharp and commanding.

"Hold the line! We can't let them breach any further!"

Neon blurred across the battlefield, her speed ability crackling with electric energy. She moved like a phantom, zapping enemies with precise strikes, her unpredictable movements making her nearly untouchable.

"They're pushing hard!" she called over the din. "I'll keep them off balance. You just focus on holding the line!"

Above the fray, Sova had positioned himself on an elevated perch. His Recon Bolt flew, revealing hidden enemies, allowing him to pick them off with his bow, each shot as calculated as the last.

"I've got eyes on their flanks!" Sova shouted, his tone calm but focused. "Keep your heads down, and I'll handle the surprise attacks!"

Despite their determination, the enemy forces kept pressing forward. Brimstone's Ares heavy machine gun thundered, laying down suppressive fire, but fatigue was beginning to show on the defenders. They engaged in fierce close-quarters combat, Neon's strikes becoming more frantic, Deadlock struggling to hold her ground, and Sova's precise aim growing strained.

Just when the situation seemed most dire, the rumble of heavy vehicles cut through the battlefield. Sova's sharp eyes caught the incoming convoy, and a rare look of relief crossed his face.

"Brimstone! We've got incoming!" he called out.

A convoy of UNSC Warthogs and Scorpions roared into view, their engines deafening as they barreled into the fight. Leading the charge were Master Chief, Avery J. Johnson, Woods, Agent Jonesy, Alex Mason, Jett, and Phoenix, flanked by squads of UNSC Marines and US soldiers. Their arrival was like a storm crashing into the enemy ranks, guns blazing and forcing Menendez's forces to fall back in disarray.

Phoenix, always the showman, hurled a curveball, blinding several enemies with a burst of light, giving Master Chief the perfect opening. The Spartan sprinted forward, his Assault Rifle spitting fire, cutting down grunts, jackals, synths, and Menendez's men with lethal precision.

Avery J. Johnson bellowed orders like the seasoned veteran he was, his voice carrying over the cacophony of battle.

"Marines, form up! Secure the perimeter and push them back! Show 'em how it's done!"

Woods vaulted from a Warthog, rifle in hand, charging headlong into the fight with the ferocity of a seasoned warrior.

"Mason, Johnson, flank left with Chief. I've got the high ground. Let's box these bastards in!"

Up above, Jett caught sight of Phoenix and called out to him.

"Phoenix! I need a boost!"

Phoenix responded with a grin. "Got you covered! Up you go!" He extended his hands, sending a burst of flame beneath Jett, boosting her up to higher ground. Once airborne, Jett activated her Updraft and ascended further, her Bladestorm swirling around her. She unleashed the blades in a flurry, cutting through enemies with deadly precision, her swift strikes taking out several of Menendez's troops.

Jett dashed across the battlefield like a tempest, while Phoenix summoned fire to his hands, conjuring a wall of flame to protect their flanks. The flames roared to life, forcing enemy forces back and creating a defensive barrier.

With their combined efforts, the defenders pushed the enemy back inch by inch, the tide of battle shifting in their favor as the reinforcements turned what had seemed like a losing fight into a decisive stand.

The battlefield rang with the sounds of combat, but amid the chaos, hope began to flicker. With the arrival of the UNSC and their allies, the defenders knew they had a fighting chance.

Frank Woods watched as Jett zipped through the air with blinding speed, while Phoenix conjured flames with a flick of his hand. His eyes widened slightly in surprise before he shook his head in disbelief.

"What is this shit? Is this some kind of damn magic show?" Woods muttered loudly, his voice a mix of surprise and irritation.

Jett landed gracefully nearby, smirking as she brushed off his incredulity.

"Just part of the job, old man," Jett quipped, her tone light.

Woods glared at her, clearly unimpressed by her cocky attitude.

"Old man? I've seen shit that'd make your hair turn white. But flying around and throwing fire? What kind of bullshit is this?" His gruff tone left no doubt about his skepticism.

Phoenix laughed, casually tossing the flames between his hands. "Just how we roll, mate. Relax, we've got it covered."

Woods scoffed, adjusting his grip on his weapon. "I didn't sign up for a goddamn freak show."

Nearby, Cortana's calm voice came through clearly. "Chief, the area is clear. No hostiles detected."

Master Chief gave a subtle nod in response, acknowledging the assessment. He turned to the rest of the team, his voice steady and commanding. "We're clear."

"Copy that, Chief," Mason responded quickly before switching to his comms. "Hudson, this is Mason. Area's clear. You've got eyes in the sky—anything we need to know about?"

Hudson's voice crackled over the comms, steady as always. "No immediate threats on the horizon. Looks like you're clear to advance. Stay sharp, Mason."

"Roger that, Hudson. Keep us covered and let us know if you see anything suspicious. We're moving up." Mason turned to Johnson, raising his voice. "Johnson, status? You clear?"

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Avery J. Johnson remained alert, scanning the area for threats. "All clear on my end, Mason."

Mason nodded. "Copy. Move the Marines up. Get them here and secure the perimeter. We can't afford to lose ground."

Johnson barked his orders with authority. "Roger that, Mason. Marines! Haul ass!"

As the enemy forces retreated, Brimstone raced towards the group, his body covered in dust and debris. He met Jett and Phoenix, and Woods couldn't help but blurt out his thoughts.

"You two from some kinda sci-fi comic book or what?" Woods asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

Neon, still catching her breath after the skirmish, overheard the remark and couldn't resist responding with a sharp retort. "Says the one who looks too old to be a soldier."

Woods started to respond angrily. "The f—"

But before he could finish, Master Chief strode forward, his deep voice cutting through the conversation. "Is the Radianite secured?"

Brimstone paused, clearly taken aback by the armored figure addressing him. He eyed Master Chief with suspicion. "Hold up a second, soldier! Whoever you are, I don't know how you have knowledge of that classified information."

Brimstone shot a glance at Jett and Phoenix, his confusion evident. "Jett, Phoenix, how did you end up here? What's going on?"

Neon joined them, still visibly winded, her brow furrowed in confusion. "And who are all these people?"

Jett quickly intervened, recognizing that now wasn't the time for explanations. "We'll explain everything later, Neon. Right now, we need to focus. We've got a bigger problem to deal with."

Brimstone sighed, accepting the situation for the moment. "Fine. Keep up and follow me. We can't let them regroup."

The team began moving up the building, gaining ground against the retreating enemy. Woods, still muttering under his breath, grumbled as they ascended.

"Goddamn superheroes..."

The aftermath of the fierce skirmish left the battlefield eerily silent, save for the labored breathing of Reyna and Omen. They crouched behind improvised cover, scanning the area for any signs of movement. A few surviving officers huddled nearby, their faces drawn with exhaustion and tension. It was a brief, fragile respite from the chaos.

Reyna broke the silence first, her voice sharp but tinged with fatigue. "Is that the last of them?"

Omen's eyes swept over the area, still shrouded in uncertainty. "I'm not certain. Stay sharp."

Before they could devise a plan, the air was shattered by the staccato burst of gunfire. The remaining officers were struck down almost instantly, leaving Reyna and Omen exposed in the ensuing chaos. Raul Menendez and Kellogg executed a swift, brutal flank, catching them completely off guard.

Reyna and Omen fought back, but the precision of Kellogg's military tactics, combined with Menendez's ruthless assault, left them no time to react. The scene was fast and vicious—a calculated takedown that showcased the deadly efficiency of their attackers.

With Reyna and Omen subdued, Kellogg and Menendez advanced swiftly toward the central vault where the radianite was stored. Their movements were methodical, their expressions cold and determined. The gravity of their mission was clear: they were after the radianite, and nothing was going to stand in their way.

Kellogg glanced at Menendez as they approached the entrance to the radianite storage. "Secure the area. I'll check the radianite storage."

Menendez pointed at a nearby synth, his tone commanding. "You! Make sure no one else gets in!"

Menendez stood guard, his eyes scanning the corridor as Kellogg entered the secured room. The complex security systems whirred and clicked as the high-tech locks disengaged under Kellogg's expert hands. Inside, the radianite glowed ominously in its containment unit, surrounded by an intricate network of advanced defenses.

The tension mounted as Kellogg worked quickly to disable the security. His actions were precise and deliberate, a testament to his years of experience. Meanwhile, back in the corridor, Reyna and Omen began to stir, slowly regaining consciousness.

Reyna, her vision still blurry, gritted her teeth as she felt the searing pain in her abdomen. A knife had lodged itself in her stomach, but without hesitation, she yanked it free. Her legs wobbled as she struggled to stand.

"We can't let them get away with this," she hissed through clenched teeth, her voice strained with pain.

Omen knelt beside her, concern flashing across his normally stoic features. "Stop. You're hurt."

Reyna waved him off, determined to push through the agony. "I'm... fine..." Her words faltered as her strength gave out, and she collapsed onto the floor.

Omen quickly caught her before she hit the ground, his voice rough with worry. "Reyna!"

Despite the severity of her injuries, Omen stayed with her, checking the wound.

In the dimly lit corridors of the VALORANT Protocol building, Kellogg and Menendez navigated toward the central vault, the radianite's glow casting eerie shadows on the walls. The atmosphere was thick with tension as they reached the sophisticated terminal that controlled access to the radianite.

Kellogg barked a command to the synth beside him. "Get this opened. Now!"

The synth complied, interfacing with the terminal as Kellogg and Menendez kept a vigilant watch. They were moments away from securing their prize when the sound of rushing footsteps echoed down the corridor.

The door burst open, and Master Chief, Avery J. Johnson, Jett, Phoenix, Brimstone, and Frank Woods stormed into the room. Their expressions were hardened, ready for battle, but Frank Woods's gaze immediately locked onto Raul Menendez. Fury surged through him, old wounds tearing open.

"Menendez!" Woods roared, his voice reverberating through the chamber with a mixture of hatred and resolve.

The group surged forward, intent on stopping Kellogg and Menendez. But before they could close the distance, a sudden explosion rocked the ceiling above. The structure gave way, sending debris crashing down and halting their advance. Dust and rubble filled the air, creating a scene of utter chaos.

As the dust began to settle, a dark figure emerged from the wreckage. Alex Mercer stepped forward, his presence commanding and ominous. A sinister smirk played across his lips as he surveyed the destruction he had wrought.

Everyone was knocked off their feet by the collapse, struggling to regain their balance as the synth successfully bypassed the final layer of security. The radianite storage clicked open, its glow intensifying.

Kellogg grinned in triumph, his hand outstretched toward the prize. "There you are..."

The heroes, still disoriented and scattered, could only watch as Kellogg reached for the radianite. The stakes had never been higher, the danger more imminent.

Amid the chaos, Frank Woods struggled to stand, his breath labored, his body aching from the attack. His fists clenched as he stared at the destruction around him, his gaze locked onto Menendez. He would not let him escape again.

Kellogg, satisfied with their success, signaled to his synths. "We've got the radianite. Begin extraction."

The synths moved in unison, securing the radianite as Kellogg and Menendez prepared to retreat. But Menendez wasn't finished. His eyes burned with rage as he stepped toward Woods, a knife gripped tightly in his hand.

Woods snarled, dragging himself toward his nemesis. Every step was fueled by anger, but his body was betraying him.

Menendez's lips twisted into a sneer as he closed in on Woods, the knife glinting in his hand. But just as he prepared to strike, Alex Mercer stepped in, a hand on Menendez's shoulder.

"This isn't the time, Menendez," Mercer warned, his voice calm but firm. "We have what we came for."

Menendez's eyes flared with fury as he shook Mercer's hand off. "Don't ever hold me back again." His voice was venomous, but he knew Mercer was right. With one last hateful glance at Woods, Menendez turned away, stepping through the rift with Kellogg and the synths.

As the rift closed, Woods fell to his knees, the weight of failure and exhaustion finally overtaking him. His fists pounded into the dust and debris, his breath ragged with the pain of knowing he had once again let Menendez slip through his grasp.

The battle was lost. The radianite was gone. And in the rubble of the destroyed facility, the heroes were left to confront the devastating consequences of their defeat.