The early morning sky was painted with hues of orange and pink as the sun began to rise over the horizon. The air was cool, and a thin mist clung to the training grounds. The MTF 1 team gathered together, each of them a bit stiff and quiet, the anticipation of their upcoming deployment weighing on them. The distant hum of military machinery set the backdrop for their day.
Sergeant Major Ethan Cole, a grizzled veteran with hard, weathered features, stood in front of the assembled team. His eyes scanned over the group of soldiers with an expression of quiet judgment. Dressed in no-nonsense tactical gear, his presence demanded respect.
"Alright, listen up!" Cole barked, his voice sharp and commanding. "You’ve had a taste of what it’s like to work under the GRRA, but starting today, we’re kicking things up a notch. The mission you’re headed for isn’t some walk in the park. You’re up against enemies we barely understand, in environments that’ll chew you up if you’re not ready."
He paused, his gaze locking onto each soldier. "That means the next few days will make or break this team. If you can’t work together, if you can’t learn to trust the soldier next to you, you’re dead. Simple as that."
Cole's bluntness hung in the air like a cold slap to the face. The MTF 1 members, some already veterans in their own right, stiffened as his words settled in.
Mercer stood slightly behind the group, observing them all with a keen eye. He had been through enough to know that not every soldier made it through this kind of pressure. The physical training would be hard, but it was the mental game that worried him. He could see the tension in each of their faces—the weight of what was coming.
Titan, never one to take things too seriously, cracked a smile. "Guess this means no coffee breaks, huh?"
A few chuckles rippled through the team, though the humor was thinly veiled over their growing anxiety. Lifeline, standing beside Titan, gave him a light nudge with her elbow.
"Save the jokes for later, Titan," she said, though her smile betrayed the fact that she appreciated the attempt to ease the tension. "You’ll need every ounce of energy when we hit the field."
"Or maybe I just need to carry you when you get tired," Titan shot back playfully.
Lifeline smirked but didn’t respond. Her eyes flicked briefly toward Mercer, as if gauging how he was reacting to the banter.
Mercer kept quiet, letting the interaction play out. He knew that these small moments of lightness were part of what built camaraderie. But beneath the humor, he could sense the fear. It wasn’t the fear of the training itself—it was the unknown.
"Enough chit-chat!" Cole’s voice cut through the air again. "Today’s going to be all about testing your limits. I want to see how you move as a unit, how you communicate under stress, and how well you adapt. You’ll rotate through different exercises: hand-to-hand combat, firearms training, and tactical maneuvering. Fail, and we’ll run it again. And again, until you get it right."
Phantom, who had been absentmindedly twirling his combat knife in his hand, finally spoke. "Sounds like you’re planning to break us before we even reach the mission, Sergeant."
Cole’s eyes narrowed. "You’re damn right. But if you can’t handle what I throw at you, what makes you think you’ll survive out there?"
The casual, almost cocky smile Phantom had been wearing faded slightly. "Fair point."
As the soldiers lined up for their first exercise, Mercer took a deep breath. The team was green, untested together. Sure, some of them had been in combat before, but nothing like what they were about to face.
He walked among them, checking their gear. "Today’s about trust," he said, loud enough for them all to hear. "We’ve got some strong personalities here, and I like that. But out in the field, it doesn’t matter how strong or skilled you are if you don’t have each other’s backs."
His gaze settled on Shadow, who had remained unusually quiet, his face unreadable. Mercer could tell he was listening, though, taking everything in.
"Alright," Cole barked, his voice echoing across the training grounds, "we’re starting with hand-to-hand combat. No weapons, no tricks. Just you and your partner. I don’t care how big or small you are—this is about using what you’ve got to outsmart, outmaneuver, and overpower your opponent. Adapt or get taken down."
The team spread out across the mats, pairing off. Titan immediately rolled his shoulders, looking eager to get started, while others eyed their partners more cautiously.
Lifeline found herself facing off against Titan, a smirk tugging at her lips as she sized him up. The difference in their size was almost comical—Titan’s hulking frame towered over her, but Lifeline was far from intimidated.
"You ready to lose, big guy?" Lifeline teased as she took a defensive stance.
Titan grinned down at her. "Lose? I was just thinking about how I’m going to go easy on you."
Lifeline’s smile widened. "You’re welcome to try."
Sergeant Major Cole blew the whistle, signaling the start of the drill. Titan, as expected, charged forward, using his sheer size and strength to try to overpower Lifeline. But she was too fast, darting to the side and slipping out of his grasp with ease.
Titan’s grin faded slightly as he swung again, but Lifeline ducked under his arm and swept her leg around, tripping him up just enough to throw him off balance.
"You’re gonna have to be quicker than that," Lifeline said, her voice light and teasing.
Titan growled playfully, planting his feet and charging again. This time, Lifeline barely escaped, her footwork just a hair faster than Titan’s grip. The other team members had paused to watch, chuckling at the display.
"Stand still for once!" Titan barked, his frustration starting to show.
"Maybe if you weren’t so slow!" Lifeline shot back, sidestepping another lunge.
Meanwhile, Boomer squared off against Gadget. Like Titan, Boomer’s frame was built for brute strength despite being a bit smaller. Gadget, about the same size as Lifeline, knew Boomer had a clear advantage in raw power, so she was already strategizing on how to outmaneuver him. Grappling with Boomer was going to be a real test of her skills.
Boomer grinned, planting his feet firmly as he eyed Gadget. "You sure you’re ready for this? Not too late to back out."
Gadget narrowed her eyes, her fingers twitching in readiness. "We’ll see, big guy. You might be surprised."
Boomer lunged first, attempting to grab her, but Gadget slipped beneath his arm and twisted around his back. Her hands were quick, trying to get a solid hold on him to unbalance him, but Boomer’s strength was undeniable. He easily shook her off, spinning around with a grin.
"You’ll have to do better than that," Boomer said, his tone teasing.
Gadget's lips pressed into a thin line, her mind already calculating her next move. She feinted to the left, then darted to the right, aiming a swift kick at Boomer's legs. He anticipated her move, sidestepping and using his arm to block her path.
"Nice try," he chuckled.
Undeterred, Gadget attempted to use her agility to get behind him again, but Boomer was ready. With surprising speed for someone his size, he pivoted and caught her by the wrist, pulling her into a controlled hold.
"Gotcha," Boomer said, holding her securely.
Gadget struggled briefly, realizing she was firmly caught. "Not bad," she admitted grudgingly.
Boomer released her with a friendly pat on the shoulder. "You’re quick, but sometimes you need a bit of muscle to back it up."
She gave a small nod, adjusting her gear. "Strength does have its advantages. I'll have to work on that."
He smiled. "Looking forward to the rematch."
Elsewhere on the mat, Phantom and Shadow were paired up, both of them moving with fluid, precise motions. Phantom’s cocky grin remained as he circled Shadow, flipping a knife between his fingers before tucking it away at Cole’s glare. The two were a stark contrast—Phantom’s energy was all flash and speed, while Shadow moved with cold, calculated precision.
Phantom lunged first, trying to catch Shadow off guard with a quick jab. But Shadow, always observant, easily dodged the attack and retaliated with a low sweep to Phantom’s legs. Phantom jumped back, his grin never fading.
"Too slow," Phantom taunted, darting in again. But Shadow wasn’t one to be baited by words. He kept his focus sharp, deflecting Phantom’s attacks with an eerie calm, never once breaking his stoic expression.
After a few rounds of back-and-forth, Shadow managed to catch Phantom off-guard with a well-timed counter, knocking him to the mat with a hard thud. Phantom blinked up at him, momentarily stunned by the quick takedown.
"Not bad," Phantom admitted as he got back to his feet, brushing himself off. "I’ll get you next time."
"Focus on getting me this time," Shadow replied flatly, already preparing for the next round.
Sergeant Major Cole paced between the pairs, watching closely. "Good. You’re starting to figure each other out. But this isn’t just about individual strength or speed—it’s about using your partner’s weaknesses to your advantage."
He glanced over at Titan, who lost his spar with Lifeline. "You might be the biggest, but that won’t matter if you can’t keep up."
Titan nodded. "I’ll work on it, Sergeant."
He glanced over at Boomer. "Boomer, good work. But don’t rely too much on your strength alone. You overpowered your partner now, but next time, she might figure out a way to beat you."
Boomer nodded, a satisfied grin still on his face. "I’ll be ready, Sergeant."
Cole then looked at Gadget. "And Gadget—don’t forget, strength can sometimes outlast finesse. Make sure you’re ready to handle that next time."
Gadget gave a small nod, her mind already working on how she’d adjust for their next match. "Yes, Sergeant."
Cole’s sharp eyes then turned toward Phantom and Shadow, both of whom were catching their breath after their own match. "Phantom, I can tell you’re fast and like to show off, but speed without control is wasted. Reign in that cockiness, or you’ll find yourself making mistakes that can get you killed."
Phantom gave a quick nod, his grin slipping just a bit. "Understood, Sergeant."
Cole shifted his gaze to Shadow. "And you—your focus is solid, but you’re playing it too safe. Don’t hesitate to strike when you’ve got an opening. Sometimes you’ve got to take risks to get the job done."
Shadow nodded, his expression unreadable as he absorbed the feedback. "Yes, Sergeant."
After dismissing everyone to a quick break, the next phase of training began: urban combat drills. The cold air in Kaiserslautern was crisp as the sun climbed higher in the sky, casting long shadows through the mock cityscape. The setting was a near-perfect replica of a war-torn urban environment: broken-down buildings, overturned cars, and debris littered the streets, creating an obstacle-laden battleground for MTF 1’s urban combat training.
Sergeant Major Cole stood in front of the assembled team, his arms crossed, surveying them. "Today, you’ll be split into two teams for this exercise," he announced, his voice cutting through the morning silence. "You’ll use MILES gear to simulate long-range combat and Simunition rounds for close-quarters engagement. You’ll be navigating this urban environment, taking out your enemies, and working together to clear the area. Communication and tactics are key. If you can’t work as a team, you’ll fail."
Mercer nodded, his expression serious. He knew this would be the perfect opportunity to push the team’s limits—and expose their weaknesses.
"Alright, team leaders. Mercer, you’ll take the first squad. Titan, you’ll lead the second."
Titan stepped forward, his heavy frame towering over most of the group. A grin tugged at his lips. "This’ll be fun."
Cole smirked, turning back to the rest of the group. "Mercer’s squad: Lifeline, Phantom, Gadget, Circuit, and Razor. Titan’s squad: Boomer, Shadow, Aegis, Eagle Eye, and Nomad."
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
The two teams gathered around their leaders, prepping their gear. The MILES sensors attached to their vests would light up and emit a sound if they were "hit" during long-range engagements, and the Simunition rounds—paint-filled cartridges—would mark anyone taken out in close quarters.
"Stay sharp, stay fast," Mercer said quietly to his squad as they huddled together. "We know Titan’s team will come in heavy. We’ll need to outmaneuver them. Gadget, use your drone to scout ahead. Phantom, take point and relay intel. Circuit, keep us linked up and ensure we’re in constant communication. Razor, you’ll take point when we move into close combat."
The team moved into position at the first building. The structure was tall and weathered, its windows blown out and debris scattered across the street. Boomer stepped forward on Titan’s team, already setting up his explosives at the door for the breach. His usual cocky grin was absent, replaced by a look of focus.
"Charge set," Boomer muttered, stepping back.
"Clear!" Aegis, holding his ballistic shield, stood in front of Titan’s team, ready to lead the breach while protecting the group.
The explosion rocked the doorway, and Aegis immediately moved forward, shield raised, providing cover for his team. Boomer, Shadow, and Nomad quickly followed behind him, using his shield as a mobile barrier.
On Mercer’s team, Circuit had already set up a secure line of communication, keeping the team updated. "Titan’s squad just breached the northern building. They’re advancing fast."
"Good work, Circuit," Mercer replied. "Let’s outflank them. Gadget, what’s your drone picking up?"
Gadget’s drone buzzed quietly through the air, giving her a clear view of the nearby streets and buildings. "There’s movement near the east side. They’re trying to set up an ambush."
Phantom, who was scouting ahead of Mercer’s team, had already spotted Boomer setting traps near the alleyways.
"Boomer’s setting traps. I’ll take him out before he gets too comfortable," Phantom reported through the comms.
"Do it quickly," Mercer ordered.
Phantom moved swiftly, staying low as he approached the trap-laden alley. His eyes scanned for any sign of Boomer, but just as he rounded the corner, a Simunition round splattered the wall near his head. Boomer had anticipated him.
"Damn," Phantom muttered, retreating behind cover. "Boomer’s expecting me. I’ll have to find another way."
Meanwhile, Nomad moved silently through the streets, using his survivalist instincts to navigate the urban terrain. His eyes darted across the debris, constantly aware of his surroundings. As he moved toward a nearby rooftop, he signaled to Eagle Eye that he would take the high ground on the opposite building.
"Let’s split their attention," Nomad whispered through the comms. "I’ll flank them while you provide cover."
Nomad climbed effortlessly onto the rooftop, his steps silent as he positioned himself above Mercer’s team, ready to strike from an unexpected angle.
Back with Mercer’s team, they approached the building Gadget had scouted. The team moved cautiously, weapons at the ready. Razor, the close-combat specialist, took position by the door, ready to breach.
"They’re in here," Gadget whispered. "Second floor, waiting for us."
"Razor, you take point," Mercer ordered. "I’ll cover from behind."
Razor grinned, always eager for close-quarters combat. He kicked in the door, his Simunition-loaded shotgun raised. They entered the building swiftly, moving up the stairs as the sound of simulated gunfire filled the air.
On the second floor, Boomer was waiting. He fired off a round of Simunition, narrowly missing Lifeline, who ducked behind a pillar just in time. Paint splattered the wall behind her.
"Lifeline, stay down!" Razor called, moving in closer.
Boomer grinned from behind his cover, but Razor was too fast. He charged in, using his speed and close-combat skills to outmaneuver Boomer’s heavier approach. A quick move to the side, and Razor had him marked with a point-blank Simunition hit to the chest. Boomer’s vest lit up as the paint splattered across him.
"Dammit," Boomer muttered, grinning despite the loss. "Nice one, Razor."
Meanwhile, Shadow had circled around, moving in on Mercer’s team from the shadows. His silent steps brought him behind Gadget, who was too focused on her drone feed to notice his approach.
Without a word, Shadow crept up behind her and tapped her shoulder—simulating a silent takedown. Gadget jumped slightly, then sighed, her MILES gear lighting up as she raised her hands.
"Nice work, Shadow," she muttered, stepping aside to play dead.
Shadow didn’t reply, simply melting back into the shadows as quickly as he’d appeared.
From his elevated position, Nomad spotted Mercer and his remaining teammates below. With precision and patience, he waited for the perfect moment to strike. When Circuit moved into the open, Nomad took his shot, hitting Circuit squarely with a Simunition round.
Circuit’s vest lit up, and he raised his hands in surrender. "I’m out," he called over the comms, falling back to join Gadget on the sidelines.
"Nomad’s up high," Circuit reported before leaving the fight. "Watch your flank, Captain."
Mercer cursed under his breath but quickly adapted. "Razor, take Nomad out. I’ll deal with Titan."
With most of their team down, it came down to Mercer and Titan. The two met in the center of the mock city, their squads watching from the sidelines, "dead" but eager to see who would come out on top.
Titan grinned, hefting his rifle. "Think you can take me, Captain?"
Mercer smirked, raising his own weapon. "Let’s find out."
The two squared off, exchanging fire as they dodged between cover. Simunition rounds flew through the air, marking the ground with bright splashes of paint. In the end, it was Mercer’s tactical edge that won out—he flanked Titan and tagged him with a well-placed shot to the side.
Titan’s vest lit up, and he let out a groan. "Alright, alright. You got me."
Mercer lowered his weapon, offering Titan a hand. "Good work, Sergeant. You almost had me."
Titan grinned, taking the hand. "Next time, Captain. Next time."
The exercise ended with both teams regrouping. Sergeant Major Cole watched them with a critical eye as they gathered back in the center of the mock city.
"Not bad," Cole said, his voice steady. "You worked well as teams, but you’ve still got a lot to learn. Remember, this wasn’t real. Out there, in the field, you won’t get second chances. Keep refining your tactics. Next up is Recon and Scout Training, but before that, you will have a meal break. Dismissed."
Mercer looked around at his team, sweat pouring down their faces. The mock firefight had been intense, but they wore grins. They had successfully passed the exercise.
MTF 1 gathered in the mess area, their gear set aside as they took a much-needed break. The mock firefight had left them physically drained but in high spirits. Sweat dripped from their brows, and their uniforms were caked in dirt and dust from the mock battlefield.
The mess hall was simple—a large tent with rows of folding tables and benches. Steam rose from trays of hot food lined up on the serving counters. Titan was the first in line, naturally, loading his plate with as much as it could carry. Phantom was close behind, his eyes scanning the selection with military precision.
"That urban combat drill was a workout," Boomer said, dropping into a seat next to Lifeline, who was already picking at her food.
"More like a survival test," Lifeline replied. "At least we made it through without any real casualties. Simunition rounds are one thing, but it’s not the same as facing the real deal."
Across the table, Razor was quietly devouring his meal, glancing occasionally at the others. Gadget was sitting next to him, focused more on the data scrolling across her tablet screen than on her food.
"You ever eat without checking your drone footage?" Phantom teased, raising an eyebrow at Gadget.
"I like to stay ahead of the curve," Gadget replied with a grin, not looking up. "You should try it."
The team ate quickly but savored the rare moment of downtime. Nomad remained quiet as always, sitting near the end of the table and chewing thoughtfully, his mind clearly focused on the next challenge.
Mercer, sitting at the head of the table, watched his team with a mix of pride and concern. They were bonding, but he could see the tension in their faces. They all knew the recon and scout training would push them in new ways.
"Alright, eat up," Mercer finally said, breaking the silence. "Recon and scout training is next. Phantom, you’ll be leading this one."
Phantom’s face lit up at the mention of his specialty. "This is where we really get to show what we can do."
MTF 1 regrouped after their meal break, their muscles still aching from the intense urban combat drill. As they were driven out to the training field, the atmosphere and environment shifted to a wooded area surrounding the base, dense with thick trees and underbrush. It was the perfect place for recon and scouting exercises.
Sergeant Major Cole stepped forward, his sharp gaze sweeping over them. "Alright, listen up. You’ll be using MILES gear and simulation rounds again for this exercise. Recon isn’t about shooting your way through. It’s about staying quiet, staying hidden, and gathering intel. You’ll be split into two teams again—one playing the recon unit, the other the aggressors trying to find them. Recon team, your job is to observe and report without being seen. Aggressors, you’re tracking and eliminating the recon team."
Phantom, naturally, stepped forward. Recon and stealth were his specialties, and this was his domain. "I’ll take Lifeline, Gadget, Razor, and Aegis," he said, already mapping out a strategy in his head.
Mercer nodded. "That leaves Titan, Boomer, Shadow, Nomad, Circuit, and Eagle Eye with me as the aggressors. Let’s see if Phantom can stay out of sight this time."
The exercise started with Phantom’s recon team getting a head start, moving deeper into the woods, the underbrush crunching faintly beneath their boots as they split off into smaller groups. Phantom moved like a ghost, signaling to the others to follow his lead as they sought out elevated vantage points and secure positions to observe from.
Gadget, true to her tech skills, released her small recon drone into the air, its silent buzz barely audible as it flitted through the trees. The drone provided her with a bird's-eye view of the area, allowing her to relay real-time data to Phantom and the rest of the team.
"We’ve got movement to the east," Gadget whispered into her comms. "Looks like Boomer and Titan are cutting through the thick brush, probably looking to circle around."
"Keep an eye on them," Phantom replied, his voice calm but focused. "Aegis, hold the line at the rear in case they come at us head-on. Use the shield if they close in. Razor, stick close to Aegis. I want you ready to respond if we’re pushed into close quarters."
Aegis, carrying his ballistic shield, nodded and fell into position, ready to protect his team if things got messy. He understood his role perfectly—he was the last line of defense, and his shield was their insurance.
On the other side of the woods, Mercer was leading his team through the dense foliage. Nomad took the lead, his survivalist instincts kicking in as he knelt down to examine the tracks left behind by Phantom’s team. He silently motioned for the others to follow, gesturing to the east.
"They moved fast, but they can’t stay hidden forever," Nomad muttered. "Their tracks are fresh—maybe fifteen minutes old."
Titan was less interested in tracking and more eager to get the drop on Phantom’s team. He hefted his rifle and grinned. "Hope they’re ready for us."
Eagle Eye moved silently beside them, her sniper rifle slung across her back as she scanned the treetops. "Phantom will be looking for a high vantage point," she said quietly. "If we catch him in the open, he’s done."
Circuit stayed close behind Mercer, ensuring their comms were secure and the team’s movements were coordinated. His role was vital for keeping the team synced in case they needed to converge on Phantom’s team quickly.
Just as Phantom thought they were in the clear, Shadow silently slipped around their flank. True to his name, Shadow had used the underbrush and the natural shadows cast by the trees to sneak close to Phantom’s position without being detected. Gadget’s drone buzzed overhead, but it was too late to catch him.
With precision, Shadow tapped Lifeline on the shoulder—simulating a silent takedown. Lifeline froze, her MILES gear lighting up to signal her elimination. Phantom cursed under his breath, realizing their cover was blown.
"Move!" Phantom hissed through the comms as he sprinted toward deeper cover, with Razor, Aegis, and Gadget close behind. But Mercer’s team was already converging on their location. Boomer fired a volley of simulated rounds in their direction, forcing Phantom’s team to take cover behind trees.
"Phantom’s pinned!" Boomer called into his comms, grinning. "Let’s close the trap."
As Phantom’s team scrambled for cover, Aegis quickly positioned himself in front of Razor and Gadget, his ballistic shield raised. Boomer’s simulated rounds pinged off the shield, but Aegis held firm, protecting his teammates from the incoming fire.
"Stay behind me!" Aegis barked, his shield absorbing most of the impact.
Razor, using Aegis’s shield as cover, scanned the area. He spotted an opening and darted out, quickly circling around Boomer’s position. With a swift move, Razor managed to tap Boomer from behind, signaling his elimination.
"One down," Razor said with a grin, but just as quickly, Eagle Eye had already lined up her own shot. A single well-placed shot, and Razor’s MILES gear lit up, signaling his elimination.
"Down!" Aegis called as Razor stepped back. "Keep moving, Gadget!"
With Razor down and Gadget still on the run, Phantom had little choice but to make his final move. He sprinted through the underbrush, weaving between trees as he attempted to outmaneuver the remaining aggressors. But Nomad had anticipated Phantom’s route.
In one swift motion, Nomad emerged from the shadows, cutting off Phantom’s escape. With nowhere to run, Phantom stopped, his hands raised in mock surrender as his MILES gear beeped in defeat.
"Got you," Nomad said, his voice low and calm.
Phantom sighed but couldn’t help but smirk. "Alright, you win this one."
The recon and scout exercise came to a close as both teams gathered back at the edge of the woods. Sergeant Major Cole watched them approach, his face impassive but his eyes sharp.
"Not bad," Cole said, his tone gruff. "Phantom, your team held out longer than expected, but you slipped up when Shadow found your flank. Gadget, the drone was useful, but it wasn’t enough to cover all your angles. You need to anticipate more threats in real scenarios."
He then turned to Mercer’s team. "Mercer, good job using Nomad’s tracking skills to your advantage. Shadow, that silent takedown on Lifeline was textbook. Aegis, solid defense. You kept your team protected, but in a real fight, you’ll need to push forward with the shield to cover ground. Keep that in mind."
The team nodded, their fatigue evident, but so was their satisfaction. They had been tested throughout the day—through close-quarters combat, urban warfare, and now recon. Each exercise had pushed them, sharpening their skills as individuals and as a team.
"That’s enough for today," Cole finally said, his voice gruff but approving. "You’ve got a lot more training ahead, so get some rest while you can. Dismissed."
By the end of the day, as the sun dipped low on the horizon, MTF 1 gathered their gear and began the walk back to the barracks, muscles sore but spirits high. The day had been long, but it was clear that they were growing stronger as a unit. They had faced their own weaknesses, learned from their mistakes, and most importantly, they were learning to trust each other.
The following days of training passed in a blur for Mercer. Each day was packed with drills, simulations, and combat exercises that pushed them to their limits. Muscle aches and fatigue became the norm, but so did the growing sense of unity and coordination within the team. They moved more fluidly now, understanding each other's strengths, compensating for weaknesses, and learning to trust one another in ways that only shared hardship could forge. Alongside the rigorous physical training, the team was introduced to new cutting-edge weaponry from BlackOps Industries. The sheer power of the 12.7mm rifles, the brute force of the 8-gauge shotguns, and the high-caliber sniper rifles required them to adapt their techniques to wield such devastating firepower effectively. Each day brought new challenges, but the team was slowly becoming more confident with the heavy weapons, ensuring they could handle anything the battlefield threw at them.
Before he knew it, the day had come. The early morning sky was gray, heavy with the weight of anticipation, as the team gathered at the airstrip. The distant hum of engines filled the air, mingling with the tension that had settled deep in each of them. Mercer stood silently among them, his eyes sweeping over his team—stronger, more focused, but would it be enough?
As the transport prepared for their deployment to Provence, the quiet resolve that had built up during training now bristled with the cold edge of reality. The nest was waiting for them, and so were the creatures that called it home.
There was no turning back now, and Mercer knew that the cost might be higher than he dared to admit. The possibility of losing team members loomed large in his mind, a weight he could feel pressing against his chest.
And yet, they moved forward.