[Nexus Headquarters]
"Sir, emergency!" George stormed into James's office, his face pale with urgency.
James looked up sharply from his desk, alarmed by George's tone.
"What happened?" he demanded.
"We just received the signal," George replied, barely able to contain his anxiety.
"Really? From where?" James's eyes widened.
"From Mr. Sam's building, sir," George said, his voice trembling slightly.
James shot to his feet, the chair skidding back.
"Okay. Tell everyone to be on standby and get ready," he ordered, his mind already racing through the plan they had meticulously crafted.
George nodded and hurried out of the room to relay the instructions.
James moved quickly to his cabinet, yanking it open and pulling out his coat.
His heart pounded in his chest, a mix of adrenaline and determination coursing through his veins.
This was the moment they had been preparing for.
Sam's life—and the success of their mission—depended on their swift and precise action.
He shrugged into his coat, his thoughts laser-focused on the task ahead.
They had one shot at this, and he couldn't afford any mistakes.
As he fastened the buttons, his mind flicked through the sequence of their operation, every detail imprinted in his memory.
He grabbed his communicator and keyed it to the team's frequency.
"All units, this is James. We've got the signal from Mr Sam's building. Move out immediately and proceed with the operation. Remember the plan and stick to your assignments. Let's catch this bastard."
He pocketed the communicator and strode out of his office, his expression steely with resolve.
The halls buzzed with activity as officers scrambled to gear up and mobilize.
The air was thick with urgency, the gravity of the situation pressing down on everyone.
His own nerves were taut, his mind sharp.
They had trained for this, rehearsed every possible scenario, but the unpredictability of Noel's powers cast a shadow of uncertainty over their mission.
As he reached the exit, the weight of his mission pressed heavily on his shoulders.
Each step he took was filled with purpose and determination, his heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and resolve.
The hallways of the command center were a blur as he navigated through, his mind laser-focused on the critical operation ahead.
He arrived at a room where multiple portals shimmered with an ethereal glow, casting an eerie light that danced across the walls and the faces of the bustling officers and drones preparing for deployment.
The faces of his team, their expressions a mix of resolve and anxiety, mirrored his own internal struggle.
The air was thick with anticipation, the hum of machinery and the soft murmurs of last-minute preparations creating a tense symphony.
He moved forward, his presence commanding immediate respect.
The officers snapped to attention and saluted as he approached, their eyes reflecting a mixture of steely determination and underlying anxiety.
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This was not an ordinary mission; they were about to face an enemy whose unpredictability and sheer power had left even the most seasoned among them wary.
"I won't say much," James began, his voice steady but intense, cutting through the ambient noise like a knife.
"Just remember this: today, we are going to catch someone truly unfathomable and unpredictable. None of us can afford to make any mistakes. Got it?"
"Yes, sir!" the officers responded in unison, their voices strong and resolute, echoing off the high ceilings.
James looked around, meeting each of their eyes.
He saw in them the same mixture of determination and fear he felt within himself.
These were the best of the best, each one prepared to lay down their life to see this mission through.
"Good," he said, nodding firmly. "Let's depart."
The portals began to hum with a deep, resonant energy, their glow intensifying and casting long, shifting shadows.
He took a deep breath, feeling the familiar rush of adrenaline mingling with the heavy responsibility of the mission.
He steeled himself, the enormity of what lay ahead weighing on him.
With one last glance at his team, he stepped towards the portal, the light reflecting in his determined gaze.
-----
As soon as they traveled through the portal, their surroundings shifted abruptly.
James and George found themselves standing on the rooftop of a high-rise building, the cool night air whipping around them, tugging at their coats.
The city below was a sprawling tapestry of lights and shadows, but their focus was singular: Sam's penthouse, a beacon of opulence and danger.
"Sir, we have successfully teleported to our position," George reported, his voice steady despite the palpable tension in the air.
James nodded, pressing his communication device.
The familiar static crackled before he spoke.
"What about the other teams?" he asked, his voice echoing slightly in the open expanse.
One by one, confirmations came through:
"Team Alpha at their position, sir."
"Team Beta at their position, sir."
"Team Charlie at their position, sir."
"Team Delta at their position, sir."
James felt a surge of grim satisfaction.
The plan was falling into place like a well-oiled machine.
"Okay. Everyone quickly get into formation. George, you're in charge of setting up the drones. Remember to be fast and silent," he commanded, his tone brooking no argument.
"Yes, sir," George replied, already moving with swift efficiency.
He began deploying the drones, their small forms buzzing quietly as they took to the air, spreading out to cover every possible angle.
Each drone was equipped with high-resolution cameras and tranquilizer darts, ready to capture every moment and incapacitate Noel if necessary.
James watched as the drones dispersed into the night, their tiny lights blinking in the darkness like stars.
His heart pounded with the enormity of what they were attempting.
He knew the risks, but he also knew they had no other choice.
Noel was too dangerous to leave unchecked, and this was their best—and possibly only—chance to stop him.
The rooftop was a flurry of activity as officers moved into their designated positions, their expressions a mix of determination and anxiety.
The hum of the drones blended with the distant sounds of the city, creating an eerie backdrop to their operation.
Through his earpiece, he issued further instructions, his voice a low, commanding whisper.
"Teams, hold your positions and wait for my signal. Do not engage unless absolutely necessary. We need to corner him and leave him no escape."
Peering down from the rooftop, his eyes scanned the scene below.
Sam's building stood tall and imposing, a fortress of glass and steel.
Through the windows, he could see the faint glow of Noel's blue aura, pulsating with dangerous energy.
The fugitive was still inside, unaware of the trap closing in around him.
"George, how are we on drone deployment?" James asked, keeping his voice low, his eyes never straying from the target.
"Almost done, sir. Just a few more to position," George responded, his hands moving deftly over the controls.
James took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves.
This was it.
The culmination of all their planning and preparation.
He couldn't afford to let doubt creep in now.
Minutes ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity.
The night was a symphony of distant city sounds and the hum of drones, but for James, it was the quiet before the storm.
Finally, George gave the signal.
"All drones in position, sir. We're ready."
"Good," James said, his voice steely with resolve.
"Show me the situation inside the building."
"Okay, sir," George responded through the communication device.
James's watch screen flickered to life, displaying a live feed from inside Felix's office.
The tension in the room was palpable, the air thick with anticipation as Noel confronted Felix, his blue aura flickering with intensity, casting eerie shadows on the luxurious surroundings.
"Team Alpha, is the sniper ready?" James asked, his eyes never leaving the screen, his heart pounding in his chest.
"Yes, sir. Waiting for your permission," came the reply, the voice crackling with a mixture of excitement and nerves.
"Shoot his legs when I give the order," James instructed, his voice calm but urgent, every word measured and precise.
He watched the scene intently, every muscle in his body coiled with tension.
Through the high-definition feed from the drones, he could see Noel's posture, taut with aggression, his eyes burning with a malevolent gleam.
Sam stood a few steps away, his own stance rigid with fear and determination.
Noel summoned his knife with a swift, almost fluid motion, the blade glinting ominously under the fluorescent lights.
A sinister grin spread across his face, and David could practically feel the danger radiating from the blue-haired boy.
His grip tightened on his communicator.
The time had come.
"Alpha, on my mark," he said, his voice barely a whisper.
"Three... two... one... fire."
He commanded, his voice steady but his heart pounding like a drum in his chest.
The crack of the sniper rifle echoed through the night, sharp and deafening.
James watched as the bullet found its mark, tearing through Noel's leg.
The sound of flesh and bone giving way was sickening, followed by Noel's pained cry as he crumpled to the floor.
Blood began to pool around him, dark and foreboding, as he quickly enveloped himself in his blue aura, the energy crackling in a desperate attempt to stave off the pain and assess his situation.
James's eyes never left the screen, his breath caught in his throat as he saw Noel struggle, his expression a mixture of agony and fury.
"Team Beta, move in and secure Mr. Sam. Team Alpha, be ready to intercept Noel if he attempts to escape," he ordered, his voice a lifeline of calm amidst the chaos.
Inside the building, the teams moved with the precision of a well-oiled machine.
Team Beta stormed into the office, their movements swift and coordinated.
They surrounded Sam, creating a protective barrier around him.
Sam, though visibly shaken, managed to hold himself together, his eyes darting from the fallen Noel to the officers securing the room.
"Are you okay, Mr. Sam?" one of the officers asked, their voice cutting through the tension like a knife.
Sam nodded, though his voice was tight with anxiety.
"Yes, just get him," he replied, his gaze fixed on Noel, who was now a writhing figure of pain and defiance on the floor.
The drones buzzed closer, their cameras capturing every detail of Noel's struggle.
His blue aura flared and flickered, a testament to his desperation and the raw power coursing through him.
He tried to push himself up, his face contorted in pain, but the injury was too severe.
James's heart pounded in his chest as he watched, every second stretching into an eternity.
They were all waiting for Noel's next move, the tension in the room palpable, thick as fog.
The officers held their positions, weapons trained on Noel, ready to act at a moment's notice.