“First armored mutants, and now multi-limbed abominations.” Enzo and Irene looked at the disfigured mutants inside the net, the two I division teams stood by, using their interfaces as if analyzing the creatures. Callan noticed that the other nets were gone, leaving only the ones containing the mutant bodies.

The team stood behind them, awaiting another order. Everyone was shaken up by the fight earlier. Now trying to compose themselves any way they could, from cleaning their weapons to simply looking at the surroundings.

“Fortunately the list of names for the dead are smaller than previous reports. So that’s a good sign.” Hannah spoke, collecting the reports of each operative and placing it in her clipboard. Having filled them out on their way back.

“Well that lab floor was something.” Clara commented, being the most optimistic or least tired member of the team.

“I hope we don’t have to do that ever again.” Oliver spoke with a fearful tone, looking down.

“Oh come on,” Clara bumped his shoulder. “At least it's much better than spending your days in an office cubicle or forge.”

“True that…” Oliver reluctantly agreed to her statement.

After a long conversation, Irene nodded at Enzo and began to leave, with the I operatives following behind her, dragging the net of mutant corpses back to the tower.

“Let’s head back to the briefing room.” Enzo grabbed their attention, they scrambled to follow behind him as he had already begun walking for the gate.

Inside, they were welcomed by a musty cool breeze. The gate behind closed shut, and the team stood by for a while, waiting for the elevator to come down.

A trail of bloodstains led to the elevator, with a few weapons resting on the walls.

‘So they brought the bodies up.’ His eyes stared at the trail. But his thoughts were interrupted by the elevator door opening.

Everyone quickly rushed in, patiently waiting for their ascent upwards. The scent of blood filled the air as Callan quickly realized that the floor and walls inside were covered in stains as well, but the rest didn’t seem to mind it.

‘Is this just normal to them?’ He thought to himself.

‘I guess this is just another thing that comes with experience and working here.’

The doors opened to the main area, still filled with operatives walking around in a hasty manner.

Outside, they stuck closer together, trying to not get separated by the wave of capes and Kevlar vests.

Through the crowd, they managed to enter inside. But they were greeted by the smell of a familiar food.

“Here you go!” A joyful S operative walked towards the team with a smile, handing out kebabs.

“Wait, you weren’t joking!?” Clara asked, surprised.

“Yup! Least we can do anyway since you were a cool operative. We have dozens more in the mess hall so this is just a small treat.” Everyone except Hannah and Enzo took a kebab and began eating it.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

For a moment, Callan’s mind stopped, only wanting to relish the moment of eating a delicious snack after a long day of fighting.

“Alright, take a seat now.” Enzo ordered with a disgruntled sigh.

Clara happily chatted with the S operatives, having been acquaintances with them in a short time. Even sitting next to them.

Callan found himself lounging around next to an H division operative, while the rest kept to themselves and simply focused on trying to get some rest.

“That’s Alexia’s bag huh?” Callan turned his head to the operative, shocked from hearing the name again.

“You know it’s hers?” He asked. The operative chuckled through his rebreather.

“Just a guess, and we did have to see her body when they brought her back to the tower.” He sighed after speaking.

“She was a good operative, and healer…” His demeanor seemed to change quickly.

“How did you get her bag?”

“We found it on the ground while in the storm.”

“Oh, glad to know at least something from her was recovered.”

“You can have it back if you want, it’s alright.” Callan took off the bag, handing it to the man, but he rejected it.

“No no, you can keep it. We operatives of H division value others more than our own. We can always have another one anyway. And I assume you have some form of bond or connection with Alexia right?”

“Yeah…” Callan reluctantly replied.

“Then it’s better off in your hands, in fact.” The man reached into his own satchel, grabbing yellow and green syringes, quickly placing them inside the bag.

“Looks like it’s low on speed and painkillers.” He laughed after placing the new syringes into the bag.

“Hope she didn't dope you or your buddies up with a lot of that speed.” He twirled one of the yellow syringes like a pencil before placing it back into the bag.

“Wait, why?”

“Oh, those ones aren’t the safe ones. We didn’t make one yet, so side effects of constant use may include heart attack, loss of mental stability and control, and heavy fatigue. Basically you either die on the field or become a crazy maniac with no control.” He laughed after his explanation, Callan became concerned, realizing how much he had used before heading back.

The man seemed to have noticed his expression, and patted him on the shoulder.

“Don’t worry, it only happens if multiple are taken in a short time. Though some prefer to do that since it makes the focus better, it’s a risky thing.” He reassured.

“I almost forgot,” He extended out his hand. “The name’s Elias.”

“Callan.” He shook the man’s hand, feeling a sense of deja vu after doing so.

Their conversation ended, returning to silently looking around and tending to their own devices.

‘Are H operatives always that nice?’ He questioned himself, unlike the other division operatives, S and H seemed the most outgoing to them.

He glanced at his bag, seeing the new syringes that were placed inside.

Soon after, he took a deep breath, resting on the cold metal chair, in a peaceful room.