The atmosphere in the briefing room was tense. The soft hum of holographic projectors filled the silence as the team assembled around the sleek, metallic table. Ethan West, now three weeks into his induction with The Division, felt a familiar mixture of anticipation and unease. This wasn’t just another training exercise—this was the real thing.

Captain Ying Wei stood at the head of the table, his presence commanding attention as always. His expression was unreadable, but his posture hinted at the gravity of what was to come. Beside him, Cassidy Yen adjusted a small tablet, preparing to display the mission details. Anna Keen sat quietly, her sniper-trained eyes flickering between the team members, already calculating possibilities.

Ying cleared his throat, breaking the silence. “Listen up. We’ve got our next mission, and it’s a big one.” He gestured toward the holographic projector, which activated to display a map of the Vietnam-China border. Red markers pulsed ominously along a dense jungle region.

“This is where it started,” Ying continued. “The ghouls we encountered last time weren’t wiped out entirely. We neutralized a significant portion of their numbers, but recent intel suggests a resurgence.”

Ethan’s gaze shifted to the map, noting the concentrated red zones. “How is that possible? I thought ghouls couldn’t reproduce the same way humans do.”

“They don’t,” Ying replied. “Not unless they have a leader. What we’re dealing with now is a Mother Ghoul—an alpha variant. She’s the one creating the brood. Kill her, and the rest go with her.”

Anna leaned forward, her voice calm but laced with urgency. “Mother Ghouls are rare, but they’re dangerous. Stronger, faster, smarter—and nearly impossible to kill if you’re not prepared. They can heal from most injuries, except decapitation or an acid bath. Even UV light, which stuns regular ghouls, is only mildly irritating to them.”

Ethan nodded, absorbing the information. “So, we go in, locate her, and eliminate her. Sounds simple enough.”

Cassidy snorted from her corner. “Oh, sure. Piece of cake. Let’s not forget the dozens of regular ghouls she’s got under her control, the labyrinthine jungle terrain, and the fact that she’s probably been feeding and getting stronger since our last encounter.”

Ethan’s brow furrowed. “Feeding on what?”

“Whatever—or whoever—she can get her claws on,” Cassidy said grimly.

Ying stepped in, his tone asking for no further interruption. “This mission is about more than just cleanup. It’s about containment. If the Mother Ghoul isn’t stopped now, she’ll expand her brood and spread beyond the jungle. We’ve seen what happens when these infestations go unchecked. Villages wiped out, cities destabilized—it’s not a risk we can afford.”

The hologram shifted to display a detailed map of the jungle, with highlighted points marking their planned insertion and extraction routes. “This is where we’ll deploy,” Ying said, pointing to a clearing near the edge of the red zone. “We’ll set up a temporary base of operations here. From there, we’ll sweep the jungle systematically until we find the Mother Ghoul’s nest.”

Anna spoke up, her voice steady. “We’ll need to prioritize stealth. Ghouls hunt by sound and smell, and they’re relentless once they lock onto a target. If we make too much noise or linger too long, we’ll be overrun.”

Cassidy added, “I’ve prepped specialized tech for this mission—night vision goggles with heat signature detection, UV grenades, and drones equipped with strobe lights. They won’t kill the Mother Ghoul outright, but they’ll slow her down long enough for us to deliver the finishing blow.”

Ying nodded approvingly. “Good. We’ll also be using phosphorus-tipped ammunition. It’s the most effective against ghouls, and it’ll give us an edge in close-quarters combat.”

Ethan leaned forward, his focus sharpening. “And the Mother Ghoul? What’s the plan for taking her out?”

Ying’s gaze locked onto him. “Decapitation. It’s the only surefire way to kill her. Once she’s weakened, it’ll be up to us to deliver the final blow. And let me be clear: hesitation is not an option. If we fail to kill her, she’ll recover and retaliate harder than ever.”

The room fell silent as the weight of Ying’s words settled over the team.

Ethan broke the silence. “What about civilians? Are there any villages nearby?”

Ying’s expression darkened. “Most of the villages in the area have been evacuated, but we can’t rule out the possibility of stragglers. If we encounter anyone, our priority is their safety—but not at the expense of the mission. Understood?”

The team murmured their agreement, but Ethan could feel the tension in the air. This wasn’t just a mission—it was a high-stakes operation that could make or break the team’s cohesion.And a subtle hint of revenge emanating from the rest of the team.

Ying stepped back, letting the hologram dim. “You’ve got 48 hours to prepare. Use that time wisely. Training drills will focus on jungle terrain and counter-ghoul tactics. We’ll run through every possible scenario so there are no surprises in the field.”

Ethan nodded, his determination solidifying. He had come a long way since his arrival, but this mission would be the ultimate test of his readiness—and his place within Team 1.

As the team dispersed, Cassidy lingered by the door, watching Ethan with a faint smirk. “Well, new guy, this is it. Think you’re ready for your first real field mission?”

Ethan met her gaze, his voice steady. “I guess we’ll find out.”

Cassidy chuckled softly. “Fair enough. Just don’t get yourself killed. I’d hate to break in another recruit.”

Ethan smiled faintly but said nothing. As he left the briefing room, his mind was already racing with thoughts of the jungle, the ghouls, and the battle to come.

He wasn’t just a recruit anymore. He was part of the team, and this mission would prove it—one way or another.

The heat was unrelenting, the sun beating down on Ethan as he sprinted across the training field. Sweat poured from his brow, soaking his Division-issued fatigues, but he didn’t slow down. Each step was a reminder of how far he’d come—and how far he still had to go.

Captain Ying’s voice boomed over the field, sharp and commanding. “West! Pick it up! You think the ghouls will wait for you to catch your breath?”

Ethan gritted his teeth, pushing himself harder. The past few weeks had been brutal, but these last two days had been on another level. Everything was focused on preparing him for the mission: specialized combat techniques, supernatural threat tactics, and relentless endurance training.

This morning’s drill was a timed course designed to simulate a ghoul encounter. Mannequins painted pale gray with glowing red eyes were scattered across the field, their positions hidden until Ethan activated motion triggers along the route. He was armed with a training rifle loaded with phosphorus-tipped rounds, each shot meant to count.

He approached the first corner cautiously, his rifle at the ready. The mannequin sprang out, its movement jerky and unnatural, just like a ghoul’s. Ethan fired a burst, the phosphorus igniting on impact and reducing the target to smoldering remains.

“Good shot!” Cassidy’s voice called from a nearby observation deck. “That one only took you two tries!”

Ethan ignored her, focusing on the next target.

As he navigated the course, Ying’s critiques were unrelenting.

“Too slow on the corner!”

“Your aim’s drifting, West!”

“Check your six!”

By the time he finished, his lungs burned, and his arms felt like lead. He collapsed onto the ground, staring up at the sky as he tried to catch his breath.

Cassidy appeared above him, holding out a canteen. “Not bad, new guy. You might actually survive this mission.”

Ethan took the water gratefully, gulping it down. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

The next session focused on melee combat. Ethan found himself paired with Anna, who stood calmly across from him in the sparring ring. She held a machete, its blade dulled for training, but her stance was anything but casual.

“Don’t hold back,” she said, her tone measured.

Ethan nodded, gripping his own training machete tightly. The goal was to simulate close-quarters combat with a ghoul, which relied on speed and precision.

Anna moved first, her strike fast and calculated. Ethan barely blocked it, the impact jarring his arm. She followed up with a sweeping motion, forcing him to step back.

“Keep your balance,” Anna said, her voice calm even as she pressed the attack. “Ghouls don’t give you time to recover.”

Ethan adjusted his footing, countering with a strike of his own. It was clumsy compared to her movements, but it connected. Anna stepped back, nodding slightly.

“Better. But you’re still too reactive. Anticipate.”

They continued sparring, Anna’s advice interspersed with sharp corrections. By the end of the session, Ethan’s muscles ached, but he had started to understand the rhythm of her movements.

“Not bad,” Anna said as they left the ring. “You’ve got potential. Just don’t get yourself killed trying to prove it.”

The final session of the day was Cassidy’s tech briefing. The team gathered in one of the base’s high-tech labs, where she had laid out an array of equipment.

“All right, listen up,” Cassidy said, her usual smirk in place. “I’ve got some toys for you, and I expect you to use them wisely.”

She picked up a pair of night vision goggles. “These aren’t your standard-issue models. They’ve been modified to pick up heat signatures, which is crucial for spotting ghouls in dense jungle terrain. They’ll also let you see UV markers we’ll use to coordinate movements.”

Cassidy moved on to the UV grenades. She held one up, its cylindrical body marked with glowing blue lines. “These babies emit a high-intensity UV pulse. It won’t kill the Mother Ghoul, but it’ll stun her long enough for us to make a move. And it’ll fry any of her broods that get too close.”

She handed one to Ethan, who turned it over in his hands. “And the drones?” he asked.

Cassidy grinned. “Glad you asked.” She gestured to a compact drone resting on the table. “This is the Specter Mk II. It’s equipped with UV strobes, a high-decibel sound emitter to disorient enemies, and—my personal favorite—a self-destruct function. Think of it as a kamikaze for ghouls.”

Ethan raised an eyebrow. “You’re giving me a flying bomb?”

Cassidy shrugged. “Only if I trust you to use it responsibly. Which... I kind of do.”

Ying’s sharp voice cut in. “Focus, Yen.”

Cassidy rolled her eyes but continued her briefing. By the time she finished, Ethan felt more prepared—and more aware of the sheer complexity of the mission ahead.

That evening, Ethan found himself alone in the training field, running through drills with the UV grenades and machete. The base was quiet, the sounds of his movements echoing faintly.

He thought about the mission, about the ghouls, and about the team he was now a part of. They had trained him well, but the true test was still ahead.

As he swung the machete through the air, his muscles protesting with every motion, he reminded himself of why he was here.

Failure wasn’t an option.

The next morning, Ethan stood in the middle of the training grounds, surrounded by the whir of holographic projectors warming up. The room began to shift, its walls fading away as the simulation environment took shape. Within moments, he was in a dense, moonlit jungle. The air was thick, heavy with the sounds of chirping insects and the distant rustle of leaves.

“This will mimic what you’ll face in the field,” Ying’s voice crackled through his comm. “Ghouls are fast, aggressive, and hunt in packs. Your objective is simple: locate and secure the extraction point without being overwhelmed.”

Ethan adjusted his grip on the phosphorus-tipped rifle in his hands. He had gone through simulations before, but this one felt different. There was a weight to it, a tension that mirrored what he imagined the real mission would feel like.

As the simulation began, Ethan moved cautiously through the holographic jungle, scanning the environment for threats. The shadows seemed to shift and flicker unnaturally, making it difficult to differentiate between what was real and what wasn’t.

“Keep your movements quiet,” Ying instructed. “Sound will draw them faster than anything else.”

Ethan’s heart pounded as he stepped over a fallen log, his eyes darting to every corner of the terrain. The jungle felt alive, as though it were watching him.

A guttural growl broke the silence, low and menacing. Ethan froze, his rifle raised.

From the underbrush, the first ghoul emerged. Its pale, emaciated form moved with a jerky, unnatural gait, its glowing red eyes locked onto him. Ethan aimed and fired a burst, the phosphorus rounds igniting on impact and reducing the creature to ash.

“Good shot,” Cassidy’s voice chimed in through his comm. “But you’ve got company.”

Ethan barely had time to process her warning before three more ghouls burst from the shadows, their movements frantic and unpredictable.

He pivoted, firing at the nearest one. His first shot hit its chest, staggering it, but not enough to stop its charge. He adjusted, aiming for the head, and the creature disintegrated mid-leap.

The remaining two closed in fast. Ethan reached for a UV grenade, pulling the pin and tossing it into their path. The grenade emitted a blinding pulse of light, freezing the ghouls in place. He took the opportunity to finish them off with two precise shots.

“Not bad,” Anna’s voice said, calm and measured. “But you hesitated on that first one. In the field, that could get you killed.”

Ethan exhaled, nodding to himself as he moved forward. The adrenaline coursing through him was both exhausting and exhilarating.

The jungle opened up into a clearing, where the simulation increased its intensity. A swarm of ghouls emerged from every direction, their shrieks piercing the air. Ethan quickly assessed his options: retreat and risk being cornered, or stand his ground and fight.

He decided on the latter, planting his feet and firing controlled bursts at the oncoming horde. The phosphorus rounds lit up the clearing with flashes of fire as ghoul after ghoul disintegrated.

Despite his efforts, the swarm grew closer, their numbers overwhelming. Ethan reached for another UV grenade, but his hand faltered. His nerves were starting to fray.

“Focus, West!” Ying barked through the comm. “Use your tools!”

Ethan snapped out of it, gripping the grenade tightly and throwing it into the densest part of the swarm. The blinding pulse bought him just enough time to reposition and reload.

Suddenly, a holographic drone buzzed overhead, emitting a high-pitched frequency that disoriented the remaining ghouls.

“Compliments of Cassidy,” her voice said smugly. “Don’t say I never helped.”

Ethan used the opening to push through the clearing, firing at stragglers as he went. By the time he reached the extraction point, his heart was pounding, and his arms ached from the constant recoil of his rifle.

The simulation ended abruptly, the jungle fading back into the sterile walls of the training facility. Ethan stood there, breathing heavily as the holographic projectors powered down.

Ying approached, his expression unreadable. “You made it. Barely.”

Ethan looked up, wiping the sweat from his brow. “What did I do wrong?”

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Ying crossed his arms. “You hesitated. Twice. In the field, hesitation is death—yours and your team’s. You’ve got the skills, West. But you need to trust your instincts. The ghouls won’t wait for you to think.”

Anna and Cassidy joined them, both assessing him with differing levels of scrutiny.

“He’s improving,” Anna said, her tone neutral. “But he’s still too reactive.”

Cassidy grinned. “I don’t know. For a first-timer, he’s not bad. I give him... a solid seven out of ten.”

Ethan smirked despite himself. “I’ll take it.”

Ying shot Cassidy a warning look before turning back to Ethan. “You’ve got one more day to train. Make it count.”

As the team dispersed, Ethan stayed behind for a moment, replaying the simulation in his mind. He had survived, but Ying’s words echoed in his head: hesitation is death.

He clenched his fists, resolving to do better. The real mission was looming, and there would be no room for mistakes.

The next day, Ethan was summoned to the tech lab, where Cassidy Yen waited with an array of equipment laid out on a long steel table. The room buzzed with energy, holographic displays flickering with schematics and live diagnostic readouts. The air smelled faintly of heated metal and ozone, the telltale signs of cutting-edge technology in development.

Cassidy leaned casually against the table, her signature smirk firmly in place. “Right on time, West,” she said, tapping a small tablet in her hand. “Welcome to the fun part.”

Ethan raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. “Fun? You’re about to give me a rundown on weapons and tools designed to fight things that shouldn’t exist.”

Cassidy shrugged. “Exactly. You’re catching on.”

She turned to the table, gesturing to the first item. “Let’s start with the goggles. These aren’t your standard night-vision toys. These beauties give you thermal imaging, infrared, and ultraviolet spectrum readings—all in one. The best part?” She held up a small cartridge. “These sync with the UV markers we’ll be planting, so you can track the team even in total darkness.”

Ethan picked up the goggles, examining their sleek, lightweight design. “And these will help against the ghouls?”

Cassidy nodded. “They’re perfect for tracking heat signatures, even through light cover. Ghouls may be undead, but they still generate body heat when they move. And if the Mother Ghoul is nearby, you’ll see her before she sees you.”

She moved on to the next item: the UV grenades. “You’ve already trained with these in the simulator, but here’s the real deal,” she said, handing him one. Its sleek cylindrical body pulsed faintly with blue light.

Ethan turned it over in his hands, feeling its surprising weight. “What makes this different from a standard flashbang?”

“Everything,” Cassidy replied. “This isn’t just a flash. It emits a high-intensity ultraviolet pulse strong enough to stun ghouls and disorient anything with heightened senses. Regular ghouls will fry if they’re too close. The Mother Ghoul? It’ll slow her down and make her rethink her choices.”

Ethan nodded, slipping the grenade into a pouch on his belt.

Cassidy then picked up a compact drone, its design resembling a sleek metal beetle. “Now for my favorite part: the Specter Mk II.”

Ethan raised an eyebrow. “You mentioned these yesterday. Let me guess—another flying bomb?”

Cassidy grinned. “Not just any bomb. This baby does a little bit of everything. UV strobe? Check. High-decibel sound emitter to confuse enemies? Check. And yes, self-destruct capabilities for those ‘last resort’ situations.”

She activated the drone, and it hovered silently, its small rotors emitting a faint hum. “You can control it remotely or set it to autonomous mode. Just don’t let it out of your sight for too long. These are not cheap.”

Ethan chuckled, impressed despite himself. “And you trust me with one of these?”

Cassidy tilted her head thoughtfully. “Let’s call it a trial run. Don’t make me regret it.”

She deactivated the drone and placed it back on the table before turning to the final item: a slim, black machete with a serrated edge.

“This,” she said, holding it up, “is your last line of defense. It’s forged from high-durability titanium alloy and coated with a phosphorus-based compound. That means it burns like hell when it connects with anything supernatural.”

Ethan took the machete, testing its weight. It felt perfectly balanced, its grip molded to fit comfortably in his hand.

“Looks like you thought of everything,” Ethan said, admiring the craftsmanship.

Cassidy smirked. “Of course I did. I’m the brains of this operation, remember?”

Ying’s voice interrupted them, cutting through the comm system. “Yen, stop stroking your ego and focus. West, report to the briefing room once you’re done. We’re finalizing the mission plan.”

Cassidy rolled her eyes. “He really knows how to kill a vibe, doesn’t he?”

Ethan chuckled, setting the machete back on the table. “Thanks for the rundown. I’ll do my best not to break anything.”

Cassidy gave him a mock salute. “You break it, you buy it, West.”

As Ethan left the tech lab, he couldn’t help but feel more prepared—and more intrigued by Cassidy’s role within the team. Her expertise went far beyond tech support. She was a critical part of their success, her inventions giving them the edge they needed to survive encounters with the unknown.

Still, her guarded demeanor and cryptic comments about her past lingered in his mind. Cassidy Yen was a puzzle, and Ethan wasn’t sure if he would ever see all the pieces.

But for now, he had everything he needed. The mission was just around the corner, and it was time to prove that he belonged on Team 1.

The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the training field as Ethan met Anna Keen at the Division’s outdoor sniper range. Rows of targets were set at varying distances, some stationary and others rigged to move unpredictably. The atmosphere was quieter here, with only the occasional crack of a rifle breaking the stillness.

Anna stood at one of the firing stations, her MK14 EBR resting on a sandbag. She adjusted her scope with meticulous precision, her movements fluid and practiced. Without looking at Ethan, she gestured for him to join her.

“Grab a rifle,” she said, her voice calm but firm.

Ethan walked over to the rack and selected a standard-issue Division sniper rifle. It was heavier than what he was used to, but the weight felt reassuring in his hands.

“Sniping isn’t just about hitting a target,” Anna began, her tone instructional. “It’s about controlling the battlefield. One well-placed shot can shift the momentum of a fight. When we’re in the field, your rifle isn’t just a weapon—it’s a tool for survival.”

Ethan nodded, settling into a firing position beside her.

“Let’s start with the basics,” Anna said. “Stationary targets first. Center mass. Show me what you’ve got.”

Ethan took a deep breath, peering through the scope. His military training came back to him instinctively as he steadied his aim and squeezed the trigger. The shot rang out, and the target’s center lit up red, indicating a hit.

“Not bad,” Anna said, glancing at his target. “But ghouls don’t stand still. Let’s see how you handle movement.”

She toggled a control panel, and the targets began to shift, sliding along rails and mimicking erratic movement patterns. Ethan tracked one through his scope, waiting for the perfect moment before firing. The shot grazed the target’s edge.

“Too slow,” Anna said bluntly. “Don’t wait for the perfect shot. Ghouls are fast, and their movements are chaotic. Trust your instincts.”

Ethan adjusted his grip and tried again, this time firing with more confidence. His second shot hit closer to the target’s center.

“Better,” Anna said, her tone neutral. “You’re learning.”

As the session progressed, Anna provided tips and corrections, her calm demeanor never wavering. She taught him how to account for environmental factors like wind and light, as well as how to read a target’s movements.

“Precision matters,” she said at one point, her voice softer. “Every bullet counts, especially when you’re low on ammo. If you miss, you’re not just wasting a shot—you’re putting the team at risk.”

After an hour, Anna reset the targets and stepped back, motioning for Ethan to follow her. She led him to a small observation deck overlooking the range.

“Now comes the hard part,” she said, handing him a pair of binoculars.

Ethan frowned, confused. “What am I supposed to do with these?”

“Spot for me,” Anna replied. “A sniper is only as good as their spotter. Call out the targets, adjust for distance, and give me the shot.”

Ethan nodded, bringing the binoculars to his eyes.

Anna settled into a prone position, her rifle aimed at the farthest targets. “First target: 600 meters, moving left to right,” Ethan said, tracking it through the binoculars.

“Got it,” Anna replied. Her shot cracked through the air, and the target lit up red.

Ethan continued calling targets, adjusting for speed and distance as Anna methodically eliminated each one. Her precision was remarkable—every shot landed exactly where it needed to, even when the targets moved erratically.

By the end of the session, Ethan was beginning to understand the level of trust and coordination required for their roles.

As they packed up their gear, Anna finally broke the silence. “You’re not bad,” she said, her tone lighter than usual.

“Thanks,” Ethan replied, shouldering his rifle. “But I’m guessing that’s not your highest praise.”

Anna smirked faintly. “You’ll know when you’ve earned it.”

Ethan hesitated, then decided to ask the question that had been on his mind. “Why sniping? Out of all the roles you could have chosen?”

Anna’s expression grew more serious. She stared out at the now-empty range, her voice quiet. “It keeps me focused. When you’re behind the scope, there’s no room for doubt or fear. Just the mission.”

Ethan nodded, sensing there was more to her answer than she was letting on. He decided not to press further.

“Thanks for the lesson,” he said, offering her a small smile.

“Don’t thank me yet,” Anna replied as she turned to leave. “The real test is out there, in the field. Just make sure you’re ready when it counts.”

Ethan watched her go, her words lingering in his mind. Anna Keen was as precise in her advice as she was with her rifle, and her expectations were clear: there was no room for error when lives were on the line.

The next day, the training field was silent except for the rhythmic sound of boots crunching gravel as Captain Ying Wei paced back and forth. Ethan stood at attention alongside Anna and Cassidy, his body sore from days of relentless drills but his mind sharp with anticipation.

Ying stopped abruptly and turned to face them, his expression as stern as ever. “Listen up,” he began. “You’ve been running individual drills for days. That ends now. From this point forward, it’s all about team cohesion. Out there, hesitation and miscommunication will get you killed. So today, we’re going to break you down and build you back up—together.”

He gestured toward the far end of the training ground, where a complex obstacle course loomed. It wasn’t just physical; it was designed to simulate a high-stakes mission environment. Crumbling walls, uneven terrain, and mock enemies lay in wait, interspersed with holographic ghouls that moved unpredictably.

“You’ll navigate this as a team,” Ying said. “Your objective is to retrieve a beacon at the far end and return it to the starting point. Simple enough—except for the fact that I’ll be throwing complications at you the entire time.”

Cassidy raised an eyebrow. “Complications? Care to elaborate?”

Ying smirked faintly. “No. You’ll find out soon enough.”

The team took their positions at the starting line, each member checking their gear. Ethan tightened the straps on his tactical vest, glancing at Anna and Cassidy. Despite their calm exteriors, he could sense the underlying tension. This wasn’t just another drill—this was a test of their ability to function as a unit.

“Ready?” Ying’s voice crackled through their comms.

“Ready,” Anna replied.

“Let’s get this over with,” Cassidy muttered.

Ethan nodded, gripping his rifle. “Let’s do it.”

The whistle blew, and the team moved as one, sprinting toward the first obstacle: a series of waist-high walls interspersed with holographic ghouls. Anna took point, dropping into a crouch and firing precise shots to neutralize the nearest targets.

“Keep moving!” Ying barked through the comms.

Ethan and Cassidy followed close behind, vaulting over the walls as Anna provided cover fire. The holographic ghouls were fast, their erratic movements forcing Ethan to fire on the run.

“Left flank!” Cassidy called out, deploying one of her drones to emit a UV strobe. The light froze two ghouls in their tracks, giving Ethan just enough time to take them down.

As they cleared the first section, the terrain shifted. The course narrowed into a twisting corridor with limited visibility, and the sounds of guttural growls echoed around them.

“Stay tight,” Anna said, her voice low. “They’ll try to separate us here.”

She wasn’t wrong. As the team moved forward, a sudden explosion of sound and light disoriented them. Ethan stumbled, his vision swimming, but Cassidy’s voice cut through the chaos.

“Drone deployed—on your six!”

Ethan turned just in time to see the drone release a high-pitched pulse that drove the approaching ghouls back. He fired, neutralizing the immediate threat, and regrouped with Anna and Cassidy.

“Nice recovery,” Ying commented through the comms. “But you’re still too slow, West. Speed it up.”

Ethan clenched his jaw but said nothing, focusing on the next obstacle. They entered an open area littered with debris, where holographic ghouls seemed to emerge from every direction.

“Cassidy, cover the left!” Anna ordered, her voice steady.

Cassidy nodded, using her console to guide another drone into position. It hovered above the battlefield, emitting bursts of UV light that stunned the advancing ghouls.

Ethan and Anna moved forward, their rifles blazing as they cleared a path through the chaos.

Halfway through the course, Ying activated another complication: a simulated ambush. Mock explosions rocked the area, sending debris flying and forcing the team to take cover.

“Contact at two o’clock!” Anna shouted, firing at a group of holographic enemies.

Ethan scanned the area, spotting a target moving along the ridge. He took aim, his shot landing squarely in the enemy’s chest.

“Good shot,” Anna said, her tone approving.

Cassidy emerged from cover, her console glowing as she directed her drones to form a defensive perimeter. “Beacon’s ahead, 50 meters!”

The team pushed forward, their movements synchronized as they reached the beacon. Ethan grabbed it, the device pulsing faintly in his hands.

“Objective secured,” he said into the comms.

“Not yet,” Ying replied, his tone ominous. “You’ve got to make it back.”

As if on cue, the holographic ghouls doubled in number, their shrieks filling the air.

“Fall back, now!” Anna ordered, taking up a rear guard position.

Ethan and Cassidy moved quickly, covering each other as they retreated. The ghouls closed in, but Cassidy’s drones held them at bay long enough for the team to reach the starting point.

The simulation ended abruptly, the holograms dissolving into thin air. The team stood in silence, catching their breath as Ying approached.

“You completed the objective,” he said, his expression unreadable. “Barely.”

Anna gave a small nod, wiping sweat from her brow. Cassidy smirked, adjusting her console. Ethan, still holding the beacon, straightened and met Ying’s gaze.

“You held your ground when it counted,” Ying continued, his tone softer than usual. “That’s what matters. But don’t get complacent. The real mission will be ten times harder.”

The team dispersed, but Ethan stayed behind for a moment, staring at the now-empty training field. Despite Ying’s harsh critiques, he felt a sense of accomplishment. They had worked together, trusted each other, and made it through the drill.

As he walked back toward the barracks, Ethan’s mind was focused on the mission ahead. The training was over, but the real trial was just beginning.

Ethan sat on the edge of his bunk, staring at the dimly lit barracks. His fingers fidgeted with the beacon from the training simulation, its faint pulsing light a reminder of the day’s grueling drills. Exhaustion clung to his body, but his mind refused to settle.

The team was skilled—no doubt about that. Anna’s precision, Cassidy’s ingenuity, and Ying’s unrelenting leadership had proven their worth time and again. Yet Ethan couldn’t shake the feeling that he was still the outsider, the newest cog in a machine that had been running long before his arrival.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door creaking open. Anna with her long flowing tied up hair stepped inside, her expression unreadable as she leaned against the doorframe.

“You look like hell,” she said matter-of-factly.

Ethan smirked faintly. “Thanks. That’s exactly what I needed to hear.”

Anna shrugged, crossing her arms. “You did well today. Better than most recruits we’ve had.”

“Not exactly glowing praise,” Ethan replied, setting the beacon aside.

“It’s honest,” Anna said. She paused, her gaze sharpening. “You’re holding your own, but Ying’s right—you hesitate. Out there, that’ll get someone killed. Maybe you, maybe one of us. You need to fix that.”

Ethan met her eyes, sensing the weight behind her words. “I’m working on it.”

Anna nodded, pushing off the doorframe. “Good. Because if we’re going back to that jungle, we can’t afford to have weak links.”

Ethan watched her leave, her words lingering in the air. She was blunt, but not unfair. The mission ahead would be unlike anything he had faced before, and he needed to be ready—not just physically, but mentally.

The barracks door swung open again, this time revealing Cassidy, her ever-present smirk firmly in place.

“Am I interrupting your deep introspection?” she asked, leaning casually against a locker.

“Depends,” Ethan replied, his tone dry. “Are you here to critique me, too?”

Cassidy laughed, pulling a small drone from her pocket and tossing it in the air. It hovered lazily, emitting a faint hum. “Nah, that’s Anna’s job. I’m here to remind you that we’re all still alive because we work as a team. You included.”

Ethan raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t feel like that earlier. Felt more like a solo performance where everyone else was waiting for me to screw up.”

Cassidy tilted her head, her smirk softening slightly. “You’re new. It’s part of the process. But for what it’s worth, you didn’t screw up nearly as much as you think you did.”

The drone zipped around the room before returning to Cassidy’s hand. She caught it with ease, her confidence unshaken.

“Look,” she continued, “Ying’s tough on you because he sees potential. If he didn’t, he’d have written you off already. Anna? She doesn’t waste her time on people she doesn’t think can keep up. And me? Well...” She grinned. “I just like watching you squirm.”

Ethan chuckled despite himself. “Thanks for the pep talk, Cassidy.”

“Anytime,” she replied, heading for the door. “Get some rest, new guy. Tomorrow’s going to be worse.”

The next morning, the team reconvened on the training field for what Ying described as their final test before deployment. The course was larger, more intricate, and littered with surprises designed to push them to their limits.

“This isn’t just a drill,” Ying announced, pacing in front of the team. “This is about trust. You succeed together, or you fail together. No lone wolves, no heroes. Understood?”

“Yes, sir,” the team replied in unison.

Ethan adjusted his gear, the weight of Ying’s words settling over him.

The whistle blew, and the team sprang into action. Cassidy deployed her drones immediately, sending them ahead to scout the terrain. “Two targets at nine o’clock,” she called out, her voice steady.

Anna took up a defensive position, her rifle trained on the left flank. “Got it. Covering.”

Ethan moved with purpose, his eyes scanning for threats. He felt the team’s movements syncing with his own, their coordination a stark contrast to the disjointed start of the previous drills.

The obstacles came fast and hard—tight corridors, sudden ambushes, and even simulated injuries. When Cassidy’s console was “damaged” in the simulation, Ethan stepped in to cover her, fending off a group of holographic ghouls with his machete while she recalibrated her equipment.

“Not bad,” Cassidy muttered as her console buzzed back to life.

“Thanks,” Ethan replied, breathing heavily.

Ying’s voice crackled through the comms. “You’re halfway through. Pick up the pace!”

As the team neared the final section of the course, a simulated explosion separated Ethan from the others. The holograms intensified, ghouls swarming toward him from all sides.

“West, status?” Ying demanded through the comms.

“Cut off!” Ethan replied, his voice tense. “I’ll circle back to regroup!”

Anna’s calm voice cut in. “Hold your position. We’re coming to you.”

Ethan hesitated, his instincts telling him to push forward. But he forced himself to trust Anna’s call. Seconds later, she and Cassidy arrived, covering his flanks as they fought their way out of the swarm.

The team reached the extraction point together, battered but intact. The simulation ended, and the holograms dissolved into thin air.

Ying approached, his expression unreadable as always. “Better,” he said finally. “Still rough, but you’re starting to figure it out.”

Ethan felt a flicker of relief at the acknowledgment.

“We’ll deploy tomorrow,” Ying continued. “Rest up and be ready. The jungle won’t give you second chances.”

As the team dispersed, Ethan lingered for a moment, watching the empty training field. The mission ahead was daunting, but for the first time, he felt like part of the team—not just an outsider trying to prove himself.

He wasn’t perfect, but he was learning. And in The Division, that was the first step toward survival.