Ominous Movement

The lights in HQ command were dimmed, casting an eerie glow across the monitors displaying streams of intelligence reports, encrypted messages, and images captured from enemy territories. Team Unknown stood assembled, faces impassive but alert, each of them attuned to the tension thickening the air.

Dr. Lewis paced at the front of the room, his gaze fixed on the screen as he pulled up files on the mission. The topic was serious; Ember could see it in the slight furrow of the doctor's brow and the quiet, deliberate way he moved. 

This was no ordinary debriefing.

Dr. Lewis cleared his throat, his tone low and ominous as he addressed the team. "We've received intelligence confirming a renewed threat—one that involves both Black Lotus and, for the first time in years… Hades' Wrath."

A heavy silence settled over the room. The name alone was enough to send a chill down anyone's spine. Hades' Wrath had been a shadowy presence on the global stage, surfacing and disappearing like a ghost, leaving behind only devastation in its wake. Known for their tactical cunning and merciless brutality, they were rumored to be the oldest criminal syndicate, dating back centuries. And now, it appeared they were on the move again, this time hand-in-hand with Black Lotus.

Dr. Lewis continued, his expression grim. "Our sources indicate that Hades' Wrath and Black Lotus are preparing for a joint operation. This alliance isn't new—they've worked together in the past. But there's something unusual about their activity now. Black Lotus's recent resurgence was only a prelude. They've been slowly mobilizing, and Hades' Wrath appears to be moving alongside them, silently and methodically."

Ember's eyes narrowed. He knew that these organizations had a history together, but this partnership didn't sit right. Black Lotus and Hades' Wrath rarely collaborated openly, especially not after years of apparent inactivity on Hades' Wrath's part. Something felt off, and his tactical instincts flared as he absorbed Dr. Lewis's words.

Ember spoke up, his voice cool but firm. "If they're making moves now, there's a reason. Hades' Wrath isn't the kind to resurface unless there's something big at stake. What do we know about their objective?"

Dr. Lewis's gaze shifted, his eyes searching for the right way to convey the gravity of the information he held. "At this stage, our intel is limited. But we believe their primary target is the capture of high-profile assets and specialized technology that could destabilize entire regions. If they're successful, we're looking at a potential collapse of several allied territories. They're employing not just physical warfare but digital strikes—misinformation, cyber-attacks, deep infiltration."

Val, standing to Ember's left, frowned. "Sounds like a full-scale operation."

Dr. Lewis nodded. "Precisely. Our contact who supplied this information warned that Hades' Wrath has gained access to a new network, a specialized technology that allows them to intercept and manipulate intel in real-time. We have reason to believe they're gathering intel on high-value targets in our own ranks as well as within allied countries. And Black Lotus is supporting them with personnel and resources."

Bo exchanged a dark look with Fon. "This is more than a simple alliance," he muttered. "Feels like they're planning something bigger than we've seen in years."

Ember's gaze grew distant, his mind racing as he pieced together the fragments of information. His soul-bind had heightened his already razor-sharp instincts, and as Dr. Lewis spoke, an unsettling feeling settled over him—a foreboding sense that they were dealing with something far more complex than the report suggested.

After a moment of silence, Ember looked back at Dr. Lewis. "What else do we have on Hades' Wrath? Their network, personnel, anything recent?"

Dr. Lewis sighed, pulling up another file on the monitor. "That's just it—we don't have much. They've kept their activities cloaked in secrecy for years, operating primarily in the shadows. Any information we get on them is months old, at best. Until recently, we thought they were effectively neutralized."

"Then why move now?" Ember asked, more to himself than anyone else. He shook his head. "This feels wrong, like we're missing a piece of the puzzle. Hades' Wrath doesn't resurface unless it serves their agenda, and Black Lotus wouldn't ally with them unless the stakes were high. I'm not taking the team into a mission blind. We need more intel on why Hades' Wrath has suddenly emerged."

Dr. Lewis's gaze softened, but he held Ember's gaze steadily. "We have one other lead—a facility Black Lotus has been operating near the Wraith Frontier. It's heavily fortified, and no agent has managed to infiltrate it. If Hades' Wrath has been conducting activities or passing intel to Black Lotus, it's highly likely that facility is central to their operations. However, breaching it without drawing attention to our agency will be challenging."

Ember nodded slowly, his mind already turning. "We need to know exactly what they're doing there. This isn't just about eliminating a target; it's about understanding their strategy. I want my team on reconnaissance, gathering every piece of information we can. Until we know what they're planning, an assault is out of the question."

Dr. Lewis inclined his head, acknowledging Ember's insight. "Understood. I'll arrange the mission parameters for infiltration and intel gathering instead of direct confrontation. Your objective will be to get inside, confirm their activities, and retrieve anything you can find on their operation with Hades' Wrath."

Fon's voice broke in, tense but resolute. "Just say the word, and we're in. Whatever it takes to figure out what these bastards are up to."

Bo clenched his fists, his eyes narrowed. "They've slipped under the radar for too long. It's time we found out exactly what their game is."

Ember scanned his team, noting the resolve in each of their faces. "Alright," he said quietly, a steely determination settling over him. "We'll infiltrate, but we stay silent and leave no traces. We'll take the intel, and they won't even know we were there. But if there's so much as a whiff of trouble… we end it on our terms."

A ripple of fierce agreement passed through Team Unknown. They were a force built for missions like these—covert, relentless, and efficient. And if Hades' Wrath and Black Lotus were hiding something in that facility, Team Unknown would find it.

The hours that followed were tense as Dr. Lewis and his team scoured every source they had for information. Ember remained vigilant, observing each piece of intel as it came in. Fragments of intercepted messages, patterns in data, surveillance reports—all of it painted a grim picture. But just as he'd feared, no single piece fully explained why Hades' Wrath had joined forces with Black Lotus now, after years of lying low.

Late into the evening, one of the analysts approached Dr. Lewis, his face pale as he handed over a recent intercepted message.

"Sir, we just picked this up," the analyst said, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's coded, but we've managed to extract a few phrases."

Dr. Lewis scanned the paper, and a dark expression crossed his face. He passed it to Ember, his jaw set. "You'll want to read this."

Ember took the paper, his eyes narrowing as he read the words:

"The chain has reawakened… the weapon approaches… when shadows align, the tide will turn."

Ember lowered the paper, his expression hard. "This… this is cryptic, but it sounds like they're preparing for a large-scale operation."

Dr. Lewis nodded grimly. "And from the tone, it's likely they're targeting us as well as our allies. Whatever 'weapon' they're referring to, it's not something we can ignore. This is no ordinary mission, Ember. It's war."

Ember's grip tightened on the paper. His instincts screamed that they were dealing with something unprecedented, something that could destabilize everything they'd fought for.

"Then we prepare like it's war," he said, his voice cold and steady. "No hesitation, no distractions. If Hades' Wrath wants to play their hand, we'll be ready to crush it." 

He looked around at his team, their faces reflecting the same determination and readiness. "Team Unknown, prepare for infiltration. We're taking the fight to them."

Dr. Lewis gave a single nod. "You deploy at dawn. Stay silent, stay lethal, and bring back every piece of intel you can find."

Ember's expression hardened, and he inclined his head. "Understood. Hades' Wrath thinks they're untouchable. We'll remind them why they stayed hidden for so long." 

As the team dispersed to make their preparations, Ember felt a foreboding chill settle over him. This wasn't just another mission—it was the start of something darker, something that could reshape the world they operated within. But Team Unknown would be ready. They had to be.