New Facility

The faint hum of HQ's activity receded into the background as Team Unknown dispersed from the briefing room. Ember lingered behind, his sharp gaze scanning the holoscreen one last time before turning to Val. 

"You sure about this?" Ember asked, his voice low, though his tone carried no doubt—just the weight of their decision. 

Val nodded. "They're escalating. If we don't move now, we lose the advantage." 

"Then we'd better make sure this isn't another one of their games," Ember replied, clapping Val on the shoulder before heading to prepare. 

The team regrouped an hour later in a smaller, more tactical briefing room. Dr. Lewis stood at the head of the room, a new map glowing on the holoscreen behind him. Points of interest flickered faintly in red, marking areas of suspected Void activity. 

Dr. Lewis gestured toward the western region of the map. "Based on the attack timelines and increased Void-tainted sightings, this area—designated Grid Echo-5—houses several abandoned research facilities. It's likely Hades' Wrath has repurposed one of these locations for their experiments." 

Bo crossed his arms. "Abandoned facilities in Void-tainted territory. Sounds like the perfect place to set a trap." 

Fon leaned forward. "If it's a trap, it means they're expecting us. We can use that." 

Ember took charge, pointing at the northern section of the grid. "Riggs, Bo, you'll take the northern approach. Sweep the perimeter for any sign of additional activity." He shifted to the lower section. "Fon, Val, and I will infiltrate the suspected primary facility from the south. Riggs, signal immediately if you see anything that suggests reinforcements." 

Riggs smirked faintly. "What if I see something I don't like?" 

"Then destroy it," Ember said flatly. 

Dr. Lewis tapped his tablet, updating the map to show three potential routes to the southern facility.

"The main facility is here, marked by this central structure. Expect heavy resistance, automated defenses, and whatever new Void-tainted monstrosities they've engineered. Avoid unnecessary engagements—we need confirmation of their operations and intel on their next move." 

Val's voice cut through the discussion. "If we find that prototype leader?" 

Dr. Lewis didn't flinch. "Capture him if possible. Eliminate him if necessary. But don't underestimate his capabilities. We've already seen how coordinated these Void-tainted are under his influence." 

Val extended his hands, the teleportation field enveloping the team in a ripple of distorted energy. They materialized on the outskirts of Grid Echo-5, surrounded by jagged cliffs and crumbling ruins. The acrid stench of decay hung in the air, mingling with the hum of unseen machinery. 

Ember raised a hand. Aura, Frost, start your sweep. Stay within comms range.

Got it, Riggs replied as he and Bo vanished into the northern mist. 

Val adjusted his cloak as he scanned the landscape ahead. Let's move. 

Riggs and Bo advanced in silence, their movements precise and deliberate. The terrain became more treacherous as they ascended a rocky ridge overlooking the facility. Riggs paused, his sharp eyes scanning the area ahead.

Heat signatures, Riggs said over the Mind Link. Southwest of our position. Looks like patrols—small groups.

Bo crouched beside him, his gaze following Riggs's direction. We take them out quietly. No point leaving witnesses for the others to deal with.

Agreed, Riggs said with a smirk. Try not to freeze the entire perimeter, yeah?

Bo's reply was cool. No promises.

The duo moved with calculated precision, closing in on the patrols.

Bo raised a hand, an icy mist swirling around his fingers as he froze the nearest Void-tainted soldier in place. Riggs followed swiftly, a blade of wind slicing cleanly through another patrol member before they could react.

Three more ahead, Bo muttered, gesturing toward a narrow crevice in the rocks.

Riggs's voice was sharp. We're clearing this ridge. Keep it quiet.

Fon, Val, and Ember advanced cautiously toward the southern facility. The terrain became increasingly hostile, with pulsing Void energy rippling across walls and distorted growls echoing faintly in the distance.

Fon crouched low, his hands brushing the ground. The faint rumble of his ability spread through the earth, returning subtle vibrations.

There are movement patterns ahead. Multiple entities, but… irregular.

Val's voice came through the Mind Link. Irregular how?

Fon's brow furrowed. Their movements are too synchronized. It's like they're not individual units—they're one mind.

Ember's gaze darkened. That leader. He's controlling them.

Ahead, Val spotted a faint shimmer. He signaled for the group to halt, crouching low. Automated turrets lined the facility, their barrels faintly glowing with Void energy. 

Automated defenses, Val muttered over the link. 

Fon nodded. We'll need to disable those before we move in. Lux? 

Ember studied the layout. Terra, you create a distraction. Umbra, you and I will neutralize the turrets. Quietly.

Fon smirked faintly, pressing his hands into the ground. Consider it done.

As Fon's distraction rumbled through the earth, Val and Ember moved like shadows through the mist. The first turret stood less than ten meters away, sensors swiveling erratically as it struggled to locate the source of the tremors. 

Val crouched beside the turret, brushing against its base. A pulse of Void energy coursed through it, silencing its mechanisms. 

Two more ahead, Ember said over the link. Keep moving.

The team worked methodically, dismantling defenses one by one as they advanced toward the facility. 

They regrouped near the southern entrance, a massive steel door reinforced with Void energy barriers.

Ember placed a hand on the barrier as he analyzed the defenses. 

They've sealed it tight. Terra?

Fon pressed his hands against the ground, sending a wave of energy rippling through the soil. Give me thirty seconds.

Val stood watch, his focus unwavering. Deleo's voice stirred faintly in his mind. "You're close. He's watching."

"I know. Let him," Val replied internally. "He'll see what happens when he crosses us."

Ember's voice broke through the silence. Barrier's down. Let's move.

As the trio entered the facility, the oppressive silence deepened, broken only by the faint hum of Void energy. The air felt heavier, the sense of being watched growing with every step.

The first corridor was eerily pristine, its metallic walls reflecting faint pulses of Void energy. Fon knelt beside a console, his fingers brushing the surface.

This tech is newer than the facility, Fon muttered. Definitely Void-engineered. They're not just experimenting here—they're producing something.

Val's expression hardened. Let's find out what.