Mission: Karnaxis Rift

The familiar hum of HQ resonated through the halls as Team Unknown made their way toward the briefing room. The air was charged with anticipation. After a week of rest, training, and Deleo's unexpected physical appearance, everyone was ready to face whatever new information Dr. Lewis had uncovered. 

Val adjusted his cloak as they approached the reinforced doors. The week of recovery had restored some of his strength, but the weight of Deleo's warnings lingered in his mind. The Void Projection training had pushed him farther than he expected, and though he felt more prepared, there was a growing weight that he couldn't ignore. 

The reinforced doors hissed open, revealing the briefing room in its usual dimly lit state. Dr. Lewis stood at the head of the table, his expression unreadable as the holoscreen behind him displayed a web of data, maps, and energy readings. 

"Take your seats," he said, gesturing toward the table. His tone carried urgency, and the team immediately understood the gravity of the situation. 

Ember stepped forward first, taking the seat closest to the front. The rest followed, Val choosing a spot slightly apart from the others. 

Dr. Lewis tapped at his tablet, and the holoscreen zoomed into a detailed map of the western borders of Clareo. The team immediately noticed a region marked in dark red, labeled Karnaxis Rift.

"The results from Echo-5 have finally been analyzed," Lewis began, his voice steady but grim. "The facility was indeed a research hub repurposed by Hades' Wrath. But that's not all." 

He swiped at the screen, and a series of images appeared—grainy surveillance footage, diagrams of Void-tainted creatures, and scattered reports of activity near Karnaxis Rift. 

"This area," he continued, pointing to the map, "is our next target. Karnaxis Rift is a known hotspot for anomalous activity, but over the past month, Void-tainted energy signatures have spiked exponentially. This isn't just a random occurrence—it's a pattern." 

Ember leaned forward, his fiery eyes narrowing. "What are they doing there?" 

Dr. Lewis's expression darkened as he swiped again. "Mass production. The creatures you've encountered before—the Void-enhanced constructs—they're not just experiments anymore. Karnaxis Rift is a production site." 

The room fell silent, the weight of his words sinking in. 

Bo's voice broke the quiet, his tone steady but sharp. "If they're mass-producing Void-tainted constructs, they're preparing for something big." 

"An invasion," Ember said, his voice grim. 

Val's voice was steady but cold. "Or worse. They're refining them for something specific. Something targeted." 

Dr. Lewis nodded. "That's our working theory. The question is, what purpose?" 

The holoscreen shifted again, displaying a network of connections. Supply routes, communication hubs, and smaller outposts were linked to Karnaxis Rift. 

"This isn't an isolated operation," Dr. Lewis explained. "We've identified multiple supporting structures. Cutting one link won't be enough. This is an integrated network." 

"It's all or nothing," Ember concluded. 

"Exactly," Dr. Lewis replied. "Which is why this mission will require precision. You'll infiltrate Karnaxis Rift, locate the production site, and disrupt their operations—permanently." 

Riggs's posture stiffened slightly as he leaned back in his chair. "And this 'disruption' includes…?" 

Dr. Lewis's gaze sharpened. "Total destruction. This facility cannot remain operational." 

Bo crossed his arms, his expression hard. "And the personnel? Are we expecting high-value targets?" 

Dr. Lewis nodded. "We've intercepted transmissions suggesting the presence of key individuals. It's possible someone directly involved in Void-engineering is stationed there. Capturing them could give us the edge we need to understand and counter their technology." 

Val's eyes locked on Dr. Lewis. "And if they can't be captured?" 

Dr. Lewis didn't flinch. "Then you eliminate them. No hesitation." 

The team exchanged glances, the gravity of the mission pressing heavily on their minds. 

"What's the timeline?" Ember asked, his voice clipped and efficient. 

"Twelve hours," Dr. Lewis replied. "You deploy at 0600. Use this time to prepare—gear up, rest, and review the mission parameters. This isn't just a strike; it's an assault. You'll need to operate as a single unit." 

The weight of his words lingered as the team began to rise, but Lewis raised a hand, stopping them in their tracks. 

"One more thing," he said, his tone deliberate. 

The holoscreen shifted again, this time displaying profiles of the Aurum soldiers from the recent five-day bootcamp. Each soldier's name, rank, and performance data were listed in meticulous detail. 

Dr. Lewis gestured toward the screen. "We never discussed the results of the bootcamp. The timing wasn't right, but now it's unavoidable. The brass has made it clear—they want us to integrate the Beta team into operations." 

Bo's sharp gaze shifted to Dr. Lewis. "You mean now?" 

"Yes," Dr. Lewis confirmed. "Their performance was above expectations, but this mission will be their first true test. They'll operate independently, but under your oversight. The brass believes this is the next step in their development—and in strengthening Clareo's forces." 

Riggs let out a low breath, his tone edged with disbelief. "So, we're babysitting?" 

"No," Ember interjected, his voice firm, though frustrated by the decision of the top brass. "They'll have to prove themselves, or they won't. But this is no place for babysitting." 

Bo nodded, his icy blue eyes narrowing. "They're capable. We saw it during the bootcamp. But this mission isn't just about survival—it's about execution." 

Val remained silent, his gaze fixed on the profiles. His thoughts churned as Deleo's voice stirred in his mind. "I won't let anything happen to you."

"I know," Val replied silently, his jaw tightening. 

Dr. Lewis studied the team carefully before continuing. "You'll meet them at the staging area. Brief them, assess their readiness, and set expectations. They've earned this opportunity, but that doesn't mean you give them leniency. Treat them as you would anyone else on the field." 

"Understood," Ember said, standing. "We'll handle it." 

The rest of the team followed, their movements deliberate and focused. 

As they filed out of the room, Dr. Lewis's voice stopped them once more. "Remember: this mission isn't just about eliminating a threat. It's about sending a message. Karnaxis Rift is their stronghold. If we take it down, we disrupt their momentum. If we fail…" 

He didn't finish the sentence, but the weight of his words hung in the air as the team departed. 

In the corridor outside, the tension between the team was palpable. 

Fon walked alongside Val, his voice low. "The Beta team… think they'll make it through this?" 

Val's eyes flicked to Fon briefly before returning to the path ahead. "They have to." 

"Let's just hope they're ready for it," Ember said, his tone devoid of emotion. "That's the reality. We don't have time for anything less." 

As the team reached the armory, Val paused for a moment, his gaze distant.

With twelve hours until deployment, the team's preparations were just beginning. But the weight of the mission ahead—and the responsibility of leading both Team Unknown and the Beta team—was a burden they would all carry into Karnaxis Rift.