Blending In

Inside HQ Command's briefing room, the tension was palpable as General Luis stood before Team Unknown, the holoscreen displaying reports and maps of central Clareo.

The team—Exeo, Ember, Val, Reyes, Bo, Fon, and Riggs—sat in attentive silence, their masks resting on the table beside them, their black hooded cloaks blending them into the dim room. 

"Clareo's Metro Police Department has escalated this to us," General Luis began, gesturing to the holoscreen. "Void-tainted beasts have been sighted near urban industrial sites over the past month. Their officers tried to contain the situation, but were quickly outmatched. Hades' Wrath's hand in this is almost certain." 

Fon tilted his head, his expression thoughtful. "Void-tainted beasts in a city like Clareo? That's not subtle. They're making a statement." 

General Luis nodded. "Exactly. This isn't random. It's a test—of our defenses, our response times, and perhaps, our resolve."

He zoomed in on the red-marked industrial zones on the map. "Your mission is to investigate, gather intel, and, if necessary, eliminate any immediate threats. Civilian safety is the priority. Clareo cannot afford panic or collateral damage." 

Ember's tone was sharp. "Blending in will be an issue. We're not exactly discreet." 

General Luis smirked faintly. "That's been accounted for. Dr. Lewis prepared civilian disguises for each of you." He tapped his tablet, and a visual of sleek earpieces, wristbands, and glasses appeared on the screen. "These devices will alter your appearances subtly but effectively. They'll ensure anonymity while preserving your operational capabilities." 

Bo raised an eyebrow. "Even the Mind Link?" 

"Fully integrated," General Luis confirmed. "Once activated, your appearances will change, but your functions remain the same. Use them wisely. You'll need to blend in with the crowd while conducting your investigation." 

Exeo leaned back slightly, his commanding presence almost a match for General Luis's. "And when do we deploy?" 

"Immediately," General Luis said, his tone leaving no room for hesitation. "Clareo's Metro Police Department is waiting for you. Captain Marcus Deveraux will brief you on what they've gathered. Disguises on before you leave. Turn them off only once you're in his office." 

---

The bustling streets of Clareo were a stark contrast to the somber halls of HQ Command.

Team Unknown, now concealed by their civilian disguises, moved through the throngs of people unnoticed—or so they thought. 

Fon glanced at his reflection in a store window, adjusting his now shorter hair, conjured by the device, with an air of curiosity. "These disguises are something else." 

Bo chuckled, leaning into the reflection. His now lightened hair and casual appearance drew approving glances from passersby. "Dr. Lewis might've outdone himself this time." 

Riggs smirked, glancing at Reyes. "Reyes here cleans up well, doesn't he?" 

Reyes, looking distinctly overwhelmed by the attention his disguised appearance attracted, adjusted the strap of his sniper rifle case disguised as a guitar case, and muttered, "I feel like I'm being watched." 

"You are," Ember replied smoothly, his own appearance radiating an effortless charm that seemed to draw more attention than anyone else. Despite his attempt to keep a low profile, every subtle movement he made seemed to add fuel to the fire of whispered admiration from both genders. 

Exeo's voice cut through the Mind Link, his tone amused but firm. Focus. We're blending in, not causing a scene.

Riggs chuckled. "Tell that to Ember. He's practically a walking billboard." 

Ember gave an elegant shrug. "Not my fault. Some things just can't be helped." 

Bo muttered dryly, "Fuel to the fire." 

As they moved through the streets, Fon, Riggs, and Bo quickly became distracted by the shops lining the avenues. They dragged Reyes along, darting from store to store with childlike enthusiasm, much to the amusement of Val and Exeo, who watched from a distance. 

Riggs held up a novelty mug in one shop. "Look at this! Perfect for Doc when we get back." 

Fon examined a display of intricately carved trinkets. "Think we should bring something for Beta Team? Maybe it'll boost their morale." 

Bo smirked. "Or remind them they're still stuck with Doc." 

Reyes, juggling bags handed to him by the trio, sighed. "Are we really doing this on a mission?" 

Val's voice came through the Mind Link, laced with humor. Let them enjoy themselves. We're surveying the area.

"Thoroughly," Exeo added dryly, though there was a faint hint of amusement in his tone. 

By the time they reached the Metro Police Department precinct, the team had composed themselves, their movements professional as they navigated through the building. Once inside Captain Deveraux's office, they deactivated their disguises. 

Deveraux, a stern-looking man with streaks of gray in his hair, stood behind a desk cluttered with files and reports. His eyes widened as Team Unknown's true appearances were revealed—the black hooded cloaks, the ranked pins, and most notably, the ARM pin on Val's cloak. 

He swallowed visibly but recovered quickly, gesturing to the files. "Thank you for coming. The situation has escalated beyond what we can handle alone." 

Exeo stepped forward, his voice calm but authoritative. "We're here now. Brief us on what you've gathered." 

Capt. Deveraux nodded, his professionalism returning as he pointed to a map of the city. "The Void-tainted beasts have been appearing near these industrial sites. We suspect they're staging points, but we haven't been able to get close enough to confirm." 

Val studied the map, his tone measured. "Any casualties?" 

"None so far," Capt. Deveraux replied. "But the officers who encountered them described an overwhelming sense of dread. We believe these constructs are designed to instill fear." 

Ember's tone was sharp. "Fear tactics. Classic Hades' Wrath." 

Capt. Deveraux hesitated, then added, "There's more. Civilians have reported strange sounds and lights in these areas at night. Whatever's happening, it's escalating." 

Exeo nodded. "We'll investigate. Keep your officers out of the red zones. This isn't their fight anymore." 

Capt. Deveraux stiffened but nodded. "Understood. Good luck out there." 

As the team stepped back onto the bustling streets, their disguises reactivated, they blended seamlessly into the crowd. The day stretched into evening as they moved through the industrial zones, taking note of any unusual activity. 

Fon, Bo, and Riggs's earlier antics gave way to a focused determination, though occasional whispers from passersby still followed Ember. 

Riggs smirked. "He's like a magnet. Can't help himself." 

Ember shot him a dry look but said nothing, his movements deliberately understated. 

As the sun set, the team regrouped at a discreet hotel near the industrial zones, their rented rooms serving as a temporary basis of operations. 

Exeo's voice carried a note of approval as he addressed them through the Mind Link. Good work today. Rest up. We move later tonight.

Reyes, seated near a window with his sniper rifle resting beside him, nodded. For him, this was just the beginning—a test of his place within the legendary Team Unknown.