A Call to Readiness  

The Beta Team stood at rigid attention in the training hall, their uniforms slightly disheveled from another grueling round of drills. Their breaths came in huffs as they tried to keep their composure under the piercing gaze of Dr. Lewis, who stood at the front, clipboard in hand.

His smile, while outwardly polite, carried an undertone of devilish amusement that made the recruits uneasy. 

"Beta Team," Dr. Lewis began, his tone sweet but dangerous, "I bring you exciting news." 

Keiran, always the bold one, muttered under his breath, "Exciting news? That can't be good." 

Dr. Lewis's sharp gaze flicked to Keiran, who immediately straightened. "Something to share with the class, Keiran?" 

"No, sir!" Keiran replied quickly, swallowing hard. 

Satisfied, Dr. Lewis continued, "As you all know, Clareo has faced significant threats recently, culminating in the most recent incident where Void-tainted constructs ravaged our city."

He gestured vaguely toward the training room monitors, which displayed silent clips of the chaos in Clareo. 

Serra's brow furrowed as she exchanged a glance with Keiran. "Where is this going?" she whispered.

Dr. Lewis's grin widened, his tone taking on a dramatic flair. "The higher-ups, in their infinite wisdom, have decided that Beta Team… yes, you," he paused for effect, "will now be Clareo's first line of defense in any similar emergencies!" 

The room fell into stunned silence. Several members of the Beta Team blinked rapidly, their minds struggling to process the declaration. 

Keiran finally broke the silence. "Wait… us? First line? Against… that?" He pointed toward the monitor showing Team Unknown's brutal takedown of Void-tainted constructs. 

Dr. Lewis's smile didn't waver. "Exactly! Isn't it exciting? You lot wanted to fight along with Team Unknown right? This is it! A chance to prove yourselves!" 

Serra raised a hesitant hand. "Uh, does that mean our training is… postponed?" 

Dr. Lewis chuckled darkly, and a collective shiver ran down the spines of the recruits. "Oh, no, no, Serra. Training will continue, of course! Just a… lighter regimen." His emphasis on the word "lighter" was anything but reassuring. 

"But," he added with faux sweetness, "since you'll now be on Clareo's beck and call, we'll have to ensure you're always in peak condition. You'll never know when the alarm will sound. It could be tomorrow… or in the next ten minutes." 

The recruits collectively shuddered. 

Keiran muttered under his breath, "Great. Now we get to live in constant fear." 

Dr. Lewis's voice cut through like a whip. "What was that, Keiran?" 

"Nothing, sir!" 

The Beta Team dispersed reluctantly after the announcement, their morale somewhere between resigned and terrified. As they filed out, Serra leaned toward Keiran and whispered, "I hope that emergency call never comes." 

"Me too," Keiran replied grimly. "But knowing Dr. Lewis, he's probably praying for it." 

In the briefing room, Team Unknown stood around the central holotable, their focus fixed on the detailed map of Clareo and its surrounding regions. Red markers flickered across the display, each one signifying a recent Void-tainted energy spike.

Ember and Exeo stood at the head of the table, Ember gesturing toward the markers with calculated precision.

"These spikes here and here," Ember began, his voice calm but commanding, "suggest the Void-tainted constructs are being staged across multiple smaller sites. They're testing our response times and trying to stretch Clareo's forces thin."

Val's gaze didn't waver as he responded, "Divide and conquer. It's textbook strategy."

"Exactly," Ember replied, his tone sharp. "But that's where we take control. We're going to flip their strategy on its head. The plan is to split into pairs to investigate these sites. Keep a low profile. Gather intel. Engage only if it's absolutely necessary."

Before anyone could question further, Ember turned to Val. "We'll need Eagle in position before we deploy the rest of the team. His overwatch is key to ensuring the operation runs smoothly."

Val gave a curt nod, already preparing to teleport Reyes. "Understood."

Moments later, Val placed a hand on Reyes's shoulder. The sniper stood ready, his rifle strapped across his back. With a pulse of Void energy, Val and Reyes vanished, reappearing moments later at a high-rise overlooking the southwest sector. 

Reyes quickly took position, his enhanced eyesight scanning the horizon.

Overwatch in position, he reported through the Mind Link. I've got clear visuals of the area. No movement yet.

Val returned to the briefing room in a swirl of dark energy, rejoining the team without a word. Ember acknowledged him with a slight nod before continuing.

"As I was saying, we move in pairs. Frost, Aura, you're northwest. Terra, Umbra, and I will take the central site. Stay sharp and keep communication brief."

Bo raised an eyebrow. "And what if we hit resistance?"

Ember's eyes glinted with confidence. "Then we adapt. But unless we're compromised, do not show our full capabilities. Surprise is still our best weapon."

Riggs smirked. "No pressure, right? Just us dismantling a Void-tainted network with surgical precision."

Fon chuckled softly. "You'll survive, Riggs. Exeo trusts Ember's plan, and that's enough for me."

Ember's lips curled faintly, but his voice remained steady. "Then let's move. Umbra, prepare the teleportation."

Val raised a hand, shadows coiling around him as the teleportation sequence activated. The room dissolved in a blur of dark energy, and the team was gone.

The group materialized across Clareo's outskirts, their forms shimmering briefly before blending into the surrounding terrain.

Each pair moved with practiced precision toward their designated locations, while Exeo's calm voice came through the Mind Link. 

Eagle, status report.

Reyes's voice was quiet but clear. Overwatch in position. Still no movement, but Void-tainted energy readings are faint and fluctuating. Could be a trap, but nothing's surfaced yet.

Exeo's tone remained composed. Acknowledged. Everyone, proceed according to plan. Frost, Aura, begin your sweep northwest. Terra, you're on the southwest perimeter. Umbra, Lux, with me—we'll handle the central site.

Bo and Riggs moved swiftly through the dense underbrush, their senses on high alert as they navigated the terrain.

Bo's voice broke the silence, low but focused.

Nothing yet. No constructs, no disturbances. It's like they want us to think this place is abandoned.

Riggs added, Could be bait. Keep your guard up.

Meanwhile, Fon crouched low in the southwest sector, one hand pressed to the ground. His connection to the earth sent faint tremors through his body as he scanned for underground movement.

Getting faint vibrations. Could be something burrowing, but it's not moving toward the surface yet.

Exeo's response was immediate. Hold position. Report any changes.

At the central site, Exeo, Ember, and Val moved with silent precision through the abandoned factory grounds.

Ember's voice came through the link, sharp and analytical.

Void-tainted energy levels are faint but consistent. Something's definitely here, but it's buried deep.

Val's shadows curled around his form as he scanned the area, his tone calm but pointed.

If it's buried, they're hiding something. Let's flush it out.

Exeo nodded. Umbra, keep an eye on the shadows. Lux, with me. We'll cover the perimeter.

Ember's purple fire flickered faintly along his blade as he and Exeo advanced, their steps deliberate. Val stayed back, his shadows spreading outward like tendrils, probing the area for hidden threats. 

Back at overwatch, Reyes's voice came through the link, urgent but controlled.

Movement near the central site. Looks like Void constructs—medium-sized. Three of them, heading your way, Lux.

Understood, Ember replied, his blade igniting fully as he turned to face the approaching constructs. Time to see what they're hiding.

The operation had begun in earnest. Ember's plan, meticulously crafted, was now in motion, and the trust between him and the team would be the key to unraveling Hades' Wrath's next move.