THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM

"Don't stress the could haves if it should have, it would have"

**UNKNOWN LOCATION**

In a dark room where the only thing visible are large computer screens with the light coming off it, shining on faces in front of it. Two silhouettes can barely be seen standing behind it all, it was no other than the two Zeros.

On one of the screens was a satellite view of the Al-Haran complex, another one was showing different footage from the hidden camera in the number badges on the combat uniform of those on the mission, including the sounds they made while talking, it was as clear as possible.

Then all of sudden, everything suddenly went off, with only a subtle static sound coming out, while the live footage looked like a scrambled channel."What just happened" Blue Zero's voice sounded out

"I don't know Sir" a voice answered him.

"Switch the satellite to thermal and bring out their vitals from the sensors on their body"

Soon enough a thermal image of the Al-Haran complex came into view, which showed heat signatures gathering at a particular area of the complex. Another screen showed, six active heart rate monitors.

***

Back at the Al-Haran complex, a stalemate had now ensued, with Five and his crew surrounded at all sides, by the guards who stood at the entrance of each hallway, their guns raised at them and vice versa.

All of a sudden chaos ensued in the middle of one of the covered entrances, the reason for it was simple. Forty-Four, still disguised as a guard, slammed another guard against the wall, before kicking another in the gut.

The other syndicate soldiers at the other hallway entrances were confused at first about what was going on and Twenty capitalized on it and quickly created thick walls of ice to cover the entrances, but before he could cover the last one finish a bullet wheezed out and hit Forty One in the shoulder, which made her to grunt in pain.

Now they had to be fast move through the only hallway left which Forty Four was in the middle fighting, Eighty roars, charging forward, her super strength sending guards flying with each punch.

Twenty raises his hands, a frost forming in the air as he conjures ice spikes, launching them toward the enemies. Several of them fell, impaled by the ice,

Five also joined the fight, killing or immobilizing the enemies, with a kick or punch at sensitive areas, "Get to the central chamber! We don’t have time!"

As the team fights through the chaos, Ninety-Nine releases his black entity, which surges forward, tearing through the guards like a shadowy beast. It grapples with a group of Syndicate soldiers, giving the others a chance to push ahead.

They finally managed to get through and reached the central chamber—where Sixteen was being held—but as they broke down the door, they saw the Asian man standing inside, his arms crossed, a knowing smirk on his face.

Behind him, Sixteen is strapped to a chair, unconscious.

The man looked at them calmly, not caring about the guns pointed at him, "Well, well, well. I was wondering when you’d show up."

The team stops in their tracks, unsure of who they’re dealing with. Five narrows his eyes, gripping his weapon tightly, "Step away from her. Now."

The man only smiles, stepping aside casually, "Oh, I will. But I think you’ll find leaving here won’t be so easy."

The complex shudders, and the sound of more footsteps approaching echoes down the hall. Five realizes they’re running out of time as he looks at his team"Grab her! We’re getting out—now!"

Forty-One rushes to Sixteen, checking her pulse, and quickly sends some blue healing energy into her body the others form a protective circle, with their guns still pointed at the man

As the sounds of approaching enemies grow louder, Five realizes they’re about to face overwhelming odds as he grits his teeth, "We improvise. Fight our way out. No mistakes!"

The man suddenly let out a laugh, "You sure you can be able to do that."

"Just shut up already" Twenty suddenly said annoyed that the idiot was still alive, as he conjured an ice spike ready to impale him.

"Wait!!"

"What" Twenty looked at Five, angry that he was stopped from doing what he loved,

Five smiled, "I think he's our ticket out of here" he strapped his gun behind him and took a pistol from the holster strapped on his leg, grabbed the man, and placed the gun behind his head as he made him stand facing the door.

The man still looked calm, not feeling any iota of pressure being made a hostage, "I think you all are making a big mistake."

"Is that so?" Forty-Four smirked

"Yes, don't say I didn't warn you because your chances of fighting your way through are higher than taking me hostage and escaping."

"Just shut up and be a good hostage", Five said coldly.

"Alright"

The team, bruised but still on their feet, stood bravely as the soldiers busted the door open, before they could take any action they saw that a gun was pointed at the Asian, leaving them confused about what to do.

"Play smart, back away now!!" Five said in an ice tone which left goosebumps even on his teammate's body.

Slowly they made their way out of the complex as Eighty carried Sixteen who was still out of it, Forty Four looked at the wristband screen on his hands, he tried operating it but there was no feedback, before he looked at Five "Our communications still jammed, I can't send out any signal for the chopper"

Five frowned under his mask, "We will use their bird"

They slowly backed away towards the helicopter pad of the complex, keeping the Asian man as a hostage. The man now silent, walks calmly ahead of them, arms raised in surrender, while Five and the others use him as a human shield

Five and Twenty keep a close eye on a sniper on the rooftop, who was waiting for an opportunity and wary of hitting the man. The tension is palpable as the Desert Syndicate guards hold their fire also following them slowly. Ninety Nine moving along whispered, "He won't shoot as long as we've got him."

"Don't count on it lasting" Forty-Four said cautiously as if to prove his point a gunshot cracks in the distance, and a bullet zips past Five's head, hitting a wall behind him.

"Fucking Snipers!" Five cursed, "Take him out"

Ninety-Nine took aim and shot the sniper who was now trying to line up another shot.

They quickly reached the helicopter that brought the Asian man, Five whispered in his ears, "You're coming with us."

The Asian man grits his teeth but slowly nods, He's shoved forward as they make their way to the chopper.

Twenty suddenly freezes the ground behind them, creating slick ice patches to slow down any approaching guards.

They pile into the helicopter, with Five at the controls. The Asian man is tied up and placed in the back seat, glaring but staying silent.

"Let's get out of here."

Five said as the blades whir to life as the helicopter lifted off, dust swirling up from the ground as they ascended.