Establishment: Base Operations

"Nexus Pharmaceutical stock dropped another thirty points this morning," Bobby reported, his voice echoing through the server farm's cavernous main hall. "That makes three major shareholders calling for a full investigation into their viral weapons program."

Marcus nodded, watching his team convert their temporary shelter into something more permanent. The server farm's infrastructure had proven ideal – multiple power grids, climate control, and enough space for everyone's specialized needs. More importantly, it was secure. The kind of secure that came from having a parkour expert design your defense systems and a SWAT veteran test them.

"Their CEO still claiming ignorance?" Maya asked, calibrating the new motion sensors they'd installed along the perimeter.

"Right up until Morgan's data dump hit the internet." Bobby grinned from his elevated workstation. "Amazing how quickly corporate loyalty crumbles when faced with prison time for biological weapons development."

Sarah emerged from her newly established lab, Morgan close behind with a tablet full of analysis. "Their research confirms everything. They weren't just preparing for the outbreak – they were actively refining the virus strain. Making it more transmissible."

"Playing god for profit," Doc growled, organizing their expanded medical bay. The equipment they'd acquired from Nexus's secret facilities had tripled their research capabilities. "Any word from Cross?"

"Silent," Marcus answered, careful to let his tactical enhancement run at minimal power. A week of successful operations without burning out his abilities had taught him precision over power. "But his supply movements have shifted. He's adapting to losing Nexus as a potential ally."

Maya finished her calibrations and joined him at the command table. "Think he'll make a move?"

"Eventually. But right now he's watching. Learning." Marcus studied their tactical display. "We didn't just hurt Nexus – we changed the game. Proved we can win without relying on enhanced abilities."

"Speaking of which..." Doc appeared with his medical scanner. "Neural patterns are holding stable. The new moderation protocols are working."

Marcus submitted to the scan, noting how his team had synchronized their movements around his recovery schedule. Sarah monitoring power usage, Maya adjusting tactical plans, Bobby finding non-enhanced solutions to security challenges. Even Morgan had evolved from uncertain scientist to confident analyst.

"Incoming priority alert," Bobby called out. "CDC just flagged unusual viral patterns in three major cities."

The team converged on the display as data scrolled across multiple screens. Marcus felt the familiar urge to push his enhancements but held back, trusting his natural tactical instincts.

"It's starting," Sarah said quietly, examining the medical data. "Not the main outbreak, but precursor strains. Someone's testing delivery methods."

"Can we track them?" Maya was already pulling up transportation networks.

"Better." Morgan highlighted pattern matches across the data. "We can predict where they'll strike next. The distribution follows classic viral propagation models."

Marcus studied the information through experienced eyes. "They're not just testing delivery. They're mapping response patterns. Analyzing how different cities handle biological threats."

"Learning from their mistakes," Doc concluded. "After Nexus, they know we can expose them. So they're being more careful. More distributed."

"Then we adapt." Marcus turned to his team. "Bobby, I want every shipping manifest, every supply request, every personnel transfer in those cities. Sarah, Morgan – build us a prediction model. Where they'll strike, how they'll do it. Doc, coordinate with your CDC contacts. Get us real-time medical data."

"And me?" Maya asked, though her smile suggested she knew the answer.

"We're going hunting." Marcus allowed himself a small grin. "Time to show them what this team can really do."

The server farm hummed with renewed purpose as everyone moved to their tasks. Marcus watched through carefully regulated tactical enhancement, seeing not just their actions but the underlying patterns. They'd grown beyond their original roles. Bobby wasn't just a scout anymore – he was their intelligence specialist. Sarah and Morgan had evolved from researchers into strategic analysts. Doc balanced medicine with logistics, while Maya...

"You're doing it again," she said, appearing at his side. "That whole brooding commander thing."

"Just appreciating the view." He nodded toward their team. "A month ago, we were running training drills in an abandoned school. Now..."

"Now we're hunting biological weapons developers from our secret base while developing countermeasures to an apocalyptic virus." She smiled. "Definitely a career upgrade."

"Speaking of upgrades..." Marcus gestured to their expanded facility. "The new security systems are impressive. Almost like someone's been planning this for a while."

Maya's expression turned innocent. "I might have had some designs drawn up. Just in case we ever needed a more permanent base."

"And the specialized equipment? The custom workstations?"

"Bobby may have acquired some things during his 'supply runs.' Purely hypothetically, of course."

Marcus felt a surge of pride that had nothing to do with enhanced abilities. His team hadn't just adapted to their situation – they'd prepared for the next phase before he even recognized it was coming.

"Incoming data stream," Bobby announced. "First prediction models are running. You're gonna want to see this."

As they moved to the command center, Marcus caught Sarah and Morgan sharing notes on viral patterns while Doc coordinated with his medical contacts. Each person focused on their task but aware of the whole, moving with the kind of synchronization that came from perfect trust.

They had seven weeks until the original outbreak timeline. Seven weeks to stop multiple organizations from unleashing hell on earth. Seven weeks to save civilization.

Looking at his team in action, Marcus liked their odds.