Finding Pattern. Plan Formulation
Samson was jolted awake by a firm knock at the door. He groaned, rubbing his eyes, and sat up just as the door creaked open.
"Wake up, kid," Bjorn's deep voice rumbled as he stepped into the guest room. The tall, broad-shouldered man leaned against the doorframe, his fiery orange hair catching the morning sunlight.
"What time is it?" Samson mumbled, still groggy.
"Seven a.m. sharp," Bjorn said. "The old man called for a meeting. Get moving."
Samson nodded, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. He quickly splashed water on his face and got dressed, his mind still lingering on the events of the previous night. The ambush had left him both physically and mentally exhausted, but there was no time to dwell on it now.
---
The Briefing Begins
The team had gathered in the main hall of their base. The atmosphere was tense, with Sasha nursing her side where she had been injured, and the others looking grim. Avik sat at the head of the table, his laptop open and several screens displaying a flurry of data.
"Alright," Avik began, his sharp eyes scanning the room. "Let's get down to business."
He tapped a few keys, and images of the attackers from the previous night appeared on the screen.
"I hacked into the local police database this morning," Avik said, his voice calm but focused. "Using facial recognition, I've identified the people who ambushed Sasha and Samson last night."
Samson leaned forward, intrigued. "How did you manage to recognize them so quickly?"
Avik smirked, his fingers flying over the keyboard. "That's where the Mana Relay watches come in. Each of these watches has a built-in micro-camera that records everything in its vicinity. The footage is automatically transmitted to my laptop, allowing me to analyze it in real-time or afterward."
Samson's eyes widened. "Wait, so you were watching us the whole time?"
"Not watching, exactly," Avik clarified. "The footage only gets reviewed when needed. Like after an ambush."
Sasha, sitting beside Samson, gave a wry smile. "Guess you'll have to be on your best behavior from now on, kid."
---
Avik turned back to the screen, bringing up a map of Ginger Town and its surrounding areas. Red dots marked the locations of previous thefts.
"Now, here's where things get interesting," Avik said, pointing to the map. "I analyzed the locations of the previous thefts and noticed a pattern. Each of the places targeted has a unique name. When you take the first word of each location and arrange them in chronological order, they spell out something."
He typed furiously, and a new name appeared on the screen: "Rillow Point."
"The thieves are using these names as a code," Avik explained. "Rillow Point is likely their next target."
Bjorn crossed his arms, his expression serious. "Smart. It's like they're taunting us."
"But why leave such a pattern?" Samson asked, his brows furrowing. "It feels... deliberate."
"Could be overconfidence," Rahul suggested. "Or maybe they think no one will figure it out."
"Whatever the reason," Sasha said, her tone firm, "we need to stop them before they strike again."
---
The old man, their leader, finally spoke, his voice calm but authoritative. "If Rillow Point is indeed their next target, we have an opportunity to catch them in the act. But we need a solid plan."
Bjorn leaned forward. "We'll need to stake out the area in advance. Set up hidden positions and use Avik's tech to monitor the place."
Sasha nodded. "I can take the lead on the ground. But we'll need a backup team in case things go sideways."
"What about me?" Samson asked.
"You'll be with Sasha," the old man said, his eyes narrowing slightly. "You proved yourself last night, but this operation will require precision and discipline."
Samson nodded, determination flashing in his eyes.
---
The team spent the next few hours hashing out the details of their operation. Avik would set up surveillance equipment around Rillow Point, using drones powered by mana to provide real-time footage. Rahul and Bjorn would position themselves at key exits to cut off any escape routes.
Sasha and Samson would pose as travelers passing through the area, blending in with the locals to gather information and keep an eye on the target.
"Remember," the old man said as the meeting concluded, "our goal is to catch them red-handed. Be vigilant, and don't take unnecessary risks."
As the team dispersed to prepare, Samson felt a surge of both excitement and apprehension. This was his chance to prove that he belonged, not just as a temporary member, but as a permanent part of the team.
He glanced at the Mana Relay watch and his own watch on both of his wrist, their faint glow a reminds him his past life, where he was nothing but now he is trusted by people who will stand up for him.
"I won't let them down," he murmured to himself, determination hardening his resolve.
---
Later that evening, Samson found himself alone in the guest room, going over the plan in his mind. The weight of responsibility pressed heavily on his shoulders, but he welcomed it. This was his chance to make a difference—not just for the team, but for his family.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, Samson took a deep breath. Tomorrow would be a defining moment.
For his team.
For his family.
For himself.