District 21

The neon glow of Neo-Terra faded into the horizon as the team's transport soared silently toward District 21. Inside, the cabin was quiet, each Sentinel lost in their own thoughts. Namjoon sat at the front, his sharp eyes scanning the mission brief for any details the Overseers might have omitted. Yet, his focus kept slipping, drawn back to Yoongi's discovery and the rebel woman's haunting words.

"You don't even know the truth about yourselves."

The others were quiet, too. Lisa reclined against the wall, flipping a knife idly between her fingers. Yoongi sat near the terminal, his dark eyes unreadable. Jungkook leaned back in his seat, arms crossed, his expression calm but alert. The tension in the air was palpable.

"Five minutes to District 21," the automated system announced.

Namjoon looked up. "Team, remember the mission: eliminate the breach, recover any stolen data. No distractions."

Lisa smirked, her voice laced with sarcasm. "You mean no personal investigations into our mysterious pasts, Captain?"

Namjoon shot her a sharp look. "Stay focused, Lisa."

But Yoongi's quiet voice cut through. "She's not wrong."

Namjoon sighed, his composure cracking just slightly. "We'll deal with that later. Right now, we follow orders."

Yoongi didn't respond, but the doubt in his gaze was clear.

---

District 21 was a stark contrast to the glittering heart of Neo-Terra. The outer sectors were darker, quieter, their skies cloaked in perpetual shadow. The buildings here were older, their metallic surfaces dulled by years of neglect. It was the perfect hiding spot for rebels—or so it seemed.

The team moved with precision, their enhanced bodies gliding silently through the dim alleys. The mission briefing indicated the rebels had hacked into a high-security databank hidden beneath the district. What they had accessed was still unclear, but if the Overseers deemed it dangerous, it likely contained something worth uncovering.

As they neared the databank's entrance, a figure emerged from the shadows—a tall, lithe Sentinel with sharp features and piercing eyes. His uniform bore the insignia of the Vanguard Sentinels, but it was slightly different, marked with the emblem of District 21.

"Namjoon," the figure said, his tone smooth and confident.

Namjoon froze, recognizing him immediately. "Taeyong."

Lisa raised an eyebrow. "Friend of yours?"

"Stationed here," Namjoon replied curtly, keeping his eyes on Taeyong.

Taeyong stepped closer, his movements fluid and deliberate. "It's been a while. I wasn't expecting a visit from the elite team."

"We're here on orders," Namjoon said, his voice measured.

Taeyong's lips curved into a faint smile. "Of course. You always follow orders, don't you?"

Namjoon ignored the comment. "What's the situation?"

Taeyong gestured toward the entrance to the databank. "The rebels set up a stronghold below. They've managed to breach some of our firewalls, but their operation is amateur at best. Still, I assume the Overseers sent you because there's something... sensitive in play."

Namjoon narrowed his eyes. Taeyong's tone was too casual, too knowing. But there was no time to dwell on it.

"Lead the way," Namjoon ordered.

Taeyong nodded, his expression unreadable, and turned toward the entrance.

---

The databank's underground tunnels were a maze of narrow corridors and dim lights, the air thick with the faint hum of machinery. The team moved in formation, weapons drawn, their senses on high alert. Taeyong walked ahead, his demeanor calm, as though he had nothing to fear.

"Tell me," Lisa said, breaking the silence. "How does a Sentinel end up stuck in a place like this?"

Taeyong glanced over his shoulder, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Someone has to keep the outer districts in check. Besides, I prefer the quiet out here. Less... interference."

Lisa snorted. "Right. You mean fewer Overseers breathing down your neck?"

Taeyong didn't respond, but the brief flicker in his expression didn't go unnoticed by Namjoon.

As they reached a large steel door, Taeyong stopped. "This is it. The rebels are inside. Expect resistance, but they're poorly equipped. Shouldn't be a problem for you."

Namjoon nodded, signaling for the team to prepare. But as he turned back to Taeyong, he caught the faintest glint in the other Sentinel's eyes—something cold and calculating.

"Are you joining us?" Namjoon asked.

"Of course," Taeyong replied smoothly. "Wouldn't miss it."

---

The battle was swift and efficient. The rebels fought desperately, but they were no match for the Sentinels' speed and precision. Within minutes, the room was silent, save for the hum of the databank's servers.

As Yoongi began extracting the stolen data, Namjoon scanned the room, his gaze falling on a console that seemed... out of place. It was older than the rest of the equipment, its screen flickering faintly with static.

"Yoongi," Namjoon called. "What's that?"

Yoongi glanced up, his brow furrowing as he approached the console. "Doesn't look like standard tech."

Taeyong stepped forward, his expression unusually tense. "It's nothing. Just outdated equipment the rebels probably scavenged."

But Namjoon wasn't convinced. "Yoongi, access it."

Taeyong's hand twitched, but he said nothing as Yoongi plugged in. Within seconds, the screen lit up, displaying lines of encrypted code.

"This isn't rebel tech," Yoongi said, his voice low. "It's Vanguard-level encryption."

Namjoon's eyes snapped to Taeyong. "Explain."

Taeyong's calm facade cracked, just slightly. "It's classified."

"Not anymore," Namjoon said, his tone cold.

Before Taeyong could respond, the console emitted a sharp beep. Yoongi's eyes widened. "It's transmitting."

"To who?" Lisa demanded.

"The Overseers," Yoongi replied. "It's a tracker."

Namjoon turned to Taeyong, his expression hard. "You've been reporting on us."

Taeyong's smirk returned, but this time it was sharper, more dangerous. "Did you really think you could dig into things that aren't meant to be uncovered without them noticing? The Overseers don't tolerate insubordination, Namjoon. You of all people should know that."

Lisa stepped forward, her knife drawn. "Give me one reason not to shut you down right now."

"Because you can't," Taeyong said calmly. "They're already on their way."

The room fell silent as his words sank in. Namjoon's mind raced, weighing their options. They couldn't afford to face the Overseers here—not with the stolen data and the questions it raised.

"Yoongi, wipe the system," Namjoon ordered. "Lisa, Jungkook, secure the exit."

Taeyong watched them with an air of quiet amusement. "Running won't save you. The Overseers see everything."

Namjoon stepped closer, his voice low and dangerous. "Maybe. But I'll make sure they don't see you."

For the first time, Taeyong's composure wavered. "You wouldn't—"

Namjoon didn't let him finish. With a swift motion, he struck Taeyong across the jaw, sending him to the ground. Before Taeyong could recover, Namjoon locked a neural inhibitor around his wrist, cutting off his connection to the Overseers.

"You betrayed your own," Namjoon said coldly. "You don't deserve their protection."

As the team made their escape, Namjoon couldn't shake the feeling that the cracks in their world were growing wider. The Overseers were watching, waiting. But for the first time, Namjoon wasn't afraid. He was angry.

---

Continue . . . . . . . . . . .