Settling In

Team 12 had spent most of their careers in standard military barracks—cold, shared spaces, limited personal belongings, and communal bathrooms. It was the life of a soldier, one they had all accepted.

Which was why, as they stepped into their new living quarters, none of them could quite believe what they were seeing.

The corridor leading to their quarters was sleek and modern, the walls lined with automated security panels that required biometric scans. The air was sterile but fresh, lacking the usual scent of sweat, oil, and reinforced steel that came with military facilities.

One by one, they scanned their IDs at the doors and stepped inside.

Vivian was the first to react. "Holy—" she stopped mid-sentence as she took in her personal living space.

Each of them had been assigned a single-bedroom suite—not just a bed, but a fully furnished room with a private bathroom, a workspace, and even a small lounge area.

Aiden threw himself onto the luxurious bed, arms spread wide. "Is this real? Are we actually special forces now, or did we get sent to a damn VIP hotel?"

Desmond, ever the composed one, inspected the bathroom, turning on the high-pressure shower with a raised eyebrow. "I've seen officers with lower rank than us that don't even get half this luxury."

Jiro stood near his workspace, examining the integrated terminal system. His fingers brushed over the touchscreen interface, pulling up his personalized security clearance menu. "This place isn't just a base," he murmured. "It's a fortress of intelligence."

Bao, meanwhile, had taken a seat at the desk, his mind processing the situation. "They didn't just give us rooms," he muttered. "They gave us privacy. That means whatever's going on here… is bigger than we thought."

Before they had time to truly settle in, the facility's intercom system activated.

"Team 12, report to Section B – Administrative Level. Dr. Varis is expecting you."

The name still felt foreign to them.

They had been briefed on Elias' new rank and title, but the idea of calling him Dr. Varis still felt unnatural. This was the man they had fought with, the one they had done their morning drills with.

And now, he was their superior.

Their journey through the facility only confirmed what they had begun to suspect—this was not a normal research base.

The deeper they walked, the more security measures they saw. Retinal scans. Armed guards stationed in non-military uniforms. Surveillance cameras, all over the halls, silently tracking movement.

By the time they arrived at Dr. Varis' office, it was clear.

This place wasn't just classified. It was a hidden empire.

The doors slid open, revealing an immaculate office space that commanded authority without needing to boast.

A massive glass window overlooked the facility, giving Elias a full view of everything beneath him.

The desk was sleek and minimalist, holding only a few carefully placed reports and devices.

And there he stood.

He looked different from the last time they had seen him. His uniform now bore an official designation, with an insignia none of them recognized. His rank had changed.

When he reached them, he gave them a brief nod, then smirked slightly. "Welcome to your new home."

Bao, always direct, spoke first. "What exactly is this place, Sir?"

Elias gestured around them. "This facility is the central research hub for classified military technology and weapons development. You could say it's where the future is being built. But more importantly..." He turned to face them directly.

"...this is where you will operate from now on. You are my personal security team. My direct subordinates. And from this moment on, your primary mission is to ensure that nothing—nothing happens to me, so at least 3-4 of you will always be around me at all times."

Aiden crossed his arms. "And if something does happen to you?"

Elias' smirk faded. "Then everything I've worked for dies with me."

Silence.

Jiro finally spoke. "Your rank… it changed."

Elias nodded. "I've been officially appointed as the Head of Research for this facility. My authority here surpasses even the highest-ranking military officials stationed within these walls. This isn't just a lab—it's a place where breakthroughs happen. And the risks that come with that… are greater than you can imagine."

Bao's gaze didn't waver. "And our authority?"

Elias met his eyes. "You answer only to me. If you determine that an order—any order—puts my life in unnecessary danger, or someone else tries to bother you, you are authorized to override it. Even from high command."

Vivian blinked. "You're serious?"

Elias nodded. "Dead serious."

Jiro exhaled. "That… I still can't really believe it."

Elias gave a small smile. "They wanted to see if you could handle it. You did. That's why you're here."

Desmond finally chuckled. "So, we're your babysitters, huh?"

Elias smirked. "Something like that."

Bao crossed his arms. "And what's the first thing you want us to do?"

Elias exhaled, then turned toward the glass windows overlooking a massive underground hangar, where prototype weapons and machines were being developed.

"First?" He looked back at them. "I will show you guys around"

As they returned to the door, another presence was waiting for them.

A woman stood beside Elias' office, watching them with an expression that was both amused and evaluating.

She was stunning—tall, with emerald-green eyes that sparkled with hidden mischief, and long auburn hair tied loosely over one shoulder.

Her fitted black suit was just formal enough to be professional but just tight enough to be distracting.

She raised a perfectly shaped brow as the team approached.

"Ah," she purred, smirking as she looked them over. "So these are the famous Team 12. I've been waiting to meet you."

Vivian folded her arms. "And you are?"

The woman's smirk widened as she leaned in slightly, looking them over like a cat toying with its prey.

"Selene Carter," she said smoothly. "Dr. Varis' personal assistant."

Aiden blinked. "You? Work for him?"

Selene's smirk turned playful. "Oh, honey… I do more than just work for him."

She turned toward the office, and winked at Elias.

"Come on" she purred. "Let's get properly introduced, you're going to work under me after all."

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