The Snipe Squad Base

The instructor led them to an elevator

The elevator ride down was silent. No one spoke, but the tension in the air was thick. The instructor stood at the front, hands clasped behind his back as the smooth descent continued. The military building they were leaving behind had been a testing ground—but this? This was the start of something real.

The doors slid open with a quiet hiss.

Before them sat their transport vehicle— A sleek, futuristic transport unit with a smooth, aerodynamic design. It hovered inches above the ground, silent but powerful. No wheels. No unnecessary bulk. Just pure, military-grade efficiency.

The squad stepped inside. The moment the doors shut, the vehicle took off, seamlessly integrating into the network of hovering transports. Through the tinted windows, the city blurred past, a mix of towering structures and glowing pathways.

Gage leaned back against the seat, arms crossed. "So… where exactly are we going?"

The instructor didn't turn. "To your new home."

---

The transport slowed as they approached a seemingly empty space, but within seconds, the ground itself parted, revealing an underground entrance. The vehicle descended into the hidden base, seamlessly docking into a designated platform.

Jade stepped out first, eyes scanning the massive facility.

This wasn't some dorm. This was a fortress.

The interior was minimalist yet highly advanced—sleek metallic walls, reinforced structures, and a ceiling embedded with soft, ambient lighting.

"Welcome to the Snipe Squad base," the instructor announced. "You'll live here. Train here. Operate from here."

A voice chimed in—smooth, synthetic, but oddly human-like.

"Welcome, recruits. I am Lexi, your AI assistant."

They turned to see a humanoid robot standing near the main console. Not bulky, not clunky—Lexi was a sleek, highly advanced AI unit, built into the base itself.

"I will handle base operations, security, and mission logistics. Your rooms have been assigned."

---

Each recruit followed Lexi down a corridor lined with doors. Each door had their name engraved on it.

Biometric scanners sat beside each entrance.

"Only you can access your room," Lexi explained. "Fingerprint required."

Jade placed her hand on the scanner. The door unlocked instantly. Inside—a clean, minimalist space, designed for efficiency but customizable. A bed, a workspace, built-in storage. Everything a soldier needed.

The others tested their rooms. Rico whistled, impressed. "Not bad. Could use a minibar."

Jade ignored him, stepping back out.