Chapter 27: The Queen’s Counterstrike

The night had fallen quietly, the city streets now empty and silent as shadows stretched across the concrete. Inside their makeshift war room at Delta 7, the only sounds were the soft hum of computers and the occasional rustle of clothing as Tesmee and her team adjusted their positions.

Tesmee stood at the center, her posture straight, her eyes scanning the screens in front of her. The room was dimly lit by the glow of multiple monitors, each displaying live footage of various locations that would soon become crucial in their plan.

Lorenzo, Lyra, Tiger, and the rest of her most trusted associates were gathered, their faces illuminated by the faint light, but all eyes were locked on Tesmee as she began to speak.

"Call Diana," she ordered, her voice sharp and unwavering.

Lorenzo immediately nodded and made the call, his fingers dancing across the keys of his phone with practiced ease. It wasn't long before the screech of tires outside signaled the arrival of their final piece.

Tesmee didn't flinch. She was used to Diana's dramatic entrances. Within seconds, the door burst open and in walked the young, hyperactive woman, her energy filling the room like a storm. Diana, with her trademark dark sarcasm and a mischievous grin, didn't waste any time.

"Still alive, boss? Playing with snakes ain't child's play," Diana quipped, her eyes scanning the room before landing on Tesmee. She gave her a quick hug, before taking a step back, her hands already moving toward her jacket pockets.

"What's the plan?" Diana asked, her voice filled with excitement but also a sense of underlying purpose.

Tesmee didn't immediately respond. She looked around the room at the faces of the six people she trusted more than anyone. Their loyalty was unspoken, but it was there, evident in the way they stood, prepared for whatever came next.

"You all did good tonight," Tesmee began, her voice low but steady. "We're not in this to die. We're in this to thrive. The real game begins now."

Her eyes flicked to the tablet in her hand, where the live feed showed the locations of Tyson Hale's known weapons caches. The markers on the map glowed, drawing a clear line between the enemy's position and her team's plan.

"Lorenzo, Lyra—get the military on standby. I'll give the signal when it's time."

Lorenzo nodded, his fingers already tapping commands into his phone.

"Seig, Tiger, Chan,Vhernom—stay put. Hold your positions. Don't engage until we're ready. No errors," Tesmee continued, her eyes flicking over each sniper, assassin, and hacker.

Seig, who had been quiet up until this point, finally spoke, his voice calm and measured, as always. "The off-grid compound's locked down tight. No movement yet."

Tesmee turned her focus back to him. "Hold steady. Once the military drones confirm the status, we'll move in."

Lyra, her expression serious now, leaned forward. "You're sure about this? What if Tyson has already moved his assets?"

Tesmee's lips curled into a tight smile. "We'll find out. If he's hiding, we'll make sure he has nowhere to go."

Diana, who had been pacing back and forth, stopped abruptly and grinned. "I love it when the plan comes together. This is going to be fun."

Tesmee shot her a sharp look. "Focus, Diana. This is not a game. We're taking everything, and we're not leaving anything behind."

Chan, one of the snipers, spoke up . "What about his warehouses? He's got a few off the radar. Hidden locations."

Tesmee glanced at him, her eyes unwavering. "That's why we're calling in the military. They'll help us clear those bases. They'll lock everything down."

The atmosphere was thick with anticipation as the group stood in tense silence. They were all familiar with Tesmee's methodical approach, her ability to control every detail. This wasn't the time for grand speeches or overconfidence. It was time to act.

Diana stepped forward, cracking her knuckles with a gleam in her eye. "I've got my dogs on it. They'll flush out whatever Tyson's hiding."

Tesmee's eyes narrowed. "We're not just taking back the weapons. We're sending a message."

She paused, letting the weight of her words settle in. The room was filled with the kind of quiet focus only the most dangerous of operations could produce.

"We take control tonight. And no one gets away."

Lorenzo made his final call to Diana's team. The military would be in position soon, and everything was set to unfold. The countdown had begun.

"Get ready," Tesmee instructed. "In one hour, we move. No mistakes."

Diana grinned widely, her energy infectious. "Let's drain this fucker, then!"

With that, they all turned, their movements synchronized, each preparing for the next phase of the mission.

Tesmee stayed behind for a moment longer, her eyes glued to the map on the screen. Each red dot that marked Tyson's locations was a promise—one that would soon be fulfilled.

She straightened, her resolve like iron. He thought he could outsmart me? she thought, her fingers tightening around the tablet. I will end him.

As she turned toward her team, ready to give the final order, a single word echoed in her mind.

Reclaim.