#4 - The Mission... for now

Nine leaned against the cold window as the car sped down the darkened streets, her mind still reeling from Joon's unexpected visit to her room. The sharp scent of leather and faint gasoline filled the enclosed space, mixing with the low hum of the engine. Joon was behind the wheel, his eyes fixed on the road, while Rai lounged beside him, one arm draped casually over the seat, his leather jacket reflecting the occasional streetlight. In the back, Nine found herself next to Charlie. It felt strange sitting this close to him, a teammate she had barely spoken to outside of missions. He had joined the team seven months ago, the same age as her, but their interactions had always been purely professional.

Charlie held a black mask loosely in his hand, its fabric creasing under his nervous grip. Nine glanced at it, her mind drifting to Rai's typical mission gear. Rai's chaotic energy always came wrapped in black leather and a sturdy helmet—a look that suited his unpredictable nature. It made sense for Charlie to keep a mask on hand if they were planning on entering a den of criminals tonight.

The car rumbled to a stop a few blocks away from their target, a sprawling, two-story building painted a light green that seemed out of place amid the grime of its surroundings. Despite its worn exterior, the building pulsed with life, muffled bass-heavy music and shouts of drunken laughter escaping through its many windows. Nine counted at least a dozen visible openings from her vantage point—perfect for a sharpshooter like her.

Joon shifted the car into park, his gaze flicking to the rearview mirror to catch Nine's eye. He gave a small nod, a silent confirmation that it was time. Without a word, Nine slipped out of the car first, her boots hitting the pavement with a soft thud. She quickly scanned the surroundings, choosing a nearby building with a decent vantage point. It took only a minute to find the emergency ladder and scale the side of the structure. Once on the roof, she set up her rifle, her fingers moving with practiced precision as she adjusted the scope and checked the wind.

Nine touched the small earpiece in her left ear, activating the comms link. She whispered, "In position."

A second later, Rai and Charlie stepped out of the car. Joon eased the vehicle back into drive, slipping into the shadows as he went to park a safe distance away. Rai rolled his shoulders, stretching his neck before striding toward the building, his gait loose but alert. Charlie pulled his mask over his face, transforming from a boyish rookie into a silent predator as they approached the entrance.

Nine kept her sights trained on the second-floor windows, counting the shifting silhouettes inside. She estimated there were at least fifty to sixty people packed into the smoky interior—likely local gang members or hired muscle. The music grew louder as Rai kicked open a side door, slipping inside like a shadow, Charlie close behind. The moment they disappeared into the chaos, Nine's heart rate quickened, adrenaline sharpening her focus.

Gunshots and muffled screams erupted within seconds, the sound crackling through her earpiece. Nine exhaled slowly, her finger settling on the trigger as she spotted a man near a window, reaching for a weapon. She fired once, the bullet slicing through the glass and catching the target in the shoulder. He collapsed backward into the room, his shout lost in the roar of chaos.

"First floor, left corner, two armed," Nine whispered, adjusting her aim. She squeezed the trigger again, catching another figure as he rushed toward Rai's position. Charlie appeared a moment later, his movements fast but deliberate as he took down a stumbling opponent with a precise strike to the throat.

Rai had reached the second floor, his presence marked by a flash of steel and the unmistakable crack of bone against bone. He fought with a brutal elegance, his shadow flickering in the strobe lights as he tore through his opponents. Nine tracked his movements, providing cover fire whenever someone aimed in his direction. Each shot landed clean, cutting down enemies before they even realized the danger.

As the minutes ticked by, Nine felt the familiar rush of control and power, her mind fully immersed in the rhythm of the hunt. But then she caught a flicker of movement in her peripheral vision. Her heart stuttered as she adjusted her scope to the right. A figure, perched on a nearby rooftop, mirrored her position—a sniper. He was dressed in dark tactical gear, his rifle aimed at the building where Rai and Charlie were still fighting.

Nine tensed, her instincts screaming at her to act, but she hesitated. The sniper hadn't fired yet. Three full minutes passed, each second stretching painfully long as Nine kept her crosshairs trained on him. Was he with the local gang, or perhaps an unknown third party, sent by a bigger player to keep an eye on the situation? She tightened her grip, her pulse hammering in her ears. One wrong move, and everything could fall apart.

A crackle of static broke through her earpiece, Joon's calm voice cutting through her spiraling thoughts. "Status check."

Nine forced herself to breathe, her mind racing as she made a split-second decision. She adjusted her aim slightly, keeping the mysterious sniper in her sights as she replied, "Holding. Situation under control… for now."

The sniper shifted, his head tilting slightly as if he had sensed her watching. Nine's muscles tensed, her finger tightening on the trigger. One shot, one chance to take control of the situation before it slipped through her grasp.

But for now, she waited, her gaze locked with a ghost in the distance, the air between them heavy with unspoken threats.