The elevator doors slid open with a soft mechanical hum, revealing the sprawling underground garage that stretched out before them. Kaelen’s eyes widened slightly as they stepped onto the platform. It wasn’t his first time seeing Core’s vehicle arsenal, but the sheer number of machines down here always made an impression.

  Rows upon rows of military-grade vehicles, sleek and armored, sat waiting in their designated zones. Each one was a marvel of technomancer engineering—agile and powerful, designed for both speed and durability. The polished surfaces gleamed under the artificial lights, showing off their reinforced exteriors and weapon systems integrated seamlessly into their frames. Some were small and nimble, meant for rapid response, while others were large, intimidating beasts—fortress-like transports capable of plowing through anything in their path.

  Andras didn’t waste any time. He turned to the squads with a commanding presence. "Alright, listen up. Squad One, you're with me. Lyrian, Kaelen, Jax, Nyra, Rina, and our two additional operatives, Reece and Lona. We’ll take the Armadrax-22.” He pointed to one of the largest, most imposing vehicles in the room.

  The Armadrax-22 was a beast of a machine, its matte black surface nearly swallowing the light around it. Built like a tank, it had reinforced armor plating that looked like it could shrug off missile fire, and its heavy-duty wheels were designed to handle any terrain. It had mounted turrets on top, and the windows were made of bulletproof, energy-resistant glass. On the sides, faint blue pulses of technomancer energy indicated the vehicle's shield systems, which were capable of deflecting heavy attacks.

  “Andras always gets the best toys,” Jax muttered, though there was a hint of admiration in his voice.

  Squad Two and Squad Three received their own assignments, Andras quickly giving orders to Harken and Vin before focusing back on Squad One. They all knew what they had to do, and the tension was palpable as they headed toward their vehicles.

  As the team climbed into the massive transport, Kaelen found himself next to Lyrian, who, predictably, couldn’t resist making a comment. “So,” Lyrian started, a smirk pulling at his lips as he glanced sideways at Kaelen, “you ready for round two? You know... after our last joyride.”

  Kaelen narrowed his eyes at him, feigning a glare. “If by round two, you mean I get to watch you freak out when Andras drives like a maniac, then yeah, I’m ready.”

  From across the vehicle, Jax snorted. “I’m betting Andras drives even worse. Commander probably thinks speed limits are a suggestion.”

  Rina, who was adjusting her equipment beside them, raised an eyebrow. “Considering what we’re heading into, I’m more worried about what happens when we get there than the trip.”

  Nyra chuckled softly, but there was a hint of tension in her laugh. “Let’s just hope it’s smoother than Lyrian’s version of speed.”

  Lyrian, unbothered, stretched his arms behind his head. “Please, I handled that car like a pro. I’m surprised Kaelen didn’t pass out from excitement.”

  Kaelen shot him a look. “More like from sheer terror.”

  The rest of Squad One exchanged amused glances, though the underlying seriousness of the mission kept the atmosphere from becoming too light. They were all professionals, and humor was their way of coping with the gravity of what lay ahead.

  Andras, having settled in the driver’s seat, glanced at the squad through the rearview mirror. “Buckle up. We’re moving fast.”

  As soon as the words left his mouth, the engine roared to life with a deep, resonating hum. The Armadrax-22 felt more like a living beast than a vehicle, its technomancer systems syncing flawlessly with Andras’ commands. With a quick flick of his wrist, the vehicle lurched forward, picking up speed much faster than its size would suggest.

  Kaelen instinctively grabbed the side of his seat, his body pressing back into the cushioned interior as the vehicle shot out of the garage. “Here we go...” he muttered under his breath, exchanging a wary glance with Lyrian, whose smirk only deepened.

  The rest of the squad braced themselves, each soldier silent and focused. These weren’t rookies; every one of them had seen their fair share of dangerous missions. Kaelen could see the calm professionalism in their faces, no one flinching as the Armadrax tore down the road.

  Jax, sitting across from him, leaned back slightly, his voice carrying the same dry humor as always. “Welcome to Core. We don’t do slow.”

  Kaelen smirked, glancing at Lyrian, who raised an eyebrow as if to say you expected anything less?

  The Armadrax-22 sped through the underground exit tunnel, and the convoy of vehicles followed in quick succession. Through the narrow windows, Kaelen could see the rest of the vehicles falling into formation behind them—each one just as formidable as the last. The convoy moved like a well-oiled machine, a perfect representation of Core’s military might.

  As they emerged from the subterranean garage and into the open, the city lights blurred into streaks of neon. The Armadrax barreled down the streets with frightening efficiency, weaving in and out of traffic like it owned the road. Civilians barely had time to react as the convoy sped through intersections, their headlights cutting through the growing darkness of dusk.

  Kaelen gripped his seat harder as Andras took a sharp turn at high speed, the massive vehicle drifting around the corner like a sports car. “This is insane,” Kaelen muttered, though a part of him was grudgingly impressed by Andras' handling of the armored beast.

  Lyrian grinned at him. “What, you didn’t think Andras had a wild side? Should’ve known, man.”

  The other squad members held on as the vehicle righted itself, speeding down a long stretch of road toward their destination. The convoy was a sight to behold—powerful, sleek, and deadly. It tore through the city’s outskirts with precision, a silent force of destruction and control, moving toward its target with unrelenting focus.

  Kaelen glanced out the window, watching the city fade behind them as they moved closer to the mission site. The sun was beginning to set, casting the world in hues of orange and purple, a stark contrast to the cold, metallic energy inside the vehicle.

  Jax broke the brief silence, his voice steady. “Well, if nothing else, we’re making an entrance.”

  Nyra smirked. “Let’s just hope it’s not our last one.”

  As they approached the remote sector outside the city, the tone in the vehicle shifted. The joking, while still present, was undercut by the mounting tension of what was coming. The mission was real, and the danger was as tangible as the hum of the engine beneath them.

  Andras slowed the vehicle slightly as they neared their destination, his voice steady but firm. “We’re almost there. Everyone, gear up. This isn’t going to be a walk in the park.”

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  The squad nodded in silent understanding, checking their weapons and gear one final time. Kaelen exchanged a look with Lyrian—one of silent agreement. They’d been through a lot together, but something about tonight felt different. Bigger. More dangerous.

  Lyrian leaned over slightly. “You sure you’re ready for this, Shadow-boy?”

  Kaelen smirked, his gaze turning serious. “I guess we’re about to find out.”

  The convoy of armored vehicles came to a halt in a secluded area, just beyond a ridge that concealed them from view. Andras stepped out first, his sharp eyes scanning the dimming horizon. The sun was nearly gone, casting deep shadows over the landscape as night quickly settled in. Perfect for an ambush—if they played this right.

  He motioned for the rest of Squads to join him as they moved toward a small clearing. "We wait here for ten minutes," he said, his voice low but steady. "Use the time to familiarize yourselves with the terrain, and get the lay of the land. We don’t move until we’re sure we can slip past their defenses undetected."

  Kaelen, Lyrian, and the others fanned out, their movements swift and silent. The ground was dry and rocky, the air thick with the coolness of an approaching night. Lyrian knelt down, his hand brushing the ground lightly as he studied the surroundings. Kaelen stood nearby, his eyes tracing the faint outline of the mercenary building in the distance. It was a fortress, well-guarded, and clearly fortified with more than just soldiers. There was no room for mistakes.

  Andras turned to the three engineers—Rina, Dane, and Sera—his expression unreadable but intense. "I need a perimeter scan of the building. Look for any shields or energy barriers that could alert the mercenaries to our approach. We need to know what we're up against."

  Rina gave a quick nod, already pulling out a compact device from her belt. The other two followed suit, the hum of their tech activating in perfect unison. The engineers set to work, each moving with the precision of a well-rehearsed drill. The scanning devices whirred softly, casting faint beams of light as they mapped the perimeter and collected data from the energy fields surrounding the building.

  Within moments, the information started coming in. The engineers spoke in low, measured voices, each feeding the results to the rest of the team.

  "Energy barriers detected," Rina said, her eyes narrowing at the display on her wrist. "Technomancer-based. No magic interference, though."

  Sera stepped forward, her fingers flying over her scanner. "Confirmed. Non-magical. It’s purely a tech shield, layered across the perimeter. If we get too close, they’ll know we’re here before we even breach the wall."

  Dane chimed in, double-checking the readings. "The shield covers the entire approach. No way to slip through undetected unless we neutralize it first."

  Andras stood silent for a moment, his eyes narrowing at the holographic map of the building and the barrier surrounding it. He gave a short, sharp nod, as if this was exactly what he'd expected. “Right. That’s what I thought.”

  Harken, standing off to the side, stepped forward. His voice was low, but filled with concern. “Commander, if we try to take out the shields, they’ll be onto us immediately. The element of surprise will be lost, and we might not even make it to the building before they lock it down.”

  Andras’s gaze shifted to Harken, his face hard but calculating. The rest of the squad watched him closely, waiting for a plan. The tension in the air was thick, every second ticking by adding to the weight of the decision.

  For a moment, it seemed like Andras was considering all possible options, his mind working through the risks. Then his eyes lit up with sudden clarity. “We don’t take down the shields. We trigger them.”

  Harken’s eyebrows shot up, and Kaelen exchanged a glance with Lyrian, both clearly taken aback. “You want to trigger the shields?” Harken asked, incredulity creeping into his voice. “That’ll give away our position.”

  Andras’s smirk was subtle but dangerous. “Exactly. We make them think they’ve caught us. Send a drone ahead to brush against the perimeter and set off the alarm. The mercenaries will assume we’re making a frontal assault and reinforce the main entrance. Meanwhile, Squad Three can breach through the roof undetected while they’re distracted.”

  The team fell silent for a moment as the team processed the plan. It was bold—dangerous even—but it made sense. It would draw attention away from the more vulnerable infiltration routes and give them a fighting chance to get inside before the mercenaries realized they’d been outmaneuvered.

  Harken’s serious expression slowly shifted into one of grudging respect. “Risky, but smart. It could work.”

  Rina and the other engineers nodded in agreement. They began adjusting their equipment, prepping the drones for the diversion.

  Kaelen felt a wave of admiration for Andras. It was no wonder the Commander had earned such loyalty from his people. Even in the most dangerous situations, his tactical mind never stopped working. And in moments like this, it was clear that Andras wasn’t just a leader—he was a strategist with a mind sharp enough to turn even a disadvantage into an advantage.

  Andras surveyed the team, his voice commanding yet calm. “We execute this perfectly, and we have them right where we want them. Squad One moves in on my signal, and Squad Three breaches the roof. Squad Two, you’re on standby to intercept any reinforcements. Remember, we grab at least one merc alive. The rest... don’t leave standing.”

  The team nodded in unison, the plan solidified. Everyone knew their role, and the gravity of the mission pressed down even harder as they prepared for the next phase.

  “Get ready,” Andras said, his voice low and sure. “We move in five.”

  Andras’s gaze locked onto Kaelen with the kind of intensity that made it clear this wasn’t a casual conversation. “Kaelen, a word.”

  Kaelen blinked, his body tensing slightly at the directness of the command. He glanced at Lyrian, who was busy checking his gear but quickly looked up, sensing the shift in the air. As Kaelen moved to follow Andras, Lyrian leaned over, whispering with a sly grin, “Don’t let him bite your head off.”

  Kaelen shot him a look, half-amused, half-nervous, but didn’t respond. He could feel the weight of Andras's presence ahead of him, and any humor vanished quickly as he trailed the commander. The rest of the squad was still prepping, but there was an unspoken awareness that something important was happening. They kept their distance.

  Once they were far enough from the rest of the team, Andras stopped abruptly and turned, facing Kaelen with a sharp, unwavering gaze. The silence between them hung thick in the air, heavy with expectation.

  "Let’s not waste time," Andras began, his voice low but firm. "I know what you’re capable of, Kaelen. Your power—it’s been obvious for a while now. So let's drop the act.”

  Kaelen’s eyes widened slightly, his instincts screaming at him to deny it, to play it off like he always had. "Commander, I—"

  “Stop,” Andras cut him off, his tone final, leaving no room for argument. “Don’t waste your breath. You’re going to use it. Right here, right now.”

  Kaelen blinked, completely thrown. This wasn’t the accusation or condemnation he had expected. If anything, Andras sounded... insistent.

  Andras’s eyes narrowed as he studied Kaelen with a knowing gaze. “You didn’t think I knew, did you? Those eyes, boy…” He stepped closer, his voice low but steady. “They’re not as normal as you hoped. They’re torn from myths and chaos.”

  Kaelen flinched, the words hitting him like a physical blow. A hollow ache spread through his chest, and all he wanted was to tear his eyes from his own face.

  Kaelen opened his mouth to protest, but the words faltered before they could form. “I… I don’t even know how to control it properly. It’s not something I can just... turn on like that.”

  Andras’s expression didn’t change, though his eyes narrowed just a fraction. “I’ve seen the shadows move around you. I don’t care how messy it is or if you think it’s under control or not. What I care about is surviving this mission. If using your powers is what’s going to keep my team alive, then I expect you to use them—freely. No more hiding. No more excuses.”

  Kaelen hesitated, his mind racing. The last thing he’d expected was for Andras to actually encourage him to use the power that had always been a source of fear and uncertainty. But there was no mistaking the tone in Andras’s voice—this wasn’t a request. It was a command, and Kaelen felt the weight of it settling on his shoulders.

  He took a breath, nodding slowly. “Alright. I’ll use them if I need to.”

  Andras watched him for a moment longer, as if weighing the sincerity in Kaelen’s words. Then, without another word, he turned on his heel and started to walk away, his posture as stiff and deliberate as ever. But just as he took a few steps, he stopped again, his back still to Kaelen.

  “I don’t care if you survive this because of some power you’re afraid to use," Andras said quietly, his voice almost too low to hear. "But don’t get so lost in it that you forget what you’re fighting for. My concern is making sure the people who matter come out of this alive. And that includes you.”

  Without waiting for a response, Andras moved forward, his pace unbroken, leaving Kaelen standing there, stunned. It was a rare glimpse of something beneath the commander’s cold, methodical exterior—something that made Kaelen realize that, despite everything, Andras wasn't just protecting his soldiers. He was protecting him too.

  Kaelen swallowed, feeling the tension in his chest ease just a fraction. He didn’t know whether to feel relieved or even more uncertain, but there was no denying the impact of Andras’s words.

  "Thank you..." he whispered, emotion flickering through his guarded exterior, a reminder of something long lost.