The green lights blinked slowly in HQ, each panel humming softly as communications flowed in and out. Eric stood rigid in the center of the room, eyes fixed on the large screen displaying the routes and current positions. Noah and Liam sat to the side, adjusting their headphones.
"Listen carefully," the boss's voice crackled through the comm system, serious, leaving no room for error. "Time is short. Ferom-9 is on the transit boat, en route to the target country. Before it arrives… we need to secure the owner of the serum."
Eric swallowed, his fists tightening slightly. This last mission wasn't just a routine operation anymore. It would determine whether Ferom-9 would be misused or secured safely.
The boss continued, "Cael is involved, but don't assume he's the only threat. The primary focus is the original owner of the serum. Every move must be planned. The operation site will be high-risk—we don't know the full extent of security.
Focus on the objective: capture the serum's owner, ensure no leaks or casualties occur."
Noah glanced at Eric, offering a small, tense smile to boost morale. Liam just nodded, staring at the screen seriously.
"Jay won't be joining this mission," the boss added, softer yet firm. "Levant will replace him. All training and coordination have been briefed. Ensure no mistakes occur."
Eric exhaled slowly, processing the information. Levant was skilled, but he still needed to adapt to the high-risk conditions of a full-scale mission. "Understood," Eric replied calmly. Noah and Liam nodded in unison, silent. Everyone knew there was no time for discussion.
The boss emphasized again, "Once you move, there's no turning back. Use all available resources; every update will help the mission. Movement must be silent, precise, and swift."
Eric looked down, scanning his team's faces. Each one reflected determination, but underneath, there was a trace of anxiety—the pressure of this final mission heavier than usual. He knew Ferom-9 wasn't just an object or weapon. It could shift power balances, and a single mistake could have catastrophic consequences.
"The maps and routes have been updated," the boss added, his electronic voice echoing through the room. "Prepare to move in fifteen minutes. Use this time to check equipment, coordinate, and refine strategy. Everything must align."
Eric nodded slowly. He lifted his gaze, focused on the screens. There was no room for fear, no room for error. Every step, every movement had to be exact. This was their final mission for Ferom-9.
The room fell silent. Only the monitors hummed, and the sound of hearts beating fast filled the quiet. No jokes, no laughter. Just preparation and tension, waiting for the moment to move.
Eric drew a deep breath. In his heart, a weight he could not shake lingered—Ferom-9, its owner, and all the secrets still hidden. Every step ahead would determine their fate, and possibly the fate of the world around them.
And in that moment, everyone knew: this mission was more than an operation. It was decisive.
---
The prep room was alive with the clatter of metal, zippers being pulled, and weapons being placed methodically on steel tables. Bright white lights reflected the moving shadows of the team, each focused on routines ingrained through training.
Noah stood by a locker, putting on his tactical jacket while talking nonstop.
"Okay, if I die—"
"Don't start," Liam interrupted, sliding on his gloves.
"No, hear me out," Noah continued, mock serious. "If I die, make sure my memorial pic is handsome."
Liam chuckled. "You haven't even died yet and you're worrying about your tombstone."
"I'm practical," Noah replied nonchalantly. "We're in high-risk work. Stats don't favor loudmouths like me."
Eric at the far end of the room only smiled faintly, checking his pistol. The smile was brief, more reflex than feeling. His hands moved skillfully, but his mind was elsewhere.
The prep room door opened.
Levant stepped in.
His movements were calm, face cold and unreadable as always. Fully geared, he seemed like he belonged there from the start.
"Oh. You," Noah said, pausing his chatter.
Levant raised an eyebrow. "Still alive, huh."
"Disappointed?"
"Somewhat," Levant replied without smiling.
Liam shot him a side glance, clearly displeased with Levant's presence.
Levant approached Liam, serious yet calm. "Listen. Right now, we have a mission. Everything else—Jay, past incidents… forget them for now. Focus on the job. Anything outside the mission is off-limits for now."
Liam studied Levant, still holding some resentment but realizing the tone left no room for argument. "Alright… I'll try," he said, exhaling slowly.
Levant nodded, lightly patting Liam's shoulder. "Good. We're a team. We do the job, ensure this mission succeeds. After this… we can deal with everything else."
Noah, standing nearby, smiled slightly to lighten the mood. "Yeah… let's focus first, then talk later. No more fights, hehe," he said, patting Levant's arm.
Levant returned a faint smile, eyes still alert. "Right. Focus, and everyone follow the plan. No mistakes."
---
The speedboat cut through the night waves, moonlight reflecting off the gentle swell. The cold wind hit their faces, but the unit remained focused. Not a word spoken; only the engine's hum and the occasional splash accompanied their journey.
Eric stood in the center, eyes on the horizon, fingers pressing against his tactical belt as if cementing resolve. Every step of the mission had been mapped in his head, yet he still considered the worst-case scenarios.
"Alright," Eric finally broke the silence, firm and concise. "We'll enter from the north side.
The front may be monitored. If we're too obvious, they'll notice. Main focus—secure the owner of Ferom-9, avoid unnecessary casualties."
Liam leaned forward slightly, pointing at the digital map on his tablet. "If we split into two teams, one primary, one backup, we can ensure the target can't escape. Noah and I take backup. Eric, Levant… you go primary."
Levant nodded, calm but resolute. "Understood. But we need to watch for traps—security systems or armed guards. No one should get hurt."
All understood the gravity. They were heading into a difficult area, where tactical preparation and coordination would be tested.
Eric glanced at Levant. "Jay isn't here because… she's pregnant. You're filling her position. Ensure coordination runs smoothly."
Levant inhaled deeply. "Understood. I'll follow procedure exactly. No room for error."
Eric exhaled, eyes sweeping across the team. "Remember, time is limited. The owner of Ferom-9 will try to escape. We don't know the full interior situation. Every move precise, coordinated. No one acts alone."
They paused for a moment, calming themselves, letting the night tension and waves sharpen their focus. Each member checked weapons and communications again, ensuring everything was optimal.
"If we succeed," Eric added softly, almost whispering, "this will all be over before the boat reaches its destination. Don't misstep—Ferom-9 cannot fall into the wrong hands."
Liam lowered his head, pressing the communication button for final coordination. "All set. Time's almost up. Focus."
The speedboat surged through the dark night, shadows of islands and the harbor appearing on the horizon. The team tensed, ready for anything awaiting them—the final mission, the most critical mission to stop Ferom-9 before it reached the wrong hands.