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Ethan nodded once.
"We'll go there tomorrow morning," he said. "Make the arrangements."
Sharon closed the file. "I'll prepare the travel plans and notify the local contacts," she replied.
Grant stretched his neck. "Guess we're flying early then."
Storm didn't say anything. He simply gave a short nod, already thinking about the route and possible threats.
The car stopped in front of the house. Everyone got out.
Sharon walked toward the side entrance, pulling out her phone to start making calls.
"I'll have everything ready before sunrise," she said.
Grant followed her. "I'll check our gear and pack for the trip."
"This time it will be a fight," Ethan said as he walked inside. "Get ready properly."
Storm nodded once. "Understood."
Inside the house, the team split up immediately.
Sharon went straight to the office room, laying the file on the desk and opening her laptop.
She started calling contacts, arranging a private flight, clearing landing permissions, and preparing a cover story.
Grant headed to the equipment room. He opened cases, checked weapons, confirmed ammo supplies, and sorted body armor.
Storm stood in the hallway for a moment, silent.
Then he walked to his own room and began preparing his blades, cleaning each one with careful precision.
Ethan made his way to the living room and sat on the couch.
He removed his coat, loosened his tie, and leaned back with a deep, steady breath.
And just relaxed.
Soon the day passed, and now Ethan was resting in his private jet.
This one was modified by him as well, so it was basically a fighter jet in a private-jet shell.
If there is one thing Ethan excels at, it is caution.
It was also the reason he never bothered to step out of his heavily fortified home before.
Even with his combat suit, he always worried someone might fire an EMP at him, Rendering his suit useless.
So he simply never left the house—
not until he got the Quan Chi template, which gave him the confidence to move more freely.....somewhat.
Sharon sat across from him, typing on her tablet while checking the route on the screen.
"We'll reach Johannesburg in eight hours," she said.
Grant and Storm were there too, sitting to the side and quietly drinking together.
"Hmm. You should rest," Ethan said. "I'm not going to talk to any guy who might barge in on us with a mic."
Sharon looked like she wanted to protest, but she sighed and nodded.
Sharon put her tablet aside and leaned back in her seat.
"Fine… I'll rest for a bit," she said, closing her eyes.
Ethan nodded once, satisfied.
The jet hummed softly as it cut through the sky.
Storm sat by the window, quiet as always, watching the clouds drift by. Grant leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, already half-asleep after finishing his drink.
Ethan glanced at each of them.
They were calm.
Focused.
Ready.
He relaxed into his seat and closed his eyes as well, letting the steady sound of the engines fill the silence.
Hours passed like that—quiet, smooth, and without trouble.
Eventually, the pilot's voice came over the intercom.
"Sir, we're approaching Johannesburg airspace. We'll begin descending soon."
Sharon opened her eyes immediately.
Grant woke up with a short grunt.
Storm straightened his posture.
Ethan stretched his arms once and nodded.
Ethan stood up from his seat and grabbed his coat.
"Alright," he said. "Everyone get ready."
Sharon quickly picked up her tablet and checked the landing schedule again.
Grant pulled on his vest and tightened the straps, fully awake now.
Storm simply stood, adjusting the sheath on his back.
The jet began to descend, the engines humming louder as the ground came closer.
Outside the window, the edges of Johannesburg came into view—wide land, scattered buildings, and the long stretch of the outskirts.
Ethan looked at it calmly.
The jet wheels touched the runway with a soft thud.
When the door opened, they walked out and headed straight to the car waiting for them on the runway.
A man stood beside it—the Director of the Arasaka branch stationed here in Johannesburg.
"Welcome, sir," the man said respectfully, offering a flower bouquet.
"You can do your work. I'm just here to tour, nothing else," Ethan replied briefly, pushing the bouquet back toward him.
"A-as you wish, sir," the man said quickly and stepped aside as Ethan and the others entered the car and drove off.
As their vehicle left, a woman walked up to the branch CEO.
"Is it true? That was him?" she asked quietly. "He… he seemed intimidating even though he's at least ten years younger than me."
The man nodded. "Yes. That was Ethan Cliff."
She swallowed nervously, and both of them went back to their tasks, not wanting to draw any more attention.
Meanwhile, Ethan's car headed toward the booked hotel.
Sharon checked the hotel details on her tablet.
"Our rooms are ready. Top floor, secured. Arasaka already cleared the entire floor," she said.
Grant leaned back. "Good. I could use a shower."
Storm stared out the window, silent as ever, scanning the streets, checking corners, watching every shadow.
Ethan rested his arm on the door.
"We'll check in first," he said. "Then we go to the salvage yard after we settle."
The car drove through the city until it reached a tall luxury hotel. Arasaka security was already stationed discreetly around the entrance. The staff bowed deeply as Ethan stepped out.
He didn't slow down. He simply walked straight into the lobby, Storm, Grant, and Sharon behind him.
They took the elevator to the top floor.
"The main suite is yours. The other rooms are ours," Sharon said as Ethan headed toward the room at the end of the hallway. The others went to their own rooms as well.
"Rest. We leave in 30 minutes," Ethan said.
The others nodded and left to prepare.
Ethan entered his suite and closed the door behind him.
The room was large, quiet, and clean. Floor-to-ceiling windows showed the city below, dotted with lights even during the day. He removed his coat, tossed it on the chair, and loosened his shoulders.