The team was gathered in the living room of their base, an unusual silence filling the space after the weight of George Holt's words settled in. They had just celebrated Logan's birthday a few days ago, but the mood had quickly shifted from celebratory to cautious. The team wasn't used to the constant threat of danger, but they were quickly realizing that it was becoming a part of their reality.
George Holt, wearing his usual calm demeanor, sat across from them. His voice carried the unmistakable authority of someone who had seen the worst of the world and lived to tell the tale. "Listen to me carefully, all of you," he said, looking directly at Logan and the rest of the group. "Langston is a dangerous man, and though the board rejected his request to use you all for his experiments, I know from a reliable source within Department 77 that he's not going to give up so easily."
The team exchanged uneasy glances. They had heard about Langston before—the man with his obsession for the alien insecticoid experiments and his cold, calculating nature. They had heard whispers about how persistent he was in trying to get Logan—and his teammates—for his own twisted purposes, but hearing it from Logan's father made it feel all the more real.
George leaned forward, his hands resting on his knees. "Langston may have been shut down for now, but his ambition doesn't stop there. If he believes you're a key to unlocking whatever he's trying to accomplish, he will come after you in ways you wouldn't expect. The man is ruthless, and if he can't get you one way, he will find another."
Logan felt a knot tighten in his stomach. He had always known that the dangerous world he was a part of would inevitably come knocking at his door, but hearing George confirm it was a chilling reminder that the stakes had just gotten higher.
Matthew, ever the jokester, leaned back in his chair with a smirk. "So, what's the deal? You think he's going to come knocking on our door, asking us for DNA samples or something?"
The rest of the team laughed lightly, but the underlying unease was still palpable. George, however, didn't seem to share the levity. He simply shook his head.
"It's not that simple, Matthew. Langston is much more calculated than that. You don't just put up walls and expect him to give up. He'll find ways to manipulate, to pressure you into a position where you'll have no choice but to comply, or worse."
William, who had been unusually quiet, spoke up, his voice low but serious. "So what do we do? Just wait for him to make his move?"
George met William's eyes with a knowing look. "No. You stay sharp. Stay cautious. Langston is smart, and he has people on the inside, people who are always watching. He'll bide his time, and if he doesn't get what he wants now, he'll wait for a better opportunity."
Elsa, who had been listening intently, finally spoke. "So, what exactly are you suggesting, Mr. Holt? Are we supposed to be paranoid about every move we make?"
George's expression softened slightly, but his tone remained firm. "Not paranoid—aware. You need to be aware of your surroundings. You're not just running from ordinary enemies now. Langston is playing a bigger game, and you're all caught up in it whether you like it or not."
Logan nodded, his jaw tightening in determination. "I know. But we'll handle it. We're not going to let him use us."
The team exchanged glances again, their resolve strengthening. Jessica gave a small, almost imperceptible nod, and Matthew spoke up again, his usual grin back in place, though his eyes were still sharp with caution. "Well, I'll be ready for anything. I don't think we've faced anything we couldn't handle yet."
George stood up, signaling that the conversation was drawing to a close. "Just remember—Langston doesn't play by the rules. If he wants something bad enough, he'll come after it no matter what. I just want you all to be careful. Stay united, stay sharp, and stay one step ahead of him."
The team nodded in agreement, each of them understanding the gravity of the situation. They had faced impossible odds before, but this time, they had to be prepared for the unpredictable nature of their enemies. Langston's pursuit would not be a simple battle, but a war of minds and strategies—and in that kind of war, the stakes were higher than ever.
As George left the room, the tension in the air didn't immediately dissipate. The team was still processing the warning, but one thing was clear: They had a choice to make, and that choice would define what came next in their fight against Langston's ambitions. They would have to stay united, stay cautious, and most importantly, stay one step ahead.
And Logan knew one thing for sure—he wasn't about to let anyone, not even Langston, manipulate his future.
Dr. Langston stood in the shadows of his high-tech office, staring at the detailed files on Logan Holt and his team. His earlier failure to convince the board to use the Wilderness Program supers had left him frustrated and determined. The Zirathkrill were coming, and the need for powerful allies had only grown more urgent. Langston needed a way to tip the scales in his favor, and if the board wouldn't approve his request, he would have to take matters into his own hands.
The idea had been simmering in his mind for days. He had access to the underworld—a network of dangerous supers with unique abilities, most of whom had operated in the shadows for years, working outside the law for the right price. These were the kinds of people who didn't care about morality or the ethics that the board operated by. They cared about getting the job done, and in Langston's eyes, they were the perfect candidates to bring in the Wilderness Program supers.
Langston's fingers hovered over the keys as he initiated the process. He sent out encrypted messages to three of the most notorious supers, each with a reputation that had echoed through the underworld for years. They would do anything for the right price.
First, there was Carmen, a hallucination specialist. She had the power to manipulate the minds of those around her, twisting their perceptions and creating illusions so real that the victim couldn't distinguish them from reality. Her skill set was perfect for taking out a target without them ever realizing it.
Next, Marek and Ryker, two titans known for their unmatched brute strength. They had risen through the ranks of underground fighting rings, gaining a reputation for their relentless power and ability to break through any defense. With their immense size and strength, they would be invaluable in taking down anyone who stood in their way.
Finally, Nolan, a tech genius synth known for creating top-grade restriction tech. He could disable any power or force field, making him a dangerous opponent to anyone with abilities. His modifications had been used by various factions in covert operations and black-market dealings. Langston had no doubt that he could break through any of the team's defenses, including Logan's forcefield if needed.
Langston's fingers tapped out the final encrypted message. "Half now, the balance upon completion. Get me one of Logan's team, dead or alive. Make it clean. I don't care how you do it, but make sure they don't suspect a thing."
He sent the message, sealing his decision to operate outside the board's authority. As the digital acknowledgments of receipt flooded in, Langston knew he had just set something dangerous in motion. If the supers succeeded, he would have the leverage he needed. If they failed... well, Langston wasn't concerned. He had the resources to clean up any mess.
Meanwhile, in the field, the three supers gathered at an undisclosed location, a safehouse on the outskirts of the city. They discussed their strategy as they reviewed their targets, the faces of Logan, Matthew, William, and Elsa flickering across their devices. They had no idea what they were getting into. The supers thought they were dealing with typical targets, but what Langston hadn't told them was the extent of Logan's team's abilities.
As Langston continued to watch the events unfold from the safety of his office, he couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. The clock was ticking, and if Logan or his teammates didn't comply with his plans soon, he would be ready to take them by force.
But Logan was no ordinary young man, and neither were his friends. Langston's confidence would soon be put to the test in ways he hadn't anticipated.