Chapter 9: Orders and Unease
The briefing room was colder than before, its sterile lights reflecting off the polished floor. The six recruits, now officially ranked, stood facing the holographic display projecting their next assignment.
A stern officer's voice filled the room. "Your new mission: explore the ruins of Ny-X1, a city once home to Nyxsies. Recent intelligence suggests experiments there threaten Earth's safety."
Xena's gaze sharpened, but Elara rolled her eyes loudly enough to draw a few glances.
"Third rank or not, you'll follow my lead," Elara snapped, stepping forward. "I'm not repeating mistakes from the last mission."
Izan's calm voice cut through the tension. "Planning isn't about ego. We coordinate or we fail."
Zion chuckled softly, "No one's following anyone blindly here."
Rhys kept quiet, watching the shifting alliances with measured eyes. Miya stood beside him, silent but attentive.
Xena met Elara's glare, steady and unyielding. "We're a team. Not rivals."
Elara smirked, turning away. "We'll see if that holds when the city fights back."
The room fell into uneasy silence. Outside, the stars blinked coldly, as if aware the real test had only just begun.